The Imagination Library Book Gifting Program supplies free books to children ages 0 to 5 who are living in our community. This early reader program is funded through your donations to the KASD Education Foundation. You are able to directly support this important endeavor by noting “Innovative Projects: Free Books” on the memo line of a future donation.
This month, the KASD Education Foundation sent a message of congratulations to Kutztown Area High School in three “big ways”, posting billboards at two entry points to Kutztown, and a third on Route 78. The billboards share our sincere congratulations to the teachers, staff, and students of KAHS. They also convey to the general public the great educational experience that is available to residents of Kutztown, PA, and we want everyone to know!
Over 25 families have developed KASD Ed Foundation scholarships in memory of their loved ones. This year, the Ron Druckenmiller Family created an annual award for “a graduating senior men’s basketball player who demonstrates selfless leadership and challenges himself and others to be the best they can be on and off the court.” The Education Foundation thanks Ron’s wife Judy, brothers Tom & Jay, son Dean, and daughter Cheryl, for their thoughtful donation in memory of Ronald F. Druckenmiller.
In September, Kutztown Area High School was named a National Blue Ribbon School, one of only two public high schools in Pennsylvania to win this award. The National Blue Ribbon Program honors and brings attention to American schools for their overall academic excellence. A Blue Ribbon flag flying over your school is a symbol of quality recognized by everyone from parents to policy-makers in thousands of communities across the country.
We received a pledge to match donations. The first $2,020 in donations received by December 31, 2020 will be matched to double their impact! Each and every donation goes a long way to assuring we are able to “Improve Education Together.” If 101 donors send us $20, each of those donations would be doubled in impact! All gifts up to a total of $2,020 will be matched. Please take advantage of this offer by 12/31/2020.
After twenty years as Founder and Executive Director of the KASD Education Foundation, Dr. Brenda Winkler has indicated her wish to mentor a new leader of the foundation’s Board of Directors. Dr. Winkler will remain a guiding force of the foundation as a member of the board while she mentors Executive Director-Elect, Mrs. Katherine Metrick.
The KASD Education Foundation was created twenty years ago in October 2000, by three Kutztown High School Alumni: Dr. Brenda Winkler, then Superintendent of the Kutztown Area School District, the late DeLight Breidegam Jr., co-founder of Deka Battery, now East Penn Manufacturing, and Attorney Robert P. Grim. Today, the Foundation remains strongly committed to its original mission, “to enhance educational opportunities in the district’s schools and communities, and to recognize the superior achievements of districts students and alumni.”
Miss Abigail Herrlin received the Education Foundation’s “John & Laila Silan Valedictorian Scholarship.” In addition to becoming the Class of 2020 Valedictorian, Abigail was a member of the marching band, county band, district band, and concert band. She is a four-year member of the musical, a two-year member of the National Honor Society, and was…
Miss Sydney Sheetz received the Education Foundation’s “John & Laila Silan Salutatorian Scholarship.” In addition to becoming the Class of 2020 Salutatorian, Sydney was Class President since her sophomore year, as well as a member of the Student Council and National Honor Society.
The KASD Ed Foundation Board announced the 2020 Distinguished Alumna of the year, Dr. Karen L. Rauch, Ph.D., KAHS Class of 1980. Dr. Rauch received her Ph.D. from The University of Virginia. She currently serves as Associate Provost for Accreditation and Assessment at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where she has also served as Associate Professor, Chair of the Modern Language Studies Department, and Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. As a faculty member, she taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Caribbean studies, nineteenth-century Peninsular (Spanish) and Latin American literature, civilization and culture, translation/interpreting, and Spanish for business.