Zionsville Middle School

The end of the school year is just around the corner and the Zionsville Education Foundation is accepting donations for the Eagle Honors program.
 
Giving an Eagle Honor is a great way to say “Thank you” to a teacher, coach, bus driver, counselor, administrator, school secretary or anyone who has made the school year a success. A gift card with a personal message of thanks will be sent to the honoree(s) and their name(s) will be listed in the ZEF annual report.
 
Your tax-deductible gift will fund grants to promote academic excellence in all Zionsville Community Schools.  For more information or to give an Eagle Honor, please visit the ZEF website at www.zionsvilleeducationfoundation.org or contact Lynn Kissell at lkissel@zcs.k12.in.us or 733-4805.

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Sandra Graef Music Education Fund

Continues to Inspire Young Musicians

The music programs at Zionsville Middle School and Zionsville West Middle School each received an annual award of $1,500 from the Sandra Graef Music Education Fund (SGMEF) to benefit music students.

 Sandra Graef was a beloved middle school music educator who lost her battle with breast cancer.  The SGMEF was established through the Zionsville Education Foundation in 2008 upon the request of her husband Rick.  Memorial donations helped to establish the fund which is in its third year of presenting grants to each of the Zionsville middle school music departments bringing the total donation to $9,000 to date.

 “As a teacher at Zionsville Middle School, Sandy always found a way to get the most from her students and the students seemed to get even more in return,” said Rick Graef.   “She always made sure that every student who wanted to attend band trips, play an instrument, or take lessons was able to do so even if there were barriers in their way.”

 “When we lost Sandy in 2008 I felt that one of the best ways to honor her memory was to establish a fund to continue these opportunities for the middle school students in the Zionsville band program,” he continued.   “The generosity of the residents of Zionsville has been overwhelming and the fund that has been established has touched the lives of hundreds of Zionsville students. Thank you for honoring Sandy with your donations.”

 Donations are still accepted directly into the SGMEF and the Graef Family hopes to be able to continue to provide support to middle school music students for many years to come. 

 “For the past 3 years, this fund has provided ZMS and ZWEST Bands unique and creative means to impact our students,” said Josh Weirich, ZMS 7/8 Grade Band Director.   “The money has helped purchase instruments and music and provided financial assistance for band students to be able to participate in music activities or to be able have an instrument to play.  Both schools have participated in projects with notable composers leading towards new works for band being published and Zionsville students being able to work with and ultimately premier these new works.   This regular donation has helped our band programs not only continue to exist, but also thrive.”

 For more information about the SGMEF, please contact the Zionsville Education Foundation at 317-733-3612 or Lynn Kissel at lkissel@zcs.k12.in.us.  Donations can be made online at www.zionsvilleeducationfoundation.org.

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  More than 20 community members and students took the stage to model during the 5th annual ZEF In Style Fashion Show at Boone Meadow School. More than 300 guests enjoyed a day of spring fashionto raise funds for educational grants.

Mother Nature tried to crash the party.  Despite a late winter snow storm and school cancellation, volunteers and supporters of the Zionsville Education Foundation (ZEF) successfully staged their 5^th annual style show on Friday, February 25, 2011. 

 More than 20 members of the community modeled spring fashions following a keynote address from Jill Nichols-Executive Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Relations for Vera Bradley.  Each guest received a Vera Bradley lunch tote as a gift. 

Proceeds from the luncheon, silent auction and raffle netted more than $35,000 for the Foundation. 

“Every dollar we raised at this event goes back to our teachers and students in the form of grants for exceptional education opportunities,” said Lynn Kissel, executive director of the Foundation.    

 “This community is always very supportive of ZEF, but this year was truly unique.  Not only did our guests overcome the weather and school cancellations to attend, they were generous beyond our expectations,” added Julie Redman, ZEF Board President.

 ZEF is accepting applications from all Zionsville educators for its spring grant cycle.  Applications are due April 5.  For more information on the Zionsville Education Foundation, please call 733-4805 or visit www.zionsvilleeducationfoundation.org.

Left:  Zionsville parent Becky Culp takes a turn on the runway during the ZEF In Style fashion show on Friday, February 25.  The event raised more than $35,000 to fund educational grants for Zionsville educators and students.

Group:  Members of the ZEF In Style committee include: (front row from left) Karen Becker, Julie Redman, Lynn Kissel, Valerie MacLean and Jennifer Cross (back row from left) Mirella Kearney, Lisa Kayes, Jane Louiso, Ellie Brown, Julie Tiller, Molly Hanlon, Peggy Edwards, Amy Metzger, Libby McCarty and Debbie Ungar. Not pictured:  Missy Copher, Elizabeth Hopper and Anne Steinberg.

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