PROSPER EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Profoundly impacting the success of each Prosper ISD student

Prosper ISD is growing, innovating, balancing all levels of student potentials and needs, feeding students 2 of their 3 meals a day, transporting them, ensuring their health, managing social and emotional needs and more. The list literally goes on and on and increases each year.

Meanwhile, school funding has never been more complex or uncertain as State Boards make funding redirection decisions that affect our district in ways that can seem unfair. The community of Prosper demands a top education for their children and expects the best. Making funds available to Prosper ISD where needed can make that happen. That’s where the Prosper Education Foundation comes in. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supporting and investing in academic excellence, innovation and achievement in Prosper ISD.

PROVIDING FUNDS WHERE NEEDED

Supporting Teachers

Prosper ISD spends 84% of their entire budget for staff salaries, because education can only be as good as our teachers. Valuing and encouraging the work of our teachers keeps their energy up and helps retain and attract the best and brightest. Recognizing, rewarding, training, and equipping teachers not only helps inspire high level teaching but ensures our students have the best tools available to impact their learning.

Enriching Student Opportunities

Parents and district administration want our students to have every possible opportunity to learn, grow, and develop to their full potential. Yet, with a budget heavy in salaries, that leaves only 16% for everything else. Having resources available to invest in programs such as Hope Squad, JROTC, RISE, the Student Leadership Summit, Special Olympics and whatever program comes next to add to our academic offerings means Prosper ISD can continue to innovate and expand as opportunities and needs arise.

Investing in Education

Prosper ISD students are exceptionally talented, bright, and hardworking. They are chasing big dreams with solid plans for their future. PEF invests in our students by providing scholarship opportunities for college, trade school, technical certifications, dual credit courses and AP exams. Funds come from direct donations and community partners. Prosper ISD students are striving for more, and PEF is here to help.

PEF PLANNED INVESTMENT IN PROSPER ISD TOTALS $682,400

Staff Initiatives
Teacher Grants
Teacher Star Polisher Awards
Teacher Resourcing Funds
Professional Development for Staff
New Teacher Mentoring Program District Convocation & Staff Appreciation Teacher of the Year Banquet & Awards Supper with the Super
RISE Educator Program

Total Staff Initiatives

$75,000
$21,000
$50,000
$100,000
$25,000
$72,500
$27,000
$25,000

$397,900

Student Initiatives
JROTC
Hope Squad & Summer Leadership Summit Senior Scholarships & Grad Celebration Incubator Entrepreneurship Program Special Olympics
Family Resource Center
Dual Credit Scholarships
AP Exam Scholarships
Technical Education & Summer School

Total Student Initiatives

$50,000
$45,000
$135,000
$5,000
$7,500
$2,500
$9,500
$15,000

$284,500

SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE, ACHIEVEMENT AND INNOVATION IN PROSPER ISD

IMPACTING EDUCATION IN IMPORTANT WAYS

Teacher Grants for Innovative Ideas

Each fall, PEF invests in students and teachers through Teacher Grants. These funds provide classroom resources for over 100 teachers. Teachers can ask for an individual grant of up to $1,000 or ask as a team for larger amounts. From coding clubs, life skill projects, math and science enrichment, medical training equipment, musical workshops, reading supports, social media concerns for teens curriculum, and social and emotional learning tools, these grants have impacted thousands of Prosper ISD students across every campus!

$75,000 Need

Teacher Awards and Recognition

Each month, PEF honors one teacher at each campus with the Star Polisher Award for exceptional work and dedication to student learning. Teachers are surprised by this award in their classrooms and are given a gift basket with personal recognition items and a $100 gift card. Saying thank you and showing appreciation to a teacher means so much to them. Seeing the gratitude in their eyes helps PEF know, this is money well spent.

$21,000 Need

Teacher Resourcing and Support

Everyone knows teachers spend their own money on classrooms and supplies. PEF gives$100 gift cards to new Prosper ISD teachers before the start of the year. Each year, Prosper ISD hires many new teachers with the high growth of our district. We want our newest teachers to know they have finally joined the best district in Texas!

$50,000 Need

Professional Development for Staff

PEF makes a large investment into Prosper ISD toward professional development for staff. These funds are used to train current staff in areas of need for the district, and enhance skills providing a higher level of teaching for our staff to enhance student learning. Staff development funds are not always available for a district who focuses so much of their budget on current school year needs and staff. Providing these training opportunities helps keep great teachers and enables a promotion from within philosophy.

$100,000 Need

New Teacher Mentoring Program

PEF provides $200 to each teacher who mentors a first-time teacher through the year. This involves hours of follow-up and help on the part of the senior teacher, but allows us to give back to them for pouring into our newest teachers.

$25,000 Need

District Convocation & Teacher Appreciation Plans

Prosper ISD gathers to kick-off the start of each new school year. To help motivate, inspire, appreciate, and thank the growing Prosper ISD staff, PEF provides the funds for an exceptional District Convocation. This important district event is always exciting and helps shape the year and welcome new staff to our growing district.

$65,000 Need

Teacher of the Year Banquet & Awards

Recognition and celebration of a job well done leads people to continue to work at their highest level. Being selected as the Teacher of the Year is a huge honor! PEF is pleased to provide funds for a dinner and gifts. We also invite other members of the community to add to their gifts and recognition. Campus Teachers of the Year, Para Professionals of the Year and department award recipients are honored along side their family, campus administration and district leadership.

$27,000 Need

Supper with the Super

PEF provides funding for the Supper with the Super events held to provide access for staff to district leadership.

$2,400 Need

“It is an amazing feeling to know
how much support the community
provides to PISD staff. This district is
truly unlike any other. It is an
amazing feeling to know how much
support the community provides to
PISD staff. This district is truly unlike
any other,”

~ Ms. Okelberry, a new teacher
in 2020

“I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Hughes Elementary 4th and 5th graders were able to experience Jr. Hope Squad because of you. I was lucky to be their advisor, and wow! What an experience! Thank you!!”

~ Nicole McCasland, teacher

Student Opportunities

Hope Squad. PEF has stood beside Prosper ISD to cover the costs associated with the Hope Squad since it’s inception. This peer-to-peer program trains students on prevention, warning signs, and methods of response related to teenage suicide.

Incubator Ed. This high school class lead students with a passion for entrepreneurialism to identify a need in the world and create a product or service to meet it. They then explore each area of a successful business and write their plan. The fledgling company with the most viability and best business plan as determined by a panel of judges from the business world will receive a $5,000 prize to start their business.

JROTC. This is a high school leadership program which trains students in study skills, history, citizenship, military drills, and physical fitness. PEF is providing about 1/3 of the cost of this program. We are excited to see this program grow and thrive!

RISE Program. PEF provides funds for the RISE, Research Impacting Student Excellence, program for needed materials, supplies, and tools for learning and bonus type funds for teachers in the program. The extra planning and curriculum work involved to participate is considerable. Often, these teachers are looking to grow and expand their teaching in specialized areas and have a need to do more!

Student Leadership Summit. PEF funds this 3-day post school year conference for students to collaborate and learn about leadership and critical problem solving in a team environment.

$125,000 Need

Senior Scholarships

Every spring, PEF receives exceptional scholarship applications from bright, hardworking, graduating seniors. Students with big plans, balancing well their commitments beyond the classroom and excelling in employment, extracurricular activities or volunteerism. Financial need is also a factor in many of our awards. These awards ranging from $500 to $3,000 are presented on PEF Scholarship Awards Night. Seniors planning to attend any traditional college, university, or trade school are eligible.

Over $125,000 Need

Scholarships for Dual Credit Classes & AP Tests

Dual Credit and AP courses offer high school students college credit while taking classes during their high school years. This increases the value of their time spent learning and studying, while decreasing the amount a college degree will cost them. However, there is a cost to students and families for each class or AP exam they take. PEF is providing scholarship funds to high school students to ensure a financial burden is not standing in the way of a student maximizing his or her time in school.

$125,000 Need

Technical Certifications & Summer School

There is an abundant number of certifications high school students can get taking elective classes in high school. These certifications increase their worth in the job market immediately. Ensuring students who qualify get their certifications is important. Assisting students with summer courses for advancement encourages educational success. PEF is proud to support both initiatives.

$15,000 Need

Special Olympics & Special Needs Funding

PEF support ALL Prosper ISD students, including those with special needs. PEF is making a significant gift towards the Special Olympics to make this event all it can be. Additionally, investment is being made into the Family Resource Center to equip teachers and families with ideas, tools, and knowledge to help their students learn and develop. Supporting those staff members working in this area is also key. Funds will be used to encourage and honor those working to encourage and instruct our special needs students.

$17,500 Need

Project Graduation

Project Graduation is a lock-in party for seniors the night of graduation. Historically, this night is the highest for teenage injuries, accidents and death. In an effort to protect our students, parents and community members put on this event and PEF is proud to support it. Similarly, PEF provides funding for the Supper with the Super events held to provide access for staff to district leadership.

$12,400 Need

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“I know you give out a multitude of scholarships, and you may not remember my name. I will truly never forget the honor of having my hard work honored by you all. That money will go towards a great career. I promise you that! “
~ Carter Cioletti, Class of 2021

“Daniel and I know there are kids, even in Prosper ISD, that are working hard, striving to succeed, but coming from situations with real financial struggles. We want to come alongside and provide financial help, encouragement and a connection.”
~ Darcy Debord, Stillwaters Plumbing, donor

I have never felt so loved by a district,
and I am so grateful to be a part of
Prosper ISD. Thank you!”

~ Paige Trujillo, teacher