Stillwater Area Public Schools has a longstanding tradition of music excellence. Music grants have recently supported:

• Piano repair at SAHS

• A virtual choir project that allowed students to perform during the Covid shutdown

• A vocal technique intensive training for high schoolers

• New tubas and strings for cellos at the high school

• Field trips to Orchestra Hall for all district 4th graders

• A piano for the Stillwater Middle School choir room

Current music endowments include:

1. Dr. Tom F. Linde Fund for Music Programs at Stillwater Area High School (2005)- Supports music programs at Stillwater Area High School (jazz band, all band ensembles, all orchestra ensembles, and choir ensembles).

2. Ross Livermore Band Fund (December 2013)- Supports band ensembles at SAHS, including the SAHS Jazz Band and Pep Band.

3. The Jim Hainlen Stillwater Orchestra Legacy Fund (June 2004)- Supports the exceptional orchestral music education programs in the Stillwater Area Public Schools that are over and above the district budget.  Read more here.

These funds provide high-quality programs to enrich literacy skills for students across our district. In the recent past, grants have funded:

• Historical fiction book clubs at Lily Lake

• A lesson combining storytelling and games at SAHS

• Tools to support literacy training in elementary schools

• Books in classrooms that provide mirrors (ways to see yourself/your experiences) and windows (a way to see the life or experience of someone else)

• Spanish books for elementary classrooms

• Books to support literacy for online learners during Covid distance-learning

Current literacy endowments include:

1. Weingarten “What’s Best For Kids” Endowment Fund (February 2001)- Supports projects that reflect Mary Jo Weingarten’s love of literature and reading in any content area, early childhood through grade 12. 

Funding for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) provides students across Stillwater Area Public Schools with unique opportunities that makes our district stand out amongst its peers. Endowed STEM funding has recently supported:

• Design and Make Classrooms at both Middle schools

• An Underwater Robotics program for GATE students

• 3D printers across the district

• Robotics and computer experiences for elementary and middle school students

• The Star Lab- a portable planetarium experience for students across the district

• A field trip that brought all 4th graders in the district on an immersive experience to learn about the St Croix Valley Watershed

Current STEM endowments include:

1. Lundquist Endowment for the Sciences (2006)- Supports elementary school science programs.

2. Steve D. & Jyneen E. Thatcher Endowment for STEM in Stillwater Area Public Schools (February 2022)- Supports STEM projects in the elementary and middle school grades.

Funding for Visual Arts and Performing Arts provides Stillwater Area Public School students with a more well-rounded education. Recent grants include:

• A one-week theater residency program for 5th graders across the district

• Ukuleles and dulcimers to teach music lessons for elementary students

• Adapted music toolkits for middle schoolers with special needs

• An “illuminated art” lesson at the elementary school level that allowed a teacher to combine lessons in art and sciences

• A drumming residency for all students at Brookview Elementary

• A glass slumping kilk for the art dept at SAHS

• a kiln for Brookview Elementary

Current arts endowments include:

1. Ruth Geary Arts Fund (2005)-Supports elementary arts and performing arts across the district.
   

The mission of Stillwater Area Public Schools, in partnership with students, family and community, is to develop curious individuals who are active and engaged leaders in an ever-changing world by challenging all students as they travel along their personalized learning pathways.

The Partnership Plan plays a critical role in that mission by providing additional funding to meet the needs of students and teachers. In the past, unrestricted funds have supported:

• The world renowned Peregrine Falcon program at Stillwater Area High School

• Peer Leadership programming at both middle schools

• Pathways Program at Stillwater Area High School

• Psychology classes at the high school

• Mental Health and Anxiety calming tools

• Math intervention materials

• Continuing Education scholarships for teachers

• And much, much more

Current unrestricted endowments include:

1. Dave and Sandy Brandt Fund for Excellence (April 2008)

2. David Croonquist Fund of the Endowment for Excellence (March 2007)

3. Endowment for Excellence in Stillwater Area Schools (March 2001)

4. Futures Fund (February 2001)

Funds provide a variety of experiences for Stillwater Area students. Recent grants have funded:

• Multiple mental health grants through our 5 year Mental Health Initiative.

• Gear to extend outdoor learning at ECFC

• Preschool cooking lesson at ECFC

• Support of a Community Pop-Up store for the 18-21 Transitions program

• Scholarships for students interested in a post-secondary education in the Building Trades fields

• LGBTQ+ Professional Development for Educators across the district

• Supported a partnership between AVID student leaders & Century College

Current endowments include:

1. Nan Leekley LGBTQ Youth Fund (March 2021)- Provides mental health support, including suicide prevention and crisis intervention services; establishing and supporting social clubs (GSA’s); technology networking; staff/parental acceptance education; and housing and employment supports for LGBTQ students or students with LBGTQ family members. 

2. Building Trades Endowment- Provides scholarships to graduating students of Stillwater Area High School who intend to pursue a career in the construction and building industry. The list of construction trades includes, but is not limited to: carpenter, electrician, mason, plumber, sheet metal worker and welder.