We at the Austin Public Education Foundation would like to officially welcome Lindsay Bires a new Director on the APE Foundation Board.
Lindsay is originally from Windom, MN. She moved to Austin in 2009. Her husband Toren works at Hormel, she has an American Family Insurance agency on Oakland, and they have three children. Ashlyn is in 1st grade (7), Brielle is in Kindergarten (5) and Brayden is in daycare (2). I enjoy shopping, cooking/baking, and hanging out with family and friends.
It is an annual tradition for the Austin Public Education Foundation to provide grants to instructional staff within Austin Public School District support and enhance learning. Since 1992, the Huntting and Packer Endowments have made these grants possible, growing from a single $500 grant that first year to 55 grants totaling $45,588.20 in 2021!
The APE Foundation is pleased to consider applications that benefit the students of the Austin Public Schools. Please review the attached district goals when submitting your grant.
The foundation does not provide grants for the following:
If you are requesting an item that will require the district’s support, please talk to your principal to see if it can be supported.
As of the 2021 grants are available to both instructional staff and building administrators. Instructional Staff grants will continue to be funded through the Huntting and Packer Endowments. Building Administrator grants will be funded through APEF grants from the Hirsh Foundation.
Your grant needs to contain the following information:
Applications are due March 4th, 2022 for projects to be funded for the 2022-2023 school year.
The grant committee will notify you if your grant was selected, by March 31st, 2022. If your grant is accepted, give your purchase order to your principal stating it is for the APE Foundation, prior to the last day of school. For building administrators, submit purchase orders as normal with a notation that funding is provided by the APEF grant. Your order will be made after July 1st, 2022 and you should have your items in time for the 2022-2023 school year.
Access a Word document version of Instructional Staff Grants here.
Access a Word document version of Building Administrator Grants here.
2/2/22 3rd Grade Listening Center Materials
Dear Austin Public Education Foundation,
I am writing to request a grant for the 3rd grade at Wood Creek Elementary School. We currently have 125 children in the 3rd grade at Wood Creek. This number does fluctuate each year.
Our district started a new reading series this year called Happy Readers. With Happy Readers, everything that the children do during reading time is leveled. One of the activities, that Happy Readers suggests, is a listening center. Because of this, we would like to have listening materials at a variety of reading levels. We have very little resources for listening center materials in our building. There are 10 books with CD’s available to check out in the library. All of the 3rd grade teachers have CD players in their classrooms. We are lacking books and CD’s to play on our players.
We would appreciate it if you were able to fund listening center materials from Lakeshore Learning. Although there are 4 classrooms, we feel we would be able to share the materials. We would like to have 2 of each set that is available.
2- Read along Grades 2-4 $179.00 ($358.00 for 2 sets)
2- Read along Grades 4-6 $179.00 ($358.00 for 2 sets)
Total purchase $716.00
Thank you for taking the time to read my request,
Suzie Smith
3rd Grade Teacher
Wood Creek Elementary School
# 555-5555 / s.smith@wces.mn.us
Signed: Suzie Smith_________
Thank you, Hirsch Foundation – Building Level Grants
We are excited to still offer grants for building administrators funded through the Hirsch Foundation. The last few years, we have taken advantage of our new funding from the Hirsch Foundation to dream big and provide grants that impacted students at a broader level – benefitting all students within a building vs. a classroom or grade level. We will be able to continue on this year, with building administrators submitting their grant requests that enhance learning at their building.
In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, it is rewarding to be able to give back to the teachers and administrators of Austin Public Schools. They have worked tirelessly this year to continue providing high quality education to our students. We can’t wait to see your grant requests for this year.
Good luck!
Jennifer Boysen, Executive Director
Carolyn Dube, APEF President
The 2021 Packer Classic was a rousing success this past Monday at the Austin Country Club. 25 teams came together for a beautiful afternoon of golfing in support of education and Austin Public Schools. When planning this event, many of the COVID restrictions were still in place, so we needed to forego our usual dinner and presentation where we typically announce the winners of our games and raffle prizes. So, instead, we are announcing those winners here.
First Place: Team of Tom Wuertz, Jason Riles, John Riles, and Ron Bormaster
Second Place: Team Ameriprise Financial – Taylor Maxfield, Allison Bates, Mel Soderlund, and Amanda Sayles
Closest to the Cooler, Mens: Tom Wuertz
Closest to the Cooler, Womens: Katie Larson
Par 3 Challenge: Matt Ball
Putting Contest: 1st place – Tom Dunlop, 2nd place – Jeff Carney
| Basket | Winner |
| 1 – Get Fit Together | Amy Mayers |
| 2 – Par for the Course | Nick Wangen |
| 3 – Through the Grapevine | Tom Wuertz |
| 4 – Back on the Road | Todd Dube |
| 5 – DELIcious | Cory Goetz |
| 6 – Main Street Treats | Beth Hasley |
| 7 – Downtown Delight | Brenda Landherr |
| 8 – Sweet Reads | David Krenz |
| 9 – Dog Spahhhhhh | Andrea Malo |
| 10 – Remember to Hydrate | Morgan Schmitz |
Each year, the APE Foundation is able to give out grants that positively impact teaching and learning in Austin. Hear from one of our grant recipients, Nikky Tolde – music and advanced academic teacher at Sumner Elementary.
The Austin Public Education Foundation would like to thank everyone for coming out and enjoying a day on the links. We’ll see you at next year’s 24th Annual Packer Classic!
It’s time! The Austin Public Education Foundation is excited to announce that registration is open for this year’s Packer Classic. This golf tournament, held annually at the Austin Country Club raises funds that support classrooms and schools within Austin Public Schools District #492.
Monday, July 12, 2021: Austin Country Club
You can still be involved!
Download the Registration Form and send it to:
Austin Public Education Foundation PO Box 878 Austin, MN 55912
This is a fun event that puts funding back into the hands of our teachers and administrators to directly enhance the learning experience our kids have in their classrooms. If you have any questions, please reach out to APEF Executive Director Amanda Hulne at 507-460-1938.
It is with great pleasure that we share this year’s APEF grant recipients. Once again, we found ourselves wondering what the next school year would look like. Thankfully, the health of the Huntting and Packer Endowments and the generosity of the Hirsch Family Foundation allow the Austin Public Education Foundation to continue providing grant funding to teachers and administrators within Austin Public Schools District 492.
These grants are funded thanks in part to the Hirsch Family Foundation.
| Requestor & School | Request | Amount |
| Andrea Malo, Austin High School | Hallway Seating Options – ALC | $2,416.55 |
| Dewey Schara, IJ Holton Intermediate | Laptop Charging Hub | $566.00 |
| Jason Boe, Southgate Elementary | TumblePro Foam Tumbling Mats | $4,011.96 |
| Sandra Fadness, Ellis Middle School | 7th Grade Life Science Microscopes | $3,120.00 |
| Total | $10,114.51 |
These grants are funded by the Huntting and Packer Endowments. Annual interest earned through these endowments determine the amount that can be distributed to teachers each year.
| Community Learning Center | ||
| Judi Needham | 15 TI-30XS Multiview Calculators for Adult Learners | $300.00 |
| Woodson Kindergarten Center | ||
| Katie Keller | Hands-on Phonics Learning Activities | $3,823.31 |
| Crystal Pepper | Phonics Instruction Resources | $672.76 |
| Banfield Elementary | ||
| Nicole Edwards | 1st Grade Phonemic awareness & Centers | $681.09 |
| Nicole Edwards | 1st Grade Enrichment Supplemental Books | $383.70 |
| Neveln Elementary | ||
| PBIS Team | Self-Regulation Tools | $1,255.06 |
| Lauren Phan | 1st Grade Center Materials | $1,019.97 |
| Holly Thomas | Sensory Pathway | $585.00 |
| Gerilyn Vesel | 1st Grade Phonics and Mathematics Materials | $453.50 |
| Amber Rochat & Gina Williams | 1st Grade Small Group Center Materials | $1,242.06 |
| Maria Mickelson, Janene Lunning, & Brenda Hackensmith | Mathematics Resources | $767.52 |
| Sumner Elementary | ||
| English Language Teachers | English Language Tools | $1,514.69 |
| System 44 Teachers | Classroom Library and Tools | $2,000.00 |
| Elizabeth Harder | Science and Social Studies Materials | $475.41 |
| Elizabeth Harder | Reading and Math Small Group Materials | $687.92 |
| Nikky Tolde | Advanced Academic and Talent Development Manipulatives | $160.46 |
| Nikky Tolde | Books Sets | $1,761.00 |
| Southgate Elementary | ||
| Jason Boe | EZSet Lightweight Portable Volleyball Standards | $508.50 |
| Jer Osgood | 16 pack of Board Games for Classroom Checkout | $180.00 |
| Jer Osgood | Childcraft Classic Board Game Set of 4 Games | $60.00 |
| Jer Osgood | 2 Picnic Tables for Outdoor Learning | $1,475.00 |
| Traci Braaten | Rooted in Reading Book Sets | $1,444.00 |
| First Grade Teachers | 1st Grade HOT DOT Independent Working Stations | $1,787.24 |
| Jayme Lamers | 3rd Grade Classroom Library- Diverse Books | $567.61 |
| Third Grade Teachers | Social Studies Small Group Books | $1,154.00 |
| Christy Halsey | Decodable Readers for Guided Reading Library | $636.00 |
| Morgan Dickman | 4th Grade Bee Bot Robot and Mat Resources | $319.80 |
| IJ Holton Intermediate | ||
| Angela Thoen | Newcomer Phonics Beginning Readers | $176.00 |
| Marianne Davidson | Exercise Opportunities While Learning | $410.14 |
| Drue Sponheim | Osmo Starter Kits for Ipad | $538.00 |
| 5th Grade Social Studies Teachers | 5th Grade Flexible Seating – Surf Chairs | $1,079.70 |
| 5th Grade Social Studies Teachers | Little People, Big Dreams Series | $401.31 |
| 5th Grade Social Studies Teachers | Black History Heroes Book Series | $432.00 |
| 5th Grade Math Teachers | 5th Grade Student Manipulatives Kits | $2,000.00 |
| Leah Motl | Orchestra Organizational Materials | $600.00 |
| 6th Grade Science Teachers | Weather Station with LCD Concole | $424.95 |
| Michelle Swank | Special Education Osmo Genius Kit | $351.61 |
| Ellis Middle School | ||
| Arik Anderson -7th & 8th grade Football | Jr. High Football Equipment | $975.00 |
| Austin High School | ||
| Kathy Ewing & the ELL Team | Who Is/Who Was EL Leveled Reading Library | $700.00 |
| Jacy Bodi | Weight Room Equipment Expansion | $1,335.27 |
| Kristen Frana | Horizon Program Art and Creativity Supplies | $1,039.38 |
| Darla Bernard | Horizon Program Mind and Body Management Materials | $372.94 |
| Alexa Dolan Peterson | AHS Packer Pantry Storage Request | $135.00 |
| Lisa Peters & Jordan Reim | Classroom Sets – Essentials of Language Arts | $1,078.80 |
| Carlene Pline | Readers Workshop Library – AP Lit | $2,000.00 |
| Leslie Leffers | 16 Cube Storage Organizer | $140.52 |
| Oakland Education Center | ||
| Troy Deikman | PE/DAPE – Gagaball Pit | $2,129.00 |
| Area Learning Center | ||
| Eliza Kelly | Easel Boards for STARS | $139.98 |
| Eliza Kelly & Nicole Fuller | Hands-On Equations and Calculators | $519.00 |
| Eliza Kelly & Gabe Nelson | Table Tennis Supplies for Hand/Eye Coordination | $972.95 |
| District Wide Support | ||
| Ryan Mayers, Communications Coordinator | Video Microphone for District Videos | $321.05 |
| David Hovland, Katie Tharp, Nikky Tolde, & Kim Zerke, Elementary Music | Diverse Children’s Books for Music Class | $1,400.00 |
Total: $45,588.20
Between the Hirsch Foundation and the Huntting and Packer Endowments, the Austin Public Education Foundation was able to provide 56 grants totaling $55,702.71! Congratulations to this year’s recipients. We look forward to seeing your grants in action during the 2021 – 2022 school year.
It is an annual tradition for the Austin Public Education Foundation to provide grants to instructional staff within Austin Public Schools to support and enhance learning. Since 1992, the Huntting and Packer Endowments have made these grants possible, growing from a single $500 grant that first year to 55 grants totaling $45,588.20 in 2021!
We are excited to still offer grants for building administrators funded through the Hirsch Foundation. The last few years, we have taken advantage of our new funding from the Hirsch Foundation to dream big and provide grants that impacted students at a broader level – benefitting all students within a building vs. a classroom or grade level. We will be able to continue on this year, with building administrators submitting their grant requests that enhance learning at their building.
In the midst of Theon going pandemic, it is rewarding to be able to give back to the teachers and administrators of Austin Public Schools. They have worked tirelessly this year to continue providing high quality education to our students. We can’t wait to see your grant requests for this year.
Good luck!
Jennifer Boysen, Executive Director
Carolyn Dube, APEF President
The 2020 Eberhart Night of Poetry was not able to be held in a face-to-face setting this year, but a virtual celebration has been made. All 22 finalists made clips of themselves reading their poems and these were put together into a video celebration.
All 22 finalists receive a book of poetry courtesy of The Friends of the Library. One winner from each building will also receive a cash prize from an endowment the children of Richard Eberhart have established. This year’s building winners were:
Congratulations to all the participants, finalists, and building winners!
In the midst of a pandemic and navigating the sometimes tumultuous waters of distance learning, it is particularly sweet to be able to award grants to teachers and schools within the Austin Public School District #492.
This year, we have had the privilege of receiving funds from the Hirsch Family Foundation. This allows us to approve some larger, school level grants.
These grants are funded by the Hirsch Family Foundation.
| Requestor & School | Request | Amount |
| David Brown – Ellis Middle School | Indoor/Outdoor Portable Scoreboard | $2,999.00 |
| Eric Kossoris – Neveln Elementary | Gagaball Pit | $2,407.00 |
| Katie Keller – Woodson Kindergarten Center | Self-Regulation Classroom Break Boxes for every classroom | $3,799.00 |
| Ellen Verdoorn – Woodson Kindergarten Center | Monkey Bars | $4,326.00 |
| Lisa Quednow – Austin High School | AHS Weight Room Equipment | $4,823.70 |
| Deb Berg & Shari Michels – Community Learning Center | Indoor Preschool Playground | $11,570.00 |
| Kate Holmes – IJ Holton | Art Supplies | $2,365.00 |
| Jenny Compton – IJ Holton | Computer Programming & Language Building Table | $8,345.34 |
| Megan Kraemer, Nicole Edwards, & Kendra Hotchkiss – Banfield Elementary | Sensory Path | $2,024.65 |
| Julie Kakes & Jason Boe – Southgate Elementary | Walking in Snow – Snowshoes | $2,503.00 |
| Jenna Manggaard – Sumner Elementary | XACTO school pro pencil sharpeners for every classrom | $728.00 |
| Total | $45,890.69 |
These grants are funded by the Huntting and Packer Endowments. Annual interest earned through these endowments determine the amount that can be distributed to teachers each year.
| Austin High School | ||
| Lisa Peters & Jordan Reim | Novel studies | $449.40 |
| Jacy Bodi | DAPE Scooters | $1,655.10 |
| Kathy Sforza | National Geographic Independent Reading | $883.00 |
| Alexa Dolan | AHS Student Resource Room | $854.00 |
| Bobbie Stone | ASD Sensory Materials | $300.00 |
| Darla Bernard | Horizons Movement Enrichment Supplies | $652.69 |
| Emily Hovland | 9th Grade Classroom Library | $500.00 |
| Jesse Smith | Pottery Hand Extruder | $750.00 |
| Colleen Owens | Giant Floor Continent Map & Materials – North America | $2,210.00 |
| Banfield | ||
| Sue Conway & Kendra Hotchkiss | Kindness Initiative | $575.00 |
| Kendra Hotchkiss | Sensory Tools | $800.00 |
| Nicole Edwards | 1st Grade Literacy Enrichment | $455.49 |
| Community Learning Center | ||
| Lindy Hagstrom | Social Skills Kits – ECFE | $862.30 |
| Kim Potter | Special Education – Early Childhood Sensory Tools | $750.00 |
| Judi Needham | Fraction Manipulatives | $283.79 |
| Colleen Olmsted | Kindergarten Social Studies Library Set | $277.92 |
| Sarah Wermager | Kids Korner SecondStep Bullying Prevention Unit | $1,129.00 |
| Ellis Middle School | ||
| Rhonda Regan | Silhouette Cameo Cutting Machine | $399.00 |
| Juliana Pena-Marconi & Violet Osmonson | Sensory Overload | $1,002.00 |
| IJ Holton | ||
| Tina Henely | Kagan Material | $435.00 |
| David Brown | Indoor Movement Break Materials | $596.28 |
| Cori McRae | Classroom Light Filters | $99.98 |
| Kristen Wilker | 5th Grade Language Arts Supplies | $632.98 |
| Marianne Davidson | High Interest – Low Leveled Phonics Chapter Books | $552.00 |
| Jenny Madsen | Makerspace Cricut Machine | $489.75 |
| Ethan Wightkin & Leah Motl | Rubber Band & Elastic Orchestra Arrangements | $1,729.00 |
| Michelle Swank | 5th Grade Special Education Literacy Games | $223.79 |
| Laura Marreel | 5th Grade Alternative Seating | $1,029.00 |
| Neveln | ||
| Maria Mickelson & Janene Lunning | Making Math Meaningful | $500.00 |
| Clint Phillips | VEX IQ Super Kits | $758.00 |
| Amber Rochat | 1st Grade Math & Reading Center Enrichment | $275.01 |
| Julie Nelson, Erick LaRock, & Shelly Weinmann | Games for Reading and Math Skills | $259.56 |
| Katie Tharp | 15 Glockenspiels | $663.00 |
| Katie Tharp | STEM Supplies & Pictures | $322.84 |
| Oakland Education Center | ||
| Jessica Bernand | Focus Room Tools | $251.74 |
| Southgate | ||
| Jason Boe | DAPE Tricycles | $439.99 |
| Erin Schoen | ATD and STEM Games | $300.00 |
| Christy Halsey | Decodable Readers | $606.70 |
| Traci Braaten | Lego Educational Sets | $247.48 |
| Julie Kakes, Darcy Heimermann, Evelyn Napton, & Chelsea White | Zuma Chairs | $1,569.00 |
| Jennifer Sims | Zones of Regulation Book Nook | $350.00 |
| Jason Boe | Bison 6-1 Easy Up Youth Basketball Goal | $669.00 |
| Sumner | ||
| Jenna Manggaard & Jessica Dammen | Early Reader Books | $2,855.00 |
| Jessica Dammen, Renee Gogolewski, Fernando Garcia, & Joelle Mayers | ELL Classroom Library | $1,316.00 |
| Nancy Braaten | Hands-On Manipulative Kits | $672.00 |
| Nikky Tolde | Critical Thinking Games | $384.00 |
| Woodson | ||
| Alisha Galle | Math Mats | $590.00 |
| Brian House | Number Line Floor Mats and Alphabet Arcs | $999.68 |
| Sarah Sathre | Recess Accessories | $528.28 |
| Erin Heinlen & Morgan Schmitz | Physical Education Equipment | $1,269.05 |
| Multi-Site Requests | ||
| David Hovland, Katie Tharp, Nikky Tolde, & Kim Zerke | Elementary Music Puppets – Banfield, Neveln, Southgate, & Sumner | $496.25 |
| Maureen Noterman | PBIS Behavior Support Resources – Neveln & Sumner | $267.69 |
Total: $37,166.74
Between the Hirsch Foundation and the Huntting and Packer Endowments, the Austin Public Education Foundation was able to provide 63 grants totaling $83,057.43! Congratulations to this year’s recipients. We look forward to seeing your grants in action during the 2020 – 2021 school year.
The Austin High School Alumni and Friends Association, along with Austin High School, would like to announce the 2019 recipients of its Distinguished Alumni Award. This award recognizes graduates of Austin High School for outstanding achievements and contributions to society following graduation. It also promotes positive role models for currently enrolled students in Austin School District #492. The three alumni selected this year are as follows:
Duane Napp, PhD, Class of 1951
Napp, a retired college chemistry professor and IBM engineer, generated numerous patents throughout his career, including with IBM, where he directed and managed many critical projects to assure the introduction of new products. In 1986, he received an invention achievement award from IBM related to work on component self alignment.After retiring from IBM, he also volunteered in numerous ways for Boy Scouts and youth sports, worked for the Digital Equipment Corp. and the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences. He lives in Houston, Texas. His message to students is to “never quit learning, continue to improve your knowledge and education at every opportunity”.
Mier Wolf, Class of 1958
Wolf, a retired attorney for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), has received awards from the U.S. Congress, State of Maryland and other governmental agencies for his achievements, which have involved serving as a legal advisor to grant programs that improved communities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. He has been an active volunteer throughout his life and served for nine years as mayor for Chevy Chase, Md., where he still resides. His message to students is “our success should be measured as much by our humanity as it is by our careers”.
Dennis Bray, Class of 1973
Bray, of Austin, is an award-winning, retired Austin High School girls hockey coach who served as union president during his 36-year career as a machinist at International Paper in Austin. As a coach, he also coached various levels of boys hockey and softball, took the Austin High girls hockey team to the state tournament three times and has received numerous awards for his leadership, including being inducted in 2016 to the Minnesota Girls Hockey Association’s Hall of Fame. He also has volunteered for various Austin High events and other athletic programs. His message to students is to “consistently give 110%. Work hard! What you lack in ability can be made up with desire, dedication and determination”.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients!
It is a balmy summer…. err… fall morning in September and the kids have been back to school for a couple weeks now. As everyone is getting back into their school year routines, so is the Austin Public Education Foundation. We are actively seeking a new member of the foundation board. Board members can expect to be involved in the following activities:
Board members can be any community member who support Austin Public Education and want to see teachers receive funding for classroom resources that would not otherwise be available through regular budgeting.
If this is something you are interested in, please contact Board President Carolyn Dube at 612-272-8653 or via email at carolyn.dube@austin.k12.mn.us.
APE Foundation - AHS Alumni 