$80,000 goal

Newly formed RISDEF sets goal for their first year

The Rockdale ISD Education Foundation (RISDEF) is starting its first year with plans to raise $80,000 for teachers and students. This year’s initial campaign is a collective effort to bring donations from corporations and individuals to facilitate support for innovative teaching grants that will provide resources directly to the classroom for teachers to implement exciting new educational programs. The grant process is being established and teachers a nd s taff w ill b e e ligible t o p articipate i n requesting funds this spring.

RISDEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization created for the benefit of the school district and will provide funding not allocated by tax dollars. This campaign is running through June 30, 2023. The foundation is grateful to our community for financial support and acknowledges generosity of any amount. Donors with gifts pledged by the end of the school year at or above the $1,000 bronze level will be denoted “Founding Donors” with permanent recognition by the foundation. Founding Donors are donors who make a commitment in the founding year to establish the foundation’s endowed fund, which will guarantee the longevity and permanency of the foundation.

“The Education Foundation is another creative way to enhance educational programs in our district without raising taxes,” states Wenda Dyer, retired educator and former Rockdale ISD Board trustee who also serves as the Rockdale ISD Education Foundation vice president of programs. “Our collective mission is to generate and distribute resources exclusively to our school district for the implementation of innovative programs and continued momentum towards excellence. The teachers and employees will have an avenue of funding that is not currently available to them.”

A large and diverse group of individuals serve on the Education Foundation Board of Directors, representing areas of community, corporate, parental, and educational opinions. Backgrounds rooted in our community as well as those new to the area are also included in this dedicated group of volunteers. “We are fortunate to have this group of highly motivated and dedicated individuals giving of their time and efforts to our district,” explained Ms. Dyer.

Persons or businesses interested in learning how to support the innovative efforts of Rockdale ISD Education Foundation may visit their page on the district’s website at https://www. rockdaleisd.net/foundation, or come to their informational booth at Tiger Stadium on Oct. 28 prior to the Homecoming game at 7:30 p.m., and on Oct. 31 at the district’s Trunk-or-Treat event beginning at 5 p.m.

Email: foundation@rockdaleisd.net Facebook: @RISDEducationFoundation Website: https://www.rockdaleisd.net/foundation For donations: https://givebutter.com/ D2PWEE