News

Solar on Eau Claire Schools honored in City’s Sustainability Awards

Posted on by Sarah French

The City of Eau Claire has announced their 2020 Sustainable Eau Claire Awards, naming Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation's Solar on Eau Claire Schools as a winner in the category of Energy: Renewables, Efficiency or Conservation. The fifth annual awards were celebrated virtually this year, amidst the pandemic. The awards recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations that are making a difference and creating a more sustainable Eau Claire.   The solar arrays atop North and Memorial High Schools are scheduled for turn on December 1. Solar on Eau Claire Schools, launched in December…

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ECPSF announces endowment of Memorial student emergency fund

Posted on by Sarah French

Jeff Thompson Photography [EAU CLAIRE, WI] Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation has announced the endowment of a fund designed to provide an annual source of monies for emergency situations faced by students and their families at Memorial High School. Greg and Claudia Niemuth started the Niemuth Family Giving Tree Fund with the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation in 2018. “It has been steadily growing, and the Niemuths recently contributed the balance needed to fully endow the fund,” said Sarah French, ECPSF Executive Director. “Once a fund…

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ECPSF meets fundraising goal for Solar on Eau Claire Schools, ribbon cutting will celebrate project’s pending completion

Posted on by Sarah French

The Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation has raised the final monies needed for the Solar on Eau Claire Schools project! Thanks to match challenges and the community’s advocacy, the project has completed its fundraising, and the solar arrays’ installation is nearly complete. A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Wednesday Oct 28 at 3:00pm atop Memorial High School’s roof. The celebration has limited attendees due to the local public health order, though will be broadcast live via Zoom. The public is invited to attend virtually and can access the link here,…

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ECPSF receives Solar Moonshot grant, announces final match campaign to raise last dollars needed for Solar On Eau Claire Schools project

Posted on by Sarah French

ECPSF receives Solar Moonshot grant, announces final match campaign to raise last dollars needed for Solar On Eau Claire Schools project              Solar power system expected to save schools $20,000 annually                                                 [EAU CLAIRE, WI] Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation will receive a $25,000 grant from the Solar Moonshot Program to support the Solar On Eau Claire Schools project. The grant will match all gifts made through October 9, finalizing the funds needed for the project’s costs. "We applaud the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation for…

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School Board makes final approval for solar project, on track to begin installation this month

Posted on by Sarah French

The Eau Claire Area School District Board of Education made the final approval at the August 3rd board meeting to accept the second gift of 360 panels for the Solar on Eau Claire Schools project, a fund of the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation. The action paves the way for the arrays’ installation atop Memorial and North High schools, 360 panels at each building, beginning this month. All 720 panels for the project have been generously donated by the Couillard Solar Foundation. “Couillard Solar Foundation emphasizes educating Wisconsin students on…

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ECPSF meets Pablo Foundation match challenge for Solar on Eau Claire Schools, project on track for late summer install

Posted on by Sarah French

Kayla Midthun, Ramone's Ice Cream Parlor co-owner, left; and Sarah French, Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation executive director, right.    6/9/2020  After a successful match challenge in April, Pablo Foundation issued an additional match challenge for the Solar on Eau Claire Schools Fund for the end of the school year. With a deadline for challenge gifts of June 5, the community again came together, and raised $26,464 to meet the match!   In celebration of Earth Day, the Pablo Foundation offered the same match for gifts made…

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Announcing 2020 recipient for J Murphy STEM Scholarship

Posted on by Sarah French

Morgan Priem Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation (ECPSF) announces the award of the 2020 J Murphy STEM Scholarship to Morgan Priem, a Memorial High School senior. The scholarship was established with ECPSF in 2016 by an anonymous donor with family roots in the community and a passion for helping students pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). Each spring, one graduating Eau Claire Area School District senior is selected to receive the $10,000 scholarship to apply toward college tuition and fees. Additionally, the scholarship…

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ECPSF announces internet access support for Eau Claire Area School District

Posted on by Sarah French

Jeff Thompson Photography A local retiree recently donated $10,000 to the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation with an eye on supporting internet access and connectivity costs for Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD) students and teachers who are managing education from home.  Given the governor’s stay-at-home extension, school buildings will remain closed for the duration of the 2019-20 school year, leaving students and teachers to continue navigating online learning and teaching.  The shift to online education has been especially difficult for families in rural areas who may…

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Pablo Foundation to Match Solar on Eau Claire Schools Fund Gifts Made in April in Celebration of Earth Day!

Posted on by Sarah French

Students discussing the Solar Project at an after-school meeting in March before schools closed. Pablo Foundation Executive Director MaiVue Xiong Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation Executive Director Sarah French                     In celebration of Earth Day and to encourage community participation, the Pablo Foundation will match up to $25,000 in April donations to the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation’s Solar on Eau Claire Schools Fund that is supporting the installation…

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French named to National School Foundation Association Board of Directors

Posted on by Sarah French

During a time of uncertainty and adjusting to our schools being virtual amid the COVID-19 pandemic, ECPSF is excited to share some uplifting news: our Executive Director, Sarah French, has been named to the National School Foundation Association Board of Directors! Learn more here: Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation (ECPSF) is a nonprofit, independent organization that connects the community and the Eau Claire Area School District to inspire and enhance the educational experience of our students. For more information, please visit www.ecpsfound.org. To learn more about the Foundation or NSFA,…

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