Last night, supporters of the Kirkwood R-7 school district gathered at the Magic House for an evening of appetizers, cocktails, and auction bidding all to benefit Kirkwood Schools. The gala event is organized each year by the Kirkwood School District Foundation (KSDF).
The KSDF was started in 1989 as a public, non-profit group to provide unique learning opportunities to students and staff that would not be otherwise available, for example offering scholarships to students or sending teachers to workshops.Past projects funded by the KSDF include introducing iPads at North Glendale, service learning initiatives at North Kirkwood Middle School and an outdoor classroom garden at Kirkwood Early Childhood Center.
The KSDF is completely independent of Kirkwood school board and administrators and support the district through private and corporate tax-deductible donations. Mike Wade, junior principal, praises the KSDF for their dedication to the students and staff of Kirkwood.
“They make things possible that normally wouldn’t get funded because of budget restraints,” Wade said. “We’re lucky to have them around.”
Kirkwood High School has the KSDF to thank for such projects as the Pioneer Pathway, the series of dedicated bricks surrounding the stadium, as well as 15 annual scholarships and the Earl and Myrtle Walker Science Building. Similar plans to update the science facilities at Nipher and North Kirkwood Middle School were approved in 2010, and the KSDF plans to support these improvements, as well.
The gala yesterday evening took place from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Individual tickets to the event were $50, and an eight-seat table sponsorship was $500. The event was open to all. Appetizers were provided by Russo’s Catering , and auction prizes included Disney World passes, Muny tickets, Waterford crystal and sport memorabilia and tickets.
