Silver Dollar City Foundation is dedicated to meeting the immediate physical needs of area students while also working upstream to give children in our community a brighter future.
During the 2023-2024 school year, more than 5,100 needs were met through Care For Kids – that’s more than 5,100 times children were provided clothing or shoes when they needed it, food when they otherwise might go hungry, school supplies so they can learn, or their family was assisted with such things as rent, utilities, transportation costs or home repairs.
Hope Grants serve as a catalyst for districts to tackle larger issues facing their community. Here’s how Hope Grants made an impact during the 2023-2024 school year:
Blue Eye School District expanded their Parents As Teacher program by adding an additional staff member to meet more needs. During the 2023-2024 school year, Blue Eye PAT served 21 families, impacting 29 children, and helping change the trajectory for nine high-need students. The district conducted 143 home visits, held 54 screenings and hosted 11 group connection meetings.
Bradleyville School District purchased playground equipment for their preschool, impacting 10 students this year and many more in the years to come. The preschool had recently relocated to allow for the addition of a daycare, which meant they lost access to their equipment. The new playground ensures preschool students have access to safe, age-appropriate equipment.
Branson School District used Hope Grant funds to support a backpack meal program to feed 491 students during the school year. The backpack program addresses food insecurities for the district’s most vulnerable population by ensuring these students have access to meals and snacks when school is not in session.
Crane School District expanded their 4-year-old preschool program from half-day to full-day. Funds from the Hope Grant offset expansion costs, such as activities for indoor recess and imaginative play. This project ensures students are starting school kindergarten-ready.
Forsyth School District added and expanded numerous school clubs and activities to encourage student involvement. From ukuleles and guitars to baking supplies and a drone were purchased to provide a variety of opportunities for students to get involved.
Galena School District recognized that many of their students come from families that may not always be able to provide basic necessities. The district created a school store where students have the opportunity to receive essentials such as hygiene products, prepackaged food and snacks, cleaning supplies, and even laundry detergent and toilet paper.
Hollister School District focused on growing student enthusiasm for learning while increasing opportunities for families to be involved. The district hosted family events such as a camp-out on school grounds, Doughnuts for Grownup for moms, dads and grandparents to have breakfast with their student, and even a family Valentine’s Day dance.
Hurley School District recognizes that students can’t learn when their basic needs are not met. Hope Grant funds ensured students were fed, covering thousands of dollars in overdue lunch accounts families could not afford to pay. Funds were also used to feed students outside of school such as on field trips or away games, when students otherwise could not afford to eat.
Kirbyville School District reduced the daily tuition rate of preschool from $14 a day to only $5, breaking down the financial barrier that prevented many families from being able to send their child to preschool on a daily basis. During the school year, 25 preschool students were impacted.
Reeds Spring School District has put a focus on meeting the social-emotional needs of students by equipping teachers, parents and community members with necessary tools through Conscious Discipline. Conscious Discipline is a method of parenting and teaching that encourages self-regulation, resiliency and social-emotional skills.
Shell Knob School District has worked hard this past school year to hold community events that help parents feel engaged and welcomed into their students’ school. The district has encouraged participation by providing dinner and offering needed supplies to families in attendance. In addition, the district plans to purchase shoes for each student for back-to-school.
Spokane School District encouraged hope in students throughout the district by making it a theme throughout the school year. Weekly, they honored “Hope Heroes.” Monthly, they held “We Have Hope Wednesdays.” In April, they dedicated the entire month to hope and hosted events with author and inspirational speaker Sam Demma.
Taneyville School District wove a message of hope throughout the school year by hosting numerous community and school events, from a family math night, to Christmas celebration, to a huge community event night. In addition to finding ways to reach families, the district will be using a portion of their Hope Grant to revive a community walking path behind the school.