19 Jan 2010

State Treasurer Fitzgerald Reminds Teachers to Register for Free Pencils

By readMedia Newswire

DES MOINES, IA (01/19/2010)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald wants every second and third grade teacher in the state to take advantage of the free pencils being offered through Prepare for the Basics. This no-cost program, which provides pencils for students to use during the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, supplied almost 13,500 during the 2008-09 school year. "Any teacher interested in receiving free pencils for their class have until April 1st to submit their requests," stated Fitzgerald. "I really hope all teachers take advantage of this program. It is a small gesture of appreciation for all that they do."

Teachers who would like to take part in the Prepare for the Basics program can register online by visiting www.treasurer.state.ia.us and clicking on the financial literacy tab. Materials should be requested at least two weeks prior to testing to ensure timely arrival, and will be delivered directly to the participating schools. Supplies are limited, so early registration is advised. For more information about College Savings Iowa, go to www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

The Prepare for the Basics program will also provide information about College Savings Iowa, the state's 529 plan designed to give families an affordable way to save money for college. "Families who begin saving early are better prepared to meet the educational needs of their children. Any little bit that can saved now will offset what has to be borrowed in the future," stated Fitzgerald.

College Savings Iowa lets anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - invest for college on behalf of a child. Iowa taxpayers can deduct up to $2,811 in contributions per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2010.* Investors do not need to be a state resident and can withdraw their investment tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and room and board at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad.**

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

** Earnings on non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

Permalink: http://readme.readmedia.com/State-Treasurer-Fitzgerald-Reminds-Teachers-to-Register-for-Free-Pencils/1052815

18 Jan 2010

Iowa's Schools Win with Legislative Victories

By readMedia Newswire

DES MOINES, IA (01/15/2010)(readMedia)-- Iowa's schools won a major victory today as the Iowa House joined the Senate in passing legislation supporting Iowa's application for Race to the Top (RttT) funds.

Iowa could potentially be awarded $60 million to $175 million to support improvements in Iowa's educational system over the next four years if the RttT grant application is approved. Iowa has various components required in the application already in place, but Iowa law needed to be changed in a few key areas to make the application more competitive.

The Iowa State Education Association's (ISEA) Executive Board submitted a letter in support of the application and voted unanimously to encourage its local associations to make their own decisions to sign their local RttT Memorandums of Understanding (MOU). Over half of the ISEA's local associations signed their local MOUs.

The National Right to Work Committee, an anti-worker organization joined the School Administrators of Iowa, the Iowa School Boards Association, and the Urban Educators Network in opposing House File 2033, which placed teachers at the table alongside administrators in deciding how School Improvement Grant (SIG) funds will be implemented in the 35 identified Persistently Low Achieving School (PLAS) districts in Iowa.

"We are grateful that level heads prevailed with today's vote and Legislators weren't swayed by the selfish arguments of a bureaucrat stuck in the old way of doing business as usual," said Chris Bern, President of the ISEA. "It is appalling that some administrators were more concerned about their territorial rights than listening to a child's classroom teacher," added Bern.

Iowa is one of only seven states that limit mandatory bargaining topics to a specific list. Iowa teachers need a special Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) allowing them to work with administrators in PLAS districts to develop school improvement and intervention plans.

"We are always willing to come to the table and talk about what is in the best interest of students. Doesn't it make sense to have the people who are in the classroom every day also sitting at the table helping make important decisions about how to implement strategies and programs to improve their achievement?" Bern said.

--30--

18 Jan 2010

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Improve Teacher, Principal Evaluations and Training

By Andrew Mason
CHICAGO - January 15, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed into law the Performance Evaluation Reform Act of 2010, a bill to implement new, rigorous evaluations for teachers and school principals across the state. The new law boosts Illinois' "Race to the Top" application by addressing one of the four priority areas outlined by the U.S. Department of Education.

"This law is another strong signal to Washington that a top-notch education for all Illinois students is our foremost priority," said Governor Quinn. "Rigorous teacher and principal evaluations will make our education system the best it can be, while ensuring Illinois is at the head of the class when it comes to winning those important federal 'Race to the Top' funds."

Senate Bill 315, sponsored by Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) and Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora), requires every school district to incorporate student performance as a significant factor in teacher and principal evaluations. The new law requires districts to work with its local teachers' union to meet the new requirements.

More than 350 school districts, representing more than 70 percent of Illinois' students, have agreed to make student performance at least 50 percent of evaluation criteria if Illinois receives "Race to the Top" funds.

Under the legislation, Chicago Public Schools and dozens of other districts will begin using the new teacher evaluations in 2012, with full statewide implementation by 2016. All districts will implement the new principal evaluations in 2012. If the state wins "Race to the Top funds," the timeline would be greatly accelerated with most districts implementing the evaluations in 2012.

Governor Quinn also signed Senate Bill 616, sponsored by Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago) and Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora), which allows non-profit organizations, such as Teach for America, to offer alternative certification programs independent from institutions of higher education. This allows the state to increase the number of high-quality training programs for teachers and principals, a priority established by the U.S. Department of Education. The non-profit programs will be required to undergo the same rigorous approval process as higher education institutions.

These bills represent a four-month effort by the Governor's Office, the Illinois State Board of Education, the two major teachers' unions, civic and business leaders, advocates, management groups and legislators from both parties.

"Race to the Top" is a $4.35 billion competitive federal grant process focused on innovative approaches to education. Illinois could receive up to $500 million in discretionary funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Applications are due January 19.

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18 Jan 2010

Local Dean's List/President's List Honorees

By Randy Stalsberg

The following student was named to the Dean's List at Grand View University, Des Moines:

  • Brittany Marie Erps of Davenport

The following students were named to the President's List at Grand View University, Des Moines:

  • Deanna Keira Carr of Davenport and Katelyn Christine Carlson of Rock Island.

The following students were named to the Dean's List for the fall 2009 semester at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis:

  • Anna Aquino, Biomedical Sciences, and Mikhaila Norton, Accounting, both of Bettendorf; Kevan Kadavy, Biomedical Sciences, of Davenport and Tara Vandygriff, Public Relations, of Rock Island.

The following students are among the 1650 Winter graduates at Iowa State University, Ames:

  • Lucas Edward Andrusyk, BS, Forestry; Thomas W. Davis, BA, Journalism and Mass Communication; Mark A. Kline,  Marketing; Kathryn Margaret McClain, BA, Political Science; Luke Allen Peterson, BS, Construction Engineering; Nichoel Michelle Said, BS, Environmental Science (LAS); Terry Thomas Tipp, BS, Construction Engineering all of Bettendorf;
  • Rebecca Christine Braet, BS, Family and Consumer Science Education and Studies of Calamus;
  • Steven Walton Beckert, BS, Electrical Engineering; Lee Brian Brandt, BS, Industrial Technology; Paul A. Byrd, MA, History; Steven Michael Campbell, MS, Electrical and Computer Engineering; April Shentel Davis, BA, Spanish; Jeffrey Alan Harris, BA, Communication Studies; Daniel Raymond Levetzow, BS, Electrical Engineering; Jared Christopher Levings, MS, Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering; Ryan Thomas Merritt, BS, Kinesiology and Health; Elizabeth Marie Ohnemus, BS, Dietetics (H SCI); Blake Richard Stalder, BS, Chemical Engineering; Josh Corey Warner, BS, Mechanical Engineering and John Andrew Wethington, BS, Civil Engineering all of Davenport
  • Eric James Murphy, BS, Mechanical Engineering of Eldridge
  • Chris Arku, BS, Industrial Engineering of Moline
  • Natalie Elizabeth McIlwain, BA, English and French of Pleasant Valley.
  • Shana Donna Kane, BS, Civil Engineering; Ryan Daniel Lepp, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies;  and Zachary Andrew Piasecki, BS, Mechanical Engineering all of Rock Island

The following students were named to the Dean's List at Gustavus Adolphus College, a private liberal arts college in St. Peter, Minn:

  • Kelsey Francis of Bettendorf and Samantha Good of Rock Island.

The following students were named to the President's List at Truman State University, located in Kirksville, Missouri's designated public liberal arts and sciences university:

  • Julie Marie Hasken, Health Sciences, Bettendorf and Aubrey Ann Crowley, Health Sciences, Davenport.

The following students were named to the Fall 2009 Provost and Vice President's List at Truman State University, located in Kirksville, Missouri's designated public liberal arts and sciences university:

  • Nicholas Stephen Ehrecke, Exercise Sciences, Andrew Keith Piotter, Exercise Sciences and Andy Wang Yang, Psychology, all of Bettendorf and Brendan Patrick O'Brien, Psychology of Davenport.

Sarah J Weber, Elementary Education, was named with High Honors to the fall 2009 dean's list at Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minn.

14 Jan 2010

Local students named to Augustana College fall term Dean's List

By readMedia Newswire

ROCK ISLAND, IL (01/14/2010)(readMedia)-- 834 students have been named to the Dean's List at Augustana College for the 2009 fall term. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term.

From your area, students who have earned this honor include :

Martha Ade from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in general studies.

Faria Ahmed from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in psychology, biology, and pre-medicine.

Drew Allen from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in international business.

Samuel Alvarado from Davenport, IA, a senior majoring in chemistry.

Amber Anderson from Port Byron, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Samuel Anderson from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in math and computer sciences.

Erica Aten from Coal Valley, IL, a sophomore majoring in psychology.

Angela Bahls from Rock Island, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Carrie Bestian from Taylor Ridge, IL, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Allie Bierhaus from Bettendorf, IA, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Nicholas Borchert from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in English and philosophy.

Jasmine Brooks from Davenport, IA, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Ryan Brummet from Moline, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Nicholas Camlin from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in political science.

Kevin Carton from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in communication studies, French, and Africana studies.

Angela Congrove from Davenport, IA, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Brittany Dalton from Eldridge, IA, a senior majoring in pre-medicine.

Adam DeSimone from Bettendorf, IA, a sophomore majoring in economics.

Grace Drenth from Davenport, IA, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Brianna Dyer from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in English/language arts education.

Megan Ferris from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Melissa Fobert from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in accounting and business financing.

Neil Friberg from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in general studies.

Alyssa Harmon from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in business administration.

Thomas Harris from Davenport, IA, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Victoria Hays from Milan, IL, a junior majoring in accounting.

Kjerstin Hurty from Moline, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Mohammed Hussain from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Nicole Johnson from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in English/language arts education.

Clare Kilbride from Rock Island, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Manisha Kumar from Davenport, IA, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Mary Lambrech tfrom Moline, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Paul Lambrecht from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in history education.

Jasmin Landeros from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in elementary education.

Megan Lecander from Sherrard, IL, a junior majoring in business administration.

Thomas Lemon from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in history and business management.

Megan Lonergan from Davenport, IA, a senior majoring in elementary education and math.

Amy Malmstead from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in business administration.

Benjamin Marine from Coal Valley, IL, a senior majoring in biology, pre-medicine, and business administration.

Crystina Mayfield from Coal Valley, IL, a sophomore majoring in general studies.

Nathaniel McDowell from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in English and philosophy.

Lauren Mentado from Moline, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Kelsey Miller from Milan, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Courtney Mitten from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in psychology.

Emma Moran from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in biology, pre-medicine, and Spanish.

Allison Mulherin from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in biology.

Rayna Narvaez from Bettendorf, IA, a junior majoring in psychology and Spanish.

Leart Neziroski from East Moline, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Justine Nuguid from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Jacob O'Rourke from Bettendorf, IA, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Luke Osborne from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in classics with a Latin emphasis.

Andrew Palm from Rock Island, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Kayla Papish from East Moline, IL, a junior majoring in math education.

Douglas Peters from Port Byron, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Srividya Prabhu from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Andrew Randone from Davenport, IA, a senior majoring in political science.

Bridget Reich from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in psychology.

Lauren Reid from Sherrard, IL, a sophomore majoring in business administration.

James Sales from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in biology.

Alyssa Schroeder from Coal Valley, IL, a senior majoring in business finance and accounting.

Andrew Shaffer from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in history.

Alex Sieg from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in biochemistry.

Anna Smith from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in biology.

Mark Stumphy from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in biology.

Josephine Swanson from Rock Island, IL, a sophomore majoring in biology.

Astrid Tello-Rodriguez from Milan, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Theodore Teros from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in philosophy.

Katherine Vander Vennet from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in business marketing and communication studies.

Courtney Vandewiele from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in political science and accounting.

Bret Vandewoestyne from Silvis, IL, a senior majoring in biology.

Felipe Villagomez from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in anthropology and business administration.

Maria Vital from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in Spanish.

Katherine Voigt from Bettendorf, IA, a junior majoring in biology.

Audrey Waner from Davenport, IA, a junior majoring in art.

Emily Weller from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in art education.

Jacob Wells from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in biology.

Peter Wessels from Bettendorf, IA, a sophomore majoring in business administration.

Lauren White from East Moline, IL, a junior majoring in accounting.

Eric Wigand from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in business finance.

Nicholas Wilczynski from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Laurel Williams from Sherrard, IL, a sophomore majoring in communication science and disorders and English.

Jennifer Youngs from Taylor Ridge, IL, a sophomore majoring in general studies.

Deanna Zwicker from Orion, IL, a junior majoring in business finance.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The college enrolls nearly 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers more than 60 majors and areas of study. Augustana employs 226 faculty and has a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and service in our complex, ever-changing world.

14 Jan 2010

College Savings Iowa Rated One of the Top Three 529 Plans in the Nation

By readMedia Newswire

Headline News money expert Clark Howard puts College Savings Iowa on the Dean's List.

DES MOINES, IA (01/14/2010)(readMedia)-- Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald announced today that College Savings Iowa has received top ratings from Headline News money expert Clark Howard. "We're pleased that College Savings Iowa has been recognized as one of the top plans in the nation," Fitzgerald stated. "It's always great to have a financial expert acknowledge our great program. We strive to provide individuals with the best way to save for college."

College Savings Iowa was listed as one of the top three 529 plans in the country by Clark Howard, making his Dean's List with High Honors. To read his review of College Savings Iowa, please visit http://tips.blogs.cnn.com/2009/12/15/the-best-way-to-save-for-college.

College Savings Iowa is a state-sponsored 529 plan designed to give families a flexible, affordable way to save money for college. College Savings Iowa lets anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - invest for college on behalf of a child. Investors can choose from thirteen Vanguard investment options, including four age-based investment tracks. Iowa taxpayers can deduct up to $2,811 in contributions per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2010.*

Withdrawals used to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and room and board at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad.** For more information about College Savings Iowa, visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 888-672-9116.

*If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

** Earnings on non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

Permalink: http://readme.readmedia.com/College-Savings-Iowa-Rated-One-of-the-Top-Three-529-Plans-in-the-Nation/1042922

13 Jan 2010

School-City Collaboration Hosts Public Forum on Travel Plan for Rock Island Center for Math & Science

By Jill Doak

When the new building for the Rock Island Center for Math & Science (RICMS) opens in August 2010, suddenly there will be a lot more than concrete trucks and contractors headed to 2101 16th Avenue. With the unique situation of placing a new elementary school adjacent to two designated residential historic districts, plus the challenges of terrain, brick streets, arterial streets and new travel patterns for hundreds of families, the Rock Island-Milan School District turned to the Neighborhood Partners' School-Community Task Force for assistance. Together, the two organizations have been working on a draft travel plan that will be rolled out for review and comment on Wednesday, January 27 to parents, neighborhood residents and other interested parties.

The forum will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rock Island Public Library Community Room 401 19th Street, Rock Island. Free childcare for forum attendees will be provided in the Children's Library in the basement of the main library building. Refreshments will be offered.

The RICMS travel plan includes components related to crosswalks, signage, direction and flow of traffic both internal and external to the RICMS campus, walkability due to terrain, car queuing areas, satellite parking, and on-street parking. Strategies to encourage walking, safety education and enforcement of rules and regulations were also identified. Minimizing the influx of automobile traffic into the adjacent neighborhoods was also a key concern.

The forum will include an overview of the process the School District must follow in order to access state and federal funding support to implement travel objectives, then the specific infrastructure strategies for RICMS will be presented. There will also be discussion of specific ideas to encourage children to walk to school and to educate the parents and neighbors about the travel plan. These short presentations will be followed by a Question, Answer & Comment period.

More details at www.rockislandschools.org.

11 Jan 2010

To Help Prevent Future Dropouts in Iowa, Bob Wise Calls for a 2010 ESEA Reauthorization

By Nicholas Depew

STATEMENT FROM FORMER GOVERNOR BOB WISE, PRESIDENT OF THE ALLIANCE FOR EXCELLENT EDUCATION, ON THE EIGHTH BIRTHDAY OF NCLB

Alliance President Calls for ESEA Reauthorization in 2010 to Attack Dropout Crisis that Claimed More than 7,800 of Iowa's Students in 2009

Washington, DC - Today marks the eighth birthday of the signing of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), the most recent version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Reauthorization of the law, which was due in 2007, has yet to occur. For every year that Congress fails to address the unique challenges faced by high schools through a reauthorization of ESEA, approximately 1.3 million students across the nation will drop out of school. In Iowa alone, more than 7,800 students left high school in 2009 prior to earning their diploma.

"In many ways, NCLB is a compact disc in an iPod world," said Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and former governor of West Virginia. "It's still around, but it is in desperate need of an upgrade.

"The best birthday present for Iowa's students is for the Congress and President Obama to enact a new ESEA. It's time to blow out the candles and bake a new cake.

"NCLB rightly deserves credit for requiring schools to report data that focused attention on educational disparities for various groups of students. Unfortunately, due to shortcomings in the law's design and implementation, most improvements in learning outcomes for the nation's elementary school students have not been echoed by their middle and high school counterparts.

"In their brief tenure, President Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan have actively recognized the high school crisis, focused on turning around the lowest-performing schools, and called on the nation to graduate all students ready for college and careers. Over the last several years, congressional leaders have held hearings and developed legislative proposals based on research and best practice that demonstrate ways to improve the law. However, until research, discussions, hearings, and legislative proposals are actually turned into an ESEA reauthorization, none of these positive changes will reach the countless high school students and teachers in thousands of classrooms.

"This eighth birthday should be a commitment that 2010 is the year to harness the progress and increase momentum around high school reform into a reauthorized ESEA that strategically addresses the high school crisis and begins turning the more than one million dropouts a year into high school graduates who are ready for college and careers.

"Today, our message to the Congress and President Obama is, 'Don't delay. Reauthorize ESEA.'"

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04 Jan 2010

SATURDAY FUN AT RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE!

By Brittany Marietta

Games, snacks, and new friends - it's all happening at Rivermont Collegiate on Saturdays in January! Open house events for preschool-aged children and their families will take place January 9th, 16th, and 23rd from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Local families are invited to join current Rivermont PreSchool students and families for oodles of fun on Saturday afternoons! Youngsters will enjoy games and playtime in the gymnasium while their parents and families are invited to learn more about Rivermont Collegiate.

From PreSchool through twelfth grade, Rivermont students develop a joy for learning, lead peers in community involvement, and take intellectual and artistic risks. The Early School at Rivermont Collegiate, consisting of PreSchool and Junior Kindergarten, provides children with their first step in formal education, developing skills and attitudes necessary for success. Rivermont provides students with a demanding and comprehensive education, driven by outstanding faculty and small class sizes. These casual Saturday events are designed to introduce local families to the Quad Cities' only private, nonsectarian, independent, multi-cultural college prep school.

Come explore our philosophy, values, and programs, while witnessing our Early School faculty in action! Cindy Murray, Director of Admissions, will be on hand to answer questions and provide one-on-one discussion. These events will be held in the gymnasium on the Rivermont campus, located directly off 18th street in Bettendorf behind K&K Hardware. Visit us online at www.rivermontcollegiate.org!

For additional information about Rivermont Collegiate or the Saturday Open House events, contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org.

-END-

22 Dec 2009

Moline Foundation Scholarship Deadlines

By Linda Martin

Below are 6 press announcements regarding the The Moline Foundation scholarship deadlines for the year 2010.  The due date is the same for all of them - February 16, 2010.

    • Applicants are sought for the Moline High School Class of "59" Scholarship through The Moline Foundation.

    • Applicants must:

      1. Be a 2010 Moline High School graduate
      2. Have a GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
      3. Provide a transcript and proof of class rank
      4. Be involved in at least one community service activity
      5. Submit an essay answer to the questions "What do you anticipate your life to be like in fifty years?" and "What prompts your interest in this scholarship?"

    • Applicants who want to pursue a college, university or trade/technical school education are encouraged to apply for this newly established scholarship.

    • The scholarship funds have been generated by alumni of the Moline High School Class of 1959. They have conducted hog roasts, participated in Birdies for Charity and received other donations. The initiation of this scholarship in 2009 commemorated the MHS Class of 1959's fiftieth reunion and the golden anniversary of the current Moline High School campus located at 3600 Avenue of the Cities, Moline.

        • Applicants are sought for the Maggie Webb Scholarship through The Moline Foundation.

      • To obtain a copy of an application for the Class of "59" scholarship, please contact the counseling department at Moline High School or call Linda Daily at The Moline Foundation, 309-764-4193.

       

    • Applicants must:

      1. Be a 2009 Moline High School graduate
      2. Have a GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
      3. Provide a transcript and proof of class rank
      4. Be involved in at least one community service activity
      5. Submit an essay answer to the question "If you were to leave this earth tomorrow, what would be your legacy?"

    • Last year two graduates of Moline were chosen by Maggie's friends and family through the Moline Foundation to receive $3,000 in scholarship funding.

    • Maggie Webb graduated from Moline High School in 2001. As a senior in high school, Maggie began working at the Von Maur department store in Moline. Upon graduating from college, Maggie became a department manager for the Iowa City Von Maur store. She then worked at several other midwestern Von Maur stores earning acclaim for her sparkling personality and commitment to customer service.

    • Maggie's life tragically ended in December, 2007 with the mass shooting at a Omaha Nebraska mall. Maggie had recently moved to Omaha.  She was employed as a Von Maur Store Manager when she was killed along with five other employees and two customers.

    • "Her friends and family wanted to honor Maggie's life with this scholarship. She always had a smile on her face and was such a bright light for so many people,"Kelly Melliere Ryckegham,  Moline High School Class of 2001.

       

      The Moline Foundation announces February 16, 2010 as the deadline to apply for the Charles Curry SMART Bus Scholarship. Applicant must be a 2010 graduate of a high school in Iowa or Illinois living in Henry, Mercer or Rock Island counties in Illinois or Scott or Muscatine counties in Iowa. Applicant may also be a freshman, sophomore or junior at an Illinois or Iowa college who graduated from a high school in one of the above five counties. Applicant must plan on majoring in or currently majoring in a Natural Resource curriculum or an Education curriculum. Students must enroll on a full-time basis. Students should contact their counseling office at your High School for an application or the Moline Foundation.

      The scholarship award winner will be chosen by a local scholarship selection committee and will receive a scholarship of $500.00.

      Charles E. Curry is the Founder of the Interstate Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) SMART (Sharp Minds Are Reading Thoroughly) Bus. The SMART Bus Program, committed to reducing illiteracy, which began in 2000, has handed out over 36,000 books to children in the Muscatine and Scott Counties in Iowa and Henry, Mercer and Rock Island Counties in Illinois.

      Charles E. Curry is a successful farmer and businessman from Alpha, Illinois and has served his community as a volunteer with many organizations including Interstate RC&D, Inc., the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District for the past 34 years, the Livestock Feeders Association, the Henry County Board of Education, the Black Hawk Shrine Club, the Ophiem, IL Lutheran Church, and many other civic organizations.

      Mr. Curry is well-respected in the Quad Cities area serving in various capacities with the Interstate RC&D Council. His leadership qualities combined with a passion and a vision for improving our natural resources, promoting community and rural economic development and education has contributed greatly to the success of the RC&D program and to helping improve the quality of life in our area.

      The Charles E. Curry Scholarship Fund was established in November of 2008 by the SMART Bus Committee to honor the hard work and dedication of Mr. Curry.

      The scholarships are also administered through the Moline Foundation founded in 1953 to further the growth and development of citizens living in the Quad Cities region in Iowa and Illinois.

The Moline Foundation announces February 16 as the deadline to apply for the Clem T. Hanson Scholarship.  Residents of Moline School District No. 40 are eligible to apply for the four year college scholarship based on scholarship, financial need and extracurricular activities.  Students should contact their counseling office at Moline High School, Alleman High School or Black Hawk College for an application.   The three Hanson scholarship award winners will be chosen by a local scholarship selection committee and notified of their selection by May 1, 2010.  They will receive $1,500 annually for the next four years with an annual renewal based on satisfactory progress in their post-secondary education.

Since 1985, approximately 100 students have received the Hanson Scholarship Funds as a result of an endowment fund established through the generosity of Clem T. Hanson (1901-1985), a former Moline businessman and community leader.  He was the founder of Hanson Advertising Agency in Moline and was a co-founder of HON Industries in Muscatine.  Mr. Hanson also served as president of Moline Rotary in 1952 and was a volunteer for Boy Scouts, Arrowhead Ranch and United Way. The Clement T. Hanson Memorial Scholarship Fund was established with the Moline Foundation by his family, following the death of Mr. Hanson on July 17, 1985.

The Moline Foundation, founded in 1953, is a community foundation which provides grants to health, human services, education, community development, the arts and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of Moline and the surrounding area. For more information, contact Joy Boruff, Executive Director, at (309) 736-3800.  The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts and has assets of approximately $14 million.

 

    • The Moline Foundation announces February 16, 2010 as the deadline to apply for the Dolores A. Hulse-DiIulio Scholarship.  Female  seniors at Moline High School going on to pursue a bachelor's degree on a full-time basis with studies in the fields of chemistry, physics, engineering or pre-medicine are eligible to apply. Students should contact their counseling office at Moline High School for an application.

    • The scholarship award winner will be chosen by a local scholarship selection committee and will receive a scholarship of $1,000.

    • Dolores A. Hulse-DiIulio was a chemistry teacher at Moline High School for 36 years.  She retired in 1994.

    • A 1958 graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a major in Chemistry and minors in Math and Physics, Dolores began teaching at Moline when the new   high school opened on 23rd Avenue.   She has always wanted females to believe that the field of science was for them not just for men.  Her hope is that this scholarship may help female students and encourage them in their goals.

    • Founded in 1953, The Moline Foundation is a community foundation which provides grants to health, human services, education, community development, the arts, and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of the Quad City region. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts and endowments with a current endowment fund of approximately $14 million.  For more information contact Executive Director Joy Boruff at (309) 736-3800 or visit The Moline Foundation web site at www.molinefoundation.org.

The Moline Foundation announces February 16, 2010 as the deadline to apply for the Lee Womack Scholarship. The Lee Womack Scholarship Fund is intended to provide funds to deserving students graduating from Moline High School who plan to obtain a college degree in education or teaching special education. Selected recipients shall use the funds for first year expenses for tuition, room, board, or books at any accredited two-year or four-year institution.  Students should contact the counseling office at Moline High School for an application form.

Lee A. Womack graduated from Moline High School in 1956 and from Arizona State University in 1960.  He taught school for eight years at Central Junior High School in Rock Island, Illinois.  In 1978, he started work for Mr. Quick, Inc. and became President of the corporation in 1975.  He served as President until 1980, when he founded the Lee Womack Insurance Agency.  For 22 years, he owned and operated the insurance agency.  Mr. Womack also served as President of Porkie's Restaurants, Ltd. from 1987 until he died in 2002.

Mr. Womack was highly respected in the Quad City community and had a reputation for providing others with an opportunity to succeed.  By establishing the scholarship fund in his name, his family and friends continue to provide that opportunity for years to come.

The Lee Womack Memorial Scholarship award was established by Mr. Womack's wife, Peggy, and the Lee Womack Memorial Golf Outing Steering Committee. Since his death, a golf outing has been held in Mr. Womack's memory to raise funds for a local charity.   In 2004, a scholarship fund was established and is administered through the Moline Foundation's scholarship program.

The Moline Foundation, founded in 1953, is a community foundation which provides grants to health, human services, education, community development, the arts and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of Moline and the surrounding area. For more information, contact Joy Boruff, Executive Director, at (309) 736-3800.  The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts and has assets of approximately $14 million.

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