The Papillion-La Vista Schools Foundation is proud supporters of several programs that allow for an exceptional educational experience for all students within the Papillion-La Vista school district. For more information on any of the following programs or sponsorship information, please contact our office.
Kids Club
Kids Club meets the unique child care needs of school-age children by offering a safe, reliable and fun childcare program at each elementary school in the Papillion-La Vista School District. Kids Club serves kindergarten through sixth grade before and after school and all day on out-of-school district days. Kids club offers a fun and dynamic program during the summer as well. Exciting field trips, great learning experiences, time with friends and free play are all a part of the summer experience.
Teacher Grant Programs
The Papillion-La Vista Schools Foundation Grant Program is designed to encourage unique and innovative ideas that will improve the educational process and enhance the learning experience of students in the district. The Foundation provides $75,000-$100,000 each year for the teacher grants program for the school district.
Priorities are given to grant applications which:
· Demonstrate innovative and effective ways to meet student’s needs
· Pioneer new approaches, instead merely repeat a previous project
· Increase student adjustment, interest, and motivation to learn
· Programs that are piloted for future implementation throughout the district
· Programs that are cooperative ventures among schools
Scholarships
The Papillion-La Vista Schools Foundation recognizes the value of continuing education for our graduating seniors and offers financial support for students through this scholarship program. Several $1,000 scholarships are available each year. Many community members choose to honor their loved ones through the naming of these scholarships
Outdoor Education
The outdoor education program offers all sixth grade students in the district the very unique over-night camping experience at the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Camp. All 6th grade students spend two days and one night learning in the outdoor and acquiring a greater understanding of nature. The students participate in nature hikes, games and teamwork building activities whil staying in cabins at the camp. Because we believe that every child should have the opportunity to participate, despite their family’s income, the foundation offers financial support to make this program free to students. With generous support from families, parents, alumni, staff and other members of the community, children are able to engage in experimental learning using the environment while creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Old Portal School
The Old Portal School On-site Classroom gives all fourth grade students in the district the opportunity to experience a re-created, one-room schoolhouse in the heart of the Papillion-La Vista community. The Papillion-La Vista Schools Foundation provides funds so the historic Portal School could be revived allowing students to connect, in a real sense, to lives of the pioneer studied in the fourth-grade curriculum.
Students and teachers are encouraged to dress in pioneer attire and even bring lunch pails that authenticate the experience. Papillion-La Vista teachers, Papillion Area Historical society, law enforcement, and other community members volunteer hours of their time to create a memorable experience for students. For these fourth-graders the words from their history books come to life in re-enactments, story time, and tours from the historic John Sautter house to the original Sarpy County Courthouse.
Summer Library
The summer library program is provided to all kindergarten through sixth grade students in the Papillion-La Vista School District. Four elementary school libraries open once a week, for six weeks during the summer in order to provide children with the opportunity to go on their own summer vacation through the pages of their favourite books. However, the fun doesn't end when they leave the library, because throughout this time children can check-out books as well. Students have checked out over 1,000 books during the summer library program. This program allows all students to have access to other education and fun literature- expanding their horizons and providing this opportunity to children who do not have the financial ability to buy books themselves.
Jr.High Tutoring
Junior High Tutoring is offered after-school four-days a week at Papillion and La Vista junior high schools. The Foundation provides the funding for teaching staff to work with junior high students to provide the extra help that may be needed.
Career Academies
The School to Career Academy program allows high school students to receive in-depth exploration, hands-on and on-the-job training. The Papillion-La Vista Schools Foundation provides financial aid to those students who are in need of financial assistance through scholarship and tuition reimbursement. The School to Career Academy allows students to earn both high school and Metro Community College Credit giving them a jump-start to their future. This program gives the students of our district a strong advantage as they launch their career.
Post Prom
The Post Prom project provides Papillion-La Vista South High School students a drug and alcohol-free alternative to post Prom activities. Papillion-La Vista Schools Foundation partners with parents and community to provide the resources yearly to keep students safe. Evening activities include a lock-in even with food, entertainment and plenty of prizes to keep around 400 students up all night with fun and far away from the dangers usually associated with after Prom activities. Post Prom is a peace of mind, not only for parents, but students who fear the peer pressure that follows an evening at Prom. Parents know their children are safe and well-chaperoned while students can feel at ease, let loose, and be themselves in a rewarding environment.
Graduate Straight
The Graduate Straight program is an alcohol-free, drug-free, post-graduation event for graduation seniors. The Papillion-La Vista Schools Foundation partners with parents and community leaders to give graduating seniors a safe alternative to celebrating their high school graduation. Graduate Straight is just celebrated its 29th year of providing a night of food, fun, entertainment, and an environment that gives parents peace of mind. Parents, staff, and member of our community aid in the success of this event through donations, volunteer time, and financial support. With the support of so many, graduating seniors are able to receive a safe, memorable, and exciting close to their high school career.
Cooperation BEST
Cooperation BEST, BEST standing for Businesses Education Students Today, is an organization that connects community businesses to schools in our district to enhance student's educational experience. Each school is assigned a few of our business partners and in turn they work together to provide a unique learning experiences. The BEST program connects our students to our community while providing them the opportunity to explore different careers and industries.
Student Emergency Funds
The student emergency fund was designed as a tool to provide for the emergency basic needs such as food, shelter and transportation to students and their families when there is no other place to turn for assistance. This fund provides the helping hand at just the right time to allow a family to get by and our students to continue to benefit from the outstanding learning environment at Papillion-La Vista Schools. Events such as the 2011 teacher blackout where staff members paid to wear jeans to work raise money for this fund.
Vehicle Day
The First-grade Vehicle Day is a community concept and career awareness activity allowing students to make a clean transition from school to future endeavours. The Papillion-La Vista Schools Foundation supplies funds yearly, allowing over 600 first-grade students to explore different careers through the use of vehicles. Going beyond high-profile careers such as doctors, policemen, or nurses- this program incorporates non-traditional insight for a total of 18 potential career avenues. Each career is represented by a vehicle which the students are able to touch, feel, and climb through while learning from professionals of the business world. With a wide representation of careers, the students are able to see how the success of the community depends on a range of careers. From Service oriented to white-collar positions, all are necessary to keep society firing on all cylinders.
Elementary Arts Grant
All children in the Papillion-La Vista School District, grades Kindergartenthrough sixth grade, will participate in an art grant funded by the Papillion-La Vista Schools Foundation. The Omaha Theater
Company will provide the "Every Single Child" program to our district. the programhas been modified to connect to our district's curriculum while maintaining a building block of activities that are developmentally appropriate for each grade and build upon the previous grade level's art activity.
