Super talk: Foundation enhances learning in Novi schools

I believe that no one is successful alone. Whether it is learning to ride a bike, learning to read or learning to swing a bat, success is always a group effort. Nowhere is that truer than in the Novi Community School District.

We are successful in our district because we have many partners. One wonderful partner for our district is the Novi Educational Foundation. Without their continued commitment to and belief in our district, we could not be successful.

The state of Michigan provides our district, along with every other district in the state of Michigan, with money. Our district, and every other district in the state, takes that money and works to create an outstanding educational experience for the students who attend our schools.

But the bulk of the money that comes to every district in the state is used on the basics of education. Hiring teachers and administrators, buying textbooks, hiring bus drivers, buying buses, paying for electricity and natural gas, ensuring that sidewalks and parking lots are plowed, making sure the grass is cut, buying paper and supplies, and much more takes the majority of the money allocated by the state to each district.

So how do we enhance the opportunities for our students? We rely on partners like the Novi Educational Foundation.

The training that our K-6 teachers have received in the Leader in Me program has been funded through the Novi Educational Foundation. Our work at Novi Middle School in Restorative Practices and helping students develop confidence in and a willingness to share in their own voice has come from the Novi Educational Foundation.

The Novi Educational Foundation provides teacher grants that allow teachers with innovative teaching and classroom ideas to find a way to fund those projects. These grants have provided archery equipment, ukuleles, maker space equipment, sensory equipment and much more throughout the district.

This week the Novi Educational Foundation recognized Sarah David, a Novi Middle School English teacher, as the Novi Educational Foundation Teacher of the Year. This was a well-deserved honor for Mrs. David and the support of the Novi Educational Foundation made the event that much more special.

The Novi Educational Foundation also manages a scholarship fund that provides need-based college scholarships every year.

As with any Foundation, the Novi Educational Foundation is able to function because of generous gifts from community members and successful fundraising through events like the Green Gala and the annual golf outing. I would encourage you to contribute as you are able to the Novi Educational Foundation, a tremendous partner for our school district.

Steve M. Matthews, Ed.D., is the superintendent of the Novi Community School District. He can be reached at smatthews@novischools.net.