A History of B.A.S.E.
A History of B.A.S.E.
In 1997 a group of community members were contacted about starting a non-profit, citizen driven, support group for U.S.D. 205. Most of the first year was spent in getting organized. We completed the required paperwork to apply for 501(c) 3 status and incorporation by the state. We developed a mission statement, established by-laws, designed a brochure, set goals and discussed fundraising and the grant process. From the beginning there was great support by administration and teacher payroll deductions.
Through the years we have held a number of fund raising events including: Halloween Haunted Houses, Holiday House Tours, Garden Tours and catering dinners and wedding receptions. The proceeds from these projects, along with payroll deductions and other gifts from our community partners, Frontier Oil Corporation and Butler Rural Electric, have been used to fund classroom grants. These classroom grants have been used in a variety of ways to enhance the educational experience of our students. Money from the Garden Tour began the funds for the new greenhouse at Leon Elementary. Classroom grants helped establish the Honor Choir at Bluestem Elementary and buy a portable sound system for the group. We have provided a CAD Drafting program at the high school; funded several author visits at Bluestem Elementary; purchased 3 throwing wheels for BHS art classes and funded a trip to NASA in Houston, among many other grants.
Through the generosity of Kansas Gas Service (ONEOK Foundation) nearly $28,000 has been received in grants. ONEOK Foundation grants have funded the purchase of a Promethean Collaborative Classroom, graphing calculators and projectors, an Interactive Distance Classroom at Bluestem Elementary, multimedia upgrades to the Bluestem High School Auditorium, an iPod lab and most recently, a classroom photography project at the elementary school. As of May 2011, classroom grants from all sources have amounted to nearly $47,000.
Four memorial scholarships have been established to honor Donna Cornish, Sam Parsons, Don Jones and David Kohls. B.A.S.E. also had the opportunity of providing matching funds for the Presidential Scholarship for several years. That scholarship has now changed to the B.A.S.E. Community Service Scholarship. As of May 2011, over $19,000 has been awarded in scholarships to Bluestem students.
The focus of B.A.S.E. has always been to enhance the education of USD 205 students. That was the guiding principle on which B.A.S.E. was established and it the principle which guides the group today. Current officers are:
Chair Pam Patterson
Vice Chair Becky Wolfe
Secretary Barb Gomez
Treasurer Connie Chilcott
