Excellence 4 Dexter Students (E4DS), a community-led group founded to provide meaningful financial support to Dexter Community Schools (DCS), has just approved a $32,000 donation to support the 2020-2021 school year. This money will fund district initiatives that would not normally be prioritized within the confines of the annual budget. E4DS’s last donation of $23,000 was made in the fall of 2019 to support mental wellness programming during the current school year. Since 2016, E4DS has donated $182,000 to support DCS.
“It is important to acknowledge the climate in which we make this donation,” notes E4DS Board President, Elise Bruderly. “The uncertainty of the moment makes this gift to the district all the more essential. We are grateful to our donors for exemplifying the strength of our community and our community’s engagement with our schools.”
E4DS understands that school funding pressures may increase for the district in the next year and wants the Board of Education and DCS administrators to have this donation amount available for planning purposes in advance of budget conversations this spring. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Chris Timmis, acknowledges the impact of additional funding, stating “DCS students are so fortunate to have a group of caring adults actively seeking donations to support their mental health and well-being. Supporting students is a community effort and the support of E4DS has a direct and positive impact on the lives of kids.”
E4DS provides updates to supporters, donors, and the community through its newsletters and social media platforms. E4DS encourages community members to subscribe and follow the organization for updates about how their donations are being utilized throughout the school year. Previous E4DS donations have funded additional math and science programming for students in grades 3-6 and an Eastern Michigan Explorer’s camp for entire classes of 6th graders. E4DS’s most recent donation shifted focus to support the district’s emphasis on enhancing student mental wellness.
E4DS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, which collects funds year-round to support district initiatives. More information about E4DS and school funding, including online donation instructions, can be found HERE. Questions can be sent to E4DS Board President, Elise Bruderly, at info@e4ds.org
