Credit – Standard Democrat
The first round of orders for the Sikeston Public Schools Foundation’s commemorative brick fundraiser comes to a close in one week.
In January, the Foundation launched its campaign to create the “Bulldog Walk of Honor” comprised of commemorative clay bricks featuring laser-engraved inscriptions.
The bricks will be placed in front of the high school’s A building, and the path will be begin at the edge of the parking lot (facing Pine Street) and go 300 feet to the center of the existing green space.
“I think this is a great opportunity to really make the high school campus look nice along with our community being able to support the Foundation,” said Chris Hodgkiss, a member of the SPS Foundation board and 1993 SHS alum.
Hodgkiss said the commemorative bricks would be ideal for alumni, families, businesses and civic organizations to purchase.
A contribution of $100 for a 4-by-8-inch or $250 for an 8-by-8-inch entitles individuals or businesses to recognition on a brick paver in the “Bulldog Walk of Honor.”
Net proceeds of the project will allow the Foundation to expand its support of Sikeston R-6 teachers and students.
Lauren DeWitt, executive director of the SPS Foundation, said families and several classes from SHS have purchased bricks.
She estimated between 15 and 20 graduating classes of Sikeston High School have purchased bricks to leave their mark on school history. A few businesses have also secured bricks to show their support of the Foundation, she added.
“We still have more bricks available, and we are in the final push of sales for the first round,” DeWitt said.
The 4-by-8 bricks have space for three lines of 18 characters, and the 8-by-8 bricks have space for six lines of 18 characters. Logos may also be laser-engraved on the bricks. So, for example, a business logo can be engraved on the brick, DeWitt said.
“These are not stamped; they’re laser-engraved so they will last forever,” DeWitt said.
The deadline for this first round of brick orders is March 10, and those bricks are expected to be in place at the high school this summer.
Since 2006, the SPS Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization, has awarded nearly $100,000 in classroom teaching grants to R-6 teachers. Support has been given to the Sikeston Community Teachers Association activities and through fundraising efforts in the schools, which have been shared with the kindergarten through high school to help pay for supplies, projects, materials and equipment not funded by the operating budget.
Superintendent Tom Williams said this fundraiser works two-fold.
“This project will beautify the high school campus, but this is also a great opportunity for the education foundation to raise funds for support of the teachers and students — and for individuals to leave their mark in Sikeston R-6 history.”
Order forms are available via a link on the Foundation’s website, which can be accessed at www.sikestonr6.org and Facebook page: “Sikeston Public Schools Foundation.”
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