Black Youth Summit encourages teens to believe in themselves

About 60 African-American students from throughout the School District of La Crosse came together Nov. 5 for a day of learning and fun, focused on building self-confidence, achieving academic excellence and getting involved in the community. The Black Youth Summit, supported in part by a $2,000 grant from the La

School-by-school summary of grants 2014-2016

Innovative projects in every school and in every curriculum area have been launched due to the ongoing classroom grants program of the La Crosse Public Education Foundation. More than 80 grants, totaling more than $100,000, were awarded during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years. Increasing grant funding continues to be a

AVID seniors determined to succeed

Nhia Thao wants to get an education that will allow him to support a family, and says AVID is preparing him for the intense classes ahead in college. Kiara Schultz would be the first in her family to go to college, and says AVID is giving her “the backbone to

Darkling beetles, ‘warm and fuzzy’ hissing cockroaches come to life through green screens

Let Lauren Finn introduce you to the magical world of the darkling bettle. Or perhaps Nick Teff, Ava Blegen and Alex Weinberger can convince you that the hissing cockroach can be a “warm and fuzzy” creature suitable for a starring role in the Longfellow Middle School Insect Zoo. If not,

Chili Cook Off is heartwarming – and heartburning – fundraiser for LPEF, DARE

About 1,000 chili tasting fans and supporters of local children’s charities were on hand Oct. 8 for the 25th annual State Bank Financial Chili Cook Off at Riverside Park in La Crosse. Nearly 30 teams of cooks made at least 15 gallons of chili each to serve to hungry fans on

Closed (Partial Funding): STEM Centers for North Woods Grade 1

Summary: Help purchase materials for STEM Centers that facilitate hands-on investigations in order to stimulate curiosity for science, technology, engineering, and math among 1st-graders at North Woods. Goal: $1,210   •   Amount raised: $330   •   School: North Woods International School   •   Sponsor Name: Sarah Kratt         About My Project: Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce. I

Closed: Buy fun books to engage early readers at Summit

Summary: Help Summit buy these “approachable” books by Bob Shea that are fun and engaging for early readers. Goal: $307   •   Amount Raised: $0   •   School: Summit Environmental Elementary School   •   Sponsor Name: Lila Planavsky           About My Project: I work with 4th and 5th grade students at Summit Environmental School. My students are

Goal Achieved: Southern Bluffs All-Purpose Community Walking Track

Summary: Help to build a track that will surround our playground, allowing those with all abilities in our building and community the opportunity to be together while supporting health and wellness. Goal: $5,500   •   Amount raised: $5,505   •   School: Southern Bluffs Elementary School   •   Sponsor Name: Stacy Raatz           About

Chili Cook Off set Oct. 8 to benefit LPEF and D.A.R.E.

Local schools stand to benefit — and hundreds of stomachs will enjoy the tasty and spicy varieties of chili — at the annual State Bank Financial Chili Cook Off to be held on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Riverside Park in La Crosse. This is the 25th year of “heartburn and

Bowtie Classic raises nearly $24,000 to support La Crosse schools

In near-perfect weather, 91 golfers joined the fun and fundraising for the fourth Charlie Miller Bowtie Classic Golf Outing and Knowledge Open, held Sept. 3 at Forest Hills Golf Course. The number of golfers was a record, as was the total fundraising: a net of nearly $24,000 was raised to