News

In this unprecedented year, the Foundation furthered its mission thanks to the generosity of the community and new partnerships with community volunteers.

Download the 2020 Annual Report here.

Over the past two years, the Foundation for Saline Area Schools and Saline Alumni Association have engaged in collaborative efforts (e.g., Saline Alumni Basketball Game, Saline Alumni Banquet), recognizing the importance of Saline Alumni engagement and working together to develop a strong sense of community. 

The Saline Alumni Association was founded in 1891, to affirm the pride and appreciation felt by the alumni of Saline High School for the education and experiences provided to them by Saline Area Schools. Historically, the Saline Alumni Association Committee has organized a Saline Alumni Banquet on the third or fourth Saturday in June to celebrate all Saline Alumni, and specially recognize the 50th year reunion class. 

Along with the banquet, the Saline Alumni Association has provided an annual scholarship to a graduating senior from Saline Area Schools. 

The Foundation for Saline Area Schools was founded in 1987, to provide private funding to support academic projects, enrichment programs, and other activities aimed at enhancing the quality of education in Saline Area Schools. Additionally, the Foundation for Saline Area Schools has organized the Hall of Fame induction process, annually recognizing a select group of individuals who have made significant contributions as a Saline Alumnus, Saline Area Schools Educator, or to the Saline Community. 

The Saline Area Alumni Association and Foundation for Saline Area Schools both hold tradition and foundational members who have been instrumental since their founding. We are grateful for the leadership of both of these organizations over the decades. The Saline Alumni Association and Foundation for Saline Area Schools both recognize the unique opportunity to unify efforts to reach, support, and engage Saline Alumni across decades in a sustainable structure, with a capacity for growth. 

Alex Schukow (Saline Alumni Association President), Betsy Marl (Saline Alumni Association Vice President), Annherst Kreitz (Foundation for Saline Area Schools Executive Director), and Katie Murphy (Former Foundation for Saline Area Schools President), signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 24, 2020, outlining the gifting of financial assets from the Saline Alumni Association to the Foundation for Saline Area Schools. On September 15, 2020, Alex Schukow (Class of 2003) and John Heller (Class of 1977) presented Annherst Kreitz (Executive Director of FSAS, Class of 1983) with a check in the amount of $43,205.50 on behalf of the Saline Alumni Association – the financial assets. 

The Memorandum of Understanding was a collaborative effort, one that included several conversations over a year period amongst the Saline Alumni Association Committee and Foundation for Saline Area Schools leadership. The financial assets gifted to the Foundation for Saline Area Schools are restricted to a Saline Alumni Banquet Fund, Saline Alumni College Scholarship Fund, and Saline Alumni Career Technical Scholarship Fund. 

Instead of operating as a separate entity, the Saline Alumni Association Committee is now under the purview of the Foundation for Saline Area Schools, as the Saline Alumni Banquet Sub-Committee. People interested in making donations for either Saline Alumni scholarship will now make their donation to the Foundation for Saline Area 

Schools. Saline Alumni, mark your calendars, the date for the next Saline Alumni Banquet if set for June 26, 2021! 

#SalineStrong

#GoHornets 

The FSAS Annual Fall Tipoff took place on October 17th at Liberty School. With over 220 in attendance, guests were able to hear from teachers and students about the impact of grants, as well as how the grants align with the Saline Area Schools learner profile compass. Special Guest Speaker, Channon Washington (teacher, parent and community supporter) spoke on the importance of teachers and the outstanding education at SAS. Her enthusiasm and passion motivated the crowd to contribute to the future of FSAS.

Co-Presenting Sponsors Walcott Dental and Stieper and Brust Orthodontics were generous partners for the Tipoff. Mac’s Acadian Seafood Shack was the Food Sponsor, and provided a wonderful lunch.

Congratulations FSAS Hall of Fame Class of 2019

In September, we honored our 6th Hall of Fame class with a tailgate party, on the patio, at Hornet Stadium on Friday night, and an Induction Program, with dessert reception, on Saturday night.

The Class of 2019 inductees consisted of Jennifer Allison, Jim Cameron, Kenny Feldkamp, Duane Koppelman and Mary Thomas. The Hall of Fame weekend was sponsored by R&B Plastics Machinery, A&H Lawn Service, Inc. and Dr. Katherine Kelly. For more information to nominate for the 7th Hall of Fame class click here.

Click Here For photos of the 2019 HOF:

Special thanks to Chartwells for catering the dessert reception

Hall of Fame Co-Presenting Sponsors

Hall of Fame Induction Program Food Sponsor

Did you know this past year, the Foundation:

• Gave over $120,000 to Saline Area Schools, that included:
  • 26 Teaching grants
  • 7 Building grants
  • 2 Partnership grants
  • 2 Student-led grants
• Unveiled the 30th year Donor Recognition Wall in September 2018
• Hosted the Spring Recognition/Volunteer Appreciation at Emagine Theater
• Since September 2018, awarded another $65,000 in teaching, building and district grants

We honored our 5th Hall of Fame class with a tailgate party, on the patio, at Hornet Stadium on Friday night, and a banquet on Saturday night.

The Class of 2018 inductees consisted of Deborah Budnick, Michael Jhung, David Johnson, Betsy Marl, Sandy Nadig, Robert Phillips, Kenneth Sturms and Sam Swartz. Hall of Fame Weekend was sponsored by R&B Plastics Machinery and A&H Lawn Service, Inc. For more information to nominate for the 6th Hall of Fame class, click here!

Special thanks to Angel Food Catering for catering the banquet.

The FSAS Annual Fall Kickoff took place on October 18th at Liberty School. The theme for this year is “Future-Focused: Aligning with the SAS Compass”. With over 220 in attendance, guests were able to hear from teachers and students about the impact of grants, as well as how the grants align with attributes of the Learner Profile, including Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Critical Thinking. Special Guest Speaker, and local radio personality, Lucy Ann Lance, spoke of the 4 C’s and motivated the crowd to contribute to the future of FSAS.

Presenting Sponsors Briarwood Ford and Dr. Katherine Kelly Orthodontics were generous partners for the Kickoff. Mac’s Acadian Seafood Shack was the Food Sponsor, and provided a wonderful lunch.

You can view Fall Kickoff 2018

Only because of you, this past year, the Foundation:

• Gave $75,000 to Saline Area Schools for the Hornet Hub, an innovative learning space at the High School
• Awarded 26 teaching grants for over $33,000
• Began a year-long campaign to celebrate the 30th year of FSAS
• Began a new initiative of student and building grants to be awarded in January 2018
• Introduced a Donor Recognition Wall to be unveiled in September 2018
• Awarded 28 teaching grants for over $25,000 for the 2017/18 year

Check out this years highlights

Students are finding new passion in 20th century engineering and science. This is due to a grant awarded to teacher Ed Gall at Saline Middle School.

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To honor the 30th year of the Foundation, the annual Fall Kickoff was a Celebration Tailgate and Fair that took place on October 13th at Saline High School.

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We honored our 4th Hall of Fame class with a tailgate party at Hornet Stadium. The class of 2017 inductees consisted of Mary Gordon Converse, Ellen Ewing, Hamilton Morningstar,  Carol Pirkola, Dr. Katherine Ramsland (Johnston), Cristela Scanlon, Michael Smith, and Becca Sweitzer.

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