Jacksonville Middle School Receives $7,500 Donation from Jacksonville Education Foundation to Fund Piano Lab for 7th and 8th Grade Scholars
Jacksonville, Arkansas [August 27, 2024] – Jacksonville Middle School is thrilled to announce a generous $7,500 donation from the Jacksonville Education Foundation. This contribution will fund the purchase of pianos for a dedicated piano lab, enriching the music education and overall academic experience of 7th and 8th-grade scholars.
Starting this school year, Jacksonville Middle School is introducing a new elective for scholars interested in learning to play the piano. Students will meet every other day for 90 minutes learning basic piano skills, music theory, performance etiquette and composition & harmonization skills. Music scholars will also perform solos and duets in class and in the community.
JMS Principal, Mr. Kenneth Miller expressed deep gratitude for the donation, stating, "We are incredibly fortunate to receive this support from the Jacksonville Education Foundation. The piano lab will not only enrich our music curriculum but also provide scholars with a creative outlet that can positively impact their academic performance across all subjects."
Currently, Jacksonville High School has a piano lab, but all scholars enter as beginners. JMS Music Teacher Barbara Daniels says, “Adding the piano lab at the middle school will allow scholars to enter high school at a more advanced level, preparing them for college and careers in music.”
Jacksonville Education Foundation President Dr. Robert Price commented, “The Jacksonville Education Foundation Board is very pleased to contribute to the quality of the Jacksonville Middle School music program.”
Each piano lab station will feature a fully weighted 88-key digital piano, along with a stand and piano bench. Each piano will proudly display a donor nameplate, and contributors will be recognized in concert programs.
About Jacksonville Education Foundation
The Jacksonville Education Foundation (JEF) was incorporated in June 1999 by the selfless efforts of Jacksonville citizens, Pat Bond, Robert Stroud and Paul Mushrush. Their dedication and belief in the needs of our children, teachers and schools, which often exceeded what a school district administration could fund, led to the foundation's establishment. Pat Bond served as the president of the foundation for many years.
The Jacksonville Education Foundation’s purpose is to enhance the quality of education in the Jacksonville public school system by procuring and providing the necessary funds for worthwhile programs. JEF also strives to recognize and reward the achievements of students, faculty, staff, parents, and others by providing contributions to the school district. The organization has been organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Throughout the last 25 years, JEF elected representatives have continued their diligence in providing citizens with the legal right to have their own local school district. Along with Mike Wilson, who preceded Pat Bond in the legislature, and Will Bond, Mark Perry, and Bob Johnson who followed her, our elected representatives endeavored to help our community have a self-governing school district. The Jacksonville Education Foundation was originally funded with some of Pat’s representative pay that she received while serving in the Arkansas legislature.
Over the years, the Jacksonville Education Foundation, fueled by the generosity of many donors, has significantly impacted the community. It has served as a conduit for combined financial resources, providing innovative programs and enhancements for children, their teachers, and their facilities, and thereby strengthening the community's educational fabric.
Over the years, many innovative programs have been funded that have benefited the quality of our school systems. They include: reading programs, instructional equipment, millage campaigns, books, instructional materials, grant writing classes for teachers, robotics, teacher awards, and many more. Well over $700,000.00 has been expended to support educational quality in our schools by the Jacksonville Education Foundation.
Many of our significant commitments have been made possible by dedicated individuals in Jacksonville, who have chosen to direct their donations toward initiatives that will have a lasting impact on our students, teachers, and local school systems.
The foundation received over $52,000 from the Fred B. and Anne Thompson designated trust funds, managed by First Arkansas Bank and Trust. The Thompson Trust has been used for over 40 years to benefit Jacksonville-area students by funding scholarships. However, in recent years, the fund administration has not yielded enough to support the scholarship program or its maintenance. The Jacksonville Education Foundation received the remainder of the trust with a commitment to use for Jacksonville schools, and to acknowledge the family for their gift.
The Jacksonville Education Foundation initially dedicated funds to aid the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District in providing the new cybersecurity curriculum. It was to be paid over three years, and we presented a check for $20,000 in August 2019. The Cyber Security program received ample funds from other sources, and of the remainder, $30,000 was reapportioned to assist the City Year program at Jacksonville Elementary School. A $10,000 check was presented in August 2024 for the first year, with a pledge of $10,000 for each of the next two years. JNPSD School Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Owoh has graciously agreed to allow the Jacksonville Education Foundation to display an acknowledgment plaque for the Thompson Family in the central office.
The Jacksonville Education Foundation has been and will continue to be an integral component of educational quality in Jacksonville. Our program plans for the 2024-25 school include the establishment of a closer direct working relationship with each Jacksonville school through an individual board member liaison program, a fundraising project to allow for our ongoing funding effort for our schools, and the continuation of our mini-grant program for innovative educational programs.
Current board members include President - Dr. Robert D. Price; Immediate Past President – Bart Gray; Vice President – Taylor McGrew; Treasurer - Gerald Clark; Secretary - Jada Ellis;
Board members – Aisha Bullock; Jeffrey Elmore; Lauren Fowler; Bobby Lester; Bonnie McDonald; Tanner Ruple; Cheesa Williams; and Mike Wilson.