Six New Scholarships Available Through the Foundation

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RELEASE DATE: October 14, 2021 — Four years ago, Great Falls pediatrician Deb Garrity transitioned from caregiver to patient with the diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer that had spread to her bones. She saw firsthand how that diagnosis also impacted the lives of her children and others close to her. 

In recognition of the hardship an ill parent poses on families–and in continuing her lifelong history of caring for others–Deb and her family created the DM Garrity MD Scholarship. Two $1,000 scholarships will be offered for students graduating from any Great Falls high school who have, or are currently, navigating the chronic or terminal illness of a parent or caregiver.  …

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Truck Raffle Supports Kids and Schools

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RELEASE DATE: July 22, 2021 — Here’s a fun, easy way to support public schools and their students – buy a truck raffle ticket!  Every dollar spent directly benefits a student organization or a classroom grant. The Win This Truck Raffle is the most popular fundraiser for the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation. …

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A Decade of Excellence

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Dave Crum’s Time as Director Winds Down

RELEASE DATE: June 5, 2021 — As the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation celebrates our 10th birthday, we give special recognition to our founding Executive Director, Dave Crum. In the past decade he built the Foundation from merely a good idea to the largest public schools foundation in Montana. …

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Davidson Family Auditorium – A Generous $2 Million Gift

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RELEASE DATE: May 26,2021 — As students, teachers and families navigated the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, an 18-month transformation took place behind the scenes. The historic stage and auditorium at Great Falls High School were renovated and completely updated. This video shows the extensive improvements made and the importance of this heartfelt gift to our community.

The project was made possible by the largest gift ever administered by the Foundation. It was funded by Ian and Nancy Davidson, longtime community and education supporters. As Covid-19 restrictions ease, the public will soon be able to enjoy this state-of-the-art venue.

CMR and North Middle School Grant Projects

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RELEASE DATE: March 30, 2021 — Have you ever bought a $10 Win This Truck raffle ticket? Or have you honored a school employee with a Gold Star Award? If so, thank you for contributing to students and classrooms across Great Falls. In the past 10 years your contributions allowed the Foundation to award teacher grants worth over $906,000! 

Learn more about two such grants in this video produced by students at C.M. Russell High School. Pictured are CMR Video Production teacher Brian Crosby, and video student Alex Thayer.

How the Foundation Saved Recess

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Plus Other Pandemic Solutions

RELEASE DATE: February 26, 2021 — Getting pandemic-stressed schoolchildren outside for fresh air and exercise is a given at our public schools. But just as classroom instruction poses new challenges, so do playgrounds.

At West Elementary, for example, Principal Lyndsey Stulc explained that each class is kept separate from others to maintain distance and reduce possible exposure to illness. With six different classes on the playground for each recess, that meant dividing the playground into six separate spaces. …

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From Scholarship Winner to PGEC Teacher

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RELEASE DATE: January 27, 2021 — For Paris Gibson Education Center math teacher Kathryn Heryla, the calculation is simple: Hard work + scholarships = path to success.

A 2016 graduate of C.M. Russell High School, Kathryn relied on scholarships – including two awarded by the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation – to finish college without debt. Now she’s working at what she calls her “dream Job” and even thinking about buying a house. …

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Donate A One Time Or Ongoing Scholarship For High School Graduates

Setting up an educational scholarship fund can be a meaningful way to give back to your community or to honor a loved one. There are a number of things to consider when planning a scholarship. Please contact the Foundation for assistance, we are happy to help you. Contact Katelyn Marsik at [email protected] or call (406) 268-6021.

(406) 268-6021