Students…Teachers…Alumni…Business and Industry…the Spearfish Community, we ALL have a vested interest in the health and quality of our schools. Whether the students in our schools are our children, grandchildren, neighbors, or future employees and citizens; the strength of our community and the strength of our schools are directly related.

Who and What has SFPE funded so far? 

In the past three years, the Foundation has made a substantial impact in our schools. We have funded:
* The Spearfish High School newspaper, The Lookout
* Art programs at all levels, k-12
* Elementary music programs
* The Spearfish High School Debate Team
* We the People classroom
* Close-Up Program
* The high school Summer Transition Program
* Technology Nights Program
* Guided Reading Assistance Program
* CARE: East Elementary after-school Enrichment Program
* Sponsored the “Elder’s Wisdom, Children’s Song” elementary program.
* The Foundation established the FISH (Fostering Innovation in the School House) grants for educators in the Spearfish Public Schools to encourage innovation and excellence in our schools. 

Click here for FISH grant application

* Sponsorship of Spearfish High School Debate Team: Public Forum Debates, an outreach program to the community, offering a public forum setting to consider and debate topics of interest and importance both locally and nationally.
* In conjunction with National Education Week, the Foundation will host “Educator-for-a-Day activities in the schools. 
* Sponsored Back to School Picnic for Teachers and Staff
* Awarded Back to School mini-grants for teachers
* Awarded National Education Week mini-grants for teachers
* SHS participation in the South Dakota Bankers Association workshop.
* SHS participation in the Stock Market Game.
* SHS Sociology Field Trip to Little Wound.
* Middle School Field Trips in math, science and technology to the Mammoth Site and to the SD School of Mines and Technology campus.
* East Elementary math and reading assistance program including 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.
* West Elementary reading specialists for before and after school reading assistance.
* West Elementary “Discovery Education for Science” Website subscription.