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What we doFriends of Coonley School is a not-for-profit organization of parents, community members, teachers, and school administrators dedicated to supporting the John C. Coonley Elementary School through fundraising and community-building efforts. Friends of Coonley is rooted in the belief that great teachers and administrators build the best schools when they have the resources and funds they need—and that building the best school helps our children flourish in a nurturing and stimulating environment.
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Build supportThe Coonley Core sponsorship program provides opportunities for local businesses—both community and parent-owned—to get involved with and give to our school in a cooperative way.
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Build communitySince merging with the Coonley PTO in 2016, FOC regularly hosts events to bring together students, parents and staff for celebrations, spirit building and enrichment opportunities.
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Raise fundsSince FOC was formed in 2005, our generous community and tireless volunteers have raised more than $4 million from parents, family members and employers to directly support Coonley School.
2021-2022 Annual Giving Summary |
Mission
The Friends of Coonley School is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization created to raise, receive and administer funds for the benefit of John C. Coonley School. The organization is operated exclusively for charitable, educational, literary, art and scientific purposes to assist with, supplement, develop, maintain and expand educational programs for students at John C. Coonley School, and to enrich the educational experiences of such students.
Vision
Education is key to a child’s development to adulthood. In order for a student to excel, state of the art facilities, teachers and programs must be provided. The Friends of Coonley School will endeavor to provide funding, ideas and public relations to supplement the financial support provided by the Chicago Board of Education and provide the needed impetus and support to make the John C. Coonley School an exceptional educational facility and the school of choice in its community.
How FOC supports Coonley
The spending priorities of FOC are set through a cooperative relationship with the school administration, which determine the needs of the school, request the necessary supplemental funds and direct how those funds will be spent. FOC’s main fundraising events include the annual Spring Fling Auction and Fundraiser as well as the Coonley Cougar Pride Stride, our annual student walk-a-thon. In addition, FOC has implemented the Coonley Core sponsorship program as a way for local businesses—both community and parent-owned—to get involved with and give to our school in a cooperative way. Finally, FOC takes in funds regularly from generous parents and their employers through corporate donations and employee-gift matching programs.
Thus far, funds raised by FOC have been used to purchase and/or implement:
Thus far, funds raised by FOC have been used to purchase and/or implement:
- Classroom aides for literacy, math and technology in full-class, small groups and intervention support across K-8
- Teacher grants to customize classrooms around specific learning goals to help students thrive and reduce teachers' personal spending on non-CPS funded curriculum an supplies
- More than 650 student devices (Chromebooks and iPads) working toward long-term goal of 1:1 device to student ratio
- Document cameras, Smartboards and teacher laptops in all classrooms
- Air-conditioning in all classrooms and most common areas (incl. maintenance)
- AV systems for gym, playlot and multipurpose room
- IEP room repaint & update
- Teacher's lounge update
- Water fountains with bottle fillers installed across all levels
- West-facing mural addition
- Basketball and volleyball equipment repair, replacement and upgrades
- Drama and music stage lighting and sound enhancements
- Field trip grants to ensure participation for all Coonley students
- Library books, furniture and media-tracking software
- Library Media Resource Center equipment
- Rock band instruments, accessories and equipment
- Supplies, equipment, microscopes, machines, books and other materials to outfit the Interactive Science Center
- Office equipment and shelving
