March 2025 Quarterly Newsletter
A Look Back: 2023 Annual Report
We are thrilled to share our annual report with you and want to highlight,
this work would not have been possible without YOU!
Annual Report Summary:
During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, our collective efforts reached over 8,000+ students and resulted in an investment of $545,228 into various programs and initiatives. This significant investment highlights our unwavering commitment to supporting and enhancing the educational experiences of students across the district. By investing in our students, we are making an investment in our community. This aligns with our mission to invest in and respond to the whole child and the whole school, fostering a thriving community where every student can succeed.
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Spotlight On Leader In Me
We talk about Leader in Me all the time, but what is it?
And why do we think it is invaluable to HCPS students?
Read below about two core elements of the Leader in Me:
5 Paradigms of Leadership, and 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
5 Paradigms of Leadership:
- Everyone Can Be a Leader: Emphasizing that leadership is not just for a select few but for everyone, encouraging each student and staff member to develop their leadership potential.
- Everyone Has Genius: Recognizing and nurturing the unique talents and strengths of each individual, fostering a culture of inclusion and empowerment.
- Change Starts with Me: Promoting personal responsibility and initiative, encouraging individuals to be proactive in making positive changes within themselves and their environment.
- Educators Empower Students to Lead Their Own Learning: Supporting students in taking ownership of their educational journey, developing self-directed learners who are capable of setting and achieving their own goals.
- Develop the Whole Person: Focusing on the holistic development of individuals, addressing their academic, social, emotional, and physical needs to create well-rounded leaders.
7 Habits of Highly Effective People:
By incorporating the 7 Habits into daily practices, individuals at all levels—students, teachers, administrators, and parents—can enhance their personal and professional effectiveness. This foundational component is essential across all schools, promoting a culture of self-leadership and empowerment.
Why is Leader in Me invaluable for HCPS students
Leadership skills are crucial for personal and academic success. Leader in Me provides students with tools to enhance their self-confidence, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities, contributing to their overall development and future success!
Leader in Me Updates: Leadership District & and New District Coach!
The 2024-2025 school year is truly historic!!! This is the first year that Henderson County Public Schools is officially a Leadership District, where ALL 23 schools are intentionally growing student leaders.
Unlike a traditional Leader in Me District, we carefully integrate components of the Leader in Me framework that align with each school’s unique mission and improvement goals. Through this approach, we foster leadership across three core pillars: Leadership, Culture, and Academics. It’s an exciting milestone for our schools!!!
Did we use enough exclamation marks?!! (We are so excited about this)
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Meet the New District LIM Coach: Kayla Castro!
In partnership with HCPS, a new District Coach position will support and sustain the growth of our leadership district. This position will provide consistent and comprehensive support to all schools, ensuring that leadership, culture, and academic development are seamlessly integrated. The district leadership coach will help create a positive and empowering environment that benefits the entire community.
“I believe that every student deserves a leadership education”
“Hi! My name is Kayla Castro and I am excited to be serving as the District Leadership Coach this year. I have been teaching in NC for 12 years. I have previously served as a K-5 classroom teacher, an ESL/MLL teacher, and an ESL/MLL Lead and as a LIM Lighthouse Coordinator.”
“My vision for this role is to grow leadership opportunities and capacity within all HCPS schools. I believe every student deserves a leadership education. I look forward to becoming a consistent coach for current LIM schools to ensure their success along the Leader in Me journey and providing additional resources and frameworks to ensure their leadership goals are realized in current and new LIM schools. I am most looking forward to developing relationships and working together with other educators to ensure every student graduates with skills to be successful leaders!”
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NEW Ways to Support HCEF
Did you know there are more ways to give than a simple cash donation? We’d like to introduce you to alternative giving options that may align with your financial planning while maximizing your philanthropic impact!
Donating stocks, bonds, or mutual funds that have appreciated in value can be a tax-efficient way to contribute. If you’ve held these assets for more than a year, you may avoid capital gains taxes and potentially receive a tax deduction for their full market value. This option allows you to support the foundation’s initiatives while optimizing your tax benefits.
If you are 70½ years old or older, you may consider making a gift directly from your IRA to the Henderson County Education Foundation. These Qualified Charitable Distributions can satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), without being subject to federal income tax. This tax-wise strategy can lower your taxable income, even if you don’t itemize deductions on your tax return.
Donor Advised Funds provide a flexible way to manage your charitable giving. You can make a tax-deductible donation to your DAF, receive an immediate tax benefit, and then recommend grants to the Henderson County Education Foundation over time. This method allows you to streamline your giving, simplify your record-keeping, and potentially grow your funds tax-free before making a grant.
Why Consider These Alternatives to Cash Giving?
Tax Efficiency: Non-cash gifts can provide significant tax advantages, especially if you’re holding appreciated assets or facing mandatory distributions from retirement accounts.
Financial Planning: Integrating your charitable giving with your overall financial strategy can yield benefits now and in the future.
Legacy Building: These forms of giving can help you establish a lasting impact that continues to support educational excellence for years to come.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have questions about non-cash giving!
QUESTIONS? EMAIL US!
Thank you for your commitment to education and for considering these impactful ways to support the Henderson County Education Foundation. Your generosity is the cornerstone of our success and the success of future generations.