LEAP

The Educational Foundation’s Lexington Education Assistance Plan supports the district’s educational initiatives and priorities by providing financial assistance in areas of need. When you donate to the LEAP Education fund, you support educational programs that teach our students to communicate, innovate, collaborate and think critically.

We prioritize educational programs that enhance students’ learning.  In the past it provided grants to school libraries and helped build a STEM lab. Recently our focus has been on reading initiatives and literacy in Lexington District One, as the foundation has awarded more than $135,000 in Bucks for Books Grants over the last six years, which included every elementary, middle and high school. Studies show that children who have more contact with books become better readers. Appropriately, your support of our LEAP Education fund helps to foster strong readers in Lexington District One!

The Foundation’s Lexington Emergency Assistance Plan supports Lexington District One employees and students in a number of ways. First, it assists our families that have experienced a recent crisis and need temporary help to survive by offering financial assistance and/or in-kind services. Employees and students in crisis must be nominated a current, permanent employee (i.e., individuals may not nominate themselves) and can obtain a LEAP Emergency Application from their school or department volunteer LEAP Representative.

Aid may be given to Lexington District One students and permanent full-time and part-time employees. The fund has helped employees who were struggling with a serious illness, students’ families who’ve suffered total loss from a home fire, as well as many others in need. Assistance may include payments towards utility bills, rent or mortgage, or medical bills, as well as food; however, it typically excludes any payments for housing insurance, vehicle purchases/insurance, childcare, security deposits, domestic dispute, and workers’ compensation issues.

Second, the LEAP Emergency fund provides help to Lexington One students in need of medical, dental, or vision services that prevent the students from learning.

Furthermore, the Emergency Fund has provided $164,500 in Helping Hands Grants in recent years that the foundation awarded to all Lexington One schools. Health Fund Grants purchased four Spot Vision Screeners to support Lexington District One nurses safely and more efficiently test students’ vision for disorders. Our Higher Education Support Grants to our graduating seniors with substantial financial need assist students who will pursue a college education with dorm room needs and/or academic support. While our International Teacher Grants support our Lexington District One teachers who are new to the country and struggling financially as they get settled in the community. LEAP Emergency funds exist to support our Lexington District One families in need, so thanks for your donations that make such grant assistance possible!

Find more information about the Lexington One Education Foundation and our LEAP program.

Lexington District One Employees may make financial donations to the LEAP campaign anytime during the year. However, employees can only choose payroll deduction donations during the campaign period, which is always during the first three weeks of the school year. Individuals who do not work for the district may also donate to our LEAP funds and/or considering giving to our other Educational Foundation funds that support Lexington District One. We welcome individuals to contact our executive director to learn more about how to support the Lexington One Educational Foundation’s many endeavors.

To apply for LEAP Emergency Assistance, please contact your school’s or department’s volunteer LEAP representative as listed below. This volunteer will provide you with a LEAP Emergency Application and assist with the application process.

For Lexington District One students or staff who are struggling financially due to a tough battle with cancer, your LEAP application will also be considered for additional support from the Cats Kick Cancer Fund.  The Lexington High School Boys Soccer Team and Coach Will Gettys caringly established this fund in 2018 to help support individuals in Lexington District One who are battling cancer.

The team members are passionate about the Cats Kick Cancer effort and the Educational Foundation leadership is privileged to receive donations each year and administer the fund along with its LEAP Emergency Fund. Watch our Cats Kick Cancer video to learn more about this wonderful, restricted fund that supports Lexington District One students and employees who are battling cancer!