To celebrate our schools
To recognize the educators
To imagine the possibilities if the community embraces our schools

The Circle of Friends Luncheon for the Foundation for Madison's Public Schools has grown into a wonderful event that manages to do all three.

On May 6th over 600 people attended the luncheon to show the commitment they have to our schools and the Foundation's work to support our public schools. Great things happening everyday in schools across the city were highlighted. Grants that have been awarded from the Foundation's annual grant program were showcased and the grant winners were recognized. John Olson and Ann Stanke received the annual distinguished alumni awards.

The most important message of the day was for everyone to imagine the possibility of what we can help our schools accomplish for the children in Madison if we as a community embrace our public school system. As a community we need to support our schools with time, talent and resources.

The thing that made the luncheon so special was the energy in the room with so many people together to share this vision and take it back to co-workers, neighbors, friends and families.

The schools are not just for families with children. The schools are for our community, and the quality of life in Madison depends to a great extent on the quality of our education system. We have come to expect quality education, but now with tight resources, we have to be creative and supportive of our schools in numerous ways.

The Foundation for Madison's Public Schools works to build relationships between the community and the schools and helps to increase the resources available to individual schools and the district as a whole. As the work of the Foundation continues, we hope the community will embrace the concept that we all have a responsibility to offer the children in our community an excellent education.

The success of this year's luncheon showed that we are on our way to making this a reality.

The Foundation for Madison's Public Schools held its annual Circle of Friends Luncheon on Tuesday, May 6th at the Alliant Energy Center. This year's distinguished alumni were John R. Olson, East High '53, Retired Assistant Superintendent and Coordinator of MMSD Athletics and Security, and Ann Calhoun Stanke, West High '52, Retired General Director Madison Opera. The Foundation 2007-08 Grant Awardees also were honored. Over 600 guests attended this year's event, up 150 from 2007.

Luncheon guests arrive to celebrate the past, present and future of the Madison public schools.

The Spring Harbor MS Jazz Band conducted by Ben Jaeger provides pre-luncheon entertainment.

2008 Distinguished Alumnus - John R. Olson, East High '53, Ret. Asst. Superintendent and Coordinator of MMSD Athletics and Security

2008 Distinguished Alumna - Ann Calhoun Stanke, West High '52, Ret. General Director Madison Opera

Related MMSD Links

• Circle of Friends Luncheon