LEMARS COMMUNITY SCHOOL FOUNDATION
MAKE A DIFFERENCE =
The Le Mars Community Schools Foundation plays a vital role in enriching the educational experience for our
students. By supporting our Foundation, you directly contribute to:
•
ENHANCING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNTIES. We aim to provide exceptional learning opportunities by funding innovative
programs, technology upgrades, and specialized curriculum initiatives. With your support, we can empower our students
to explore their passions and develop critical skills for the future.
•
SUPPORTING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION. Our dedicated educators play a pivotal role in shaping the minds of our
students. Through the Foundation, we provide classroom resources and recognition programs for teachers, students, and
staff.
•
PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS. Scholarships through the Le Mars Community Foundation provides support for students to
attend college, vocational programs, or pursue other educational pathways.
LCSD FOUNDATION BOARD: From left to right: Carolyn Swenson Vance, Julie Powell Hurt, Joann Barker Johnson, Rosalie Ellefson, Cliff Collins, Jessica Reuter
Martinez, and Vicki Borchers. Back row: Deb Parmelee, Dave Grosenheider, Christi Calhoun, Superintendent Dr. Steve Webner, and Zach Lancaster.
Your financial contribution, no matter the size, will directly
support our initiatives and programs.
Consider becoming a corporate sponsor or individual donor to
demonstrate your commitment to education and the continued
success of our students. Sponsor and donor opportunities offer
visibility and recognition, showcasing our dedication to our
community’s future.
Contributions can be directed to the General Scholarship fund,
the General Foundation fund, the Endowment fund, Specific
requests fund, or Memorials in Memory of fund.
Help us to raise awareness about our Foundation’s mission and
initiatives. Together, we can create a ripple-effect of lasting and
positive change.
PLANNED GIVING
OPTIONS:
•
Cash Gift
•
Life Insurance
•
Wills and Bequests
•
Endowed Gifts
•
Charitable Gifts
•
Retirement Plan Giving
•
Securities
•
Memorial Gift
•
Grain Donation
•
Land Gift
•
Stock Transfer
Please visit with your financial
advisor.
Be a Champion for our Schools...
CONTACT INFO
Le Mars Community Schools Foundation
940 Lincoln St. SW
Le Mars, IA 51031
712-546-4155
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE STUDENTS AND STAFF
OF LE MARS COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Mrs. Kari Kopperud has been selected as the Le
Mars Community Schools’ 2026 Teacher of the
Year and awarded the annual Decades of
Excellence Crystal Bell award. Mrs. Kopperud joined
the Le Mars Community School District in 2017 as a
middle school guidance counselor. A few years later, she
transitioned to her present position as an elementary
guidance counselor for Clark Elementary and Franklin
Elementary. Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Kopperud is
involved in the community as a leader in her church, a
member of TTT, the LCSD Alumni Association, the Le Mars
Community Education Association, and the Iowa State Education
Association. Mrs. Kopperud resides in Le Mars with her husband,
Judd, a LCHS guidance counselor, and their three children:
Kortney, a senior; Jordan, a freshman; and Jess, a 7th grader. Mrs.
Kopperud was nominated for this award by Clark & Franklin staff
and students. The Decades of Excellence Crystal Bell award is co-
sponsored by the LCSD Foundation and the LCS Alumni
Association. The award is presented annually to honor outstanding
teachers who have dedicated their careers to the education of our
children.
Distinguished educator and alumnus Jim Lorenzen
shares the importance of community partnership in
achieving educational excellence.
Carolyn Vance and Zach Lancaster present the
Teacher of the Year Award to Kari Kopperud on
behalf of the Alumni Association and
Foundation.
The Le Mars Community Schools Foundation plays
a vital role in enriching the educational
experience for our students. By supporting our
Foundation, you directly contribute to:
•
ENHANCING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNTIES. We aim
to provide exceptional learning opportunities
by funding innovative programs, technology
upgrades, and specialized curriculum initiatives.
With your support, we can empower our students to
explore their passions and develop critical skills for
the future.
•
SUPPORTING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION.
Our dedicated educators play a pivotal role in
shaping the minds of our students. Through the
Foundation, we provide classroom resources and
recognition programs for teachers, students, and
staff.
•
PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS.
Scholarships through the Le Mars Community
Foundation provides support for students to attend
college, vocational programs, or pursue other
educational pathways.
LEMARS COMMUNITY
SCHOOL FOUNDATION
MAKE A DIFFERENCE =
THE ROLE OF THE FOUNDATION
WHO WE ARE
LCSD FOUNDATION BOARD: From left to right: Carolyn Swenson Vance, Julie
Powell Hurt, Joann Barker Johnson, Rosalie Ellefson, Cliff Collins, Jessica
Reuter Martinez, and Vicki Borchers. Back row: Deb Parmelee, Dave
Grosenheider, Christi Calhoun, Superintendent Dr. Steve Webner, and Zach
Lancaster.
HOW YOU CAN MAKE A
DIFFERENCE
Your financial contribution, no matter the size, will
directly support our initiatives and programs.
Consider becoming a corporate sponsor or individual
donor to demonstrate your commitment to education
and the continued success of our students. Sponsor
and donor opportunities offer visibility and
recognition, showcasing our dedication to our
community’s future.
Contributions can be directed to the General
Scholarship fund, the General Foundation fund, the
Endowment fund, Specific requests fund, or
Memorials in Memory of fund.
Help us to raise awareness about our Foundation’s
mission and initiatives. Together, we can create a
ripple-effect of lasting and positive change.
PLANNED GIVING OPTIONS:
•
Cash Gift
•
Life Insurance
•
Wills and Bequests
•
Endowed Gifts
•
Charitable Gifts
•
Retirement Plan Giving
•
Securities
•
Memorial Gift
•
Grain Donation
•
Land Gift
•
Stock Transfer
Please visit with your financial advisor.
Be a Champion for
our Schools...
CONTACT INFO
Le Mars Community Schools Foundation
940 Lincoln St. SW
Le Mars, IA 51031
712-546-4155
NEWS AND EVENTS
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE STUDENTS AND STAFF
OF LE MARS COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Mrs. Kari Kopperud has been selected as
the Le Mars Community Schools’ 2026
Teacher of the Year and awarded the
annual Decades of Excellence Crystal Bell
award. Mrs. Kopperud joined the Le Mars
Community School District in 2017 as a middle
school guidance counselor. A few years later,
she transitioned to her present position as an
elementary guidance counselor for Clark
Elementary and Franklin Elementary. Beyond
the classroom, Mrs. Kopperud is involved in the
community as a leader in her church, a member
of TTT, the LCSD Alumni Association, the Le
Mars Community Education Association, and the
Iowa State Education Association. Mrs.
Kopperud resides in Le Mars with her husband,
Judd, a LCHS guidance counselor, and their
three children: Kortney, a senior; Jordan, a
freshman; and Jess, a 7th grader. Mrs.
Kopperud was nominated for this award by
Clark & Franklin staff and students. The
Decades of Excellence Crystal Bell award is co-
sponsored by the LCSD Foundation and the LCS
Alumni Association. The award is presented
annually to honor outstanding teachers who
have dedicated their careers to the education of
our children.
Distinguished educator and alumnus Jim
Lorenzen shares the importance of
community partnership in achieving
educational excellence.
Carolyn Vance and Zach Lancaster present the Teacher of the Year Award to
Kari Kopperud on behalf of the Alumni Association and Foundation.
