The Foundation works closely with the Bartlesville Public Schools District to make sure our funding priorities continue to align with the District’s priorities. To that end, we occasionally provide seed money to get new programs up and running in the District or provide funding for a temporary need. These initiatives are outside of the Foundation’s core programs of teacher grants and Bruins on the Run.
Examples of Initiatives BPSF Supports Include:
Elementary STEM
The Foundation believes that the District’s elementary STEM initiative gives our students the tools they need to compete and succeed in STEM-based careers. We also recognize the importance of exposing our students to STEM at an early age. Elementary school is when these students develop the passions and interests that carry them through school and into their careers.
Through the generosity of our community, the Foundation contributed over $300,000 to help the Bartlesville Public Schools implement four phases of the District’s Project Lead the Way Elementary STEM curriculum since 2016.
We appreciate the community’s generous support of this innovative initiative.
In 2018-2019 the Foundation raised $100,000 to maintain and expand the District’s Elementary STEM curriculum. Funds support the implementation of computer science, biomedical, engineering pathways in all K-5 classrooms). This program gives students in our public schools the opportunity to engage in STEM activities from K-12th grade.
In 2017-2018, the Foundation raised $115,000 to expand the District’s Elementary STEM curriculum. Funds raised will support the maintenance of the current program (computer science modules for all K-5 classrooms) and the expansion of the curriculum to include biomedical and engineering modules. Learn more.
In 2016-2017, the Foundation contributed $85,071 to the Elementary STEM Initiative. The Foundation raised over $44,000 in community donations and matched $41,000 from its endowment. Additional info.
Agriculture Education 
In 2021, BPSF raised over $45,500 from our generous community to support the Agriculture Education program started in August 2019. Since 2019, the Agriculture students, under the guidance of BPS Ag teachers, Marty Jones and Cameron Dale, have gone on to receive state and national recognition for the quality of their work.
Mr. Jones and Ms. Dale have a vision for the program’s continued growth. They plan to increase course offerings and invest in key infrastructure with the goal of making Bartlesville’s program one of the top in the state, and preparing students for success in agriculture and STEM-related fields.
With the support of key contributors, including Paul and Pam Crawford, Truity Education Foundation, Arvest Bank, Jon and Jamie Beckloff, Phillips 66, ABB, and Dr. Stephanie Curtis, BPSF raised $45,500 for the AgEd program. Funds were used to purchase equipment for chickens and rabbits for student projects, ag-related technology, and a plasma 
cutter, which will provide hands-on learning opportunities for students to apply to both the AgEd and STEM fields due to its versatile cutting abilities.
Through BPSF teacher grants, the Foundation has also funded the expansion of the Ag curriculum into the elementary classroom – starting with fourth grade at Ranch Heights through the curriculum, “Ag in the Classroom.” This grant was one of several featured in our 2021-2022 grant impact video.
Broadcasting
As the District grows its Broadcasting program at the secondary levels, the BPS Foundation has funded seed money for key equipment like drones, cameras, green screens, and studio supplies through classroom grants, community funding requests, etc… The Foundation has also supported the expansion of this program by sending BPS broadcasting teachers at three school sites to national broadcasting conferences to bring back the latest techniques and skills to share with their colleagues and students.
Sponsored in part by:
Solar Eclipse Glasses
In August 2017, the BPS Foundation raised $2,500 to purchase solar eclipse viewing glasses for the District so that every student and staff member in the Bartlesville Public Schools (7,000 people) could safely view the eclipse on August 21, 2017.
Truity Education Foundation Capital Improvement Grants
Partnered with Truity Education Foundation to fund four $10,000 grants for capital improvements at various school sites from 2012-2016. Past recipients include:
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- 2012-2013 – Wilson Elementary: gymnasium/stage upgrade.
- 2013-2014 – Hoover Elementary: Ram Fam Fitness Trail.
- 2014-2015 – Bartlesville High School: media package to upgrade communications.
- 2015-2016 – Ranch Heights Elementary: pavilion and picnic tables on their playground
Despite providing see money for these programs, there are continuing costs and additional innovative projects that our donors can support upon request. To contribute to any of these initiatives, mail a check payable to “Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation” to our office at 1100 S. Jennings, Bartlesville, OK 74003 and note the initiative in the memo line or indicate your funding preference in a letter; donate online by credit card or paypal; or contact our executive director, Blair Ellis at 918-336-8600, ext 3523 to make other arrangements.