Endowments

Established on October 6, 2011, the Bauer Family Grant was created for students in grades K-2, or to facilitate parental involvement in early childhood education. The Bauer family has an interest in early special education. Joseph Bauer has been long involved with the South Bend Education Foundation. He served on our board for 6 years, joining in 2014. Joseph worked at Notre Dame’s Law school for over 40 years, eventually retiring in 2015.

Joe and his wife, Marzy, have contributed not only to fund their endowment, but also to administrative operations and the TCU matching gift to help fund our Teacher Development Endowment. Joe donates his time by mentoring a South Bend Schools student and sitting on the mentor program steering committee for our schools. The Bauer’s exemplify what it means to give back and be part of #TEAMSOUTHBEND.

Since this endowment was established, 11 grants have been given in the Bauer Family’s name totaling $14,310.30 benefitting 1,552 students.

Bob Laven was a graduate of Riley High School and had always felt the need to support the South Bend Community School Corporation. As a key member of the SBCSC Board of Trustees for many years, he helped make decisions to shape the future of SBCSC. Recognizing that children need to have quality education available to them, his wife Peg was always involved on the school level with various Parent-Teacher Organizations and functions as time allowed while raising 4 children. Bob would later lend his enthusiasm and drive to the Education Foundation as President and also then as Development & Marketing Chair. Bob & Peg both recognize the importance that education has in our society and our community and have always encouraged their children and others to learn, read and grow in whatever their field of interest may be. They realize that school systems are under-funded and that outside help is needed to not only keep quality programs in the schools, but also to provide our young people with new and effective ways of learning.

Since this endowment was established, 6 grants have been given in the Laven’s name totaling $9,019.35 benefitting 956 students.

For years, Dave was an educational advocate for the children of our community, as well as a mentor for many teachers and administrators. Dave’s life was spent working for the good of schools and he served 44 years in many educational settings. He was known to many as a Superintendent, a mentor, director of Connect, as a professor and we especially remember his work with the Board of Directors of the Education Foundation. Dave served on the Teacher Grant Committee and enjoyed handing out the checks to those who received grant funds. His educational background and attention to detail helped to make the Teacher Grant Committee what it is today. We remember his legacy with the “David F. Hendrix, Ed.D Endowment” established in 2008.

Since this endowment was established, 14 grants have been given in David Hendrix’s name totaling $14,045.70 benefitting 1,303 students.

Don Claeys (1924- 2014) attended John Adams High School and the University of Notre Dame here in South Bend, before entering the Navy ROTC program. He honorably served his country during WW2 and the Korean Conflict. Don joined his family business, Claeys Candy, which was founded by his father, until he retired as Vice President and Treasurer. He is survived by his wife, Peg. Through the years Peg supported causes such as Logan Center, Christ Child Society, and the American Red Cross. Both of them believed in giving back to the community and quietly gave to many charities and organization. “Don and Peg Claeys Family Endowment” was created in his memory and honor.

Since this endowment was established, 6 grants have been given in the Claeys’ name totaling $7,776.19 benefitting 1,508 students.

Jim was a dedicated educator with SBCSC his entire career. He was a teacher at German Elementary School and then served as Principal at Tarkington, Monroe, Madison, Hay and Warren Elementary Schools. Jim was a Past President of the SBCSC Principals Association. He lived a life devoted to ensuring all children, regardless of their circumstances, succeeded in school and in life. Having a great love and appreciation for music, Jim was a talented drummer with the Esquires Band for twenty-four years. In 2009, his family and friends established, the “James D. Metz Fine Arts Teacher Grant” to honor his memory.

Since this endowment was established, 13 grants have been given in James Metz’s name totaling $12,790.89 benefitting 1,605 students.

“Whatever it Takes” was a mantra Dr. Wilson believed in to provide a level playing field for local children. He particularly enjoyed the reading program at Hay Primary school. His efforts are continued through his endowment to continue to provide a better education for SBCSC students.

Dr. James Wilson (1916-2004), a retired surgeon, became the first President of the Education Foundation and served in that position from 1995-1998. Dr. Wilson remained on the Board of Directors for the next four years. He was dedicated to providing good education to the children of the South Bend community. Jim often visited the “Light Bulb Lane” reading pilot at Hay Primary School, and would smile at the success that was evident on the children’s faces. Both he and his wife, Marjorie, worked effortlessly in the Foundation’s beginnings to make it what it is today. Many of the programs Jim and Marj helped to start have continued to improve the education of South Bend’s children. In his memory, The “James M. Wilson Endowment Fund” was established in 2004.

Since this endowment was established, 15 grants have been given in James Wilson’s name totaling $20,018.71 benefitting 3,163 students.

Kurt Simon served as president of Simon Brothers Inc., a family business that distributed food and industrial products in the Midwest. He was most known for his vision and generosity while living a life of service. Born in Germany, he later moved with his uncle to South Bend, attending South Bend Central High School and later the University of Notre Dame. He was a major benefactor to the South Bend community donating to the local Jewish community, schools, and hospitals to give back to the town he grew up in. He often said, “Life’s been good to me and I want to pay a little bit back.” The “Kurt Simon Endowment” was established in 2013 to honor the successful businessman and local philanthropist.

Since this endowment was established, 9 grants have been awarded in Kurt Simon’s name totaling $12,182.36 benefitting 2,690 students.

Maritza Robles was a hero to children and their families, mainly to bilingual children because she was the Director of Bilingual Education most of her life here in South Bend. She truly cared about every single child in her program and worked tirelessly to make sure they received the best education possible. She motivated teachers and her staff to do the best they can for each and every child because as she always said “these families are sending their best, so we have to do our best.” She was a true advocate for children and their families, her door was always open and there was not a single problem she wasn’t willing to listen to or help solve. She went beyond her job description to make sure children and their families had the resources to open the door to success. She truly believed this when she said “no matter what language, background, or skin color, all children have the ability to learn, we just have to give them the tools.” After retirement she served on the school board, library board, and was the owner of new Discoveries preschool. The “Martiza Robles Endowment” was established to honor her legacy.

Since this endowment was established, 3 grants given in Maritza Robles’ name totaling $1,319.62 benefitting 67 students.

Tarkington Traditional School Principal Mark Tulchinsky devoted nearly 40 years of his life to the education of South Bend’s youth. And even after all that time, he never forgot a name. It has been said that “he had a knack of looking past a person’s gray hair and crow’s feet and seeing the child he taught so many years ago.” In 1968 he began his teaching career in South Bend at Perley Elementary. He also served as a principal at Jefferson and Monroe Elementary schools and at Tarkington Traditional. It would not be possible to fully describe the impact that Mark had on the South Bend community. We remember him with the “Mark Tulchinsky Memorial Teacher Grant.”

Since this endowment was established, 14 grants have been given in Mark Tulchinsky’s name totaling $19,185.04 benefitting 2,434 students.

“Many of the people in the community do not realize how important the public school is, but when you look around at the amount of effort an compare what public schools do for children; it is really a good bargain. The opportunities for children in the public schools are endless.”

Mr. Mendel Piser was one of the first members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. He got involved after being placed on a committee to study the school corporation’s finances, it was concluded that the schools could not run solely on state funding, private funding would be necessary. Piser and Dr. James Wilson worked together to start the South Bend Education Foundation. Piser served on the Executive Committee from 1995-2006. The “M. Mendel Piser Endowment” was created in his memory.

Since this endowment was established, 13 grants given in M. Mendel Piser’s name totaling $14,842.25 benefitting 2,324 students.

Patricia was a South Bend Central High school alum and from there she went on to get her Bachelors at Ball State and her masters at the University of Wisconsin. Ms. Tollens worked as an elementary school teacher for SBCSC until retiring in 1990. She was a member of the NEA, the I.S.T.A Retired Teachers Associations, St. Joseph County Retired Educators, and the American Association of University Women. The “Patricia Tollens Endowment” was set up in her honor.

Since this endowment was established, 7 grants have been given in Patricia Tollens’ name totaling $10,203.98 benefitting 1,597 students.

We all have many great memories of Roland’s dedication to the children of South Bend. As he would often say, we must walk the talk, and he always put his belief that all children can learn, into action. Roland served as secretary for the Foundation for ten years and on the marketing committee for two years. We will remember Roland every time we look at our logo, EDFO” as he helped to select the logo for the “upbeat” presentation. We remember Roland with the “Roland Kelly Language Arts Teacher Grant” for his interest in language, writing, journalism and media.

Since this endowment was established, 15 grants have been given in Roland Kelly’s name totaling $12,967.87 benefitting 2,729 students.

In honor of the years of tireless support that Louetta Turner dedicated to the students and families of the South Bend Community Schools (S.B.C.S.C.), her Coquillard family would like to offer a scholarship in her name. Monies collected from this will be rewarded to a graduate of S.B.C.S.C. dedicated to the pursuit of a career in education. We would love for future generations to benefit from the value of education that Mrs. Turner implanted in all those she met.

Teaching is a work of heart. No truer words can be said about the life and commitment of Louetta Turner. Mrs. Turner was a dedicated teacher for the South Bend community for over 50 years. A majority of her time was devoted to the children and families of Coquillard Elementary school. In addition to working with elementary students, she led her own after school program (P.E.P) at several area middle schools, worked bilingual summer school, led youth groups, and taught Sunday school classes. Her dedication to her students, their families, and her faith invigorated her to continue substituting after her retirement, covering maternity leaves and teaching summer school. Mrs. Turner’s last day of teaching was Monday, September 20, 2021.