By Allison Peck
Listen to the full interview with Terri Burchell on our Kubota Podcast
The North Platte Public Schools Foundation is preparing for its annual Bulldog Golf Classic while continuing to support students and classrooms across the district through multiple assistance programs.
The Bulldog Golf Classic is scheduled for Friday, May 29, at Lake Maloney Golf Course. The event, held in partnership with the Bulldog Booster Club, serves as a major fundraiser benefiting students throughout North Platte Public Schools, particularly at the high school level where enrollment is largest.
“It really supports the students at the high school because that’s where most enrollment is,” said Foundation Executive Director Terri Burchell. “But it really helps all of the students across the district.”
In addition to fundraising events, the Foundation administers the Prepared2Learn Fund, which helps students access school supplies and other educational needs. Burchell said the program goes beyond basic items to ensure students are prepared to succeed.
“We feel that each student should have their own set of things that they can kind of claim and take care of and have responsibility for,” Burchell said.
The Prepared2Learn Fund has also been used to assist students with needs such as eyeglasses, testing fees, and college visits. Burchell said the goal is to respond to individual circumstances when barriers arise.
“Sometimes you just have to think outside the box of what does that student need,” she said.
The Foundation also provides REACH teacher grants, which help educators fund classroom materials, field trips, and instructional resources not always covered by school budgets. Burchell said the grants are designed to reduce costs passed on to families while supporting long-term classroom use.
“It might be something that they’re able to use over and over again so that we don’t ask students to purchase those items,” she said.
Community members interested in participating in the Bulldog Golf Classic, sponsoring the event, or supporting Foundation programs can find more information at mppsf.org.