St. Cloud Area School District 742 and the Local Education & Activities Foundation (LEAF) announce LEAF’s $100,000 commitment to fund activities fees for all participating District 742 middle schoolers (grades 6-8) over the next two years.

The idea came about last fall, explains LEAF Executive Director Natalie Copeland, when school district leadership and the LEAF board were brainstorming student needs for LEAF’s annual Learning Renaissance fundraiser.

“We all know participation is trending downward for activities and athletics,” Copeland said. “LEAF has historically focused on supporting district activities, such as funding the after-school activities bus and providing physicals for athletes. But then we asked ourselves the question, are there still barriers—even perceived barriers—that prevent students from signing up?”

“We know this is a critical time for kids,” Copeland added. “Exploring activities and interests in middle school is essential for students to develop as athletes and participants later in high school.”

“We are beyond grateful,” said Superintendent Laurie Putnam. “LEAF’s generosity means we will be able to waive all activities fees for every middle schooler who wants to join a sport or other activity. It will give more students more opportunity to learn and grow. And we know that students who participate in activities often excel in the classroom. This is a classic win-win.”

Copeland said that over $30,000 has already been raised toward waiving activities fees for the upcoming school year. This is in addition to the $44,303 Activities Participation fund that supplies sports physicals as well as helps individual students with equipment and/or supplies for the activity of their choice.

Since 1993, LEAF has supported athletics, academics, activities and the arts for students in District 742. Last year, LEAF granted $297,536 to St. Cloud Area Schools. Since it began the granting process in 1997, LEAF has awarded over $3 million to our schools. 

For more information on how to support LEAF, go to https://leaf742.org.