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For nearly 114 years the Dalrymple Family Foundation in
Amory has supported the Amory School District. From the first trees milled to
provide lighting to play football at the high school during the Depression to
the gifted buildings of today, the DFF is impacting Amory schools and student
academic performance.
Dalrymple family members have served as school board members
spanning three generations. Mr. Arch Dalrymple Sr. served as the first school
board president for the Amory School District. Mr. Arch Dalrymple III has
impacted student learning at both the local and state levels. He first served
as Amory School Board President from 1966-76 and later served as the first
president of the Mississippi School Board Association from 1971-73.
The partnership between the Dalrymple Family Foundation and
the district is a rare and lasting community partnership that has spurred many
projects and has required an ongoing commitment of time from its members. Such
projects have addressed the academic needs for Amory students, professional
development for teachers and enrichment opportunities for the community as a
whole. This commitment has broadened the Coordinated School Health Program and
responded to the health needs of students, faculty and staff in the district.
The Dalrymple Family Foundation has provided much needed space for a growing
school district and has allowed a district with limited funding to continue to
grow and meets the needs of its students, parents, faculty, staff and the
community.
The financial contributions of the Dalrymple
Family Foundation have exceeded $500,000 and this is significant. But the
dedication of this family to come alongside the Amory School District for such
a long period of time to address the needs of the district is priceless. The
persistent and ongoing relationship and the eagerness to partner to help
address a variety of needs for the district cannot be matched.
Duration of partnership: 114 years
+14 volunteers
Impacts 1,885 students
Activities: Foundation
donated building to be used as central office. Building, furnishings and land
estimated at $250,000. Foundation launched and expanded the Coordinated School
Health Program by partnering with other local school groups to provide a
part-time school nurse, establish Medicaid clinics at school sites and expand
health-education activities at all schools. More recently the Foundation
donated a building to the district to be used for a family enrichment and
adult-learning center. Building and land are valued at $250,000.
Results: Total
donations of $500,000 to district. Central office used for school board
meetings; creates professional environment. Coordinated School Health Program
has resulted in student-nurse ratio of 600:1, which is well within proposed
ratio set forth in the national model. Amory Middle School named one of the top
10 healthiest schools in the nation by Health Magazine (2008). Foundation
provided automated external defibrillators to all schools in district. Amory
Learning Center offers academic and life-enrichment programs to teachers and
students and broadens connection between parental involvement and student
achievement. Center offers GED prep classes.
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