Long Beach Elementary Wins Sam's Club Grant

Principal Kevin Lipke had a surprise for his staff at Wednesday morning.

At his regular morning meeting in the school’s library, Lipke announced that Long Beach had won an annual Teachers Rewards grant from Walmart and Sam’s Club. And that meant that 10 teachers at the school, selected at random, received $100 gift cards, to buy school supplies.

It’s the third year Walmart and Sam’s Club have given out this award, according to April Middleton, who works in the accounting department of the Naperville Sam's Club. Each store is allowed to select a school to give the award to, and Middleton said it was Lipke’s devotion to the community that earned her vote.

Venus Nichols, who also works at the Naperville store, said Lipke swayed her decision as well.

“He is just awesome,” she said. “It’s not just a job, it’s a passion for him. He’s great with the kids, he talks to them and not at them. He’s a great leader, and the faculty here follow his lead.”

Lipke drew the names of 10 teachers from a hat, and handed out gift certificates Wednesday morning. The winners were Karen Baker, Andrea Blum, Kirsten Brandwein, Julie Brummel, Mickey Ewalt, Fran Fodor, Jennifer Keenan, Janis Mederich, Julee Parpart, and Mary Peterson.

Walmart officials said educators generally spend around $500 of their own money each school year. The total grant for this year comes out to $4.5 million, distributed to schools across the country. In 2010, educators used this grant to buy 19,000 packs of pens, pencils and crayons; 17,000 packs of paper; 13,000 packs of markers; and 14,000 binders, Walmart officials said.

Winners are all certified teachers, but don’t have to have a classroom role to be eligible. The list can include counselors, coaches and specialists.

School Board Vice President Alison Swanson attended Wednesday’s meeting, and Lipke said he received a congratulatory call from School Board President Bill Walsh as well. 

“Our efforts are being recognized all the time,” Lipke said to his staff.