ALTON/GODFREY - A luncheon brought together educators and community partners to celebrate Alton Community Unit School District #11 teachers and students.
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On Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, the Alton Educational Foundation (AEF) hosted their annual Partners in Education Luncheon to share their support for the district. AEF Director Dr. Kristie Baumgartner noted that the foundation is focused on three main programs this year, all of which aim to boost student and teacher success. The luncheon also inducted 10 new members to the Alton High School Wall of Fame.
“It’s the Alton School District, the Alton Educational Foundation, and our business community all in the same room celebrating the kickoff to the 2026–27 school year,” Baumgartner said. “It all comes together in that Partners in Education luncheon where we celebrate all of these programs, what the growth has been over the previous year, how funding was utilized. And then we cap it off with that Wall of Fame celebration to honor some community members who have really spent their lifetime giving back.”
Baumgartner explained that AEF has focused on three main programs this year. The organization explained each program’s goals.
Their internship program invites community partners to work with Alton High School students. Employers bring in AHS students to learn and work in their organizations, at no cost to the employer.
Last year between the fall and spring semesters, student and employer participation in this program tripled. Baumgartner believes this “tremendous growth” points to the program’s value. Community partners are receiving needed help while training the next generation, and students gain valuable experience before graduating high school.
AEF is known for their grant program, which allows educators to sponsor hands-on learning opportunities for their students. Baumgartner said AEF awarded $60,000 this past school year to teachers who used the money for projects and programs.
In January, AEF launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program for kids throughout Madison County. From birth to age 5, kids can receive a new age-appropriate book every month in the mail for free. This program promotes literacy and encourages caregivers to read with their children.
Baumgartner said that Madison County’s program is already one of the top 10 programs in Illinois, with almost 4,000 kids registered to receive books. AEF is working with Labor and Delivery departments at local hospitals to encourage new parents to sign up for the program.
Baumgartner emphasized the importance of partnering with hospitals, employers and other community stakeholders to support kids and families. The luncheon was an opportunity to celebrate these collaborations and show stakeholders what their work is doing in the school district.
“It’s really important for us to have a space and an event where we can showcase the programs that the foundation is actively involved in that support students, staff, and schools. But it’s also important to share gratitude with our business community, who have sponsored all these,” she said. “We want them to see what the outcomes have been from their investment. This event gives us the opportunity to do just that.”
Additionally, 10 community members were inducted into the Alton High School Wall of Fame. Baumgartner said these “very deserving” inductees were honored for their support of the school district and the larger Riverbend community. She commended them for their work and expressed her gratitude to the sponsors, donors and community partners who do so much for the district.
As a retired educator, Baumgartner believes in AEF’s mission to give back to the Alton School District. She noted that the AEF team is committed to helping the district and the community, and they are especially interested in how these entities can partner to improve the lives of students and families in Alton and beyond.
“We all have the same mission,” she said. “We just want to continue to support students, staff and schools and to give back. We had so many wonderful years as educators in the district, and we just want to continue to stay involved and and support both students and staff to the highest degree we can.”
You can help in this work. Community members can donate just $16 to sponsor a child for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Businesses can reach out to AEF if they’d like to get involved in the internship program. Anyone can donate toward the grants that AEF supplies for teachers.
For more information about all of this, visit the official Alton Educational Foundation website.
This featured article is sponsored by the Alton Community Unit School District #11. To get your business or organization featured on www.RiverBender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.
