Friends of Moody

FRIENDS OF MOODY SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION

It is hard to believe that Friends of Moody Schools Education Foundation became a vision in 1990.  It all started when Mr. Jim Lawley, Principal of Moody Elementary, sent a letter about cutbacks and hard times ahead because of proration.  The letter haunted me as it lay on my car’s front seat.  I approached Mr. Lawley and Mrs. Lesley, Principal at Moody Middle, about starting a non-profit education foundation. 

We selected the name “Friends” because that is exactly what we wanted to be.  Our vision was to act as a liaison between the schools, civic, business and legislative leaders.  Friends of Moody developed twelve goals.

• Develop a strong community-based school system.
• Return parents to education.
• Return discipline and morality to the school.
• Develop strong leadership skills in the children.
• Ensure that all children are ready to start school.
• Focus on increased knowledge in science, math, and computers.
• Prepare the children for college/workforce.
• Increase high school graduation as well as college enrollment.
• All parents as well as all children know how to read and write.
• Develop a mentor/tutor network.
• Encourage teachers/students to strive for excellence.
• Actively seek scholarships, funds, and other business opportunities for students.

In 1991, a small gathering of parents, teachers, business leaders, and St. Clair County Board of Education Superintendent, Joey Ray, decided to march on Montgomery.  Mr. Ray drove to Montgomery one cold November day and secured a parade permit for us.  Out of that came the 1992 Alabama Blue Ribbon Rally; thousands of Alabamians marched for education.  Our vision became a reality in 1993 when Friends of Moody Schools incorporated as a non-profit 501-(c)(3) education foundation.

In 1998, Friends of Moody Schools successfully lobbied to get separate school-tax districts in St. Clair County to allow communities to vote independently on property tax increases.  That same year, we lobbied for an education complex, but were not able to secure it.

Friends of Moody Schools have had many national and state leaders come to Moody and speak and view our schools.  It is not always easy to get on their calendars.  After the September 11 attach, Congressman Bob Riley came at the request of Friends of Moody Schools and spoke at one of our football games.

One of my favorite opportunities for the foundation is the Scholarship Fund.  When we incorporated as a non-profit in 1993, we started the scholarship fund with one $500 scholarship.  To date, Friends of Moody Schools has given $311,050.00 in scholarships.  It is exciting to see our Moody students continue their education and that we are a part of that in a real way.

When the new high school opened, it was Friends of Moody Schools who secured a $50,000 grant to equip the new computer lab and a grant to provide the shelving for the library.  One of our projects was to secure a red light and turn lane at the high school. We did not get our red light, but we did get the turn lane.

The community has been great!  Friends of Moody School would not be possible without that support.  The City of Moody and local businesses have made our vision possible. Tom and Melea Lambert have served on our board since 1990 and numerous individuals and businesses, such as, Dennis Russell the St. Clair County Coroner and Joe Kelly the President of TCI Sales, Inc. have supported the vision from the beginning. “There is no pay associated with this job, however, we continue to work because we have a passion for our community and our children.  Assisting in the success of just one child makes all the struggles worth it.”

There have been many achievements over the last 26 years and here are a few:

• Lobbied for $10,000 state grant to begin a computer lab at old Moody High School.
• Lobbied for a $5,000 state grant for BrightStart for Moody Elementary.
• Held a Celebrity Dinner at Cracker Barrel that raised approximately $4000 for technology.
• With the help of Lisa Weldon, Covenant Bank, the Moody Business Association and Moody Chevron/Green Family, a computer lab was established at Moody Elementary and a science lab at Moody Middle. 
• Purchased textbooks, classroom desks, science equipment, library books.
• Gave teacher appreciation breakfasts and saving bonds to top students.
• Held forum to education students and parents on health issues and education issues.
• Held community clean-up days at schools. 
• Participated on State of Alabama Board of Education Committee for School Discipline.
• $2500 library grants for all four schools.
• $2500 matching grants for all four schools.
• Provided Moody High School graduates with over $350,000 in scholarships.

Please make your check payable to Friends of Moody Schools and mail to:

Friends of Moody School
PO. Box 644
Moody, Alabama 35004

Friends of Moody Schools Education Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.         

“As a long-time supporter of Friends of Moody Schools, I have seen first-hand the wonderful evidence of the benefits to our deserving young people.”
Joe Kelly
President-TCI Sales, Inc.

 “I have had the pleasure of watching The Friends of Moody Schools give so much back to our students.  As a teacher, I have seen thousands of dollars given to the students to go and further their educational career.  As an administrator, I have seen all the hard work and fundraising that is done for each of our schools, always being so generous to help us achieve our goals.  The Friends of Moody Schools is such a generous group, who always has the Moody students at heart.”
Cassandra Taylor
Principal-Moody Junior High