Harlan Community Education Foundation - Alumni Information – Alumni

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Exciting changes are taking place at Harlan Community Schools. We’d love to keep you informed of the great things happening at your alma mater. If you would like to be periodically updated, please complete this three-question form:

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Harlan Community Education Foundation oversees the alumni contact information.

Alumni and Foundational News

Back-to-School Night - August 2026

To kick off the new school year with community spirit, the Harlan Community Educational Foundation bought and served over 500 burgers during Back to School Night. Foundation board members rolled up their sleeves to serve the meals, while the local Cattlemen took charge of the grills to keep fresh, hot burgers coming for incoming students, parents, and staff. This fun event brought the entire district together for a warm start to the academic year, highlighting the strong tradition of community support that makes Harlan schools so special.

People in line for burgers being cooked by the cattlemen.

People being served burgers in front of the high school.

Groups of People Congregated Around the High School Entrance for Back-To-School Night.

Harlan Community Education Foundation Spring Classroom Grants

May 2026 - This spring, the Harlan Community Educational Foundation partnered with the Harlan Community School District to empower local educators and elevate classroom instruction, awarding grants to 34 district teachers. Under the program, teachers could request up to $1,000 each to bring creative projects directly into their classrooms. The Foundation proudly provided $10,000 in grant funding, while the school district covered the remaining balance to ensure every selected proposal was fully funded.

These dollars are already making a tangible impact across grade levels, equipping teachers with specialized tools and resources tailored to their content areas. Grant funds supported a wide variety of upgrades, including the creation of outdoor classrooms, new literacy resources, expanded classroom library collections, and modern classroom technology. From essential day-to-day instructional materials to hands-on learning enhancements, this joint investment directly enriches the educational experience for Harlan students.

Giving Tuesday Success

December 2025 - Over December, the Harlan Community Education Foundation has received over $100,000 worth of donations and pledges to assist us on our mission to meet our short-term goal of $250,000 for the Endowed Fund. This will provide long-term financial success for the foundation to meet and exceed our current goals for the school district.

If you are interested in working with a foundation member or establishing annual pledges to the foundation, please reach out to see how that can be a perfect fit for you!

Any donations to the endowment, can be made on the Community Foundation for Western Iowa: https://pccf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate

Thermometer showing donations from Giving Tuesday

Harlan Community Education Foundation Classroom Grants - Fall 2025

August 2025 - In August 2025, the Harlan Community Education Foundation will be awarding academic classroom grants for PK-12th Grade. Grants, up to $1,000 each, will provide funding for field trips, career tours, supplies, books, unique classroom needs, and equipment.

These resources will enrich learning experiences and empower teachers to implement creative ideas that enhance education excellence in and outside the classroom.

$19,000 in total grants were awarded in the Fall of 2025: $10,000 was sponsored by the Education Foundation and the rest were sponsored by the district.

Group of teachers sharing their classroom grant awards.

Dr. Barnett and Kay handing out awards to teacher grant recipients.

HCSD Foundation Magazine Publications

Twice a year, the Harlan Community Educational Foundation delivers a dedicated print newsletter directly to every household across the school district, bridging the gap between local classrooms and the broader community. This bi-annual publication serves as a vital touchpoint, ensuring that all district residents—whether they currently have children enrolled in school or not—stay informed, engaged, and connected to local public education. By bringing district updates straight to residents' mailboxes, the Foundation reinforces the shared pride and ongoing investment the entire community holds in its local schools.

Inside each issue, readers receive a comprehensive breakdown of the tangible impacts driven by community support. The mailer highlights student and staff achievements, academic and extracurricular successes, and the latest happenings across all building levels at Harlan Community. Crucially, it provides transparency on financial stewardship by showcasing the grant dollars earned and explaining how those funds are directly reinvested into innovative classroom resources and school programs. Through these stories and updates, the newsletter celebrates the hard work of Harlan's educators while honoring the accomplishments of its students.