University City students honored for sustainability project; education foundation reports nearly $1 million since 2020
May 22, 2026 | UNIVERSITY CITY, School Districts, Missouri
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Students in a sustainability class at Brittany Woods Middle School presented a community outreach project on stormwater awareness and litter reduction and were recognized at the school board meeting with a Missouri Green Schools award.
Student speakers described practical steps for residents (clearing storm drains, keeping leaves and trash off streets, planting native species) and urged community clean‑ups and outreach. A Missouri Green Schools judge praised the project’s student leadership and place‑based approach, saying, “You hit the brief perfectly,” and encouraging students to share their work across the region.
Earl Strother, executive director of the University City Education Foundation (S14), and Trina Cliet (S11), the foundation’s director of development and liaison with the district, gave an update to the board. Strother said the foundation has routed nearly $954,000 to the district since 2020 and described strategic priorities for the coming year: increase private funding, expand community engagement and refresh administrative operations. Cliet said the foundation has raised about $189,000 year‑to‑date toward a $200,000 annual target and reported 241 active donors, with 138 new donors this year.
District and foundation representatives discussed next steps including certificate presentations for students, summer internship partnerships to expand outreach, and using foundation storytelling to grow private support.
Why it matters: The awards highlight student civic engagement and provide a visible example of how curriculum and community partnerships can produce local environmental action. The foundation update tied those accomplishments to fundraising and donor stewardship efforts that support teacher grants and student programs.
Next steps: Foundation and district staff said they will coordinate outreach (banners, social media) to scale the student project and pursue pending grant awards and partnerships.
Student speakers described practical steps for residents (clearing storm drains, keeping leaves and trash off streets, planting native species) and urged community clean‑ups and outreach. A Missouri Green Schools judge praised the project’s student leadership and place‑based approach, saying, “You hit the brief perfectly,” and encouraging students to share their work across the region.
Earl Strother, executive director of the University City Education Foundation (S14), and Trina Cliet (S11), the foundation’s director of development and liaison with the district, gave an update to the board. Strother said the foundation has routed nearly $954,000 to the district since 2020 and described strategic priorities for the coming year: increase private funding, expand community engagement and refresh administrative operations. Cliet said the foundation has raised about $189,000 year‑to‑date toward a $200,000 annual target and reported 241 active donors, with 138 new donors this year.
District and foundation representatives discussed next steps including certificate presentations for students, summer internship partnerships to expand outreach, and using foundation storytelling to grow private support.
Why it matters: The awards highlight student civic engagement and provide a visible example of how curriculum and community partnerships can produce local environmental action. The foundation update tied those accomplishments to fundraising and donor stewardship efforts that support teacher grants and student programs.
Next steps: Foundation and district staff said they will coordinate outreach (banners, social media) to scale the student project and pursue pending grant awards and partnerships.
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