News from the Issaquah Schools Foundation
10 Things Donors Accomplished This YearKept Innovation, Creativity and the Arts AliveCompetition for 2010-2011 year Academic Enrichment Grants was stiff. The Foundation received 60 applications from elementary, middle and high school staff. Thanks to donors, 31 grants were funded in amounts ranging from $100 to $10,000. During the next school year (2010-2011), donor dollars will fund a Learning Garden at Endeavour Elementary, numerous art docent programs (our elementary schools do not have certificated art teachers), books, school-wide intervention programs, music equipment, kindergarten reading assessments, technology and so much more. Helped Fund a New Chemistry AdoptionWhat’s new in the world of chemistry? Our high school students wouldn’t have discovered this information in their old books. Donor dollars made it possible for the Foundation to help the District update the chemistry curriculum by replacing outdated books and equipment. Built a LibraryCan you believe that for years, students at Tiger Mountain High School had no formal library? Foundation donors made sure the situation was remedied. With assistance from $15,000 in Academic Enrichment Grants, TMCH Librarian Joy Allison was able to transform an old storage space into a beautiful new library for her students. Joy made sure that the new space would be teen friendly by enlisting the help of her students for both book and furniture purchases. The result…a space where teens can relax and find books selected by their peers. The library has been so successful at encouraging students to read that the schools WASL/HSPE reading scores rose from 18.8% to 66.7%. Improved Classroom Effectiveness by Doubling the Number of National Board Certified Teachers in Our DistrictDonor dollars enabled the Foundation to collaborate with the District to underwrite almost 100% of the costs of obtaining National Board Certification (NBC). NBC is one of the most highly regarded professional development programs in the nation. Teachers who graduate are equipped with tools and strategies to reach and help every child excel…a particular bonus as classroom sizes increase. Helped Sophomores & Juniors Take the First Step of Their College JourneyBy bringing the PSAT test to the students during the school day, the number of District students taking the test rocketed from 21 to 74%. The PSAT puts students on the road to college by connecting them to post-high school institutions and providing them with an overview of their educational strengths and weaknesses. Foundation scholarships ensured that no student who wished to participate was turned away. Transformed lives through the VOICE Mentoring ProgramDuring the 2009-2010 year, the VOICE Mentoring program paired 188 students in need of academic, social, and/or personal support with 155 community mentors at 19 Issaquah District schools. Mentors, who come from every walk of life, make a tremendous impact on their mentees’ lives. Mentors have encouraged students to learn to read, participate in classroom activities, stay in school, pursue college, work harder, and reach higher. Next year, we hope to have VOICE Mentors at every school. If you are interested in being one of them, please contact: VOICE@issaquah.wednet.edu. Nurtured Academic AchievementOver 7,300 middle and high schools students had access to FREE tutoring from classroom teachers at After-School Homework Clubs and Labs. From Humanities to AP & IB Classes, Science and English, After-School Homework Clubs and Labs helped students catch up, stay on track, or move to the head of the class. Click Here to hear comments from PLMS Homework Club participants. Made Nourish Every Mind 2010 a Record Breaking SuccessOn May 13, 2010—after an 18-month hiatus—Nourish Every Mind made a triumphant return. Over 800 parents, community and business leaders converged at the Issaquah Community Center to hear first-hand the impact that donor funded Foundation programs have on our students and schools. When asked to give, the audience responded in record setting fashion…raising $406,000 in support of current programs and new initiatives. Watch the videos that inspired our audience. Clothed, Fed and Provided Assistance to Students in NeedImagine trying to concentrate on math when you haven’t eaten breakfast and are lacking the necessary class supplies? Every year, some Issaquah School District students find themselves in this unfortunate situation. With donor support, the Foundation is able to make an annual grant to the Nurses Fund. Run by District nurses, the Fund provides students with basic living staples including, clothing, food, transportation, medical, and school supplies. Responded to Our Call to Include Us in Your Back-to-School PlansWith a theme of ‘Everybody In,” our fall 2010 Calling for Kids campaign asked every family to add a donation to the Foundation to their Back-to-School ‘to-do’ lists. Contributions poured in by phone, web and mail. By the close of the Annual Fund campaign, over $235,000 had been raised in support of the Foundation’s slate of ongoing programs—VOICE Mentoring Program, After-School Homework Clubs and Labs, National Board Certification Scholarships for teachers and Academic Enrichment Grants.
Who’s helping with Nourish Every Mind at your school?
Your Dollars Make a DifferenceA 2009 Kateri Brow Big Idea/Biggest Need grant funded new piano keyboards at Briarwood, Maple Hills and Clark Elementary schools. Briarwood students recently wrote to thank ISF donors for the additions. Below are a few of our favorites.
Sandy Mullins and students at Sunset Elementary are all smiles after learning that the "Enriching the School Art Program Through Books" grant had been funded. Surprise! You’re a WinnerAuthors of winning Academic Enrichment Grants learned of their accomplishment with celebratory banners on the mornings of March 18 and 25. ISF staffer Krista Mui and her band of helpers visited 16 schools late at night and early in the morning to hang banners on each winner's building and in their classroom. Competition for the 2010-2011 grants program reached a near-record level. Thirty-four proposals were received for Classroom Enrichment Grants (up to $1,000) and twenty-seven for Kateri Brow Big Idea and Biggest Need Grants ($1,000 - $10,000). Together, the proposals represented $162,346 in requests. After careful consideration and debate, the judges funded 31 grants, a $73,000 investment in our students and schools. Congratulations to all our winners! See the complete list of winners Read an Issaquah Reporter story on Academic Enrichment Grants
Swedish Hospital and Microsoft are GoldenSwedish Hospital and Microsoft have become the first joint Golden Apple sponsors of the Nourish Every Mind Luncheon. Their generous gifts laid the foundation for a successful corporate sponsorship campaign. To date, 15 area corporations have signed sponsorship agreements with the Foundation. This means that every dollar contributed by Luncheon attendees will be applied to ISF programs and pressing District needs.
Please join us in applauding Swedish Medical Center, Issaquah, Microsoft and all of our Nourish Every Mind corporate sponsors. View complete list of sponsors Spotlight on Success - Newsletter Archives * April 2010 Issue Last updated:July 19, 2010 |
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