Lake Washington Schools Foundation Announces Grants to Schools for Education Projects and Financial Assistance
REDMOND, WA -- In its continued effort to support academic excellence and student success, the Lake Washington Schools Foundation has awarded more than $50,000 in grants to schools in the Lake Washington School District. Schools in Kirkland, Redmond, and Sammamish will use the grants to extend student learning opportunities in math, literacy and science, and to provide assistance for students with financial needs.
“Extending learning programs, those that give students more time in their core academic subjects with additional support, is a well-established way to improve student learning. We are pleased that this is where the Lake Washington Schools Foundation has focused grant money this year. In addition, in these difficult economic times, programs such as the Access fund, helps individual students fully participate in all that secondary schools have to offer. Each of these programs helps us deliver on our promise to ensure that every student is future ready”, says Superintendent Chip Kimball.
Each year the Foundation raises funds to bridge the gap between basic education funding provided by the State of Washington and what is needed to meet the Lake Washington School District's goals of academic excellence. This fall, each school in the District was allowed to submit one grant application for extended learning programs in literacy, math or science.
Thirty schools in the District received up to $1,500 for school or classroom grants that extend and enhance learning; over $40,000 was awarded.
Elementary school projects include:
- Purchase of books appropriate for all levels of readers
- Before-school tutoring program for ELL students needing extra help learning English
- Science enrichment for 1st graders
- A math program aimed at building a math culture through family math nights and math clubs.
High School projects include:
- A peer mentoring program at Lake Washington High School
- Studying comparative government at International Community School
- A Model United Nations program at Juanita High School
- Robotics at Redmond High School
For a complete list of grants awarded, click here.
Ten secondary schools also received a total of $10,500 in grants from the Foundation’s Access Fund, which provides funding for secondary students with financial needs. Schools use the grants to cover costs of individual students, such as class fees and supplies, test fees, school activity cards and fees, field trips, and musical instruments. The funding helps keep these students in school, gets them more involved in school activities, and often removes financial roadblocks to their success.
“This fund has made an incredible difference at Kamiakin Jr. High in just the past two years. Materials, supplies, class costs, fees and participation became accessible to many of our students that hadn’t been able to participate in classes or activities. We are able to influence a number of students and parents to stay involved in schools inside and outside of our curricular day. This is crucial!” Joe Joss, Principal Kamiakin Jr. High School, Kirkland.
For a complete list of Access Fund grants awarded, click here.
The nonprofit Lake Washington Schools Foundation is dedicated to strengthening Lake Washington schools. It relies on private and public funding to sustain services and programs for students, families and community. The Foundation was created more than five years ago by a group of dedicated community volunteers to raise funds and support schools in the Lake Washington School District.
For more information, visit www.lwsf.org or contact Doug Seto, Executive Director of the Lake Washington Schools Foundation at 425-936-1414 or dseto@lwsf.org.