Programs
LINKS - Looking Into the Needs of Kids and Schools
The Foundation funds LINKS, the Volunteer and Mentoring Program of the Lake Washington School District. Supporting the District's goal that every student should find a place where they belong and can be successful, LINKS volunteers work 1-on-1 with students who need extra support. LINKS volunteers support academic achievement, give confidence to students in developing relationships with others, and help students acquire the skills needed for lifelong success.
As a result of our increased funding of the LINKS mentoring program, the District was able to double the number of volunteers over last year, provide more volunteer training, and make more community connections to recruit. Over 60% of our students placed in 1-on-1 mentor relationships come from families classified as Very Low or Low Income as defined by HUD. Teacher evaluations highlight noticeable improvement in academics and in social and emotional development.
Visit the LINKS web site for more information.
Access Fund
The Foundation provides an Access Fund for secondary school students to help lower income students defray some of the academic related costs of attending school such as class fees and lab manuals. The fund also helps these students build toward a future that includes college by paying for SAT, ACT, or AP tests. Students who have access to financial assistance are in a better position to choose classes to meet their education objectives.
Classroom & School Enrichment Grants
The Foundation offers Classroom & School Enrichment Grants to support innovative educational projects initiated by building staff and volunteers that enhance the District curriculum and actively engage students in learning. Small grants of up to $1,500 for elementary and $3,000 for secondary schools provide teachers and staff an opportunity to address a broad range of local educational needs.
New Teacher Grants
Approximately 90 teachers with one-year or less of teaching experience are hired every year by the Lake Washington School District (LWSD). Beginning a new profession has many costs associated with it. For teachers, the costs to set-up a new classroom can be one of the most expensive. Research shows that teachers spend over $400 annually on classroom supplies. These costs can include classroom books, reference materials, art supplies, bookshelves, posters, and other materials to make an engaging classroom.
Lake Washington Schools Foundation New Teacher Grants provide $200 to each new hire in the LWSD with less than one-year of experience. Receiving the New Teacher Grant provides teachers new to the profession with some financial support to help create an engaging learning environment; and demonstrates community support for the role teachers have in our students’ lives.