In Fall 2005, the LWSF Board of Trustees conducted an assessment about the strengths of and challenges faced by the Lake Washington School District. Seven LWSF board members and the executive director of the Lake Washington Schools Foundation interviewed over 80 key stakeholders in the community including: Lake Washington School District administrators, school board members, principals, teachers, PTA/PTSA board members, and other nonprofit and business people. The interview asked about the respondents’ perceptions about the quality of education within LWSD, strengths and challenges of the LWSD, and their input about the role of a public schools foundation.

The results of this assessment were used to inform board members about the community’s perspective about the strengths and challenges of LWSD. Also, this information was instrumental to define three priority areas that the Lake Washington Schools Foundation would actively pursue.

 

1. Enhance the Opportunities for All Our Students Help to ensure that individual students reach their maximum potential given their interests, passion, aptitude and background. LWSF will work to achieve this by promoting student achievement, inspiring learning, sustaining quality and championing equity. LWSF Grants/Programs implemented in 2005-2006 that support this priority: • Classroom/School Enrichment Grants allow each teacher, staff or principal to develop innovative and creative projects that enhance LWSD curriculum and provide learning opportunities for students that would not otherwise be available. Possible future LWSF activities that could support this goal: • Support struggling students missed by current LWSD requirements. • Support opportunities for advanced work and enrichment for students. • Support individual activities that challenge or stretch academic thinking – such as Culminating Project Grants for high school students

2. Enrich the Quality of All Our Schools Provide opportunities for individual schools to address specific needs of their community to improve the quality of education received; for LWSD teachers to be supported and leaders in their field; and for sufficient materials to ensure all students have the opportunity to be successful. LWSF Grants/Programs implemented in 2005-2006 that support this priority: • Classroom/School Enrichment Grants allow each teacher, staff or principal to develop innovative and creative projects that enhance LWSD curriculum. • New Teacher Grants - provide 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. Possible future LWSF activities that could support this goal: • Larger school-based project grants • Provide curriculum materials beyond current LWSD levels – for example, helping schools have access to science kits or additional textbooks that students can take home to study. • Provide scholarships for National Teacher Board Certification to enhance teachers’ classroom and educational skills. • Partially or fully subsidize new Advanced Placement classes to enrich the level of education received. • Encourage programs that support non-English speaking parents to participant in public education such as access to translators/interpreters for schools

3. Engage the Support of All Our Community Convey to the community the importance of education and building collaboration; build community connections by acting as ambassadors for public education by locating stakeholders and keeping them informed and involved; provide the necessary resources needed for all children in Lake Washington School District; support activities for all parents to be involved in meaningful ways with their local schools. LWSF Grants/Programs implemented in 2005-2006 that support this priority: • Spring luncheon - showcase work of LWSF to involve business community into public education. • Individual and business donations - financial support to support all schools within the Lake Washington School District. • Grant-writing workshops – develop skills of LWSD staff, PTA/PTSA leaders and interested community members. Possible future LWSF activities that could support this goal: • Sponsor community lecture series/classes for community members. • Identify and help connect community volunteers with opportunities within Lake Washington School District and the Lake Washington Schools Foundation. • Support programs to encourage non-English speaking parents to participate in public education.