Nickels, summer school, and a kite...

Spring may be a break for some, but it's one of the Foundation's busiest seasons.

Thanks to everyone who helped our March benefit luncheon raise more than $210,000. If you donated and your employer offers matching gifts, don't forget to submit your donation for a match. Just this week we received nearly $3,000 in corporate matches for the spring lunch.

March also marked the deadline for our Reach for Success grant applications. The evaluation process is underway and we'll be notifying applicants of their status by the end of the school year.

Did you miss the application deadline? Keep in mind that we occasionally make off-cycle grants. Last week, in fact, we awarded $1,000 to Juanita High School to help with fees for students taking Cambridge exams.

Reducing financial obstacles to educational opportunities is a priority for us. If you agree, you'll be interested in our new FAN campaign to sponsor need-based summer school scholarships in the LWSD. With the district's newly expanded programming options, summer school really is for everyone. With the community's support, we'll make sure that finances are no barrier to participation.

We're also helping local students pay for college. In a couple of days, we'll be announcing the deserving recipients of two $10,000 LWSF college scholarships. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to hear the announcement when it happens.

We're committed to ensuring that all kids in the LWSD achieve their full potential. With your support, we'll continue to help students achieve success in and out of the classroom.
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Sincerely,

​Larry Wright
Executive Director
Lake Washington Schools Foundation 

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P.S. I'm leading a Youth Mental Health First Aid seminar on May 24 and 25 at Juanita High School. Youth Mental Health First Aid USA is an 8-hour public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge.
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Right now, this class is for teachers and staff, but space may be available for other community members. If there's enough interest, we could add another session. Let me know if you're interested.

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Lake Washington Schools Foundation luncheon focuses on ‘bridging gaps’
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Foundation aims to bring equal opportunities to students from all income levels.
​by Nicole Jennings, Redmond Reporter

​Poverty. Hunger. Homelessness.
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These are not words that one normally associates with Eastside schools, but the Lake Washington Schools Foundation’s annual benefit luncheon on March 27, attended by 400 people, drew attention to the population of Lake Washington School District students who come from families struggling to make ends meet.
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Read more!

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Summer school is for every kid.

Summer school in the Lake Washington School District is expanding! Now, along with opportunities to re-learn previously taught content, students can undertake accelerated coursework and engage in enriching experiences. From STEM and drama camps, integrated art/writing, and sustainable design, to multiple Jr. DigiPen courses (including game design, art and animation, music and sound design, and fictional worldbuilding) there's something to interest every kid.
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But not every kid can afford to go.
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That's why the Lake Washington Schools Foundation is sponsoring need-based scholarships for summer school. With your help, we'll raise $12,000 this May and secure summer school opportunities for students who would otherwise be unable to attend.
Sponsor a student, register for summer school, or apply for a scholarship:

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Click to learn more!

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​Every nickel makes a difference...especially when you have 14,000 nickels.

It all adds up. When you bring your reusable shopping bags to your local Whole Foods, you have the opportunity to donate a $.05 per bag credit to a local non-profit. We were honored to be one of the options at Whole Foods Redmond for the first quarter of 2018.

We weren't sure what to hope for, but more than 14,000 reusable bags were used at the Whole Foods Redmond in just three months, raising more than $700 for LWSF! We're astonished and grateful to everyone who not only donated their credit to the Foundation but remembered to bring their bags (sometimes, that's half the battle).
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Special thanks also to the dedicated team at Whole Foods Redmond, who continually think of innovative ways to support our mission. We're lucky to have their partnership.

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FINAL WEEK of the Kite Stem Challenge!

Have you heard the excitement surrounding the KITE STEM Challenge? We've teamed up with Google and Kirkland Parks Foundation to encourage students in the LWSD to use their STEM skills outside of the classroom by answering STEM questions via an iOS or Android app. Not only can you win money for your school but there are prizes available each week for participating students.
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It's not too late to participate in the challenge, so what are you waiting for? Download the app, have some fun outdoors while winning prizes for your school and your student! But hurry, the competition ends May 13 with an awards ceremony at Google Kirkland on May 23!
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Click to learn more!

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