Kids are changing the world...

3/16/2018

These beautiful spring days have us here at LWSF feeling invigorated and inspired--just in time for our annual benefit luncheon on Tuesday, March 27. If you haven't already registered, please take a moment to reserve your seat. We'll welcome keynote speaker Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib and an array of local heroes who are making a difference in our community. I hope to see you there.

I'm delighted to share this third issue of the Impact Update (see past issues here). Read on for the inspiring origin story of the Girl Power group, as well as news and events to help you get involved and make a difference.

Did you recently donate to LWSF? We've been honored by our community's generosity this year. In January, our FAN campaign to fund music arts in schools met with enthusiasm, raising over $5000. And for Valentine's Day, LWSF helped parents and students to send messages of appreciation to 114 teachers in our schools.

Together, we can help all students in the LWSD achieve success in and out of the classroom.

Sincerely,

Larry Wright
Executive Director
Lake Washington Schools Foundation

P.S. Don't forget to reserve your seat at our March 27 luncheon!

Remember, this is our only spring benefit this year, and we're limited by the Marriott Redmond Town Center to 400 attendees. We have about 100 seats left but we do expect to hit capacity and close to registrations soon. Register today! I'd hate for you to miss your opportunity to be a part of this joyful community event.

Donor spotlight

"It's about students making a difference; children helping children."

We were excited to interview Carrie Steedly, a facilitator of the group known as Girl Power. Girl Power is a part of the WE organization that started over 20 years ago with two Canadian brothers wanting to empower local youth and encourage them to make a difference in their community and abroad.

The WE Girl Power group consists of a few parent leaders, however, the girls do the vast majority of the work. They started out as a girl scout troop which then grew into Girl Power, consisting of 10 middle school students and one high school student. These WE service groups are given the opportunity to support a cause at a local and global level. For their global cause, they sell rafikis which are beaded bracelets created by women in Kenya known as “mamas”. These Rafikis are sold for $10 where $5 goes to the “mamas” to benefit their families and livelihood, and the second $5 (chosen by the group) was to support education in India.

As for the local cause, the girls chose a program very close to home...

click to read more!

Reach for Success grant applications are due Monday, March 19!

Know about a great school program or project that could use funding? Take the weekend to fill out a Reach for Success (RFS) grant application! Applications are due by 5 PM on Monday, March 19. These grants fund creative educational initiatives that enhance or expand Lake Washington School District's curriculum. With awards up to $3,000, proposed projects may benefit an individual classroom, a specific grade level, or an entire school.

Take the KITE STEM Challenge!

LWSF is proud to co-sponsor the KITE STEM Challenge, a Google-sponsored challenge between Lake Washington School District schools to encourage students to use their STEM knowledge outside of the classroom. The challenge begins on April 23, 2018 and runs for three weeks, during which students will have the opportunity to answer STEM-related questions to earn entries towards winning up to $10,000 for STEM programming at their schools. Students who answer questions on the app while in a geofenced Kirkland park will earn additional entries.

The challenge runs from April 23, 2018 through May 13, 2018, with an awards ceremony at Google Kirkland on May 23, 2018.

click to learn more!

Introducing Crossings Magazine!

LWSF has partnered with Tableau Software Foundation and Cultural Nexus to create a bi-lingual magazine for families in the Lake Washington School District. This English/Spanish magazine shares information about community events and provides updates on what's happening in the Lake Washington School District.

The very first publication will arrive soon at all LWSD schools. Have any questions? Want to tell us about an educational opportunity? Email us today or connect with us on Facebook.