Lake Washington Schools Foundation
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Springing ahead with lwsf

1/17/2019

 
It's been a beautiful stretch of sunny days here in the Puget Sound, cool and crisp but with spring in the air.

(Of course, now that I've said that, it'll probably rain all day.)

Speaking of spring, we still have a few openings for Table Captains at our annual spring lunch on March 28. If you've never been a Table Captain before, this is the year for you to raise your hand. Scilla Andreen, producer of the anxiety-awareness documentary "Angst," is delivering the keynote address, and we're offering screenings of her film in advance of the luncheon. Interested? You're invited to attend the Table Captain kick-off party on January 31. Just send us an email and let us know you'd like to get involved.

What's February without our Wall of Love? If you know a teacher who deserves a smile on Valentine's Day, check out our Valentine's Day campaign for teachers. It's an easy way to show them you care, and they'll love knowing that you've made a donation to LWSF to make it happen.

Donations like those help fund our Reach for Success classroom grant program, which supports classroom- or school-level projects up to $3,000. We're opening up our application cycle for the 2019/2020 school year, and this time, we're particularly eager to identify projects that focus on youth mental wellness and/or close gaps in equity and inequality in the LWSD. Applications are due March 15 and are available online. Need help? Read through the documentation online and then sign up for one of our in-person workshops with LWSF's own grantwriter, Julie Haase. More details are below. 

And finally, I want to let you know that I'm moving on to a new position addressing youth mental health issues in our state. I'm proud of the work we've accomplished during my time with LWSF, and I'm pleased to introduce LWSF's interim Executive Director Chris Wheaton, who has been a Trustee of the Foundation for the past two years. 

Thank you for your trust, support, and generosity these past few years. I look forward to seeing LWSF's momentum continue to build as we work together to make sure that all children have what they need to succeed in school and in life. 

Sincerely,
Larry Wright

Executive Director
Lake Washington Schools Foundation

P.S. We're mailing 2018 year-end tax letters to donors this week. Let Jamie know if you have any questions.  ​

What will it take to bridge the gap in youth mental wellness?

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​We think this is the most important question facing our generation, and we're confronting it head-on. Join us at our annual benefit luncheon on March 28, 2019 as we welcome Scilla Andreen, producer of anxiety-awareness documentary, Angst, as keynote speaker. Ms. Andreen is CEO and Co-Founder of IndieFlix Inc., founded in 2011 to support the creation, distribution and exhibition of social justice films. Want to see the film before you hear her speak? We're offering two screenings of Angst in the coming months--more details on that to come.

Can you be a Table Captain? You'd be helping us build momentum and rallying friends and coworkers to fill a table at the luncheon. Interested? Join us at our Table Captain kick-off event January 31 at the Marriott Redmond. Email Jamie to get on board.
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Do you know an organization that would like to help us solve the problems facing kids today? We're seeking additional corporate sponsors for this event and would love to hear from you. Email Julie if you'd like to get involved.
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Learn more!

Know a teacher who deserves a valentine?

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​We think you do! So this Valentine's Day, f
or a small donation, we'll put your favorite teacher's name on our Wall of Love, send them a keepsake postcard, or mail them a heart-filled lapel pin. All funds raised by this campaign benefit the Lake Washington Schools Foundation and our Reach for Success classroom grants.

​But act quickly! Donations for pins and postcards must be received by midnight on February 10!
​
show a teacher how much you care!

Reach for Success Grant Application for the 2019-2020 school year now available ​

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Reach for Success Grants fund creative educational initiatives that enhance or expand Lake Washington School District's curriculum. Proposed initiatives should be consistent with District priorities and school improvement goals, as well as in line with Lake Washington Schools Foundation's mission to support academic excellence and success for all students.

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation is embarking on a longer-term strategic focus on youth mental wellness and closing gaps in equity and inequality in our District. While this year we are not limiting RFS grant applications to projects that address these two issues, we are eager to identify potential grant recipients that can help us advance those priorities.

Have any questions about the Reach for Success Grant process? Read through our online documentation and attend one of our in-person workshops at the LWSD Resource Center on February 13 from 10-11:30 AM and March 12 from 7-8:30 PM. There is limited space available, so secure your spot today!
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learn more now!

Special thanks to our community partners Feed Washington and Eastside Community Aid Thrift Shop ​

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We couldn't be more thankful to Feed Washington, which raised over $10,000 during their December Holiday Hunger Campaign to support Pantry Packs. Thank you to all who donated, the "hunger champions" who helped fundraise, and our friends at Feed Washington, who are working year-round to end childhood hunger in our state.
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Clearing the clutter? Take your no-longer-needed items to our partners at the non-profit, all-volunteer Eastside Community Aid (ECA) Thrift Shop! This thrift shop has contributed more than $4 million to support Eastside charities, and they are a valued contributor to Pantry Packs. The thrift shop has clothing, jewelry, household goods, and more, at great prices. Help others by donating used goods any time the thrift shop is open at 12451 116th Avenue NE in Kirkland.

Plenty to be thankful for at lwsf

11/8/2018

 
What are you thankful for?

Here at LWSF, we're thankful for the generosity of our donors who make the programs that we fund possible. We're thankful for the compassion of the volunteers who give their time to help children. And we're thankful for the hard work and dedication of the staff, teachers, and administration in the LWSD.

Together, we’re helping our students succeed in and out of the class room. In this issue of the Impact Update, we’re highlighting a few more opportunities for you to get involved.

Right now, we're seeking Ambassadors to help us share LWSF's events and programs with every school in the district. It's a fun gig that doesn't require a ton of time, but brings a lot of benefit to your school. Interested? Join us at our Ambassador Information Tea tomorrow, Friday, November 8, from 9:30-10:30 at the LWSD Resource Center. If you can’t it tomorrow, we’ll be hosting another one before the end of the year. Email Katy for more info.

We're also hosting another free Find Your Fit college workshop on November 28. Spaces are still available, but reserve your seat today. These popular workshops always fill up.

Do you have an extra hour each week to be a mentor to a local student? LINKS is LWSD's one-on-one youth mentoring program, and they're holding training sessions for prospective adult volunteers throughout the remainder of the year. Email Victoria Goetze-Nelson for more information.

Can't be there in person? Is there room in your budget to support someone who can? If you haven't already, please consider donating to our Be the Difference campaign to support LINKS youth mentoring in LWSD this November. We just posted several video interviews with current LINKS volunteers to our website--trust me, if you want to see something heartwarming today, you'll want to check them out.

But do it soon: the Be the Difference campaign ends before the turkeys hit the oven!

Sincerely,
​
Larry Wright

Executive Director
Lake Washington Schools Foundation



P.S. We are excited to report that we received $2,743 from the new Whole Foods in Kirkland as a result of our 5% Community Giving Day on October 18! We loved greeting customers and meeting supporters in person at the new Whole Foods store in the revitalized Totem Lake area.

Thank you to Whole Foods and to everyone who supported us with their shopping list on our big day!

HOW CAN YOU BE THE DIFFERENCE FOR
​A LOCAL KID? 

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​"I volunteer because I know that spending just an hour a week to talk to my little buddy about his day can make an impact that lasts a lifetime.
" -- LINKS volunteer Davin Alsin

Redmond, WA, November 5, 2018 – At first, it might not seem like meeting with a local student for lunch once a week can make that much of a difference. “From the get-go, my Lunch Buddy and I would do crafts together,” recalled local resident Laura Spencer, who volunteers as a weekly LINKS mentor at Juanita Elementary School. “We’d sit there quietly and do crafts and we wouldn’t talk much. And then after a couple weeks..." ​
click to read more!

WE'RE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD FRIENDS ​

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Want to help your school take advantage of the programs and resources offered by LWSF? Could you share LWSF news and events with your school? Not 100% about what an "LWSF Ambassador" does?

Join us at an upcoming Ambassador Information Tea! These casual events help you learn more about the role of school ambassador and give us the chance to get to know YOU!

What: LWSF Ambassador Information Tea
When: November 8, 2018 from 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Where: LWSD Resource Center


Can't make that one? Email Katy to be put on the list for the next one!

FIND YOUR FIT WITH OUR FREE COLLEGE WORKSHOPS! ​

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Does your high school student need a little College 101? Join Mary Pat O’Neil of True Fit College Counseling at a free interactive workshop that will not only help students and their families understand the steps involved in applying to college, but also how to find the perfect college fit. 

When: November 28, 2018 6pm-8pm 
Where: LWSD Resource Center


Spaces are limited, secure your spot today! 
CLICK TO RESERVE A SEAT!

FALL ISSUE OF CROSSINGS MAGAZINE
​AVAILABLE NOW!
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​New to the area? Wondering what "Choice Schools" and "Skyward" and "PowerSchool Learning" are? Check out the Fall issue of LWSF's Crossings magazine (available in English and Spanish), and be sure to join the conversation online on our Spanish Crossings Facebook page. Paper copies of our magazine are also being distributed directly to students engaged in English-learner programs in LWSD.


Topics covered in our newest issue:
  • Year-by-year checklist for high school students who want to attend college
  • How to load up your student's school lunch account, report an absence, and check grades
  • Explaining LWSD's Choice School Program
  • and more!
read crossings magazine!

GIVE BACK WITH AMAZON THIS HOLIDAY SEASON ​

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​AMAZON SMILE​
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Before you head into your holiday shopping, take a moment to set Lake Washington Schools Foundation as your Amazon Smile beneficiary, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase price to LWSF.
set lwsf as your amazon smile charity!

​PANTRY PACKS AMAZON WISH LIST​
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Ever need just one more item to fill your Amazon cart before you can add that "add-on" item to your cart? Want an easy way to donate food to Pantry Packs? Bookmark the Pantry Packs Amazon Wishlist!
pantry packs wish list!

Fall at the foundation means...

10/9/2018

 
Apples are ripening, you need your heavier coat, and traffic is snarled (worse than usual). Welcome back to fall in the Northwest!

We love this season here at the Lake Washington Schools Foundation because we get to run our annual campaign to help kids Start Strong. A hearty thank-you to the compassionate donors who helped us raise $40,000 for programs to benefit children in our schools. (Did you want to give to this campaign or share the link with someone who might? Click here).

The Start Strong campaign benefits programs like Pantry Packs, our volunteer-run weekend food program that undertook a big move to a new storage facility off Willows Road over the summer. Want to get involved? Check out our Pantry Packs information page, especially the links at the bottom of the page. You'll find everything you need to run a food drive, volunteer at a packing party, or get your child signed up to receive a pack.

Have you submitted your charitable contributions to your employer for a match? Many local employers match employees' charitable contributions dollar-for-dollar. Ask your human resource or employee services manager for details on how to submit your donation for a match. Let me know if you need a fresh receipt for your last donation to LWSF.

Finally, I want to send a special thanks to Darrin Helfrecht, Director of Nutrition Services for the Lake Washington School District through Sodexo, who volunteers his time to write (and win!) grants for Pantry Packs. Three cheers for Darrin!

Sincerely,

Larry Wright
Executive Director
Lake Washington Schools Foundation

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P.S. Cookies for Kids is back! Chick-fil-A Totem Lake is donating $0.25 to LWSF for every Chocolate Chunk cookie sold at their location in October. Buy a treat for yourself or take a whole platter home this month from Chick-fil-A Totem Lake (12026 NE 124th St Kirkland WA 98034). ​


Save your shopping list! LWSF's 5% day at whole foods kirkland is October 18.​

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​Thanks to the generosity of the Whole Foods philanthropic team, LWSF will receive 5% of net sales processed at their new Kirkland location on October 18. This amounts to several thousand dollars in a single day, and it's truly one of the easiest ways to make a donation to LWSF...just show up and shop!
​

What: Community Giving Day, 5% of all proceeds benefit LWSF
When: Thursday, October 18, 2018

Where: Whole Foods Kirkland, 12501 120th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034

LWSF RAISES $40,000 IN START STRONG CAMPAIGN ​

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October 8, 2018 
​

Running a fundraising campaign in the first month of school is a tradition for the Lake Washington Schools Foundation. Raising $40,000 in a month almost entirely on an email-based community donations campaign, though, isn’t an easy task for a small non-profit. 

“Without this funding, we can’t run our programs. Thankfully, our community has extraordinary compassion for kids in need,” notes Lake Washington Schools Foundation Executive Director Dr. Larry Wright. “When we tell people what we’re doing for children right here in the Lake Washington School District, most people want to help."
read more

FIND YOUR FIT WITH OUR FREE COLLE​GE WORKSHOPS!​

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​Does your senior need help with her college application essay? Join Mary Pat O’Neil of True Fit College Counseling at a free workshop designed to help high school seniors craft a personal and compelling college application essay. 
​

When: October 10, 2018 6:30pm-8pm 
Where: LWSD Resource Center 

or

When: October 17, 2018 1:00pm-2:30pm
Where: Redmond High School Library

Spaces are limited, so reserve your seat today!

WE'RE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD FRIENDS. 
​

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Want to help your school take advantage of the programs and resources offered by LWSF? Consider signing up to be your school's LWSF Ambassador. We'll send you monthly updates that you can forward to your PTSA and school communications liaisons, flyers you can post on your school's message boards, and other opportunities and campaigns for you to share with parents and teachers.


                                            Email katy@lwsf.org for more information!

A $350,000 Investment in our children's future...

7/3/2018

 
As we head into summer and look back upon an incredible year, we consider with gratitude the hundreds of compassionate people who donated funding, time, and social support to help the Lake Washington Schools Foundation create opportunities for student success.

For all you've done for students, thank you. We simply cannot do this work without your help.
​
In this Impact Update, you'll find details on our commitment to invest more than $350,000 in our schools next year, be introduced to our $10,000 college scholarship recipients, and learn the results of our spring FAN campaign to benefit summer school scholarships.

I hope you enjoy your summer. Let's talk again in August about how we can best support students, teachers and families. Together, we truly can give every child in the Lake Washington School District the opportunity to flourish.

Sincerely,

Larry Wright
Executive Director
​Lake Washington Schools Foundation

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P.S. Our summer Find Your Fit workshops covering college applications and application essays are full. We see that families want more of these free events, and we'll try to get a few more on the calendar. Want to be the first to know if we do? Follow us on Facebook or
Twitter. ​​


Lwsf in the news​


Foundation invests more than $350,000 in schools
​Lake Washington Schools Foundation support ranges from classroom grants to district-wide programs.
​Kirkland Reporter, June 21, 2018
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It was a red-letter day in local schools as the Lake Washington Schools Foundation announced its grant recipients for the 2018/2019 school year.
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The Lake Washington Schools Foundation has pledged more than $350,000 in classrooms grants and district-wide programming funding to support students, families, and teachers in the coming academic year. 

click to Read more!


​$37,500 in scholarships awarded to
​local students
​

Outstanding character and achievement earn post-secondary funding for local students.
​Redmond Reporter, June 18, 2018
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Lake Washington PTSA Council and Lake Washington Schools Foundation have announced a combined total of $37,500 in scholarship awards to sixteen local students.

Through a joint application process that received more than one hundred applications and required more than thirty community readers, the LWPTSA Council conferred fourteen individual $1,250 student scholarships in the categories of merit, education and perseverance. The LWPTSA Council bestowed an additional $500 each to exceptional teachers Eleanor Jones at Thoreau Elementary and Steve Okun at Redmond High School.
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click to read more!


​Summer school scholarship campaign a resounding success!
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​When we heard that the LWSD was expanding its summer school catalog, we knew we had to make sure every kid had the chance to attend--money shouldn't be a barrier to educational opportunity. So this spring, we ran a community Fund-A-Need campaign that gathered more than $15,000 in donations to sponsor every kid who applied for need-based summer school scholarships.

“This scholarship campaign has made an incredible difference for kids,” wrote Heather Sánchez, LWSD director of Accelerated Programs, Choice and Innovation. “These scholarships enable the students to participate in Jr. DigiPen courses, STEM, Drama and Integrated Art/Writing Camps and a wide variety of core academic courses. These students will experience academic support and unique enrichment opportunities this summer. We are so thankful to the Foundation and all the individual donors for making this a special summer for kids.”

Thank you to everyone who donated to this incredible grassroots campaign. It isn't often that you get to say you sponsored every kid who needed a scholarship--but this year, you did!

Nickels, summer school, and a kite...

5/10/2018

 
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.
​

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.


Lake Washington Schools Foundation luncheon focuses on ‘bridging gaps’
​

Foundation aims to bring equal opportunities to students from all income levels.
​
by Nicole Jennings, Redmond Reporter

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​Poverty. Hunger. Homelessness.
​
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!

Summer school is for every kid.

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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:

​
Click to learn more!

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

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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.

​​

FINAL WEEK of the Kite Stem Challenge!

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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!

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 



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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."
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​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.
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As for the local cause, the girls chose a program very close to home...
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click to read more!

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

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​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!

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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!

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​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.
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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.

A Mother and a daughter making a difference...

1/19/2018

 
I hope you had a peaceful and merry holiday season.

Here at the Foundation, 2017 finished with grace and generosity, as supporters like you gave nearly $2,800 in our Zero Balance campaign to erase school lunch debt.

We've hit the ground running in 2018. With upcoming Reach for Success grants to benefit classrooms, our new FAN campaign to fund music arts in schools, and a Find Your Fit presentation LWTech on January 31, we're finding more ways to help you bridge the gaps between what our students have and what they need to succeed.

In this second issue of the Impact Update, I'm excited to share with you the moving story of Kim and Bailey, a mother and daughter who are making a difference in our community. Read on to learn about our upcoming events and campaigns, and don't forget to register to attend our annual spring benefit luncheon.

Please note that we're hosting just one spring event this year--a luncheon at the Redmond Marriott on Tuesday, March 27. Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib is our keynote speaker and Juanita High School student Grace Harrington returns as an MC. It promises to be an inspiring afternoon. I hope to see you there.

Sincerely,
​Larry Wright, PhD
Executive Director
Lake Washington Schools Foundation

p.s. bring your bags!

An easy way to give: use your reusable shopping bags when buying groceries at Whole Foods Redmond and tell them to donate your five-cent credit (per bag) to the Lake Washington Schools Foundation. We're one of two selected recipients this quarter. Program runs through March 31, so remember your bags--and tell them to "Give it to LWSF!" ​
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Whole Foods Redmond is located at 17991 Ne Redmond Way, Redmond, WA 98052.

donor spotlight

"mOM, I THINK MY FRIEND IS HOMELESS."

By Elizabeth Russell
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Bailey, then just a little girl, spoke out of the blue. Her mother, Kim, replied, “What do you mean?”
"I think they're sleeping in their car. Mom, do you think they can stay at our house sometimes, just so that they can have breath?”

Kim didn't hesitate. “Of course they can come over and stay with us, and get breath.”

“Breath” is a bit of shorthand between mother and daughter. In their household, “breath” can describe a space where one can manage some of life’s obstacles. Kim says that sometimes it’s about “finding your breath for a moment, and that will help you navigate whatever is overwhelming you.”

read the rest of their inspiring story!

WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR CHILDREN, YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN DUCT TAPE.

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support music arts now!
Lake Washington School District music programs win awards and enrich our children's lives. So when the school district let us know that our high and middle schools needed nearly $300,000 in instruments in the next five years, we knew you'd want to help.

​Become a "FAN" and fund-a-need for music arts in local schools. Direct your support to the school or learning community of your choice, or make a general donation to support LWSD's circulating instrument library.

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It's hard enough for a child to play a tuba. Let's make sure it isn't duct-taped.

​Learn more about the need in your area...
​

register now for local college presentation on January 31, 2018

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reserve your spot today!
Lake Washington Schools Foundation is pleased to partner with Lake Washington Institute of Technology to present the next step in its "Find Your Fit" series. Free and open to all Lake Washington School District families, this presentation and Q&A session (with tours available after) will introduce the array of workforce-ready programs available at this vibrant local college.

Get ready to think outside of the classic college box at this exciting presentation. Sign up today and arrive on time for a free chicken sandwich; this event will fill up! ​

reach for success with
​classroom grants ​up to $3000

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learn more now!
Do you know a teacher, school club, or other school-associated need that could benefit from a little extra funding? Lake Washington Schools Foundation funds innovative educational programs that enhance or expand district curriculum, support a school’s goals, and are in line with the Foundation’s mission to support academic excellence and success for all district students. A grant application can be written up to a $3,000 maximum request per project, and applications will be available on the LWSF website the last week of January.
​

Need help with your Reach for Success application? Have questions about the program? Visit our information page for grant guidelines, frequently asked questions, and more.​

reserve your seat at our annual benefit luncheon on march 27, 2018

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reserve your seat today!
Sign up today to engage with like-minded community members and be inspired by remarkable speakers while enjoying a delicious luncheon at the Marriott Redmond Town Center.

This year, we're honored to welcome Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib as our guest speaker and the fabulous Grace Harrington has agreed to return as a student MC...with a little co-hosting help from KOMO meteorologist and Redmond High School alumna Shannon O'Donnell. Hear from an inspiring group of everyday philanthropists and learn just what it takes to build a bridge in our community.


Email us now to become a Table Captain or Corporate Sponsor. Only a few tables are left. ​

And remember⸺just one spring event this year!

Did you hear about this hero fourth-grader?

12/8/2017

 
It's Pantry Packs day.

Every Friday, all over the Lake Washington School District, more than eight hundred children will walk into their school counselor's office or open their locker and pick up a non-descript grocery bag filled with nourishing food.

If you donated to our fall campaign, Pantry Packs is one way you're making an impact. If you've given an unrestricted donation, you're also contributing to the steady progress a student makes while working with his Avid tutor, the connections made between a high schooler and his LINKs mentor, and dozens of other programs and grants.

Here, in Impact Update, we'll gather stories and report back to you on the impact you're having, and give you opportunities for more. I hope you enjoy this first issue.

Sincerely,
​
Larry Wright, PhD
Executive Director
Lake Washington Schools Foundation

P.S. Reach out to me anytime--I'd love to hear your ideas.

donor spotlight:

one good kid inspires another.

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Local hero Barrett with his "big check" for Pantry Packs from GoFundMe.
Local fourth-grade student Barrett was inspired to act when he heard about another kid’s philanthropy efforts to raise money for children who need hearing aids. He and his mom contemplated how Barrett could give back to his community. Back in September, Barrett’s mom had received an email about LWSF's Pantry Packs campaign, and she told Barrett about it. Barrett said, “I was very surprised that 815 students go hungry each week in the LWSD.” Together, they created the material for a GoFundMe page with a $250 goal--which was surpassed in 3 days!

So far, Barrett's page has raised nearly $1900 dollars in about a month’s time and received an additional $1,000 from GoFundMe when they selected Barrett as one of their Kid Heroes. He was also honored with an award given by his school at Rockwell Elementary. Barrett's mother said this award is given to students “who give their ‘Beagle Best’ by being safe, respectful, responsible, and kind in all aspects of school life.” He’s also participated in a Pantry Packs “packing party.” We asked Barrett about his future plans with helping Pantry Packs and he replied, “My idea for future ways to help Pantry Packs is to donate gift cards for groceries for breaks, especially Winter break!” 

Thank you Barrett for all that you’ve accomplished. You are what makes the world a better place!
​
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to hear these stories as they happen!

Together, we can zero balance school lunch debt in the lwsd.

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We know you care about children. We've seen your generosity before, in campaigns like Pantry Packs and others like it. This one's different. This time, we're asking you to give a little to make sure every family starts the new year with a Zero Balance.
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A fresh start for all students. Isn't that the best gift you can imagine?

Read More...

register now for local college presentation on January 31, 2018.

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Lake Washington Schools Foundation is pleased to partner with Lake Washington Institute of Technology to present the next step in its "Find Your Fit" series. Free and open to all Lake Washington School District families, this presentation and Q&A session (with tours available after) will introduce the array of workforce-ready programs available at this vibrant local college.

Get ready to think outside of the classic college box at this exciting presentation. Sign up today; this event will fill up!

Register for event

"I'd tell them, hey, we've got 300 LWSD homeless students. They were like, 'Really?'"

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Marlene Vacknitz (right) with Colleen Wolfe, volunteer Pantry Packs driver for Redmond Middle School. (Photo by Anne Young with Young Reflections Photography, 2017).
You may have already heard of Pantry Packs by now but what about the volunteers that run it day in, day out? For this story, we chose to interview one of the Pantry Packs Volunteer Leadership Team Members, Marlene Vacknitz, to learn about the roots of Pantry Packs.

When Marlene first began advocating for the Eastside's homeless population, she'd chat with friends and colleagues about her work and was often stunned by the lack of awareness she encountered, even among well-intentioned and compassionate people who are were already working to help youth in the area.

Read more...

save-the-date FOR OUR ANNUAL BENEFIT LUNCHEON ON MARCh 27, 2018

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Mark your calendars for our biggest annual event. The Spring for Learning luncheon invites local philanthropists (that's you!) to engage with like-minded community members and be inspired by remarkable speakers while enjoying a fabulous luncheon at the Marriott Redmond.

This year, we're excited to welcome Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib as our guest speaker.

Email us now to become a Table Captain or Corporate Sponsor!
​

click here to receive the next impact update
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Lake Washington Schools Foundation
Driving 16250 NE 74th Street, Redmond, WA 98052
Mailing PO Box 83, Redmond, WA 98073
Phone 425 936 1414 | Fax 425 936 1449 | info@lwsf.org
The Lake Washington Schools Foundation gathers and deploys community resources to enhance academic access and to nurture all students' emotional well-being. LWSF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, tax identification number 55-0891792.
© 2016-2018 Lake Washington Schools Foundation

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