INSIDER WINTER 2017-18 STARTING THE SCHOOL ADVENTURE OFF RIGHT!
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CORNER
For the past few summers, YOU have been funding a program that gets our littlest students off to a great start in school! The Issaquah Schools Foundation’s Pre-K Summer School program served 126 students in the summer of 2017, with six teachers, six EAs and one coordinator to implement the program at three elementary school sites, Apollo, Challenger and Issaquah Valley.
In this season of gratitude and giving, I want to express my sincere thanks to you for your extraordinary commitment to the Issaquah Schools Foundation. Liz Swanson Your gifts fund numerous programs which offer students the opportunity to build academic foundations, explore limitless opportunities and launch successfully into their future. Truly, your gift changes lives. Let us show you how. In this issue, we’ll take you inside to some of the exciting programs YOU make possible through your contributions. You’ll read about the Pre-Kindergarten 4-week summer school program that helps some of the youngest members of the district enter kindergarten ready to learn; and we’ll take you to the other end of the school career to our Career Cruising/ FutureMap programs, which ensures high schoolers are on the path to shape and determine their future after high school. For 30 years the Issaquah Schools Foundation has been relentless in its mission to drive resource to help students reach the promise of their potential. As your new Executive Director, I’m honored and excited to be part of this community treasure, and work together with you in fueling the success of every student and every school. With holiday greetings, Liz
Sitting quietly in circle/reading time
This program provided four weeks of intensive instruction in the areas of school readiness and reading for targeted prekindergarten students. Instruction included immersion of students in language development, vocabulary, and development of student’s background knowledge through best instructional practices in reading. School readiness focused on the basics of “how to do school.” Here is what one teacher had to say about the program: “This summer during our Pre-K program, we focused our instruction on giving our students a positive, unique and encouraging school experience. One favorite activity among teachers and students was Story Time Stem, which incorporates literacy, mathematics, engineering and science all while capturing the attention and hearts of our young students. I truly feel that all 21 of my students benefited greatly from the program. Each student left after four short weeks with a better understanding of school expectations, basic reading skills, an inquiry for science topics, a book bag full of books to read at home, and most importantly they learned how to be a learner.” (Continued on Page 2)
Building Academic Foundations Issaquah Schools Foundation
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(STARTING THE SCHOOL ADVENTURE OFF RIGHT! continued from Page 1)
OUR MISSION: The Issaquah Schools Foundation, in partnership with the Issaquah School District, drives resources to help students reach the promise of their potential.
The Hernandez Family enjoying their summer break!
We talked to one family whose daughter joined the Pre-K Summer School program this past summer. The Hernandez Family felt their daughter was positively impacted by her involvement with the program. “I really liked the teacher, she was very attentive, she communicated with me the areas where we could work together and help her grow. I loved that at the end of the program, she gifted my daughter with some books that help her to learn to read.” They saw improvements in their daughter’s knowledge base as well, “She knew some colors but at the end of the program she knew all the colors and numbers.” As for her social connection to school, “…at the beginning she was kind of shy and by the end of the program she was more and more excited to go there and be with her friends.” Having the classroom time during the summer prepared her for starting Kindergarten, “She was really excited, especially to meet her new teacher.” Mrs. Hernandez shared that she thought this was a very good program. “Especially because when entering public education, you don’t know what areas you need to cover, she’s my first child and we are learning together. I feel like it gave us a base on things and gave us tools to help her as much as I can to succeed.” Thank you, Hernandez Family! Just one example of many of the students who are put on a path to success by programs that YOU make possible by supporting the Issaquah Schools Foundation. Imagine how many more kids could be this ready for Kindergarten if ALL families in the district gave what they could!
Pre-K students working with the computers
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Learning about colors in a small group Issaquah Schools Foundation
ALL IN FOR KIDS CAMPAIGN UPDATE A sincere THANKS and GRATITUDE to all those that have generously donated to our annual All in for Kids campaign this year! To date, we have raised $324,667 toward the goal of $515,000! (There is still time to donate). Your donations have made it possible for: • 90 high school students to participate in the Mountains to Sound Greenway Biodiversity project, allowing them to conduct field studies on the ecosystems around them while engaging in a restoration project at Lake Sammamish State Park. • Over 613 6th graders and 155 8th graders at two middle schools, participated in the Where Everyone Belongs (WEB) program to make every 6th grader feel welcomed to middle school. Trained WEB leaders (8th graders) mentor the new 6th graders, positively impacting their first experiences at the middle school. • 9 district high school teachers and 13 middle school teachers to get GLAD Training – learning instructional strategies to reach English Language Learner (ELL) students and improve their classroom cultures. Your support ensures your child and all students from across the district have access to these great programs and more such as VOICE Mentor, Robotics, Healthy Youth Initiative, Financial Literacy, and Dedicated Fine Arts, just to name a few of the 50+ programs made possible by your generous donations. Haven’t donated yet? Don’t worry, there is still time! Go to www.isfdn.org/donate and make a one-time donation or a monthly pledge to go All in for Kids! Your gift matters. Your support makes a profound difference in the life a child, a teacher, an entire classroom.
U! THANK YO
HONK AND WAVE!
A big Thanks to all who joined us for the HONK and WAVE in October! It was a windy and sometimes wet day, but the kids were smiling and waving at the passing cars – building awareness for our All in for Kids annual campaign.
Issaquah High School
Sunset Elementary
Sunny Hills Elementary
Issaquah Schools Foundation 3
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT―FutureMap FutureMap is an innovative program, integrated into Career Cruising, designed to promote career awareness, exploration, and development to Issaquah School District students using web-based tools and resources. Students can now connect the dots between classroom learning and post-graduation options by building upon interest and learning style assessments each year they are in high school. These Career Cruising assessments direct students to compatible careers and provide access to powerful national databases while FutureMap connects students to local, careerspecific resources and opportunities in their very own community. Deanne Carlisle, owner of Youth Career Compass ,has worked with many students in finding out what they want their future career path to be, she said...
“Once students start to understand how their strengths can match up to potential work based opportunities they really start to get excited about their future.” FutureMap helps students to do just that. By providing students access to online career coaches, classroom guest speakers, company profiles, job shadows, and after-school internships and employment, FutureMap connects a student’s classroom learning and interests to post-graduation options, launching them successfully into their futures. Career coaches are essential to the process and for anyone hesitant about the role― Dan Neel, video game producer and FutureMap Career Coach has this advice...
“It’s flexible, fits their schedule, it’s secure and they are helping, making a difference, helping pave the way for the future workforce of tomorrow.” Interested in learning more or becoming an online career coach? www.isfdn.org/futuremap
Thank you to our FutureMap program sponsors!
Launching Successfully into the Future 4
Issaquah Schools Foundation
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT―Jodi Pickering Q. When have you been a board member since? A. I became a foundation board member in May of 2014. Q. Why do you volunteer with the Foundation? A. I volunteer for the Foundation because I believe it makes a difference in our schools. My children were beneficiaries of Foundation funding when they were at Maple Hills, Briarwood (Science Tech), Maywood and Liberty. They have graduated from college now, but it is my time to give back. I enjoy working with the Foundation staff and love being able to share my accounting knowledge with them. Q. Who was your most memorable teacher and why? A. My 6th grade teacher, Mr. Hickam, was the most memorable to me. He believed in me, pushed me to be my best, and made me feel special.
Jodi Pickering, Issaquah Schools Foundation Board Trustee
Q. What is your favorite program investment and why? A. There are so many programs that I think are great investments. The Kateri Brow grants to teachers for new and innovative ideas is wonderful. I also love what Cultural Bridges is doing to bring our diverse community together and the VOICE mentor program that is touching so many lives.
Q. What is your super power? A. According to the Foundation staff I am the “Financial Angel” for helping them through the transition from cash accounting to accrual and guiding them through the audit process.
Exploring Limitless Opportunities VOLUNTEERS ROCK! Thank you to the following groups of volunteers for your help this fall.* School Ambassadors • Ali Tamblyn • Amanda Wood • Amie Ojerio • Carolyn Kennedy • Danielle Gardner
• Farha Khan • Greta LaMont • Heather Heiter • Holly Stipe • Ina Ghangurde • Irasema Ruiz
• Jenny Sauer • Kara Mulqueeney • Katie Short • Krista Wood • Libbie Fitzgerald • Lindsey Hatch
Dining for Kids • Cathia Geller
• Lisa Chen • Madeleine Erhardt • Matt Winkler • Melissa Sarzalejo • Meredith Spencer • Nicole Brenner
• Sara Carmichael • Sara Miller • Shari Tokumi • Trisha Marshall
to our Board of Trustees. Read about them at: isfdn.org/people
Office • Kris Pottsmith • Mansi Sanghvi • Lisa Erwin
*We can’t fit in all our volunteers - but there are hundreds more to be recognized! Issaquah Schools Foundation 5
GRANT SEASON IS HERE! It’s Grant season again and we wanted to share with one of the Grant winners from 2017 and how the grant is impacting the students. Mr. Riddick at Pacific Cascade Middle School recognized that his students would benefit from being able to move more during class time. Studies show that movement increases retention, cognitive processing, creates new blood cells and lowers stress in students. “Many of our students fidget while the lesson is going on, they are tired, and some have difficulty paying attention. Movement in class has proven to be helpful to increase retention of material and gives students the ability to self-regulate themselves which improves behavior in the classroom.” He found a way to solve this problem of the “sit” and learn method, with the Desk Cycle. Students would be able to pedal their Desk Cycle while still being able to listen to the teacher. They would be able to move while still being able to learn. After having the Desk Cycles in class for a few weeks, Mr. Riddick is already seeing improvement in behavior and focus. “In my class, students use them constantly. The students using them are less fidgety and more focused.”
DeskCycles at Pacific Cascade Middle School
Have a great idea like Mr. Riddick and wonder if the Issaquah Schools Foundation would be interested in funding it? Visit isfdn.org/grants for more information on what we look for in a great grant and steps on how to apply!
SAVE the
DATE 20th Annual Luncheon Thursday, May 10, 2018 Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue
5th Annual Breakfast Tuesday, May 22, 2018 Eastridge Church, Issaquah
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2018 NEM Save the Date.indd 1
Issaquah Schools11/2/2017 Foundation 6:45:54 AM
DONOR SPOTLIGHT―Kelly & Christi Price Why do you donate to the Foundation? We started donating to the Foundation when our oldest child entered Kindergarten. At the time, we didn’t really understand what the Foundation did, so our contribution was small and given more out of a sense of obligation than anything else. But soon we began to see and hear about the incredible things the Foundation was doing to support teachers and students, not just in our home school, but across the district. After that, donating became an easy way for us to participate and feel part of the amazing teaching and learning community in the Issaquah School District. What matters to you most about the Foundation? We love that the Foundation allows teachers a chance to dream beyond what might seem possible. We know and have worked with so many teachers who give their all (and often some of their paycheck) to create unique opportunities for students to learn. What better way to encourage those dreams than to take away the financial obstacle? What do you tell others about the Foundation? Just donate. Once you receive your first thank you note from a student and hear how your dollars were spent, you’ll realize it’s the easiest decision you ever made. Kelly & Christi Price MainStreet Property Group LLC President, Librarian at Discovery Elementary
Who was your most memorable teacher/why? Christi: Mrs. Craig, because her passion for reading was infectious. She is the reason I became an English teacher and eventually a librarian. Kelly: Mrs. Pagano, because she reminded us that hard work is the most important thing, and that success will follow. What is your favorite Foundation program/why? There are so many favorites - VOICE Mentors, Tools4School, Cultural Bridges - but we really love the Teacher Grants. It’s exciting to see those banners around the District and know how many students are benefitting. What is your company known for? MainStreet Property Group is committed to forming lasting partnerships. We support the development of sustainable and functional communities that encourage both individuality and diversity. Partnering with the Foundation is one way we can show this dedication and have an additional positive impact on the region.
SHOP FOR A CAUSE Did you know that shopping with these retailers gives back to the Issaquah Schools Foundation? Your holiday spending can mean so much more!
Fred Meyer―Link your Rewards card to the Foundation and give back! Visit https://www.fredmeyer.com/topic/ community-rewards-4 and search for organization name – Issaquah Schools Foundation or organization number – 91119
Amazon Smile―Connect your Amazon account to the Foundation – go to smile. amazon.com and search for Issaquah Schools Foundation
Barnes & Noble―from Nov 27th through Dec 4th, Barnes & Noble will donate 15% of all purchases (including cafe) to the Foundation. Bring in the Foundation flyer or use the online code. Find both at isfdn.org/voice-bookfair
Visit isfdn.org/shop-for-a-cause for links and more information. Issaquah Schools Foundation 7
Physical address: 4225 W Lk Sammamish Parkway Bellevue, WA 98008 Mailing address: P.O. Box 835 Issaquah, WA 98027 Phone: 425-391-8557 Email: info@isfdn.org Web: www.isfdn.org
Fueling Success for Every Student, Every School.