Meet Robert Almada, one of the newest board members of the North Thurston Education Foundation. We had the pleasure of sitting down with him to learn more about what brought him to the foundation and what he enjoys doing when he’s not working or volunteering. Robert is the Chief of Police for the Lacey Police Department.

Robert first became involved with the foundation by attending fundraisers and wanting to become more involved in helping to achieve the foundation’s goals. As a board member, he enjoys seeing the positive lifelong impacts of the foundation on the youth of the community and feels humbled to be allowed to help in this work.

When he’s not working or volunteering, Robert and his wife enjoy fostering dogs from Joint Animal Services while they undergo medical treatment and as preparation for their forever homes. Talk about making a positive impact in all areas of his life!

When asked about how the community can best support the work of the foundation, Robert notes that the community has already been generous through their contributions of time, talent, and treasure. However, he hopes that the community will continue to make the work of the foundation a priority so that they can expand their outreach and assistance to meet the growing needs for food, clothing, shelter, and learning opportunities among the community’s youth.

We are thrilled to have Robert as a board member and grateful for his dedication to the foundation and the community. Thank you, Robert!

The Sacks of Fury Cornhole Tournament is a new fundraiser for North Thurston Education Foundation (501c3). The purpose of this event is to raise funds to support students and their families who are homeless or are on the brink of homelessness.

Last year, with the help of your generous contributions, North Thurston Education Foundation assisted at least 37 students’ families with rental and utility assistance, which kept them from losing their housing. Because of your support, these families and their children have been able to stay in their homes and have not become another statistic in the homeless crisis.

Because of your support, there are 37+ students who are not sleeping in a car, shelter, tent or on someone’s sofa.

Last year, the Foundation was able to write 51 checks to cover partial rent payments or utility payments for families to keep them from becoming homeless. In addition, we allocated funds to assist families with sport registration fees, instruments for music classes, clothes and shoes for students in need, and additional supplies and food for both students and families.

We have a HUGE fundraising goal leading up to our August 17 Fundraising Cornhole Tournament, and we know we can do it with your help.

Our goal is to raise $50,000 for homeless students and their families in our district. Please consider a donation.

Even a small amount can greatly assist a family and help reduce homelessness and remove education barriers for students.

We hope you’ll consider making a donation or you’ll join a team and compete on August 17. For additional information on making a donation, becoming a sponsor or attending this event, please contact Mike Jones at [email protected] or (360) 790-6548.

Thank you for considering a donation for the 2019 Corn Hole Tournament.

Sincerely,

Mike Jones, Executive Director
North Thurston Education Foundation

Blake Knoblauch, Board Chair
North Thurston Education Foundation

p.s. For a printable donation form, click here.

The North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) has a robust Learning Improvement Grant (LIG) program that provides funds to teachers in North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) for classroom use. The LIG Committee selects recipients through a competitive application process. Funds help teachers increase student learning tied to district and state learning goals.

On April 30, 2019, teachers who have received Learning Improvement Grants are invited to showcase how they used the funds in their classroom and the community is invited to attend and learn more about innovation in the classroom.

“Through post-grant reports, we’ve read about how teachers have used the funds, but now we’ll get a more hands-on perspective of how teachers are using the funds to increase student learning. We believe a showcase approach will improve teacher collaboration and will inspire new ideas for classroom innovation,” said Mike Jones, NTEF Executive Director.

WHAT — North Thurston Education Foundation Learning Improvement Grant Showcase
WHEN — April 30, 2019 at, 5 p.m.
WHERE — Bower Learning Center, 4111 6th Ave NE, Lacey.
FOR MORE INFO — Contact Mike Jones, (360) 790-6548 or [email protected]

The North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) has a robust scholarship program that provides funds for North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) graduates who will attend post-secondary schools, including vocational or trade schools, colleges or universities.

NTEF awarded 36 scholarships in 2018 valued at approximately $120,000. The scholarship program includes designated named endowed scholarships and Foundation funded scholarships. Each scholarship has a minimum value of $2,000 and each NTPS high school will receive at least one scholarship. Some scholarships are renewable from year to year. Completed applications must be submitted to the student’s school (NTPS only) counseling/career center or mailed to NTEF on or before the April 12 deadline.

WHAT — North Thurston Education Foundation Scholarships Now Open
WHEN — Opened January 1, 2019, and will close on April 12, 2019
WHERE — Click here.
FOR MORE INFO — Contact Cathy Callahan, Chair of NTEF’s Scholarship Committee at 360-888-3175