Annual Luncheon – October 18, 2019 at the Lacey Community Center

Please join the North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) for our annual luncheon, “Because of You”, on Friday, October 18 at 11:30 a.m. at the Lacey Community Center.

There is no charge to attend the luncheon, but a $100 donation is encouraged. All donations raised at the luncheon will go toward the Foundation’s scholarship program, Student Assistance Grants and Learning Improvement Grants. In 2018, NTEF distributed close to $250,000.

Our keynote speaker is Deanna East. Deanna is a McKinney Vento Student Navigator and she is part of the team that works with North Thurston Public Schools’ homeless students (nearly 1,000) and families and she will highlight the struggles our homeless and low-income students face every day.

Thank you to our 2018 Luncheon Sponsors! If you are interested in sponsoring the 2019 Luncheon, please contact Mike Jones at  (360) 790-6548 or [email protected].

Clean Kids Program

North Thurston Education Foundation is proud to support Clean Kids. The Clean Kids Project was the vision of the congregation at St. Mark Lutheran Church. Laundry is just one of the many worries of the children and youth identified as being homeless in North Thurston Public Schools.

This often leaves children attending school with dirty clothes, which in turn affects attendance, self-confidence, and ultimately, grades. With volunteer hours, retrofitted space, equipment donated by McKinney’s Appliances and a $7,500 grant from the North Thurston Education Foundation, the Clean Kids vision became a reality. By mid-September 2016, the space at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church was up and running. Once a family has a voucher for services, they can contact St. Mark to make an appointment to use the laundry facilities.

Clean Kids needs your help! Consider donating a product from their wish list or donating funds through NTEF. 

If you donate product, please review their wish list as the machines only use specific types of detergents, etc. Please drop off donations at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 2109 College St. SE, Lacey, WA 98503, Monday through Thursday. Clean Kids Coordinators encourage donors to call the church office before stopping by to make sure someone is there, 360-491-2052.

CLEAN KIDS LAUNDRY ROOM SUPPLY LIST:

For doing laundry:
HE liquid laundry soap (Costco sells Arm and Hammer for around $10)
HE liquid fabric softener
White vinegar (gallon size)
33-gallon drawstring garbage bags
Paper towels
Liquid Oxyclean
Odo Ban disinfectant (for deodorizing urine odors) available at Home Depot
Lysol or Clorox wipes
Bounce dryer sheets
New clean rags

For our guests and children onsite:
Bottled water
Individually wrapped nutritional snacks
Microwave popcorn
Individual juices

For a downloadable list of supplies requested, click HERE

Board Member Spotlight: Bill Williams Vice President, North Thurston Education Foundation Board of Trustees

1.) How did you first get involved in NTEF?

I was on the North Thurston School Board when the Foundation was created and recognized that it could be a great potential benefit for our students, especially those from low-income families. As a school board member I monitored the Foundation’s growth, and when my last school board term ended I hoped that by serving on the Foundation’s board I could help it continue to grow and help more students.

While the growth has been impressive, as the district has grown in student population, the number of students the Foundation can benefit has also grown, and the Foundation still has great potential to meet that need.

 

 2. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy reading, going to movies and watching TV (mostly sports). We care for our daughter’s dog Hank and I also enjoy my daily walks with him. And of course spending time with my four grandchildren, two in San Francisco and two in Olympia. I also enjoy my other volunteer work, including service on the board of directors of the Capital Region Educational Service District 113 board and the board of the Association of Washington School Principals.  
3. How do you believe the community can best support the work of NTEF?

Of course, contributing regularly helps the Foundation continue to grow, and endowing a scholarship or other long term source creates a legacy that will benefit children well into the future.

More important, however, is for people to be aware of the need and to get involved, either by volunteering on a committee or the board and by spreading the word about the Foundation among their friends, neighbors, work colleagues and others. The North Thurston community is a supportive and caring community and I am confident that by working together we can continue to do great things for kids. 

Learning Improvement Grants Can Make a Real Difference in the Classroom!

Our Learning Improvement Grants help teachers increase student learning tied to district and state learning goals. Last year, Jeff Wilson of Meadows Elementary was awarded a $1,500 grant to use for “Innovative Teaching & Learning: Robotics/Coding” for his students! Way to go, Jeff!

Learn more about our LIG grants:

https://ntef.org/learning-improvement-grants/

The next deadline for submitting a Learning Grant application has been extended to May 15, 2019!

Jeff Wilson of Meadows Elementary School 

Please join us for the Learning Improvement Grant Showcase

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]

North Thurston Education Foundation Announces Scholarship Applications are now OPEN!

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

Learning Improvement Grants Can Make a Real Difference in the Classroom!

Heather Claiborne of Nisqually Middle School with Mike Jones, Executive Director of NTEF 

Last year, with the help of a LIG, Nisqually Middle School was able to purchase 6 Nikon Coolpix cameras for the Sci-Art Club.

“We have already completed our first project of taking pictures around the Nisqually Campus with the theme of “patterns in nature.” Students were able to download and edit and print their pictures (using my computer and printer). Their photos were on display in the hallway. I have also used the cameras for taking pictures on a science field trip to the LOTT Clean Water Alliance Wet Center and to take pictures of robots in my robotics class. I plan to use the cameras a lot next year in my Sci-Art club, science field trips and projects and in robotics,” said Heather Claiborne at Nisqually Middle School. You have four opportunities a year to apply for grants, September 15, November 1, February 1, and May 1.

The next deadline of February 1 is almost here!

Board Member Spotlight: Beth Utto-Galarneau Pastor, St. Mark Lutheran Church in Lacey

 

1.) How did you first get involved in NTEF?

Six years ago, Mike Jones, who is now the Executive Director, was an NTEF Board Member and encouraged me to attend a meeting to find out more about the organization.  I was impressed with the amazing and important work being done by NTEF for our students, teachers, and schools.  This organization is truly about removing barriers to help students and teachers be successful.  I wanted to be involved not only by being a donor, but also in a hands on way.  The Board of Trustees is a “working board” so it was a perfect fit for my desire to improve and build our community in a meaningful way.  

2.) What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? 

I love being with my family.  Exploring our beautiful Pacific Northwest and traveling to new places makes me happy!  I enjoy being creative and dabble in a variety of art media.  One of my favorite artistic endeavors is creating pottery.  I also delight in encouraging the creativity of others.  

3.) How do you believe the community can best support the work of NTEF?

The first step of supporting the work of NTEF is to become aware of the many ways we assist our NTPS students, teachers, staff and schools. Attend a Board Meeting or please look at our website to see how you can join us in impacting the lives of our students in a profoundly good way! We welcome community involvement in our many projects and committees.  You do not have to be a Board Member to participate in any of our committees, including our committees that award Learning Improvement Grants to Teachers and Scholarships to Graduating Seniors and our committee that plans our Annual Fundraising Luncheon.  Obviously, financial donations are encouraged to support our important mission in removing barriers for our students to be successful.  Please thoughtfully consider how you might be involved–“It’s for the kids!” 

Did you Know?

NTEF is registered with the AmazonSmile organization to receive donations from customers who select the Foundation as their non profit of choice. Individuals making purchases through Amazon may go online under AmazonSmile and select the North Thurston Education Foundation to receive a percentage of the amount of the eligible purchase, at no cost to them. Every item available for purchase on www.amazon.com is also available on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) at the same price. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages. For more information about the AmazonSmile program, go to http://smile.amazon.com/about.