Stories of Impact

 

We recently were able to help a family with their cable bill and received this note: “My partner recently lost a job he loved and I’ve taken the full financial responsibility for my family, which was very unexpected. I don’t have any family members or people in my life who are able to help financially and the bills started to pile up. The cable bill is usually one of the less “important” bills but I am obligated to a contract with the company, and the outstanding balance was growing larger. With the help of NTEF, I was able to pay off the balance, which relieved an enormous amount of financial pressure. Angels come in all forms and that day, you were mine. I am so thankful for the help!”

*Before COVID-19, the Foundation did not help families pay cable/internet bills as it fell into the “non-essential” category. However, now that most students are attending school online, cable/internet has moved to an “essential” category, and we help families on a case-by-case basis.

Sock & Shoe Drive Collection Deadline Extended to December 23!

 

The deadline for the Sock & Shoe Drive to benefit NTEF families has been extended to December 23! Drop off locations are Farmers Insurance at 4403 Lacey Blvd SE in Lacey and PC Technologies at 3739 Griffin Ln SE in Olympia.

The organizers are also willing to schedule a pick-up! Contact Farmers Insurance at 360-491-5625 or PC Technologies at 360-491-2227 for additional information.

Cares Act Charitable Contribution for 2020

 

  • The CARES Act, which went into effect this spring, established a new above-the-line deduction for charitable giving.
  • You can write off up to $300 in cash donations on your 2020 income tax return, which you’ll be filing next spring.
  • Normally, you’d have to itemize deductions to write off charitable giving when you file your taxes. According to the IRS, about 14.8 million households took a tax break for donating to charity in 2018.

Learn more HERE.

Thanks to your Generous Support, Since January 1, 2020, NTEF Donated $402,000 to Support Students and Families

This year, we’ve been busier than ever, helping students and families in need because the COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for North Thurston Public Schools’ (NTPS) families and students related to child care, accessing school supplies and finding adequate tools for remote learning.

Thanks to your generous support, since January 1, 2020, NTEF donated $402,000 to support students and families. Approximately $80,000 of this amount went to address food insecurity in the district. We have helped 33 families with their rent and security deposits (a total of $20,000-assisting 82 students) and have helped over 3,500 students in the North Thurston school district this year.

Due to the pandemic, not only have we seen families need more support than ever, we are seeing families reach out who’ve never required help in the past. This holiday season, we ask you to consider giving to help students and families overcome obstacles to success.  

Through December 31, 2020, you have an opportunity to give your 2020 tax-deductible donation to North Thurston Education Foundation! The Cares Act added a new $300 charitable contribution deduction for 2020. (See more information in the article below.)

Your gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. 

Our Student Assistance Grants, Learning Improvement Grants, and Scholarships all support our mission of Removing Barriers, Enhancing Learning and Enriching Lives for Students in Thurston County. Every donation makes an immediate difference for our students and families and the need is immense.
Click here to make your donation today.

Thank you for your continued support and Happy Holidays! 

Sincerely,

Mike Jones
Executive Director

North Thurston Public Schools Recently Eliminated and Made Changes to Some Fees for Extracurricular Activities

*Photo Courtesy North Thurston Public Schools

North Thurston Public Schools Board of Directors recently approved a new fee schedule for 2020-21 which helps encourage more student participation in sports and activities, including elimination of Olympia Junior Program fees and athletic fees for students who qualify for Free/Reduced through the meal program.

The following changes for the 2020-21 Fee Schedule include:

  • Elimination of Olympia Junior Program Fees of $5 per student per performance. This will be covered through the district’s Title IV grant instead.
  • Elimination of the Middle School Science fee of $10 per student. This will be covered through building budgets.
  • Field Trip costs will be determined as needed
  • Eliminated Athletic Fees for students who qualify for Free/Reduced through the National School Lunch Program
  • Reduced other elective class fees to half prices for students who qualify for Free/Reduced through the National School Lunch Program

Examples of the fee changes for Free/Reduced students include:

  • Reduction of high school band/orchestra/choir fees from $24 to $12
  • Reduction of Middle School art fees from $10 to $5
  • Reduction of College in the High School classes from $90 to $25

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INITIATIVE

Congratulations to Nisqually Middle School Math Teacher, David Buitenveld, for being named, 2021 Regional Teacher of the Year!

*Photo Courtesy Capital Region, ESD 113

Capital Region Educational Service District (ESD) 113 has named David Buitenveld as their 2021 Regional Teacher of the Year. Buitenveld teaches mathematics at Nisqually Middle School in North Thurston Public Schools.

Buitenveld has an unbridled optimism about public schools. He sees educators as partners with the families and students they serve. Although the current coronavirus pandemic has challenged every part of his job as an educator, it has forced him to think deeply about his teaching practice. “I am interacting with students in new ways,” said Buitenveld. “We are co-creating new possibilities for learning in a post-pandemic educational world.”

CLICK TO CONTINUE READING

North Thurston Public Schools Family & Youth Resource Center Remains Open

The North Thurston Public Schools Family & Youth Resource Center will continue to support families by providing food, hygiene and paper products through its drive-through center on Tuesdays and Thursdays. “In addition, we’ll be providing school supplies on some special dates near the end of August,” says Deanna East, McKinney Vento Homeless Student Navigator for NTPS. “With the ongoing pandemic, we’ve seen so many families need support who haven’t needed it before and we’re so pleased to be able to provide this ongoing resource.”

The Center will remain open to the public and families will be able to drive through Tuesdays from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. The resource center is located at 200 Sleater Kinney Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98506 at the Rajinder S. Manhas Activity Center adjacent to North Thurston High School.

For information about donations, supplies needed and dates of school supplies distribution, visit https://www.nthurston.k12.wa.us/fyrcenter?fbclid=IwAR06bwT7Acyo7bzfVAbrQ7JpOqgSk_eyWkrb1CTBJiD8lPfTcxXDuLaHkmU

Wishing you a Safe and Healthy School Year in the Midst of Challenges and We are Here to Support You!

Welcome Back!

Summer is winding down. The beginning of the school year will look very different than previous years. Whether instruction takes place completely remotely, in-person, or a combination of the two, we are here to support the students and families of the North Thurston Public School District. We realize the ongoing pandemic creates additional challenges related to child care, accessing school supplies and tools for remote learning as well as other concerns, and we remain committed to helping our most vulnerable students and families in the district.

We are proud to play a role in creating an environment where every child has an opportunity to succeed. The district’s Family & Youth Resource Center will once again be open to the public and families will be able to drive through Tuesdays from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. The resource center is located at 200 Sleater Kinney Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98506 at the Rajinder S. Manhas Activity Center adjacent to North Thurston High School.

Thank you to all who make our work possible. We know this school year presents challenges, but we remain hopeful and optimistic and we are here to support students and families during the school year. For as long as the COVID-19 crisis goes on, we will continue to work with the North Thurston Public School District to help ALL our students, including our most vulnerable children, get through it.

Wishing you a Safe and Healthy Year,

Mike Jones
Executive Director, North Thurston Education Foundation
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North Thurston Education Foundation Announces Establishment of Bill Williams Scholarship

The North Thurston Education Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Bill Williams Memorial Scholarship.

Throughout and following his career as a Senior Assistant Attorney General with the State of Washington, Bill supported education. He served on the North Thurston Public School Board for 25 years. The Foundation was one of many educational organizations Bill served. He was passionate about NTEF and held several positions on the Executive Board. Bill’s contributions were vital to the Foundation’s success.

The Bill Williams Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $2,000, will be awarded annually to an eligible graduating senior who intends to attend a community college or four-year institution that is located outside the State of Washington.

To donate to the Bill Williams Memorial Scholarship or another named scholarship visit https://ntef.org/how-you-can-help/ and indicate the scholarship name in your donation.