Summer is winding down. Teachers and students are heading back to classrooms, and a new school year is ahead of us. We begin the new season with renewed hope for a bright future for our students.
We are proud to play a role in creating an environment where every child has an opportunity to succeed. This year, contributions from parents, teachers, residents, and the business community will allow the Foundation to continue to invest in Student Assistance Grants, Learning Improvement Grants, and Scholarships.
Thank you to all who make our work possible. We’re looking forward to another fantastic year.
Thank you for a successful inaugural Sacks of Fury Cornhole Tournament fundraiser. Many thanks to our hosts, sponsors and all those who helped to make the event a success: Country Financial, Gateway Rotary, Tart Cider, DJ Nate Bulley, emcee Martin McElliot, USMAC, Dutch Bros, and Troy and Kirby at Charlie’s Safari.
We appreciate your time and effort to benefit the students of North Thurston Public Schools!
WHAT: North Thurston Education Foundation Annual Luncheon WHEN: Friday, October 18, 2019 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. WHERE: Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave SE Lacey, WA 98503
There is no charge to attend the luncheon, but a $100 donation is encouraged. All donations raised at the luncheon will go toward removing financial barriers and increasing student success. During the 2018-2019 school year, NTEF distributed $380,000, A NEW RECORD!
Sponsorship Opportunities are Available! Contact us for Details! Email Executive Director Mike Jones here.
My position is a sensitive one; young people don’t like talking about the hardships in their life. Having an incentive program such as the North Thurston Education Foundation’s Hearts Program helps develop connections with students.
Over the 2018-19 school year, I used the gift cards from the Hearts Program to encourage attendance in school and as a reward to encourage follow through on assignments and participation in tutoring.
I worked with a student since last October who was chronically absent. She struggled with depression and was not connected to anyone -student or staff – at school. She was a sweet girl that wanted to work hard; she didn’t have anyone holding her accountable or even reaching out to her. With the help of the school counselor, we met with her to offer support, including walking shoes and a coat. After creating a foundation with her and her mother, and providing tools to help her get to school, we made a deal; I told her that we would meet once a week to discuss how things were going at home and in school. If she could make it to school at least three days next week, I told her I’d give her a $5 Dutch Bros. gift card. Every week we met, and she brightened up knowing someone cared about how she was doing, not just that she was going to school. We met weekly to check-in, and those weeks she couldn’t make it; she knew she didn’t earn the Dutch Bros. card yet we met and talked about school and what she needs to accomplish to achieve her goals. We met for the rest of the year, and I saw a definite change in her mood and drive to do what she needed to do.
Having this program to help build relationships with these students is invaluable. Most of the students I work with don’t have parents helping them remember things or to encourage them to power through; they only have themselves. I hope this program continues so we can reach more students that struggle with the little things.
Linda Torres
Student Support Navigator
North Thurston Public Schools
1. North Thurston Education Foundation is looking for Investment Committee members! If you are interested in serving please contact Executive Director, Mike Jones by email [email protected].
The investment committee meets four times per year and they are responsible for overseeing the Foundation’s investments. We estimate that this is a four-hour per year commitment.
2. We are looking for North Thurston Education Foundation School Ambassadors for the following North Thurston Public Schools:
Mountain View Elementary
Pleasant Glade Elementary
South Bay Elementary
Woodland Elementary
Ambassadors act as the go-between for the Foundation and the school.
Learn more by emailing NTEF Executive Director, Mike Jones at [email protected]
Featured in the photo above is School Ambassador for River Ridge High School, Doreen Berg.
