Do you or someone you know need rental assistance during this time?

The North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) was recently awarded a matching grant from Help us Move In (HUMI). Help Us Move In is a 501c3 non-profit, established in March 2015, with a mission to help children escape homelessness by engaging communities in sustainable solutions. Their HOMELESS NO MORE Challenge Grant works with community agencies that provide services to families at risk or experiencing homelessness by offering a unique matching grant opportunity. The goal is to secure funds to provide secure and stable housing to local families with children.

For more information contact Sarah Scherer at Help Us Move In at 360-890-1174 or Mike Jones at NTEF.

“North Thurston School district is embracing remote help for our students. The Homeless team and counselors have been calling all our homeless students and families to offer support at this time. Teachers and Para Educators are preparing for online learning and many are reaching out to allow students to make up past work,” says Deanna East, NTPS McKinney Vento Student Navigator.

“Our Food Service team has been handing out lunches to any kids stopping in at all our elementary schools and Salish Middle School, and our bus drivers have just started driving to some of our most vulnerable areas to drop off meals so even more kids have access to food. We are so thankful to have the support of such a generous community during this time.”

North Thurston Public Schools’ Resource Center is open Tuesdays and Thursdays to support families and students during school closure. The Resource Center is located at 200 Sleater Kinney Rd NE Olympia 98506.

Drive-Up Hours are Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and items available include food, hygiene kits, school supply kits and Friday food bags. For questions or to inquire about making a donation, contact the Resource Center at (360) 412-4484 or visit https://www.nthurston.k12.wa.us/fyrcenter

The North Thurston Education Foundation is seeking to raise funds to meet our North Thurston Public Schools students’ emergency needs. Your donations to NTEF at this time will go directly to providing food security and other vital services to our most vulnerable students and families during this time.
Any amount you give helps!

We are in uncharted waters. The District and local agencies are strained to cover the large numbers of students now needing to have their basic physical, emotional and educational needs met. Your unrestricted donation allows for flexibility in this unprecedented time.

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.   

Thank you,
Mike Jones
Executive Director, NTEF

*To make a dontation, click the “How to Help” Heading at the top of this page.

At present, North Thurston Public Schools are scheduled to reopen on Monday, April 27. Due to the disruption created by the closure, The North Thurston Education Foundation has changed the due date for scholarship applications to Friday, May 1. Applications should be left in your career counseling center or mailed to the Foundation (PO Box 3312, Lacey WA 98509) by May 1. Late applications will not be accepted.

In the event school does not resume on April 27, we will revisit the due date and proper procedure for scholarship applicants to follow. Stay tuned for updates and keep working on your applications. Be safe!

North Thurston Public Schools’ Resource Center is open Tuesdays and Thursdays to support families and students during school closure. The Resource Center is located at 200 Sleater Kinney Rd NE Olympia 98506.

Drive-Up Hours are Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and items available include food, hygiene kits, school supply kits and Friday food bags.

For questions, contact the Resource Center at (360) 412-4484 or visit https://www.nthurston.k12.wa.us/fyrcenter

For more information and to make financial donations, click on the “How To Help” heading at the top of this page.

Update:

The North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) was recently awarded a matching grant from Help us Move In (HUMI). Help Us Move In is a 501c3 non-profit, established in March 2015, with a mission to help children escape homelessness by engaging communities in sustainable solutions. Their HOMELESS NO MORE Challenge Grant works with community agencies that provide services to families at risk or experiencing homelessness by offering a unique matching grant opportunity.

On March 19, you are invited to help us present the awards to local organizations North Thurston Education Foundation, ROOF, Together, Family Education Support Services and St. Mark Lutheran Church.

What: NTEF and Help Us Move In Grant Award Presentation

When: Thursday, March 19 at 10:00 a.m.

Where: Lions Park 800 Wilson St. SE Olympia

For More Information: Contact Sarah Scherer 360-890-1174

CLICK HERE to view Invitation

The North Thurston Education Foundation offers scholarships to graduating seniors to assist in financing their post-high school education.

Scholarships are awarded for those who will be attending community colleges, vocational or technical schools or colleges or universities. In addition to graduating from a North Thurston Public School, applicants must have demonstrated:

(1) The skills necessary to succeed in their chosen post-secondary school.
(2) Good citizenship and leadership qualities.
(3) A need for financial assistance to meet their educational goals.

Foundation scholarships vary in amounts awarded but the total value of each scholarship is no less than $2,000. Most scholarships are one-year grants, but some are renewable for either two or four years based on the recipient’s academic progress.

NTEF awarded 38 new and 13 renewable scholarships in 2019 valued at $135,000!
Due Date: Completed applications are to be submitted to the high school counseling or career centers or mailed to NTEF by April 17, 2020.

If you are interested in establishing a named scholarship, call our Executive Director, Michael Jones at 360-790-6548 or e-mail [email protected].

Update:

We are so pleased to be hosting the Thurston County Chamber’s monthly Business After Hours event on Thursday, March 19! Join us for an evening of food from Pellegrino’s Italian kitchen, drinks, networking, raffle prizes and more! Come and learn more about all the exciting work we’re doing at NTEF!

We look forward to seeing you there!

What: Thurston County Chamber’s Business After Hours
When: Thursday, March 19 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: North Thurston Education Foundation/Columbia Bank, 665 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey, WA 98503

Many thanks to the Educators of North Thurston Public Schools and to Clair Ferris for the photographs of our Learning Improvemnt Grant Showcase which took place on January 29!

The event not only included a grant showcase of what learning has been achieved through NTEF grant funds, but also information on the grant process itself. The showcase highlighted the important work NTEF does for our district – including Learning Improvement Grants, Student Assistance Grants as well as support of the McKinney Vento program and scholarships for graduating seniors.

Learning Improvement Grant Funds help teachers increase student learning tied to district and state learning goals. You have three opportunities a year to apply for grants, October 1, December 1 and March 1.