As deadline approaches, PTSAs urgently raise money for science curriculum

Published 11:30 am Thursday, May 26, 2011

Would you like some science curriculum with that Big Mac?

Discovery Elementary teachers piled behind the counters at the Sammamish McDonald’s on Monday night to help raise money for new science lessons.

McTeacher night was one of several efforts the district hopes will raise $500,000 by June 15. The Issaquah Schools Foundation has about $200,000 to go.

Looking across the families that packed the restaurant, Discovery Principal Tera Coyle was optimistic. “I think we’ll get there,” she said.

As a part of the fundraiser, staff served up hot fries and cold lemonades. Twenty percent of total food sales and 100 percent of outdoor cookies sales went to science.

Similar fundraisers at the restaurant have raised about $1,700, said store owner Alan Finkelstein. “It’s just a way to give back to the community.”

Donned in lab coats, a Mad Scientist Squad passed out green “Got Science?” wrist bands to raise awareness.

About a fifth of families give to the foundation; the hope was to reach out to those who haven’t already donated.

“I think parents realize how important it is,” said Beth Manias, a long-term substitute teacher at Discovery.

While the state has tested kids on new science standards for the past two years, it hasn’t provided money for schools to buy matching curriculum.

The curriculum is at least 10-years old, said Leigh Stokes, foundation board president, as she brushed aside the hair from a Einstein-themed wig for the Science Squad.

“There is a great sense of urgency,” she said.

Originally the district planned to pay for the new curriculum, but an unprecedented $1.5 million mid-year cut combined with a $4.3 budget reduction next year tightened up its reserve money.

It approached the foundation hoping that it might be able to rally the community, families and PTSAs to raise the money.

So far, the Issaquah Schools Foundation has collected about $300,000 for the books and materials, mostly through its annual luncheon.

The foundation hopes that money from families and PTSAs, who are debating what to do with surplus money, will help come up with the rest.

Combined with money from the Issaquah School District, the money raised so far is enough to start students in K-5 with two-thirds of the needed lesson plans.

“We have to do this together as a community,” Stokes said. “The money is not coming from the state. That’s for sure.”

Patty Britt, a Discover Elementary first-grade teacher, passes an order outside a McDonald’s drive-thru window in Sammamish. Teachers took over the restaurant for an evening to raise money for science curriculum.

Chelsea Dziedzic, the literacy support teacher at Discovery Elementary, takes orders at McDonald’s in Sammamish as a part of a McTeacher fundraiser for science curriculum.