Issaquah Schools Foundation to fund programs through “Nourish Every Mind”

Published 1:48 pm Thursday, May 15, 2014

Through their “Nourish Every Mind” fundraising luncheon, the Issaquah Schools Foundation has so far raised $659,500 which will be used to support nearly $1 million dollars of ongoing Foundation program investments.

Approximately 900 people attended the “Nourish Every Mind” luncheon at the Issaquah Community Center on May 8, and more than 325 more people attended the breakfast at Eastridge Church on May 14.

At press time, the foundation had raised $659,500 at the “Nourish Every Mind” towards the overall fundraising goal of $765,000. Cathia Geller, Issaquah Schools Foundation Board Trustee and chair for luncheon, said they must add the money raised from the breakfast and contact the donors who were unable to attend the events before a final amount could be released.

This was the first year they have split the event into breakfast and lunch due to popular demand and lack of room at the Community Center. Geller said that Foundation supporters were clear that they didn’t want to leave the community, but there were no other venues in the area that could hold everyone.

“The breakfast solves both problems and introduces another segment of the community to the work of the Foundation,” Geller said.

“Nourish Every Mind” was emceed by, “Evening Magazine” host, King 5’s Jim Dever. Various students and educators spoke about how funding from the Issaquah Schools Foundation has personally impacted them.

Faculty speakers included Josh Almy, principal of Liberty High School, and teachers Alicia Pusey, Michaela Donohoe and Marla Crouch. Student speakers included Bryan Lim, Emily Chin, Tristan Boots, Mohamed Osman, Katie Cooper, Hans Encarnacion, Paige Tull, Allison Sheflo, Madison Gholston and Ella King.

Geller said another standout of this year’s event was their goal of Zero Waste. Geller said the foundation put a vast amount of energy and effort into making sure that every detail of the event was either recyclable, reusable or compostable. In the end, they had one small trash can with minimal waste.

“It was so painfully close to zero waste,” Geller said.

The Foundation’s partners for the Zero Waste effort were: Recology, Cleanscapes and Cedar Grove Compost.

Geller said the “Nourish Every Mind” fundraiser could not take place without its sponsors and vast community support. She also said that many people are confused as to why the Issaquah Schools Foundation has to exist, when community members are paying taxes for programs and the district obtains grants. Geller said that it’s been hard to clarify that taxpayer’s dollars, the school district and the foundation all work as a tripod. Without each leg, the system would fail, and through this system, every student benefits, Geller said.

“The Foundation is proud to partner with the district, PTSAs, parents, community members and businesses to help bridge the gap district-wide between the basic education funded by the state and the dynamic 21st century education our kids need to succeed in school and life,” said Robin Callahan, Director of the Issaquah Schools Foundation.

Funds raised from Nourish Every Mind impact program investments, which include the continuation of the writing residencies program with the hope of expanding it to middle schools, an expansion of the Start Strong program for incoming high school freshman, an expansion of pre-Kindergarten and regular Kindergarten to the plateau, a $100,000 Rotating Dedicated Fine Arts Fund for middle school students, special needs funding, highly capable funding, TEALS Computer Science and Web Design classes, financial literacy for all 8th grade students, investments that help connect kids to post-secondary education, STEM support at high schools, middle and high school robotics clubs and new teacher start up funds.

“Great schools don’t happen by accident, they take intention by our community,” said Callahan. “Our schools are the number one reason people move to our community, so we all have a stake in ensuring strong schools. In a community that has the resources, connections and a commitment to education, it just takes awareness and parents, the business community and other residents stepping up.”

Kelly Montgomery: 425-391-0363; kmontgomery@issaquahreporter.com