By Terri Blier

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation raises funds to support academic excellence and success for all students in the Lake Washington School District – this is our mission. The foundation does this through funding Equal Access to Educational Opportunities, Quality Teaching & Leadership, and Future Ready Skills.

Within these priorities programs are funded that fulfill needs of students, schools and the district. These needs include the LINKS Mentoring program that matches caring adults with students who need one-on-one mentoring, help with homework or developing social skills.

School needs can be met with our Reaching for Success grants that provide funds to assist schools in meeting their state-mandated (but unfunded) continuous improvement process plan. The district benefits from foundation funding through districtwide grants like providing scholarships for summer school to low-income students who are academically at-risk. To date the foundation has provided nearly $1 million in programs to benefit students throughout the District.

The foundation vision is that each student in the Lake Washington School District will receive an education that ensures future success. In doing so, we sustain economic vitality and enrich our community’s quality of life.

Foundation programs strive to accomplish this vision and are in alignment with the school district’s vision of Every Student Future Ready – prepared for college, prepared for the global workplace, prepared for personal success.

Community support sustains this vision. Please join us, along with your local community members and businesses, for our 7th annual “A Legacy for Learning” benefit luncheon Wednesday, May 23 at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland.

Our presentation team will include Tony Ventrella as the keynote, Andy Wappler with the “Call to Action,” and returning again this year, Monica Hart as the emcee.

Thanks to our sponsors like Microsoft, Boeing, Puget Sound Energy, LWYSA, Magellan Architects and Sodexo the lunch is complimentary so all donations support programs. More information and registration information is available online.

We are fortunate to live in a community that values and supports excellent education. Thank you to the thousands who have supported the foundation the past seven years. Your generosity is truly appreciated and we look forward to increasing the impact that community makes on education.

Please consider making a donation if you are unable to attend the luncheon. Community support makes a difference.

Terri Blier is President of the Lake Washington Schools Foundation.