Northshore Schools Foundation

Schools Foundation recieves $10,400 from Washington S.T.E.M.

The Northshore Schools Foundation received a $10,400 grant from the Washington S.T.E.M. Foundation.

Amy Leslie, Timbercrest Junior High School sustainable design teacher, will use the grant funds to develop an introductory level course for ninth-grade students at the school to explore "green jobs" and solutions to environmental issues through design and efficiency.   

This pilot course will focus on topics that include green construction, renewable energy, water and waste management, transportation systems, and food choices. Student groups will also be encouraged to enter their projects in local and state competitions and will be collaborating with the high school students in the Sustainable Engineering & Design program throughout the year.  The overall arching goal of this Project will be to create a program template that other Northshore School District science teachers (and others across the state) could easily and effectively implement into their schools.  

The Northshore Schools Foundation partnered with the Northshore School District to write the application for the Washington S.T.E.M. grant. Washington S.T.E.M. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing innovation, equity, and excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (S.T.E.M.) education in Washington State. For more information about the Foundations' five funding priorities click here.

The Annual Calling for Kids Campaign has officially come to a close!

More than 1000 famiiles have made a pledge to support S.T.EM.

Education this year!

Look for results in our next newsletter!

An Important Note from Superintendent Francois

 We felt like it was so important for Foundation supporters to be aware of the state of funding for our state that we reprinted this important note with permission from the district's regular Northshore Connections Newsletter. If you would like to be added to the distribution list for this newsletter, please click here.

The daily news reports repeatedly remind us that our economy continues to struggle. At the state level, tax revenues continue to decline. This has prompted the Governor to call a special session of the legislature to begin on Nov. 28 to develop and approve a supplemental budget that cuts an additional $2 billion from the 2011-13 budget adopted by the legislature last spring. That budget already included over $4 billion in statewide cuts, with $1.5 billion of that coming from K-12 education.

At this point, we have little specific information about what actions the legislature may consider. With K-12 education comprising over 40% of the state budget, it seems unlikely we will avoid further funding reductions. Two-thirds of our funding comes directly from the state. Consequently, actions at the state level impact us greatly and directly.

The Washington State Constitution is crystal clear. It is the paramount duty of state government to make ample provision for the basic education of all students. The Northshore School District Board of Directors and I recently sent a letter to all of our local legislators. Our message was simply this: Please honor the current statutory definition and funding levels of basic education.   Re-defining and funding basic education at a lower level-in a time when a world class education for all is more important than ever-makes little sense and further jeopardizes the long-term outlook for our economy and society.

In recent years, we have lost over $12 million of annual, ongoing state funding. We have eliminated programs, reduced services, cut staff, increased class sizes, frozen salaries and asked our local taxpayers to shoulder more of the burden of funding their public schools. We are doing more with less because the students in our schools today are having their one shot at an education. They don't have the luxury of waiting for a better day.

We will monitor the legislative process closely and continue to advocate for the basic education needs of all students as the State Constitution requires. I will use these letters to periodically update you as developments unfold. In the meantime, please accept my continued thanks and appreciation for all you do to support quality public education across the Northshore community.

Truly,  

Shop the Holiday Kick-off weekend November 11-13 at Molbak's and a percentage of your purchases benefit the Foundation.

Molbak's 

Northshore Holiday Showcase

will feature the talents of Northshore School District students and showcase the Northshore Teaching Academy, Northshore musical talent and the Event, Hospitality and Tourism Management Program.

Special Activities each day from

11:00-2:00 pm

Children's Crafts and Cookie Decorating

Holiday Table Decorations

Children's Art Displays

Honor our Military Card Station

Great photo opportunities through out the store!

Let us know you are coming and invite your friends by using this link.

DINE OUT for STUDENTS

Three ways

you can eat out

and support

Northshore students 

November 14th & 15th @

December 7th @

Everyday @

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Are you a

SECU Member? 

Do you want to be?

Click to find out how your membership can benefit the Schools Foundation between now and 11/30/2011!