Submitted by North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF)
Donations and pledges from 230 attendees at NTEF’s 10th Annual Partners for Kids Luncheon, held Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012, totaled nearly $36,000 ($35,947).
These donations are used primarily to support NTEF’s Student Assistance Grants, which are funds given to each school in the North Thurston Public Schools to help cover expenses that many students’ families cannot afford. These funds have been used to provide clothing, medication, help with athletic and music participation costs, utility bills, groceries and other items. McGimpsey Pantries are also part of this program, to provide food, toiletries and other personal items to low income middle and high school students. Elementary students are served through other programs. Unfortunately, the needs of students have grown considerably over the last few years; now nearly 42% of NTPS students qualify for free and reduced lunch.
Erin Jones, the keynote speaker, spoke passionately about her goal that all students have equal access to education and learning. Her story focused on her belief that education is the bridge to the future for our children and our community, and no child should fall through gaps in that bridge due to lack of resources. Erin commented “Every student wants a place to BELONG, people to BELIEVE in them, so they can BECOME great. That’s what today was all about – How do we in North Thurston create a place where every student belongs? As a community, we can ensure they have access to all the necessary resources. Each one of us can let a student (whether they belong to us or to someone else) know that we believe in him or her. America…Lacey will be her best self when each of our students has the opportunity to become his or her best self, and each one of us can be a part of that.”
Other stories of hope were told by NTPS staff members Greg Rolen and Heather Hettinger. They both emphasized the positive impact that having such basic needs met has on a student. One of the staff members told of being homeless and very poor as a child, and described how a simple act of kindness by a third grade teacher was the inspiration to seek a career in teaching.
NTEF held its first Board meeting in Dec. 1988, and has been funding its Student Assistance Grants since 1991. It is estimated that nearly 17,000 students have been helped through this program since its inception. NTEF also provides scholarships for high school seniors ($40,500 in 2012) and Learning Improvement Grants for classroom teachers to enhance student learning. More information and applications for scholarships and grants are available at our website.
