December Newsletter

Happy Holiday Season to the Northshore Schools community! I am thrilled to be a new member of this Foundation family. As an early childhood and K-12 educator and a mother of an 11 year old son, I personally connect with the Foundation’s Mission. The work we do to support all schools in the Northshore School District is so important and I have been inspired by the impact stories I’ve already heard in my first few months in this role.

In 2024 you will see a lot more of me as I pop on our social media to celebrate the partnerships we have with our Northshore schools. If you missed my first appearance, scroll back to December 5^th on your favorite social media feed and check it out. My next Cara’s Live will come to you from the site of this year’s annual fundraiser. This year ABBA is All In for Kids. We are having an evening event in 2024 instead of a luncheon and are bringing in Seattle band, The ABBAgraphs, to headline our fundraiser at the beautiful Brightwater Center. Tickets will go on sale after the first of the year, but mark your calendars!

Pictured here is Chris Asmann of Bothell High School already implementing this exciting approach to physics. 

Rolling into Classroom Smiles

This September and November we awarded 30+ grants to educators in support of their classroom endeavors.

You just never know what makes a difference in a classroom. A grant awarded last year for this steam roller is a highlight at Moorlands Elementary.  

“We want to thank you for our grant at Moorlands Elementary. With your generosity, we were able to purchase a steam roller, which is a self-regulation tool which provides proprioceptive input, like a big hug. The students love it and it is increasing student access to school activities.” –Mary Neifert, Occupational Therapist, Moorlands Elementary School (2022-2023 grant winner)

You can see the full list of grants awarded so far in the 2023-24 school year here:  2023 Fall Classroom Grants

Family Engagement & Resource Center

Smiles all around as Deputy Director, Emily Fisher, presents initial funding for the District’s new Family Engagement and Resource Center.  We are excited to partner with you!

Listen to our Podcast

Are you curious about jobs in biopharma manufacturing, video game production, or cybersecurity? Ever wonder what a workday is like for an airline pilot, construction site foreman or electrician? Passionate about the environment, solar energy and wildlife conservation? 

You can explore all of these things and more by listening to our Skills 4 Life podcast!  Each episode is a compelling conversation with real-world professionals in high-demand industries. Made for the middle and high school family audience, this family-friendly show is one you’ll want to follow. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, and Podcast Addict.

Celebrating our Partnerships with Care Teams

Did you know that school district employees at 33 Northshore schools volunteer as Foundation Care Team Liaisons? They are nurses, counselors, assistant principals, classroom teachers, office managers, and more. They are educators who see that a normally vivacious student is withdrawn; who will notice if a child comes to school without a coat. They also know the worries of many students and might have a glimpse into what life is like for that student outside of school. 

It is our joy at the Foundation to come alongside these educators and help them help their school community. The funds distributed through the Care Team Liaisons are modest, averaging $200, but the emotional and mental health impact is much larger. In the past three years, the Foundation has distributed $210,000 through school Care Teams, serving more than 1,500 students and their families. Our goal is to ease at least one worry for a family and give educators a way to help.  

Northshore Rotary Santa Breakfast

Each year, the Northshore Rotary hosts a Santa Breakfast for families experiencing hardship during the holiday season. The Foundation, in partnership with the Northshore Rotary, coordinated the distribution of nearly 1,800 Santa Breakfast tickets to NSD families through our Care Team Liaisons.

The event on Saturday, Dec. 9th was joyful with many families dressed in holiday spirit (lots of holiday sweaters and many swanky outfits). Our team of Board Members, staff, and NSD Board Member Sandy Hayes, gave away around 800 books to children of all ages. Check out this video of your Northshore Schools Foundation at the Santa Breakfast.   

Operation School Bell

The Foundation along with community partner, Assistance League of Eastside, will support 700 families experiencing financial limitations and hardship under the Operation School Bell Program, by providing Fred Meyer vouchers valuing $150 each to shop for new clothes/shoes, books, school supplies, medications, and groceries.  Shopping will be during the month of January. This year we were given more than twice the number of vouchers to pass along to Northshore families. This is thanks to our fantastic Care Teams who were efficient and detailed under the leadership of our Removing Barriers program manager, Heather Erickson.

Fundraising Event Featuring The ABBAgraphs

Mamma Mia! We are planning to be All In for Kids in a new way this year. Rather than a luncheon, we will raise the paddle for the Northshore Schools Foundation, hope we win a raffle, and dance the night away to Seattle’s ABBA cover band, The ABBAgraphs. This party will celebrate a new era at the Northshore Schools Foundation. We hope you will join us as we acknowledge the companies, families, and community organizations who fuel our work to be All In for NSD students, educators and schools.  Mark your calendars for March 30th and helps us raise some Money, Money, Money!

7th Annual Christmas Light Parade and Festival

Head into Woodinville on December 17th at 6pm for a light parade and festival.  

The Northshore Schools Foundation is honored to be a beneficiary of generous donations collected at this event. Thank you, Woodinville Cruisers Car Club!

Woodinville Chamber Raising Funds for NSDF at 2024 Auction

Salute Woodinville is the Woodinville Chamber’s annual event featuring a silent and live auction and an elegant dinner. The event will raise money for the Woodinville Chamber AND a special raise the paddle will benefit the Northshore Schools Foundation Removing Barriers fund. We are so honored to be chosen by the Woodinville Chamber of Commerce and hope to see you there, raising your paddle for both organizations.

Event details available at Salute Woodinville – Woodinville Chamber 

Best of Northshore

The Northshore Schools Foundation is a finalist for “best non-profit” in Bothell-Kenmore Reporter’s annual “Best of Northshore” competition.  Voting for the final round begins on December 18th.  Please cast your vote! https://vote.bestofbothellkenmore.com/