The Lake Washington Schools Foundation supports the Lake Washington School District by raising funds for programs that inspire learning, help at-risk students, and improve academic performance. The Foundation is an important source of funding to provide supplemental materials, extra support for students, and opportunities to engage students in learning. In the 2009-2010 school year, the Foundation awarded close to 30 grants to schools across the district.

Examples of grants awarded in the 2009-2010 school year include: funding for devices for measuring Mass to the science program at Kirkland Junior High; a Science Habitat and Lifecycle Investigation program at Evergreen Junior High; the 2010 Junior High Academic Games; Robotics club at Redmond High School; field trip to study Marine Ecosystems for the International Community School; and Puget Sound Energy Wild Horse Wind Farm field trip for students selected from across the district. The Lake Washington Schools Foundation website at www.lwsf.org provides a complete list and description of all the grants awarded this year.

The primary fund-raising event for the Foundation is an annual springtime luncheon entitled “A Legacy for Learning Luncheon”. The 5th annual luncheon will be held on Wednesday, April 28 at Juanita High School, 10601 N.E. 132nd St., Kirkland. Registration begins at 11:00 am, the lunch and program start at 11:30 am ending at 12:30 pm. The keynote speaker is Dr. Chip Kimball, Superintendent of the Lake Washington School District, speaking on “Future Ready in an Uncertain Future”.

The atmosphere of the luncheon is relaxed and upbeat, where participants can connect with other community members, be inspired by the stories highlighting the impact of the Foundation’s funding to local schools, and learn how they can help at a personal level to provide additional support and funding to the schools within the Lake Washington School District.

“Community support of our schools makes a difference for our students, now, more than ever,” said Byron Shutz, co-President of the Foundation.

Join the Foundation in celebrating its first five years and consider investing in the bright future ahead for the 24,000 students in the district, by attending the luncheon or making an online donation on the website. You can find more information about the Foundation, the “Legacy For Learning” luncheon, and how to support its efforts by visiting www.lwsf.org or contacting the luncheon chair Carolyn Vaché at dvache@verizon.net.