As we start the new year, we want to help ‘spread the word’ about a partner that helps make possible so much of what makes our schools special—the Issaquah Schools Foundation. The Foundation is a community-supported non-profit that works year-round to raise funds to bridge the gap between the dollars the state provides for basic education and the money our schools require to give students the comprehensive 21^st Century education they need for success. With parent and community support, the Foundation is able to fund programs and investments that advance academic achievement, support struggling students, and promote professional development.

From 2009 to 2011, Foundation funded investments at Sunny Hills include:

• A NEW – K-5 Science Curriculum adoption to ensure our students meet state requirements and      experience the wonder of science from their first day in school. Working together with the PTSA's, $438,000 was raised to ensure every grade level would have an engaging, comprehensive curriculum that was aligned with state standards.
• District Wide Visual Arts Lessons K-5 – Lesson plans for grades K-5, integrated with ISD Curriculum and aligned to WA State “Arts Framework” for Teachers and Art Docents. (2010-2011/$7,500)
• Key Links Reading Program – This grant funds a set of Key Links Books which are guided reading books.  These books are an excellent resource because they are engaging, teacher/parent friendly and are designed to support student learning through phonemic awareness and word analysis. (2010-2011 / $1,000)
• Geologist Visit – Bob Jackson, a local geologist, visits each 3rd grade classroom for a one hour presentation about rocks, minerals, and fossils. This directly relates to the Earth Science portion of our curriculum. (2009-2010 / $500)
• Benchmark Education: Start Up Books and Posters – The StartUp Phonics Skill Set includes poetry posters, 156 phonics readers (6 of each of the 26 titles), 26 mini-lessons, and take home reader pads. (2009-2010/$865)
• Learning Music Through Technology – Music software that provides an engaging way to teach and reinforce a variety of music skills and concepts and help differentiate instruction. (2008-2009 / $1,250)
• School Subscription to BrainPop.com-Brainpop.com, an award winning website, provides educational animated movie clips with quizzes, history, and activities to explore a plethora of topics. (2008-2009 / $975)
• National Board Certification Scholarships that give teachers access to the ‘pinnacle’ of professional development programs; equipping them with the tools to develop inquisitive, engaged learners. Sunny Hills currently has three National Board Certified teachers.
• VOICE (Volunteers of Issaquah Changing Education) - a mentor/tutor program that pairs caring community volunteers with struggling students to improve academic performance, boost self-esteem, and help curb the high-school dropout rate. At Sunny Hills, six students are being served by six mentors.
• GLAD – a ‘best practices’ professional development program that helps teachers reach students of every learning style and help them excel. Sunny Hills has 12 GLAD trained teachers!
• Nurse’s Fund – Funds for all schools to provide necessary essentials for student learning such as eyeglasses, prescriptions, breakfast foods, etc. $5,000/yr

The Foundation needs your help to continue providing these programs—and more, to our students. Please consider donating to their All in for Kids Annual Fund campaign this fall. Your gift, whether $5 a month or $500 will make a tremendous difference in the quality of educational resources Sunny Hills can make available to your student. Flyers and information will be sent home in student information packets and are available in the school office. You may also donate online at www.isfdn.org

The Foundation is asking every parent to participate and we hope that you do. Together, we can prepare our students for the challenges they will face upon graduation.  Thank you for partnering with Sunny Hills and the Foundation!