october 2022 update
Holiday wreath orders close in one week!
For the first time in three years, overnight outdoor education will be a reality again! You can help ensure all fifth-graders are able to participate this spring -- and support all of our work to empower every student -- with your purchase of a holiday wreath.
Order one for yourself. And while you're at it, consider getting one as a gift for your neighbor, your student's teacher or principal, or your best friend. They also make great client presents.
As usual, wreaths will be available for you before Thanksgiving. They must be picked up Sunday, Nov. 20, at either Capital High School or Olympia High School. Select your preferred location at time of purchase. Pickup times will be announced one week prior.
Wreath distribution day is one of our favorite ways to kick off the holiday season. We hope to see you Nov. 20!
$70k in Foundation grants awarded
Earlier this month, we awarded more than $70,000 in grants to support projects and programs in all of our schools! And we're just getting started. There are still three more opportunities left this year for staff in our schools who work directly with students to apply for one of our Teaching & Learning or Social-Emotional Learning/Mental Health grants!
These grants enhance student learning, address opportunity gaps, and fund opportunities that the district and individual schools cannot, including:
library and classroom books -- $5,000 of which comes courtesy of Browsers
musical instruments that are used schoolwide
student leadership development
art projects
school gardens
sensory tools
You can learn more about how these grants are transforming students' lives by watching this video.
The next deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. Applicants will be notified prior to winter break about the status of their request.
Give Local is coming up!
The Olympia Education Foundation will again be participating in the regional celebration of generosity known as Give Local. Hosted by the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, Give Local supports more than 100 nonprofits from Thurston, Mason and Lewis counties. During Give Local, credit card fees are covered and participating nonprofits receive a boost from the Give Local Bonus Fund with every donation made -- stretching your gift even further.
Mark your calendar! Early giving begins Oct. 31; the regular campaign launches Nov. 7 and wraps up Nov. 18. Learn more here.
Making our way toward our fundraising goal!
If you missed our Oct. 7 breakfast, you can still help us meet our $150,000 fundraising goal!
And you can watch some of the event's video highlights, including those that illustrate how the Principal's Emergency Fund and our grants are supporting students in all of our schools.
One of our favorite moments from this year's breakfast was surprising Antonio McClinon (left, pictured with Olympia Education Foundation Executive Director Katy Johansson) with our inaugural Students' Champion Award for creating and leading with district's Student Mentor Program. This well-deserved honor comes with a $2,000 Olympia Education Foundation grant. Congrats, Antonio!
