november 2022 update
wreath sales stronger with student support!
Thanks to everyone who purchased wreaths this year to benefit overnight outdoor education! We are thrilled that the district is ready to send fifth-graders back this coming spring. And your support helps make this experience possible.
We also want to thank the elementary PTOs, PTAs and community councils for getting the word out about this year's wreath fundraiser -- and encouraging students to participate again for the first time since 2019. Their involvement resulted in a big sales boost over the previous two years!
If you purchased a wreath and were not able to pick up your order on Nov. 20, please contact events@olyedfoundation.org ASAP. And if you missed out on the opportunity to buy a wreath this year and want to make sure you know about sales next year, contact events@olyedfoundation.org. We'll add you to our list.
While the Foundation is not involved in the decisions regarding nor the planning of outdoor education, we have organized the wreath fundraiser for more than a decade to ensure all students can attend. If you have questions about the curriculum or your student's participation, please contact the Olympia School District or your student's school.
we love wreath distribution day — especially when the sky is blue and the sun is out! what a fabulous way to kick off the holiday season!
Next round of grants to be awarded next month
We received an additional 37 grant requests to support projects and programs in our schools during our second application period of the school year, which concluded earlier this month. Applicants will be informed before Winter Break about the status of their request.
Our Teaching & Learning and Social-Emotional Learning/Mental Health grants, open to district staff who work directly with students, enhance student learning, address opportunity gaps, and fund opportunities that the district and individual schools cannot, including:
library and classroom books
musical instruments that are used schoolwide
intervention tools for students who are struggling to learn
art projects
school gardens
sensory tools
You can learn more about how these grants are transforming students' lives by watching this video.
During our first grant cycle of the year, we awarded 66 grants totaling more than $70,000!
If funding is still available after the second round of grants is awarded in December, the next deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.
thurgood marshall middle school teacher shawna cardona (far left) sent a message of “thanks” just before Thanksgiving break for supporting her grant request this fall to expand her sixth-grade students’ knowledge of geography — with a supplement to their study of ancient world civilization. donors are the reason we are able to make this request — and so many other worthy projects — possible. without your support, they would go unfunded.
Thank you for your Give Local support!
We were once again astounded by the generosity this community displayed during Give Local, our region's celebration of giving, which wrapped up Nov. 18. We came very close to our $10,000 fund-raising goal and are grateful for your support, especially given that nearly 100 other nonprofits from Thurston, Mason and Lewis counties -- all of whom do incredible work -- participated this year.
sponsor spotlight
Oly Lightstravaganza is back! This incredible outdoor display on the eastside of Olympia includes more than 100,000 holiday lights and is brought to you for free by the Bowerman family, who generously sponsored our breakfast this year. Check their website for a list of events -- including visits from Santa and the Olympia Fire Department, cookie-decorating, a movie and cocoa night, and performances by high school choirs. Your non-perishable food or monetary donation for the Thurston County Food Bank is appreciated (but not required)! Please be respectful that this is a private home when you visit.