Special to the Reporter
Set your alarm clocks… the Mercer Island Schools Foundation’s (MISF) Breakfast of Champions is back in person for the first time since 2019. The foundation’s board of directors and staff have been busy planning an inspiring morning for our community, focused on incredible students, inspiring teachers and foundation-funded programs. The breakfast is the largest fundraiser under the annual Spring for Schools campaign. Join us at Mercer Island High School at 7:30 a.m. on April 25. Everyone is welcome.
Fundraising has been challenging over the past three years, with virtual events replacing the foundation’s breakfast during Covid, school closures and emerging district budgetary needs. As a result, it’s now more important than ever for our community to understand the significant impact their dollars have in our schools. To continue providing the most outstanding education for our Mercer Island students, meeting our Spring for Schools $800,000 goal is critical this year.
Mercer Island School District Superintendent Dr. Fred Rundle notes, “Whereas the state continues to underfund our school district, the community support for MISF helps to fill the differential. Thanks to MISF and the generous donors supporting us, we will adopt new science, math, literacy and social studies texts, enhance our commitment to professional development, and patch portions of positions we may otherwise have to cut. I’m thrilled to be back in person for the Breakfast of Champions this year. It’s the people that keep me loving Mercer Island.”
Because our generous community places a high value on education, our students receive world-class curricula, creative and engaging enrichment grants, social, emotional and academic support programs, fine arts and professional development for our teachers. One of the foundation-funded enrichment grants — We Can All Be Authors — was awarded to the West Mercer fifth-grade classes this year. Published author, Roz Ray, visits each fifth-grade class weekly to share an author’s journey and collaborate, inspire and encourage the joy of writing. The grant culminates in a class novel. As a result, the fifth-grade students become genuine, published authors.
Although the MISF is a separate 501c3 entity managed by a board of trustees, it aligns with the district in what is valued for our students — academic excellence, a safe and supportive learning environment, and inclusive and equitable learning spaces for all students. With these values in mind, the foundation is thoughtful as to where community dollars are allocated. Unfortunately, until Washington state can fully fund public schools, the school district must rely on levies and community dollars through the foundation to bridge the gap to provide our students with the quality education they deserve.
Since the foundation’s inception in 1981, more than $26 million has been raised for our Mercer Island public schools. The Mercer Island community clearly prioritizes education. MISF board president, longtime Mercer Island resident and Mercer Island High School class of 1990 alum Michelle Dumler invites everyone to participate, “We’re looking forward to coming together to support our schools at the Breakfast of Champions. Every donation makes a difference in the lives of our students and our community. Join us in empowering the next generation through the gift of education.”
If you’d like to attend the 2023 MISF Breakfast of Champions, go to MISF.com to register.
