The Mercer Island Schools Foundation (MISF) presented a $600,000 check to the Mercer Island School District Board of Directors at its special meeting on Nov. 27.

The funds were gather through the foundation’s BRIDGE 2018 campaign to support Mercer Island students and their teachers.

The check was presented by MISF development director Tammy Shoop and board member Tema Burkey.

“This check reflects the Mercer Island community’s strong and longstanding commitment to excellence in our public schools,” MISF executive director Penny Yantis said.

“We are grateful to our Island community for its support for the BRIDGE 2018 campaign, and to the foundation for its continuous efforts to enhance learning for our students,” MISD Superintendent Donna Colosky said.

Funds from the BRIDGE campaign are used to help reduce class size, provide professional development for staff and to purchase new curriculum, program materials and enrichment.

The BRIDGE campaign kicked off on April 24 at the Breakfast of Champions and continued to grow with fundraising and community building events throughout the spring.

Last fall, the MISF Phone-A-Thon priority funding request of $497,000 was also 100-percent funded and distributed throughout the school year, bringing the Mercer Island community investment for the 2017-2018 school year to more than $1.1 million.

The foundation’s “All in for Kids” Phone-A-Thon was held Oct. 29 and 30 and the Breakfast of Champions will be held April 30, 2019. For more information about the foundation and to donate, go online to mercerislandschoolsfoundation.com.