For the Board of Directors of the Mercer Island Schools Foundation, the October Phone-A-Thon is our best opportunity to acknowledge each and every one of our donors and volunteers. You are the success of the foundation. Your loyalty and generosity is the defining piece which allows us to financially steward funds into each and every school to impact every teacher and student. We are honored by your trust in us. Thank you.

In addition, we want to welcome every new family to this beautiful island community.

We are united by geography and bound by our shared resources. Our school district is a reflection of our community values in no uncertain terms.

We all want our children to have the best possible opportunities. We, as a community, value education. Your donations to the Mercer Island Schools Foundation are an investment in education. It is you, our parents, local businesses owners, and concerned citizens, that fund Mercer Island Schools Foundation programs. Your commitment impacts more than 4,400 students every year. During 2017-18 school year, the Mercer Island Schools Foundation distributed $1.743 million to support our schools.

Sixty-seven (67) teachers and their grade-level teams across the district were awarded classroom enrichment grants. These grants provide students with otherwise unfunded opportunities to expand their learning profile. Notable examples of the grants awarded last year include:

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet came alive on stage with guest artist performances for all ninth graders.

Third graders aboard the “Spirit of Puget Sound” floating classroom hauled in plankton nets and examined their findings under microscopes to learn about the importance of plankton in the ecosystem.

Brand new world-class curriculum was made possible in kindergarten through fifth-grade science and writing, sixth-grade social studies, sixth-grade literacy, and ninth- through 12th-grade novel adoptions.

This year is no different. We need you.

The prioritized request to maintain the current academic excellence for every student across the district totals $488,300. Please join the Mercer Island Schools Foundation Board of Directors and GO “All in for Kids” on Oct. 29 and 30. When your phone rings, please make a contribution to our worthy endeavor.

Thank you.

The Mercer Island Schools Foundation Board of Directors

Tema Burkey & Christina Riffle Co-Presidents, Mercer Island Schools Foundation

Make a gift today online at mercerislandschoolsfoundation.com/donate