2016 marks the 30th year of Snohomish Education Foundation supporting the students and programs of the Snohomish School District. SEF was formed in 1986 by Marian Berge and Mal Harding, with thanks to a dedicated board and community. Success of the organization is credited to the commitment of volunteers, teachers, school administration and service organizations along with the outstanding efforts of a supportive community and board trustees who are passionate about the Foundation. A great deal of gratitude is due to all who have been committed and passionate in persevering to support the students of the Snohomish School District. The generous donations from motivated community members, sponsors, current and previous trustees and scholarship donors are what give life to this non-profit organization.
Founding members:
Marian Berge, Mal Harding
Letter from the President
The Foundation has come a long way in the 30 years since its inception. We have gone from just administering scholarships for graduating seniors to funding over $68,000 in Classroom Grants this year as well as working with the school district to help implement some outstanding district-wide programs. Our goal, since the Foundation began, has been to help Support Student Success for students in the Snohomish School District. I’m so proud to be part of a community that puts the education of the children in such high regard. Without the strong support of our community we would not be able to support the students and staff of our school district. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our next 30 years…
Fundraising Breakfast
Celebrating 30 years of service, the Snohomish Education Foundation had a record attendance of over 320 community members who gathered at Glacier Peak High School. The Annual Fundraising Breakfast raises funds for Snohomish School District student programs and college scholarships for graduating seniors. Guests participated in the celebration and heard about the many ways the Snohomish Education Foundation supports student success throughout the Snohomish School District. Thanks to all who sponsored, attended and gave funds, a collective of $63,000.00 was raised. These funds make a difference in the lives of children in K-12 as well as graduating seniors for college scholarships, classroom grants, computer science programs, reading-readiness programs and the Summer Science & Arts Academy for K-8 grade. Patty Venema, Board President shared, “We are extremely proud to be a part of this visionary community, which includes our donors, sponsors, district leaders, principals and teachers who are committed to providing exceptional education experiences for the students of Snohomish.


SEF established  two new scholarships, one in Honor of Dr. Mester for his 14 years of service to the Snohomish School District and one in honor of SEF founding members, Marian Berge and Mal Harding, who began the organization 30 years ago and are still involved with the Foundation today.

Fundraising Auction
The Snohomish Education Foundation celebrated  $204,000.00  raised at their Annual Auction on October 1, 2016. Included in the total amount, $61,000 was raised for Classroom Grants and 100% of that amount will be distributed during the 2016-2017 school year to classrooms in grades K-12. 283 people attended at the Tulalip Resort Casino to celebrate and raise funds for student programs in the Snohomish School District.
Hansen Shoe Fund
Thanks to the generous support of our schools, students, staff, parents and the community, Snohomish Education Foundation announces another great year of donations for the James Hanson Memorial Shoe Fund campaign. This campaign ran from Feb 25 – March 4. 100% of proceeds raised from this campaign go to the James Hansen Memorial Shoe Fund. Over $12,500 was raised in the schools and from community donors.

Committee Chair, Julie Robinett-Smith, commented ”on average, each year, 200-225 pairs of new shoes totaling nearly $10,000 are purchased for students in grades K-12 in the Snohomish School District who are in need of shoes. Not only do these shoes provide warmth and comfort, they also provide a boost to self- esteem and help give students the ability to concentrate on learning”.
Scholarships
176 graduating seniors were awarded 145 scholarships with a combined total of $190,000.00 . These funds are a combination of funds raised through Snohomish Education Foundation and community groups who SEF administers funds for. In 2016, the following organizations established new scholarships for Snohomish School District students: KlaHaYa Days, Professional Youth Human Resource Leaders of Snohomish County, Snohomish High School Theatrical Legacy, Monroe Rotary, Snohomish Wedding Guild, Chartwell’s, BOLD Scholarship from the Wilson Family Trust, Nicholas & Helen Resar & family. New scholarships were named for retiring District superintendent, Dr. Bill Mester and SEF Founders, Marian Berge and Mal Harding for their years of service with SEF during the past 30 years.
Committee Chair, Carol Robinson commented that “the support of our community is amazing and gives our students the encouragement and support to pursue their dreams. We are fortunate to have the many community individuals and organizations that show their support for our students and their education.” Since 1990, nearly $1,700,000.00 in college scholarships have been awarded to the students of the Snohomish School District.
Classroom Grants
140 classroom grants totaling just over $68,000 for 2016. 88% of the applications received for classroom grants were awarded with either partial or full funding.
Steve Thomas, Chairman of the classroom grant committee, stated, “with the support of our community, families, businesses and community organizations, classroom grants were awarded to each school in our district (levels K-12) and those funds will enhance the educational experience of many of the 9,800 students enrolled now and in years to come.” Specifically, these grants will improve student learning in literacy, science, technology, engineering and math. 
SEF began funding class room grants in 1995. Since that date, $600,000 has been awarded in classroom grants. SEF continues to encourage our entire community to be involved in ensuring that all of our students benefit from enhanced learning experiences.
District-Wide Funding
A total of $50,584.00 was given in 2016 from the fundraising efforts and generous community members to three programs which included; $26,000 to the 2016 Summer Science & Arts Academy, $10,000.00 to the Preschool-Third Grade (P3) Reading Readiness Program, $10,000.00 to the Computer Science Programs and $4,584.00 for literacy programs.

Pictured left to right: Miriam Mickelson, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Services, Philippa Farrell, Curriculum TOSA, Debora Koenig, CTE Director, Mike Edwards, SEF Trustee, Sherri Williams, SEF Director

$26,000.00 for the Summer Science & Arts Academy allowed for scholarships to low-income students that would not otherwise be able to attend. The goals of this Snohomish School District program are to fill summer learning gaps, create a life-long passion for learning, provide nourishing meals (through Kid’s Café Program) and transportation. It also exposes students to new opportunities and helps build vocabulary and background knowledge. During summer break, many low-income students suffer from “summer slide” as they lose skills learned in the previous spring from lack of use over the summer months which widens the education gap between low and middle-income students. Teachers plan courses around popular topics such as underwater robotics, geocaching, hiking, geology, master-chef, Native American studies, forensics, just some of the 40 topics offered.
 
$10,000.00 for the P3 Reading Readiness Program allows for all children from ECEAP preschool through third grade to be able to read, by or before, third grade. Each year, another grade level is added to the 5-year program. Statistically, we know that low and moderate-income populations or children at risk are demographically this highest percentage of students that begin slipping behind prior to the fourth grade. We also know that statistically, those students that are challenged going into the fourth grade are less likely to graduate from high school.
 
$10,000.00 is the first funding of a 2-year campaign currently in place to raise a total of $42,000.00 for the Computer Science Program. This funding will give assistance to the Snohomish School District in adding computer science curriculum to many grade levels.

$4,584.00 was given for literacy programs.
Financial Highlights
MISSION STATEMENT:
The Snohomish Education Foundation fosters learning by expanding opportunities for Snohomish School District students.
TRUSTEES
Dustin Birashk
Michael Edwards
Janelle Farley-Beyer
Fred Gillings
Mal Harding
Becky Iverson
Merle Kirkley
Dr. Tom Paulson
Cathy Reines
Keely Reinhard
Julie Robinett-Smith
Carol Robinson
Robin Stefanson
J. Steven Thomas
Patty Venema
Erin VerHoeven
Betsy Wygant 
EX OFFICIO ADVISORS
Marian Berge
Dennis Dinkla
Eric Fritch
Sharon Hall
Dan Huntington
J. Marie Riche
Hank Robinett
Bonnie Roulstone

DISTRICT LIAISONS
Shaunna Ballas
Miriam Mickelson

DIRECTOR
Sherri Williams

OFFICE STAFF
Sarah Weller
Sara Bates
Tiffany Bidne
Snohomish Education Foundation l 360-568-5292 l office@snoed.org