BridgING the Gap
Welcome to the Bainbridge Schools Foundation web site. Our organization's mission is to help bridge the gap between what the Bainbridge Island School District receives in state and local funding and what it needs to achieve educational excellence.
A letter from our 2009 President of the Board is here.
You'll need Adobe Acrobat reader to view it.
2009-10 was another banner fundraising year for the Bainbridge Schools Foundation. Thanks to your generous donations ($250,000) to the Keep Island Schools Strong campaign and our pledge to raise an additional $250,000 for teacher salaries in 2010-11, BISD was able to reinstate 6.5 teachers to the classrooms this school year. I heard one mom from Blakely say her 4th grade classroom only had 24 kids in it and her child did not have to relocate thanks to funding for an additional 4th grade teacher. Wow!
In October we will be launching our new website with more up to date information including video and classroom photos. Phonathon this year will morph into Clickathon.. watch this site and your school's website and PTO website for details.
The wine dinner and auction will happen on January 22, 2011 at Grace Church. Mark you calendar. Tickets will go onsale in October! We have a larger venue this year, so we want to fill it up to a capacity of 250 people. Come one, come all to a really fun evening to benefit our schools.
A teacher at Ordway Elementary School wrote:
"Thank you to all in our community that made my job possible for next year. This is the second year in a row where the community has stepped in and made the difference. It is MUCH appreciated. A heartfelt thanks from all of us that were directly impacted by your help."
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY BRIDGING THE GAP?
The Funding Puzzle, a presentation made to the PTO's this year is here.
Bainbridge is in the lowest 20% of per pupil funding in the state of Washington. Imagine how good our schools could be with more money! Together we can make a difference.
Specifically, we work to achieve the following:
- Provide the community with opportunities to assure the continued excellence of public education on Bainbridge Island.
- Generate and distribute resources to maintain, enrich, and expand programs and staffing to meet global standards of academic excellence.
- Inspire parents, community members, civic organizations and businesses to partner with the District in enhancing education.
- Increase public awareness of the challenges of funding public education.
You can name up to 3 schools to benefit from escrip!