Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation nears $100K goal

The Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation has seen a 20 percent increase in fundraising results in the past year.

The Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation has seen a 20 percent increase in fundraising results in the past year.

Now, with about $76,000 in hand, the foundation is reaching for bigger things to help boost education in the Valley.

“We have a list we would love to fund that totals $100,000,” Foundation President Carolyn Simpson said.

The foundation’s major March 25 luncheon fundraiser, themed “From Small Hands to Big Plans,” revealed areas of focus, such as math intervention for middle and high school students.

Mount Si math teacher Melanie Breitbach explained at the luncheon that students need a solid foundation going into high school. Teachers must fill holes in learning before students reach critical high school classes.

The foundation is purchasing math scanners, devices that give students feedback on how well they do on quizzes, tell them what areas they don’t understand and where to find help, and give teachers targets to help struggling students.

The foundation also seeks to provide additional staff support at the middle schools to allow for small-group learning on specific, challenging areas. It hopes to expand after-school tutoring available by teachers in the evening, on the phone, in person or on the Web.

For the third year running, the foundation continues to support reading intervention and enrichment in all elementary schools. This helps provide materials and instructional aids for teachers, plus small group learning, Simpson said. Also funded is the Classroom Grant Program, providing about $20,000 a year for class enrichment.

• To learn more about the Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation, e-mail to simpsoncgs@yahoo.com or visit www.SVSFoundation.org.