Thursday, February 18, 2010
We have a new name!
We are changing our name to Partnership In Public Eduction ~ PIPE for short. We are in the process of setting up a new website and blog that reflects this change, until these sites are up and running we will continue to keep you updated on our efforts here on the Friends of LS blog.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Want to get involved?
Following is a list of the most common resources currently offered by the school disctrict to students in our communtiy. While the list is not comprehensive, it does cover the major services that need regular support in order to continue benifiting our students.
If any of the following needs is something that you feel you could help with then please send an email to friendsofls@gmail.com
Tax deductable donations can be made to Mount Baker Rotary and mailed to Mount Baker Rotarty c/o Friends of Lynden Schools, Po Box 915, Lynden, Wa 98264
Family Community Services support request list:
Friends of Lynden Schools support request list:
If any of the following needs is something that you feel you could help with then please send an email to friendsofls@gmail.com
Tax deductable donations can be made to Mount Baker Rotary and mailed to Mount Baker Rotarty c/o Friends of Lynden Schools, Po Box 915, Lynden, Wa 98264
Family Community Services support request list:
- Tutoring
- Dental bills
- Shoes, clothes & underwear for students, new or gently used
- Vouchers or gift certificates to clothing or shoe stores
- Laundry soap, diapers, toilet paper, toiletries
- Rolls of quarters for the Laundromat
- Affordable housing options & assistance with rental deposits
- Gas vouchers
- Safeway vouchers that can be used for gas or basic needs
- WTA passes
- Reversible’s for PE, new or gently used
- Athletic shoes
- Instrument rental for band
- Dentists & orthodontists’ available for reduced rates
- Car repairs
- Handyman
- Plumbers
- Household appliances
- Mattresses & bedding
- Assistance with power bills
Friends of Lynden Schools support request list:
- Host a "giving tree" in your business or church that will support the district library system.
- Donate money for specific needs.
- Champion a fundraising effort for a specific need
- Contact your church, small group, club, or organization to see how they might become involved. (A 5 minute video presentation will be made available in the near future that will highlight our mission and current needs, giving your organization an opportunity to reach out and love on our schools.)
- Adopt a teacher or classroom; providing books from their class wish list, buying needed supplies, praying for and encouraging them on a regular basis.
- Donate a computer that is 2 years old or newer.
- Volunteer as tech support.
- Organize a fund raising drive for the LMS scoreboard
- Donate money for a technology need
- Find a solution for the needed after school transportation.
- Organize a benefit concert or auction.
- Join us in prayer and celebration each month.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Statement of Purpose
Friends of Lynden School’s (“FLS”) is the name that has been adopted by a small group of Lynden citizens who have a desire to create a grass roots effort that will provide ongoing support of core education in the Lynden School District.
We believe our schools are one of the critical foundation blocks of a vibrant community, and in developing and equipping the next generation of employers, employees, parents and future leaders of our community, state, nation and world. Our group understands that budget cuts at the state and federal level have not only presently left our schools underfunded, but such funding is at risk of being further diminished. We believe action now will contribute to the continued vibrancy and excellence in education that Lyndenites have enjoyed for many years.
We pledge ourselves to support the Lynden area schools by assisting to provide the necessary resources they deserve through:
We have limited our scope of interest to avoid duplicating the great work already being done by so many people and organizations in our community. Rather, our desire is to fill the gaps that presently exist in order to support and enhance the overall effectiveness of all that is already being done. We are dedicated to the continued support of our booster clubs; however, any funding generated by Friends of Lynden Schools will be directed toward needs that are not currently being met by the clubs.
School Bonds & Levy’s
We understand that community support of school bonds and levy’s is a critical element in the continued funding for foundational education, and as such, we will proactively support the passing of school bond’s and levy’s in our community.
Our History
The vision for Friends of Lynden Schools began with a book read by our group called “Anointed for Business” by Ed Silvoso. As a result of the message and vision of the author we began to realize the opportunity we had to make a positive impact in our community through personal involvement in the support of our education system.
Last spring two members of our group met with Jeff Baglio at the High School to assess the crucial needs that were as yet unmet in his school and to determine how we might assist. Once we understood these needs, we then realized how the needs of the High School were linked to the needs of each of the other schools. We determined to extend our offer of help to all the public schools in Lynden. This decision was followed by a fact finding mission where one of our members met with and interviewed each principal in our public school district, with Karen and Coral from Family Community Services, with two of the school librarians, and with Jeff Leischner, head of technology for all of the schools.
It was an extremely enlightening experience and we have come to have a deep appreciation for each of these individuals who serve our community with hearts full of passion for the welfare each student and their families. As a result of these discussions we have identified several core needs that we would like to assist in meeting this year.
Plan of Action
We are asking the Mt. Baker Rotary to temporarily adopt FLS as a non-funded project, providing FLS with a non-profit vehicle to collect and disburse private funds to the various school needs. All monetary donations would be tax deductible & checks would be made out to the Mt. Baker Rotary Foundation. We will work to wrap up the fundraising aspect of this through the club by the end of January, while pursuing our won non-profit status for future efforts.
We will begin with what we believe is the most urgent need presented - replacing the High School copy machines. Simultaneously, we will work to raise funds for our school libraries and specific technology needs by connecting with community service clubs, businesses, families, churches and special interest/activity groups. Classroom adoption and support of Family Community Services will be an ongoing project, which we will build upon throughout the year. We will invite members of the community who utilize the middle school gym to consider adopting the project to replace the scoreboard. It is also our earnest desire to find a creative solution to the transportation needs for students who need to stay after regular school hours for mentoring.
Adopted Projects for the 2009-2010 school year
Lynden High School
We believe our schools are one of the critical foundation blocks of a vibrant community, and in developing and equipping the next generation of employers, employees, parents and future leaders of our community, state, nation and world. Our group understands that budget cuts at the state and federal level have not only presently left our schools underfunded, but such funding is at risk of being further diminished. We believe action now will contribute to the continued vibrancy and excellence in education that Lyndenites have enjoyed for many years.
We pledge ourselves to support the Lynden area schools by assisting to provide the necessary resources they deserve through:
- Praying for the schools administrators, staff, teachers & students
- Working with teachers and administration to identify needs that are crucial to the core education of our students that are not currently being met through existing budgets.
- Networking with the community to meet these specific needs by
- Creating awareness
- Organizing volunteers as needed to fill gaps
- Raising financial resources
- Providing creative alternative solutions
We have limited our scope of interest to avoid duplicating the great work already being done by so many people and organizations in our community. Rather, our desire is to fill the gaps that presently exist in order to support and enhance the overall effectiveness of all that is already being done. We are dedicated to the continued support of our booster clubs; however, any funding generated by Friends of Lynden Schools will be directed toward needs that are not currently being met by the clubs.
School Bonds & Levy’s
We understand that community support of school bonds and levy’s is a critical element in the continued funding for foundational education, and as such, we will proactively support the passing of school bond’s and levy’s in our community.
Our History
The vision for Friends of Lynden Schools began with a book read by our group called “Anointed for Business” by Ed Silvoso. As a result of the message and vision of the author we began to realize the opportunity we had to make a positive impact in our community through personal involvement in the support of our education system.
Last spring two members of our group met with Jeff Baglio at the High School to assess the crucial needs that were as yet unmet in his school and to determine how we might assist. Once we understood these needs, we then realized how the needs of the High School were linked to the needs of each of the other schools. We determined to extend our offer of help to all the public schools in Lynden. This decision was followed by a fact finding mission where one of our members met with and interviewed each principal in our public school district, with Karen and Coral from Family Community Services, with two of the school librarians, and with Jeff Leischner, head of technology for all of the schools.
It was an extremely enlightening experience and we have come to have a deep appreciation for each of these individuals who serve our community with hearts full of passion for the welfare each student and their families. As a result of these discussions we have identified several core needs that we would like to assist in meeting this year.
Plan of Action
We are asking the Mt. Baker Rotary to temporarily adopt FLS as a non-funded project, providing FLS with a non-profit vehicle to collect and disburse private funds to the various school needs. All monetary donations would be tax deductible & checks would be made out to the Mt. Baker Rotary Foundation. We will work to wrap up the fundraising aspect of this through the club by the end of January, while pursuing our won non-profit status for future efforts.
We will begin with what we believe is the most urgent need presented - replacing the High School copy machines. Simultaneously, we will work to raise funds for our school libraries and specific technology needs by connecting with community service clubs, businesses, families, churches and special interest/activity groups. Classroom adoption and support of Family Community Services will be an ongoing project, which we will build upon throughout the year. We will invite members of the community who utilize the middle school gym to consider adopting the project to replace the scoreboard. It is also our earnest desire to find a creative solution to the transportation needs for students who need to stay after regular school hours for mentoring.
Adopted Projects for the 2009-2010 school year
Lynden High School
- Replace defunct copy machines
- Replace the antiquated gym scoreboard (not formally requested but mentioned as an important contribution to the community use of the facility)
- Leveled readers to support Readers & Writers Workshops
- Fundraising book & magazine subscription drive for the Libraries
- Organize a pool of volunteers to assist with technology deployment
- Facilitate after-school transportation for students who need to take advantage of after-school services and clubs and would otherwise not be able to participate.
- Small group adoption of individual teachers to fund their class library and any other support they might need.
- Purchase technology
- 3 document cameras & projectors per school
- Wireless cards and access points as needed
- Replacement of old computers with newer ones
- Organize volunteers for support as needed
- Raise funds for Readiness to learn to support needs of students at all schools.
- Organize drives for needed supplies as listed in the document from Community Services
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