— from Janet Brownell, President, OIEF —
Brook Meinhardt prepares to teach students about color
Earlier this year, the Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF) celebrated its 30th Anniversary. Even with 30 years under its belt, the impact of OIEF and its donors is not always visible to the community. With that in mind, the OIEF Board would like to share with you what your generosity has brought to the public schools since the start of this academic year.
One area of focus OIEF was hoping to impact this year was arts education. Like other school districts around the country, budget challenges have forced cuts to art and music curriculum for our students. OIEF is pleased to announce two significant art programs its donors have funded this year.
The first program an extensive visual art sequence for students in the elementary school. This will bring four artists, a coordinator, and supplies into the school so that all K-6 students will get a weekly art class for sixteen weeks. Seed money for the classes was provided by an Orcas Island Community Foundation “Partners in Philanthropy” grant to “Art for Orcas Kids” (AOK). “Art for Orcas Kids” is a committee of OIEF. We are pleased that the generosity of OIEF donors is helping to fund such a comprehensive program of creativity and art production for our elementary children.
The second art program OIEF is subsidizing is a High School theater arts class. The course allows students to both learn about theater as literature, as well as participate in drama exercises at the Orcas Center. While the High School teacher is employed by the school district, OIEF funded space at the Orcas Center, and engaged the services of the talented Jake Perrine as the class’ drama coach. OIEF thanks Jake, who has worked extra days to coach the students outside of his contracted hours, and the Orcas Center for reducing its usual rental rates for the class. According to Principal Kyle Freeman, “Student enrollment for this class exceeded our capacity. The kids are enjoying working with a theater coach and are excited to be working on performances at the end of 1st and 2nd semester. We thank OIEF for its support. The performance aspect of this class would not have happened without it.”
Other than the arts, OIEF is excited to be supporting other great opportunities at our schools. Some examples are: the Guitar-making STEM class, the 6th grade trip to Nature Bridge/Olympic Park Institute, a new debate club, books and supplies for classrooms and the library, as well as a commitment to send students to the Math Olympiad this year.
These are just some of the programs donors to OIEF have brought to the school…so far. The school year is still young. From the “Farm to Cafeteria” to the arts to math and science, OIEF would not exist without the generosity of our donors. On behalf of the Board, our students, and staff – we thank you. To learn more about the Orcas Island Education Foundation, check out our website at oief.org.
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Farm to Cafeteria could not be as wonderful and complete as it is without OIEF and its donors. THANK YOU OIEF from all the kids touched by Farm to Cafeteria, the school garden and Farm to Classroom grades K-8!!!
Lyn Perry and I each received an OIEF funded Apple computer in 1983. First classroom computers in the district, I think. Since that epic (to us) time, OIEF has made so many more important additions in program and support to our Orcas School District, to our children. Thanks to you OIEF, to the tireless people who have populated the board in all these years. You have truly made a difference!!!!