OSDEF has served as the fiscal agent for our STEM Booster Club, STEMpals.org, for 4 years. Their support has been prompt and professional throughout. We could not have served the hundreds of students in our various STEM Robotics programs nearly as efficiently or effectively without the flawless support of OSDEF.
This is a great organization with a well run program. Fiscally very sound. Board members are thoughtful and hands-on with their fundraising activities. Provides MUCH needed services for the Olympia School District. Started the Lego Robotics program with seed money and saved the outdoor education program for fifth graders. Has given over $1.5 million to Olympia Schools over last 15 years.
I am impressed by the outstanding work the OSD Education does supporting the youth and their families in our community. Their focus is on helping kids that face economic challenges have basic needs as well as have the same opportunities as other kids. Whether it is providing funds for clothes, shoes, glasses, electricity, dental exams, etc. or providing for enrichment opportunities in school, the Foundation has a huge impact on our community. I saw the big smile and more confident posture when a student came to one of our schools with a new, clean set of clothes. And I am sure that happens in other schools as well.
I am the Lead Mentor for a school-district wide robotics team and we have had the support of OSDEF as our fiscal sponsor for our accounting system. We have seen OSDEF to go out of its way to help us succeed. It is a big asset for our community.
The OSDEF is such a valuable and necessary component to what the Olympia School District does on a day-to-day basis, I couldn't imagine life without them. Bev Sperry is a joy to work with and the board members are so proactive and involved, you really couldn't ask for a better group. Our schools and students are so lucky to have such an amazing resource at their fingertips. Kudos OSDEF!
OSDEF is an important resource for the staff in the school district. The money raised by the Foundation events helps in three primary areas: provides financial support for kids to attend district wide outdoor camp, helps families in need/crisis and provides resources to teachers, to supplement the learning experiences. The Board is very hands on...fundraising, event planning, grant approval, marketing and rasing community awareness. This Foundation has improved the education "quality of life" for many of the students in our district.
I love it that my fellow board members are passionate about the success of ALL the kids in the district. I am often amazed at the impact even a small donation can make I'm especially excited when I hear about kids who stayed in school because of one of our programs like Outdoor Education, Principal's Checkbook, or a lesson that was financially supported by the Foundation's Teacher Grant Program.
This is a hard-working and passionate board that doesn't sit around and complain about the lack of funding in the classrooms- we get out and make a difference! We provide funds for teachers and staff, send kids to outdoor overnight education, and give principals a way to fill the needs of students they see everyday. In short, we remove barriers to student learning; it's that simple.
I am a PTA Board member at my child's school. Our school has been the recipient of a number of grants and initiatives from OSDEF. They have help send our 5th grade kids go to outdoor school, provided prizes for our kindergarten reading program, and help our library update it's aging collection. In the past, we've also received their artist-in-residence grant to help supplement art instruction in our school. They also sponsor the Principal's checkbook - a fund with allows Principals to step in and directly help families with financial emergencies. Our school has over 60% free and reduced lunch. Without the support of the OSDEF, our school wouldn't be able to do as much. We love OSDEF!
The Olympia School District Education Foundation is such a great partner with the District. Their programs support teachers, principals, and, most importantly, kids. The Board of Directors work with district administrators to identify where funding is most effective and needed. They are an extremely hard working group of people who commit their time and resources to the teachers, students and families in their community.
I have worked with the Board of Trustees for nearly 11 years now and watch the most caring and dedicated citizens of this community give time out of their busy lives to improve the education and even lives of this school district's children. By providing help where there may be no other funds available, they have increased the learning opportunities for kids in every school. With no other help other than their fund raising abilities, they have given over a million dollars to the Olympia School District. Hats off to this wonderful organization!
BFS
Love the OSDEF! This is a group of hard-working professionals who have the interests of ALL of our kids at heart. The OSDEF raises funds to provide teacher grants, outdoor education for 5th graders and provides money for our Principals to distribute to their kids and families on an emergency basis so kids come to school ready to learn. Pure and simple - great organization!
I became a Board Member in September 2013. Since then, I have had the privilege of meeting and working with some of the most passionate and dedicated people in Olympia. The grants and programs the OSDEF have established are invaluable to the students and teachers of our community. The progress we have seen and awards received by the schools in the Olympia district are impressive and we hope we had a small part in that. As a non-profit with only one employee, money donated is money placed directly back into the programs. One of the best investments any person can make is in the education of our youth.