The following is from the Orcas Island Education Foundation Board.

As we enter the second full month of the school year, the Orcas Island Education Foundation would like to report to the community how its donors have helped to realize wonderful opportunities for our public school students.

Earlier this year, OIEF formalized a new grant process.  Two periods are open for grant applications and these grants cover a spectrum of needs and interests within our public schools.  For grant needs in the fall, the application cycle is open from May 1 to Aug. 1. OIEF is pleased to announce the recipients for the fall awards:

Keyboarding:  Grades 3-5 received a grant to cover the cost on an online keyboarding program.  Common Core standards have mandated that students become proficient in technology skills.  This program will offer lessons and games to improve students’ keyboarding skills.

Debate Club:  Last year OIEF helped fund the first year of the high school debate club.  It was a tremendous success with every team member winning at least one trophy.  This year the size of the club has increased, and OIEF is proud to be a sponsor.

High School Science Teacher:  OIEF has made a commitment to donate $30,000 for two years so the High School may staff a second science teacher.  This is the first year of funding.

Applied Physics:  This year the Applied Physics class will be building a skin on skeleton Umiak.  OIEF is funding the material costs for the course.

Science Equipment:  This grant was given so the high school may upgrade and replace equipment in its science classrooms.

Special Ed Conference/Curriculum:  A grant was given to one of our Special Ed teachers so she may attend a conference, as well as purchase needed curriculum for her students.

Theater Arts: For the second year, OIEF has fully funded a grant so that the high school may have a theater arts class.  The grant pays for instruction and use of the Orcas Center.  (Thank you to the Orcas Center for greatly reducing its rate of facilities!)

Nature Bridge Trip:  This week-long trip for the 6th grade is a unique opportunity for students to experience an outdoor classroom, hands-on and inquiry-based learning in the Olympic National Park.  OIEF granted partial funding for the trip. Pictured above is the group that went this year.

iPads:  The OIEF grant allowed for the 1st/2nd grade classrooms to purchase four additional iPads.

Lit Circles:  Books were purchased at Darvill’s for 9th/10th grade Literature Circles.

And all of this happened in the first couple of month of this school year.

On Oct. 1, OIEF opened the grant cycle for Winter/Spring grants.  Applications will be accepted from now until Nov. 1. For more information, or to download the grant application, go to: http://oief.org/grants/.

Finally, none of these wonderful opportunities would happen were it not for the committed and generous donors to the Orcas Island Education Foundation.  On behalf of OIEF, the public school students, staff and parents – thank you for giving to OIEF.   And if you would like to help fund these, or future, grants, you can do so by going to:  www.oief.org.