More than $555,000 was raised at the annual Spring for Schools luncheon May 26 where 1,000 attendees gathered at Meydenbauer Center to support the Bellevue Schools Foundation.
In addition to the pre-luncheon and luncheon pledges, the crowd passed around pouches to raise “Bucks for Books” netting $6,393 in cash to go toward students’ school supplies.
“Despite the fifth year of state budget cuts, despite three budget reductions in this school year alone, and despite being the 42nd state in the country for per capita student spending – everyone at the foundation and the district is moving forward with tremendous plans,” said foundation trustee Bill Pollard.
Another key speaker at the event included Amalia Cudeiro, superintendent of the nearly 18,000 students in the district.
She detailed new initiatives between Bellevue schools and the foundation, including a $5.2 million grant to implement a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program at Sammamish High School, the new Big Picture School in the fall, beginning with a 6th and 9th grade class, which offers problem-based learning and high school internships.
She said the new Chinese dual language program at Ardmore and a Spanish program at Sherwood Forest already have waiting lists for fall enrollment.
“Second languages and the mastery of cultural diversity skills are critical for success in a global economy,” said Cudeiro, pointing out that one in three students in the Bellevue Public Schools speaks a first language other than English. A total of 84 native languages are spoken by students throughout the district.
Other speakers included Jennifer Benson, Clyde Hill Elementary principal with students Logan Smoot and Parthiv Mathur; Eric McDowell, Odle Middle School principal; Michael O’Byrne, Interlake High School International Baccalaureate program coordinator; and Interlake gifted student Tania Rivers-Moore. Julie Francavilla of KIRO 7 News was the master of ceremonies.
Newport High School band director, Matt Eisenhauer was given the Bellevue Rotary’s Teacher of the Year Award.
