Spring for Schools 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BELLEVUE, Wash., June 9, 2005 -- Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF) raised $380,000 on behalf of Bellevue Public Schools at its 17th annual Spring for Schools Benefit Luncheon, held today at Meydenbauer Center.

More than 1,000 business and community leaders gathered for the event to demonstrate their support of Bellevue schools and its 15,700 students. Proceeds benefit BSF-funded programs to support academic rigor, students and teachers in the Bellevue School District.

Featured speakers included emcee and KOMO 4 News anchor Denise Whitaker and Dr. Mike Riley, Superintendent of the Bellevue School District, who gave an overview of his vision that all students in the district can be given the tools to succeed, regardless of the challenges in their lives. Support from the Foundation makes possible many of the district's offerings.

Following Dr. Riley's remarks, attendees heard presentations from Bellevue students who have benefited from BSF-funded programs. Camilo Moreno, a ninth-grade student at Interlake High School, talked about how the 'Today's Biology' program has helped him excel in biology, while Kelsey Fletcher, a seventh-grade student at International School, gave a presentation on how the AVID program has helped her overcome challenges to achieve academic success.

Rob McKenna, past president of BSF and Washington state attorney general, concluded the event with a call to action to all attendees to give their support to BSF to help continue academic excellence throughout the Bellevue School District.

Since 1979, BSF has raised almost $10 million to support academic rigor, students and teachers throughout the district. The Foundation awards grants to teachers and staff every year as part of its ongoing support of Bellevue schools. The BSF works closely with schools and the district to identify, select and fund existing and new programs that help the district fulfill its goals for thousands of students.

About the Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF)
The Bellevue School Foundation is a powerful partnership between business and community leaders, parents and members of the education community. BSF was created in 1979 by a concerned group of parents and community leaders, who wanted to ensure quality education for Bellevue's children despite unreliable state funding for school districts. Its mission remains consistent: to promote and help fund the best possible learning opportunities for all students of Bellevue Public Schools. During its 25-year history, the BSF has raised nearly $10 million for programs that reach over 15,700 students every year.

As a private, non-profit organization, the BSF depends on individual, foundation, and corporate donors in order to fund its school programs. In partnership with the Bellevue School District, the Parent-Teacher Associations and the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, the Bellevue Schools Foundation helps Bellevue's public school students achieve academic excellence.

For more information about the Bellevue Schools Foundation or to make a donation, please contact BSF at 425.456.4199, email at info@bsfdn.org, or by logging on to www.bsfdn.org.

Media Contact:
Sherry Ladd
Executive Director
Bellevue Schools Foundation
Tel: 425.456.4199

sherry@bsfdn.org