The 33rd annual fundraiser supports over 18,000 students in the Bellevue School District with 
“Innovator” sponsors Amazon, Microsoft, and The Bellevue Collection

BELLEVUE, Wash. – The Bellevue Schools Foundation is hosting its annual Spring for Schools fundraising event on a Saturday, April 1st, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. This year’s event, themed “Under the Stars,” marks a new chapter for the organization, which previously hosted Spring for Schools as a luncheon. 

The evening will feature remarks from the new superintendent for Bellevue School District, Dr. Kelly Aramaki, and the master of ceremonies is a district alum, Marc Ossinger. 

“We are hopeful that updating the format and timing of the event will offer greater accessibility to the almost 12,000 families served by the District, as well as our community partners, educators, and philanthropic investors,” says the Foundation’s Executive Director, Juliet Buder. 

“Spring for Schools’ sterling reputation as one of the most impactful community gatherings in Bellevue will be enhanced in this transition to an evening event. We look forward to welcoming anyone in the community who wishes to learn more and amplify the organization’s mission.”

According to the foundation’s development director, Michael Smith, this year also marks a change in the event’s format. “We’ve moved the entire education showcase of our programs into the ballroom and we’ve broken the presentations into smaller pieces. This will allow attendees to spend more time engaging with students, educators, and each other.”
Spring for Schools Leadership Donors have been contributing to the fundraiser already, and additional individuals can join as leaders any time before March 23rd. In addition to private donations from community members, corporate sponsors provide critical funding in acknowledgement of the evening and the organization’s goal to raise at least $500,000. This year, Amazon, Microsoft, and The Bellevue Collection have led with significant contributions, along with FieldTurf, Overlake, Sierra Martin Architects, and T-Mobile.

Funds from the event will support programs sponsored by the Foundation at the Bellevue School District, including mental health, computer science, early learning, inclusive libraries, and national board certification for teachers. “Being recognized by the prestigious National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an honorable achievement and teachers are very appreciative of the support provided by the Bellevue Schools Foundation,” says second grade teacher Heidi Von Tersch.

“The Foundation offers the District critical funding for programming that would otherwise fall through the cracks of local, state, and federal funding structures,” says Buder. ”Spring for Schools offers our entire community an opportunity to advocate for resources critical to the next generation of leaders in Bellevue.”

To register for the event and donate to the Bellevue Schools Foundation, visit www.bsfdn.org. 

ABOUT THE BELLEVUE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION: Established in 1979, Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF) is the first foundation dedicated to supporting public K-12 initiatives in Washington State. Its mission is to promote and fund the best possible learning opportunities for all students in Bellevue’s public schools. This year, the Foundation is supporting $800,000 of programming in the Bellevue School District.

BELLEVUE, Wash. — The Bellevue School District School Board Directors in a 3-2 (abstention) vote, approved the district’s plan to consolidate Wilburton and Eastgate Elementary School buildings, with additional operational cuts to offset the $31 million dollar shortfall. Transition planning will now begin in preparation for fall 2023. Additional cuts in spending and administrative costs will be put in place to fully address the budget shortfall. 

Interim Superintendent, Dr. Art Jarvis, stated, “I want to extend my heart to a community that is aching as a result of this consolidation. We have no bad schools needing closing — only small schools getting smaller. That fact requires that we consolidate, and we will. I ask that all who love the schools join with BSD to embrace innovation and changes, as we work together to create a future system that is stronger and better than we could have ever imagined.” 

In September 2023, the district began sharing information about the projected enrollment loss and demographic trends in the area — regionally and nationally — followed by an extensive community engagement process with business and community leaders, staff, administrators, students and families, resulting in a report and recommendation from Dr. Art Jarvis. The original recommendation was to consolidate 7 elementary schools, which was then revised to only two, based on feedback.   

In January 2023, the Bellevue School District Board of Directors announced that Dr. Kelly Aramaki was selected as the incoming superintendent, assuming the role in July 2023. Dr. Aramaki shared, “Throughout this process, from listening to and speaking with families, students and staff, I am inspired by the pride our community has in our schools. One thing I know for sure - we are united as a community behind our schools and the collective flourishing of our kids. As we plan for the 2023-24 school year, we are going to do everything to support a smooth transition for our communities who are coming together – including providing opportunities for students, families and staff to meet their new friends and colleagues. Looking ahead to the future, we have the very best that the Bellevue School District can offer ahead of us – a future of innovation, student and staff wellbeing, joy, the strengthening of our Beloved Community and the raising of a generation of kids who will go out and change the world.” 

The Bellevue School District, with over 18,000 students and 30 schools, is a diverse and dynamic district in East King County, Washington. Its mission is “To serve each and every student academically, socially, and emotionally, through a rigorous and relevant education that is innovative and individualized. As a learning community that values one another’s humanity, we provide courageous support for equitable and exceptional education for all students.”  

Following his updated recommendation to the Board on Thursday March 9, Interim Superintendent, Dr. Art Jarvis, took time to answer additional questions from local media outlets. The questions and answers are available in the transcript below. See our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to updated questions from our community.

https://bsd405.org/2023/03/interim-superintendent-dr-art-jarvis-answers-additional-media-questions/

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