Previous Grantees

Big Idea Grants

($1000 – $5000)

School

Grant Summary

But the impact doesn’t stop there! This grant also provides teachers with the Mystery Science curriculum, a rich resource for crafting engaging lessons, along with essential supplies like science kits, non-fiction books, and classroom models. These tools will help bring science to life for students, creating moments of discovery and excitement.

Through a thoughtful process—auditing current collections, collaborating with teachers, and sourcing books that embrace diversity—Cordata is building inclusive libraries that make a difference. These books don’t just provide stories; they offer mirrors for students to see themselves, windows into others’ lives, and doors to new possibilities.

The impact is profound: fostering empathy, encouraging thoughtful conversations, and building a deeper understanding of the world. These libraries also support students’ social-emotional growth by addressing themes like resilience and identity, while sparking a lifelong love for reading.

When you support projects like this, you’re helping every child feel valued, inspired, and ready to thrive—both in school and beyond. Let’s create classrooms where every story matters.

At the Bellingham Public Schools Early Learning Center, the ECEAP preschool program serves our community’s most vulnerable children, helping to close opportunity gaps and provide a strong start in life. This project focuses on equipping two ECEAP classrooms with developmentally appropriate STEM materials to foster creativity, problem-solving, and early scientific thinking.

The new STEM tools—like ball-and-ramp sets, hollow blocks, and a light table—will allow 40 preschoolers to explore key concepts in physics, math, and science through hands-on, play-based activities. Students will also use graduated cylinders and water droppers for sensory experiments that develop mathematical thinking and fine motor skills, while gardening tools will help them explore life cycles and environmental care.

These experiences will spark curiosity, build confidence, and promote inquiry-based learning, giving students the foundational skills they need for future academic success. By investing in STEM education at this critical early stage, you’re helping to ensure equitable access to high-quality learning resources for children who may otherwise face barriers to success.

For many Options students, stability and opportunity are hard to come by. This program is about more than putting on a show; it’s about empowering students to dream big, take risks, and build confidence. Through hands-on mentorship with professional actors and technicians, students will learn skills that go far beyond the stage, including teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership.

Rehearsals begin in December, with performances scheduled for February. This will be the school’s first-ever full-scale production, combining the talents of Options students and community actors to showcase what is possible when passion meets opportunity. Proceeds will help sustain a performing arts program at Options, where budget limitations have left students with few creative outlets since the loss of the music program.

This program is about more than just the arts. Research shows that mentorship can lead to higher graduation rates, improved self-esteem, and healthier relationships—all outcomes that are crucial for Options students, many of whom face significant life challenges.

Imagine this: a sixth grader at Shuksan Middle School paddling a kayak for the first time on the serene waters of Bellingham Bay. Nearby, classmates are tidepooling, discovering sea creatures up close, while another group works on a hands-on field research project, collecting data to learn about their local environment. This is the Salish Sea Adventure, a transformative program that takes learning far beyond the classroom walls.

For many students, this experience is entirely new. Surveys show that approximately 70% of previous sixth graders had never kayaked before, and some had never even visited Bellingham Bay—a location less than 10 miles from their school. This program changes that by introducing 220 students to the bay through kayaking, swimming, and immersive environmental research activities.

The day culminates with lunch at Marine Park, tidepool exploration, and reflection on the day’s discoveries, providing students with a connection to the natural world they might not otherwise have had the chance to experience.

These activities are part of a larger partnership between Shuksan Middle School and the Community Boating Center (CBC), which integrates place-based education into the curriculum. Students engage with lessons that interweave environmental science, history, and social justice, exploring the central question, “How have our surroundings impacted people’s stories throughout history?” Through these immersive experiences, students gain not only knowledge but also the confidence to try something new and the courage to face challenges head-on.

The program is particularly meaningful for newcomer families, including students from other countries, who gain a shared experience that helps them feel at home in Bellingham. Beyond the immediate thrill of adventure, the Salish Sea Adventure encourages teamwork, resilience, and a deep understanding of environmental stewardship. It helps students see themselves and their peers in a new light, creating stronger bonds and opening their eyes to new possibilities for recreation, learning, and personal growth.

Your support makes this life-changing experience possible, providing Shuksan students with the opportunity to explore, connect, and discover their place in the world.

Over the past six years, student interest in robotics has nearly doubled, growing from 50 participants in 2016 to nearly 100 today. This surge in enthusiasm means that around 45 VEX robots are built by our high school students each year. However, as our program grows, so does the need for specialized equipment to keep our students competitive, particularly against larger districts with corporate sponsors and greater financial resources.

This grant will fund the acquisition of VEX V5 Pneumatic Components, state-of-the-art tools that allow students to build stronger, more precise, and versatile robots. These systems are essential for competing in the Whatcom VEX League (WVL), which we created in 2019 to give students monthly opportunities to test their skills. WVL competitions are open to the public and culminate in ROBOBASH, a regional event attracting 60+ teams from across the Pacific Northwest and Canada.

The impact of pneumatics extends far beyond competitions. By integrating these tools into our classrooms, students gain hands-on experience with technologies used in real-world robotics and automation, preparing them for post-secondary opportunities and STEM careers. Pneumatics provides students with the ability to create advanced systems, fostering innovation and problem-solving while addressing the economic disparities that often limit access to STEM education.

Last year, our programs qualified seven teams for the VEX Robotics State competition and one for the World Championship. This success was made possible through the generous donation of 10 pneumatics kits, but with our growing number of students, we need more to ensure that every student has access to these opportunities.

By supporting this grant, you’re not just helping build robots—you’re helping build futures. Together, we can inspire the next generation of engineers, programmers, and innovators, ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has the tools to succeed.

However, the school’s current microscopes are no longer up to the task. Of the 30 microscopes shared across science and CTE classes, half are broken or unreliable—some held together with makeshift fixes like pencils. These issues frustrate students and create unnecessary obstacles to learning.

This grant will allow Squalicum to replace its aging microscopes with modern equipment, including digital microscopes that offer new ways to engage students. These devices connect directly to laptops, enabling students to share what they see on a screen, collaborate with peers, and even capture photos and videos for further exploration. These tools will make labs more interactive, boost engagement, and inspire students to pursue STEM careers.

With over 600 students in 21 classes, including Biology, AP Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Forensics, and Environmental Science, the need for updated microscopes is clear. The new equipment will give every student a hands-on opportunity to explore the microscopic world, fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Microscopes are more than just a tool—they’re a catalyst for learning. They help students become confident, inquiry-driven learners, developing technical skills and global awareness. Your support will ensure Squalicum students have access to the resources they need to succeed and prepare for future opportunities.

Together, we can bring the microscopic world into sharp focus for the next generation of scientists and innovators.

At Sunnyland Elementary, this shift in reading instruction has been a game-changer for our youngest learners, but it has also revealed a challenge: we don’t have enough decodable readers to meet the growing needs of our students. Without these critical resources, teachers have been forced to seek out free materials or spend hours making paper copies—time and effort that could be better spent supporting our students.

Our solution is simple but impactful: we want to create a book room stocked with reusable decodable texts. This shared resource will allow teachers to immediately provide students with books that match their learning needs, keeping them motivated and engaged as they practice their newly acquired skills. With a wide variety of books to choose from, students will have the opportunity to build confidence and become stronger readers.

This project will directly support 86 kindergarten and first-grade students, four classroom teachers, and one literacy teacher, with additional access for any teacher who needs it. The books will not only meet the immediate needs of our students but will also be reused for years to come, benefiting countless young readers.

By investing in these decodable readers, you’ll help us create a sustainable, long-term resource that supports effective reading instruction. Together, we can ensure that every child at Sunnyland Elementary has the tools they need to unlock the joy of reading and build a strong foundation for future learning.

The school’s special education team is designing a dedicated space for regulation and sensory play and learning. This thoughtfully designed classroom will include:

A sensory zone with activities to help students manage their sensory input,
A movement area to promote physical activity and release energy,
A regulation space to foster calm and emotional self-awareness, and
A teacher-directed learning area for focused, small-group instruction.

To make this vision a reality, the school needs dividers, sensory activities, a climbing structure, and regulation tools. These materials will provide students with opportunities to explore their emotions, regulate their energy, and engage in learning at their own pace.

This sensory space will serve students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and those with specific sensory needs. However, it will be open to all students, promoting a sense of belonging for everyone in the school community. High-quality instruction flourishes in classrooms that prioritize safety, engagement, and adaptability—this sensory space will be a vital resource to ensure students feel supported and ready to learn.

Your support will help Sunnyland Elementary create a space where every child can thrive, fostering focus, participation, and a stronger connection to their school. Together, we can help build a community where all students feel seen, valued, and included.

The project includes:

30 picture books for each school library, paired with critical reading questions, to help teachers integrate BIPOC voices and racial literacy into classroom lessons.

Class sets of Stamped for Kids for 5th-grade classrooms to facilitate district-approved, whole-class reading experiences.

Professional development and support for teachers, including co-teaching opportunities with instructional coaches, guest lessons, and integration of materials into existing units of study and professional development meetings.

This project reflects the values of the Bellingham Promise, which emphasizes culturally responsive teaching and equitable outcomes for all students. Teachers often seek practical ways to bring these big ideas to life in their classrooms, and this initiative will provide the books, guidance, and support they need to make lasting change.

The impact extends beyond materials—it creates a foundation for ongoing professional growth and action. Instructional coaches will work alongside educators to implement lessons that align with equity goals, ensuring a sustained commitment to culturally responsive instruction.

While the project initially targets Alderwood and Happy Valley Elementary, it has the potential to scale across all 14 elementary schools in the district. By investing in these resources, your support will impact PreK-5th grade students, empowering them with stories and discussions that foster empathy, understanding, and a sense of belonging.

The program will involve 20 special education students across grades 9 through 12, who will work in small groups during their assigned periods. These students will gain hands-on experience in:

Marketing and promoting the cart,
Inventory management and budgeting,
Professional communication, including using appropriate language and customer service skills,
Food safety practices, workstation setup, and cleaning up, and
Team collaboration, working alongside peers and staff.

The cart also has the potential to engage general education students as teaching assistants, breaking down barriers and building a more inclusive culture at Bellingham High School. Teachers and staff have already expressed strong interest, with 7–10 teachers and 3–4 office staff and counselors committing to regularly purchasing beverages. The income generated will help sustainably replenish supplies, ensuring the cart remains a self-sustaining resource.

The impact of this initiative goes far beyond tea and coffee. It creates a platform for special education students to shine, fostering their independence, confidence, and sense of belonging. Past projects like this have shown that these interactions lead to stronger relationships between students with and without disabilities, bridging gaps and building a supportive community.

The long-term goal is for the student-run cart to become a lasting institution at Bellingham High School—an enduring example of inclusion and community-building that will outlast the current student population and teaching staff. By supporting this project, you’re helping to create an environment where all students feel valued, connected, and empowered to succeed.

Throughout the year, these first graders will work on developing essential social-emotional skills that prepare them for successful outings in the community. This field trip will be a chance to practice those skills in a real-world setting while exploring the greater Bellingham community. Additionally, we aim to strengthen family engagement by inviting parents to join us as chaperones, fostering stronger relationships between families and our school.

Birchwood’s first-grade classrooms represent a beautifully diverse mix of cultures, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. With approximately 50 students, 3 teachers, and 15 chaperones, this field trip will be an inclusive opportunity for students to share in a communal learning experience, building connections and expanding their perspectives.

This grant will help us bring the joy of disc golf to our school and community by funding three portable Mach 2 training disc golf baskets and 40 soft putter/midrange discs. These portable baskets can be moved around the field to create different types of disc golf games and practice opportunities, making the most of this open space.

By adding disc golf to our playground, we’re giving students and families a new way to play, connect, and stay active. With your support, we can transform our playground into a vibrant hub for recreation, creating lasting opportunities for exercise, teamwork, and fun in an area that needs it most.

Project Activities and Timeline:
Week 1: Training and Preparation

Equipment Acquisition: Secure cameras, microphones, and livestreaming software.

Student Recruitment: Select students for the Announcement Crew based on interest and potential, ensuring diverse representation.

Week 2: Training and Skill Development

Equipment Training: Offer hands-on sessions to teach students how to use livestreaming and graphic design tools effectively.
Communication Coaching: Develop public speaking and teamwork skills to help students confidently deliver announcements.

Starting Week 3: Daily Livestream Production

Multilingual Announcements: Broadcast daily updates with visuals and multilingual content, ensuring inclusivity for all students.
Continuous Improvement: Collect feedback from students, teachers, and staff to refine the quality and effectiveness of the program.

Addressing the Problem:
This project addresses key challenges by:

Enhancing Engagement: Livestream announcements create a dynamic, interactive way for students to stay informed and involved.
Promoting Cultural Diversity: Multilingual content fosters inclusion and celebrates the cultural richness of Cordata Elementary.
Developing Skills: Students gain hands-on experience in communication, technology, and leadership.
Improving Accessibility: Visual aids and multilingual presentations ensure all students receive timely, clear, and engaging school updates.
Impact:
This initiative will benefit all 350 students at Cordata Elementary, transforming daily announcements into an opportunity for connection, learning, and cultural exchange. By providing a platform where students can share information in multiple languages and connect with peers, this program will promote cultural understanding and school-wide inclusivity. It will also empower participating students with practical skills they can carry forward into future educational and professional endeavors.

Through this cross-curricular unit, Esperanza Rising will introduce students to themes of resilience, migration, and social justice through the story of a young girl navigating life during the Great Depression. Stamped for Kids will offer an accessible exploration of racism, equality, and the importance of standing up for what is right. Together, these books will provide a rich foundation for meaningful conversations and learning experiences that connect literacy with history and social-emotional growth.

By integrating these texts into classroom discussions and activities, students will develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and a deeper understanding of human rights. This project aligns with the district’s focus on fostering connections between academic knowledge and social-emotional learning, equipping students to be compassionate, informed citizens of the world.

To address this need, we aim to introduce Step Up to Writing, a proven, research-based, multi-sensory program designed to strengthen students’ writing abilities. This flexible resource allows teachers to:

Identify students’ current strengths in writing.
Target individualized strategies to build upon these skills.
Develop transferable frameworks and structures that improve writing across all academic subjects.

Why Step Up to Writing?
With 25 years of proven success and alignment to Common Core Standards, Step Up to Writing offers tools that help students succeed in any academic context. Its multi-sensory approach engages learners in ways that address their unique needs, improving their ability to craft complete sentences, organize their thoughts, and communicate effectively. These foundational skills extend beyond English language arts, empowering students to excel in science, social studies, and beyond.

The Pilot Program
This project will focus on 20-25 8th-grade students receiving special education services for written expression. Many of these students face significant challenges, such as writing a sentence with proper punctuation in 4/5 opportunities. Step Up to Writing will provide them with targeted instruction to build these foundational skills, helping them meet and exceed their writing goals.

The Bigger Picture
If the pilot proves successful, Kulshan Middle School is prepared to expand Step Up to Writing as a Tier 2 intervention for up to 20% of the student body experiencing writing deficits. This scaled approach ensures that all students who struggle with writing receive the support they need to grow and succeed.

Impact
By implementing this program, we will:

Provide students with effective tools to improve writing, boosting their confidence and engagement.
Equip teachers with a structured, research-based approach to teaching writing.
Enhance overall academic performance as students apply these skills across subjects.

We’d like to replace it with the Lakeshore A Place for Everyone 30-square rug, a vibrant and durable option that’s perfect for students of all ages. The defined squares give each student their own spot, helping everyone feel included and making group activities easier to manage. The rug’s bright colors also match systems already used in other classes, which helps students transition smoothly and saves valuable teaching time. For younger students and English learners, it even offers an opportunity to practice colors.

This new rug would transform the Lowell library into a more welcoming, organized, and inclusive space where every student feels they belong. It’s a small investment that would have a big impact—creating a sense of comfort, belonging, and support that can inspire students for years to come.

We want to provide all 60 of our fifth-grade students with this enriching experience. Attending the performance together as a cohort would not only deepen their understanding of music but also foster a shared sense of identity and pride in their hard work. Many of our students have never been to the Mount Baker Theater before, making this opportunity even more impactful.

To make this happen, the Lowell PTA has generously agreed to cover the cost of transportation, but we still need funding for the tickets. This experience goes beyond just music; it ties into literacy with pre- and post-performance learning activities and connects directly to the Bellingham Promise by nurturing critical thinkers, artists, and performers who are engaged in their community.

With your support, we can spark a lifelong love of music and the arts in these young learners, showing them what’s possible when they continue to practice, grow, and dream. Let’s give them an experience they’ll never forget!

This project aims to enhance the educational experience in our preschool classrooms at both Options and Sehome by providing new resources that support STEAM learning, social-emotional growth, and creative exploration. With these updates, we can create a learning environment that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration, not just for the 20 current students and 2 teachers, but for future generations as well.

Enhancements to the Classroom
Library: Update our collection with picture books that promote diversity, inclusion, and social-emotional learning, as well as books that spark curiosity in areas like science, art, and the natural world. Many of our books are outdated and worn, and this upgrade will ensure our library meets the needs of young learners.
Art Supplies: Expand beyond basic materials like markers and crayons to include pastels, tissue paper, beads, and unique painting tools to encourage creative thinking and open-ended art exploration.
Science and Math: Introduce hands-on materials like a hot plate for simple classroom cooking experiments, sensory bin supplies for creating playdough and slime, and tools for exploring chemical reactions. A light table with accessories will further support STEAM learning.
Gardening: Provide supplies to establish a small classroom garden, teaching children about plant life cycles and environmental care.
Board Games: Add math- and science-based games that also encourage cooperative learning and critical thinking.
Why It Matters
Children learn best when they can engage with their environment in a “messy, fun, and creative” way. This project will directly impact the students’ ability to explore, discover, and grow while fostering a sense of community and celebrating diversity. Beyond academics, these materials will help children develop essential social-emotional skills, such as empathy, collaboration, and self-regulation.

Immediate and Long-Term Impact
This project will benefit the 20 current preschoolers and 2 teachers, while also creating a resource-rich environment for future students. By investing in quality materials now, we can create classrooms that provide lasting educational opportunities and set our youngest learners on a path to success.

This project is a key component of their AP Biology course, meeting a curriculum requirement for inquiry-based research and providing hands-on experience with an animal behavior lab. Students will select a zoo animal, document its behaviors, and then analyze their data using statistical methods to draw meaningful conclusions. This immersive experience bridges classroom learning with real-world scientific practices, helping students develop critical thinking and research skills.

To make this project possible, we are requesting funding for transportation to and from the Woodland Park Zoo as well as admission tickets for one weekday visit during the school year.

This trip will not only fulfill academic requirements but will also inspire students by connecting them to the natural world and fostering an appreciation for wildlife conservation. Your support will help bring science to life for these students, giving them an unforgettable educational experience that lays the groundwork for future scientific endeavors.

The goal of this project is to educate and engage the entire Sehome community—students, staff, and families—around stigmatized topics that affect everyone. PCO students have planned a variety of events and initiatives, including:

Parent Nights: Educational sessions to help families better understand student mental health and wellness.
Staff Training: Professional development focused on trauma-informed practices and anti-discrimination language.
Awareness Activities: Monthly events to spotlight key topics such as OCD, sexual assault, AAPI heritage, Autism awareness, and more.
Community-Building Events: Open mic nights where students can share their experiences, and movie nights focused on topics like suicide prevention, ableism, and mental health coping strategies.

This project is a collaborative effort involving student clubs, community organizations, and Sehome staff, ensuring a school-wide impact. By fostering open conversations, raising awareness, and building connections, we aim to support our community in healing and work toward preventing future tragedies.

The entire Sehome community will benefit from these initiatives, which include town hall events, classroom lessons, family education nights, and ongoing activities. With your support, we can create a school environment where mental health is prioritized, stigma is reduced, and everyone feels connected and supported.

This project has three key components:

Flexible Seating Options: I’d like to add more cushions for our bench seating, giving students additional choices beyond traditional desks and chairs. This will help create a comfortable space where they can immerse themselves in reading.
A Hot Beverage Corner: Providing hot cocoa, tea, and cider for students has become a beloved part of my classroom. It adds warmth and a sense of care, creating a positive environment where students look forward to learning. I’ve funded this myself in the past, but support would allow me to sustain this option for all students.
Diverse Reading Materials: I’m seeking funding to expand our library with books written by diverse authors in Spanish. Research shows that free choice reading is one of the best ways to support language development, and having a wide variety of engaging books at different levels is key to fostering a love for reading in the target language.
This project will directly support the 210 students in my Spanish 2 and AP Spanish classes this year, as well as future students in subsequent years. It also benefits my anchor students, who will enjoy the added flexible seating and continued access to the hot beverage corner.

By creating a cozy, welcoming space, we can inspire students to engage more deeply with their language learning and explore diverse perspectives through literature. With your support, we can provide them with an environment that feels both inviting and enriching, helping them develop their skills and a lifelong love of language and culture.

This isn’t just a field trip. It’s a chance for students to bridge the gap between high school learning and the possibilities of higher education and STEM careers. With hands-on activities and an up-close look at university-level research, students will get a taste of what it means to be part of the scientific community. For many, it could be the first step toward pursuing a future in STEM.

Soren and his colleagues will host the students, showing them around the lab, sharing their research, and answering questions about their educational journeys. By seeing someone from their own school succeed at this level, students will be inspired to imagine what’s possible for themselves.

The day will include a bus trip from Sehome to UW, a tour of the facilities, and personalized discussions about the realities of studying and working in STEM fields. If additional funding is available, the experience can be expanded to include AP Biology and AP Environmental Science students, broadening the impact to over 100 students.

This visit will connect classroom knowledge to real-world applications, making chemistry come alive and opening students’ eyes to the incredible opportunities waiting for them

One of the most impactful experiences for AVID students is the chance to visit college campuses, where they can see firsthand what they’re working toward. For many, these trips provide their first glimpse of university life—walking the halls of the University of Washington (UW), touring classrooms, talking to admissions counselors, and, of course, eating lunch in the bustling campus food court.

In the past, we’ve seen how something as simple as lunch can highlight inequities among students. While some can afford to buy a meal, others are left with school-issued lunches, which can lead to feelings of embarrassment or exclusion. To eliminate this disparity, we’re requesting funding to provide $20 per student for lunch at the UW food court during the 8th-grade AVID field trip. This ensures every student, regardless of financial means, can fully participate in this exciting and formative experience.

Why This Matters
This project will directly benefit 8th-grade AVID students at Shuksan, a group that includes multilingual learners, students with disabilities, highly capable students, and those from a wide variety of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. By providing equitable access to all aspects of the UW trip, we’re not just ensuring a positive experience—we’re reinforcing the core AVID value of creating opportunities for all.

Your support will help make this field trip a memorable and impactful experience for every student, building their confidence, broadening their horizons, and strengthening their belief in their ability to achieve their dreams. Thank you for helping us take one more step toward closing the opportunity gap and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

With materials provided by the CREST (Culturally Responsive Elementary Science Teaching) project, students will engage in engineering and design to create and test their ROVs. However, to ensure a full and equitable experience, additional funding is needed for:

Extra materials to accommodate 29 students, including enhancements like a waterproof camera to expand learning opportunities.
Transportation and pool rental, allowing students to test and refine their ROVs in an authentic setting without weather or logistical disruptions.
This project aligns with the IB unit “How We Express Ourselves”, centered on the idea that people have the power to influence change and increase justice in the world. The hands-on ROV activity will empower students to think like engineers and problem-solvers, while fostering global awareness and action.

Broader Impact
The project will directly benefit this year’s 29 5th-grade students and will be repeated annually, impacting about 100 students over the next several years. Students will share their learning with the entire school community through a Monday Morning Assembly, inspiring peers and teachers alike. To cap off the unit, we hope to partner with the parks department for a stewardship project at Bloedel Donovan Park, extending the impact to the broader community and all who visit the park.

By supporting this project, you’re not just funding materials and logistics—you’re inspiring the next generation of innovators, engineers, and environmental advocates. These students may one day take their learning and use it to create real change, protecting our planet for generations to come.

Renting out the sportsplex would be a targeted intervention to a larger group of at risk 9th grade students, who are interested in playing soccer and allow for community engagement. Creating a youth soccer team will consist of 6 identified Latino boys deemed as high-risk, who have also registered their interest in boys soccer. They will be mentored by 6 current seniors, who created the futbol mundial club and are also a part of the boys program. Both would include open invitations for staff members to engage in soccer activities with our students outside of the school building. 

During WWU’s Winter Quarter our AVID juniors and seniors will work with a group of students from Woodring. They will all read and discuss Money Out Loud and if they each own a copy of the book, they can annotate it and take it with them when they graduate as a reference to use throughout their college and early career years. Our collaborative projects with WWU run from mid-January to early March and during this time students will discuss such topics from the book as: How to actually budget, save, and invest (but also make it fun); How our traumas shape our most toxic money habits, and how to create new patterns; How to build wealth in a system designed to keep us broke; How to use money to fund our biggest dreams—and change the world. As a final project students could synthesize what they learn and present to the 9th and 10th grade AVID classes. 

The goal is to purchase flame retardant, magnetic light covers for each 8th grade classroom.

The entire 8th grade student body will benefit, however, lighting is of particular concern to our students with neurodivergence. 8 teachers and 207 students