Whidbey Community Foundation Provides Grant to Support Mental Health Counseling

Whidbey Community Foundation’s 2025 Community Health grant program awarded $9,500 to South Whidbey Elementary School for student mental health counseling support.

“We are deeply grateful to the Whidbey Community Foundation for providing funding to support two additional days per week of mental health counseling at South Whidbey Elementary School — and to the South Whidbey Schools Foundation for their continued partnership in supporting this grant project,” said SW Elementary Principal Susie Richards.

“Both organizations make a meaningful difference every day in our schools and community as we work to provide essential supports for our students and families,” she continued.

“Thanks to this funding, Kathy Hein, a beloved community member and mental health therapist, will be here making a positive impact in the lives of our students and families — and for that, we are truly thankful,” Richards said.

Giving Tuesday is December 2

It’s going to be an epic Giving Tuesday this year on December 2.
Check if your employer will match your donations to the South Whidbey Schools Foundation this year.
Many companies will, including Microsoft, Starbucks, Boeing, Expedia Group, and Alaska Airlines, Adobe, Wells Fargo, Amazon, Google, Liberty Mutual Group, Intermec Foundation, etc.
Also, if you are interested in creating a personal matching challenge grant, please contact SWSF Board President Shelly Ackerman at SWSF@whidbey.com

SWSF Awards Stipends to New Teachers

To help new teachers set up their classrooms for this school year, the Foundation gave $300 stipends to six new middle and high school teachers.

This was in addition to a pass-through donation from the West family for South Whidbey Elementary School teachers.

SWSF Hosted October Teacher/Staff Luncheon

The South Whidbey Schools Foundation hosted an informal luncheon for district staff at the High School Commons on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.

Twice a year the SWSF hosts a teacher/staff luncheon as a way to show our appreciation as well as to remind staff we are here to support their visions for the best educational experience inside their classrooms. This year’s luncheon was held in the cafeteria at the SWHS.

Thank you to Pickles Deli for helping us cater today’s lunch! And thanks to Cindy Rupp who coordinated the luncheon and fellow Foundation Board members Gabby Guidry and Justin Silva for setting it up!

Click on the secure link above, or, write a check today

and mail it to SWSF / PO Box 24 / Freeland, WA 98249

…Or use your cell phone’s camera to make a payment via your phone.

View a few of the projects we funded last year.

5th Grade Field Trip for a live performance of The Snow Queen

On Dec. 13, 2024, 110 fifth-grade students, parents, and educators attended a performance of The Snow Queen at Seattle Children’s Theater. In preparation for the trip, students engaged in a classroom Readers Theater activity based on The Snow Queen.

This field trip provided an invaluable experience for students, many of whom had never attended a professional theater production before. It brought literature to life, inspired creativity, and fostered a deeper appreciation for the arts.

The students were thrilled by the opportunity to see a professional live performance. Many commented on the magical set design and the actors’ expressive performances. The show’s themes of friendship, bravery, and the power of love resonated deeply with them, tying seamlessly into their classroom discussions and activities.

As one parent, Kaesie LaChaussee, wrote: “The children were given a wonderful opportunity to see a professional acting company perform a beloved classic. They were very respectful in a new setting and followed directions. These opportunities do not come around often to students of Whidbey Island, and I was grateful to be a part of their experience.”

Students demonstrated a high level of interest in the story both before and during the trip. This opportunity provided a unique way for them to engage with literature and theater, enriching their education. The live performance allowed students to see the power of storytelling in a new light, encouraging creativity and teamwork. Students left the theater inspired, and many shared their favorite moments from the performance during follow-up discussions in class.

This field trip was made possible by the generous grant provided by the South Whidbey Schools Foundation to cover transportation costs.

— by Nels Berquist, Fifth grade teacher

Food Forest & Garden Grants

Curriculum that students can really dig

South Whidbey schools offer hands-on lessons in picking, cooking, baking and tasting real food from its own farm.

Click this link to read more about the farm program from an article in the South Whidbey Record.

Middle School Intro To Golf Equipment

Thaks to a grant from the SW Schools Foundation, students can now practice golf swings, etiquette, and complete an 18 hole course set up throughout the athletic fields and HS/MS campus. The oversized clubs and larger balls help all students to find success in golf before advancing to more difficult equipment. This is a fun activity for all ages and abilities and will add to our “Life-Long Activities” PE Theme.

Books & Materials for the new Inclusive Transitional Kindergarten Grant

Read aloud books are a wonderful way to engage 4 year olds in concepts around friendship, fair play and kindness.

Once students read about sharing, asking someone to play and making friends, they go outside and practice. What better way than to have some toys to play in our wonderful sandbox with and bikes to ride in our undercover area when it’s raining.

Play to Learn is the concept we’ve embraced at ITK and the learning manipulatives provide a fun way for our 4 year olds to learn their numbers and letters.