We are excited to help O’Leary Middle School in its quest to resurface their track. Numerous fundraisers have taken place, and a huge donation was recently received from the Twin Falls Optimist Club in the amount of $20,000! They are ¼ of the way to reaching their goal of $100,000!

Special thanks go out to US Bank for their recent donation of $3000.00!

This donation supports the TFSD Refugee After School Program. We are so grateful they saw the need to help these students.

We Would like to give special thanks to the Young Women from the Twin Falls 15th Ward for their donation this fall of school supplies to each elementary school in our district. Your donations were greatly appreciated! THANK YOU!!!

Special thanks to all of those at Glanbia Foods, Inc. and the golfers who participated in the 2010 Glanbia Golf Charity Challenge. Glanbia Foods, Inc. selected 5 charities to receive support from this golf tournament. The TFSD Educations Foundation was thrilled to have been selected to receive $25,000. This money was used to purchase much needed technology in every building in the Twin Falls School District.

The TFSD Education Foundation recently donated over to $115,000 to the TFSD to purchase projectors in classrooms. This was made possible thanks to generous donations from numerous individuals, several local Foundations, Glanbia Foods, Inc. and from the proceeds from the Cow P.I.E. (Partner In Education) Challenge this past fall. We are almost 75% of the way to completing Phase 1 of our technology campaign to provide a “Projector In Every Classroom.” Special thanks go out to all who have donated to this valuable project.

Ray Parrish- board member, Steve Hoy-Morningside Elementary Principal, Barb Allen-board member

Tom High-board member, Shari Cowger-Oregon Trail Elementary Principal, Kathy MacMillan-Foundation President

Linda Watkins-Foundation Executive Director, Mary Lu Barry-board member, Kelli Schroeder-Bickel Elementary Principal

Mary Lu Barry-board member, Janel Maki-teacher, Randy Rutledge-Sawtooth Elementary Principal

Thanks to all who recently completed our “Projector Grant Application.”  All applications were reviewed by a committee of 6 board members and were evaluated using a scoring rubric developed by local teachers.

Congratulations to these teachers who will be receiving a projector:

Robert Stuart Middle School

1. Anastasia Wunderlich
2. Kathy Brown
3. William Barker
4. Carol Hollifield
5. Vicci Archer

O’Leary Middle School

1. Judy Black
2. TJ Adams
3. Charity Smith
4. Chad Fistolera
5. Amanda Packmam
6. Tim Dotterer
7. Debbie Mason

Canyon Ridge High School

1.  Janie Lancaster-traveling projector

Twin Falls High School

1. Lisa Lowry

Magic Valley High School

1. Debbie Blay

The Foundation recently partnered with CSI and several area businesses to support the “Read Like An Eagle” program.  This was a reading incentive program where elementary students set individual reading goals and received t-shirts and other prizes for meeting their goals.  Those students who received their t-shirts are able to attend any sporting event during the 2010-2011 athletic year free of charge when accompanied by an adult.  There was a wonderful celebration for those students at several CSI basketball games in January—-thanks CSI and CSI athletes for supporting reading in the Twin Falls School District!

The Newcomer Center (NCC) opened in September 2009 serving only secondary students at that time.  Due to an Idaho Refugee School Impact Grant in partnership with the College of Southern Idaho Refugee Center, the program has expanded to also serve K-5^th grade.  The NCC serves as both an intake and welcome center to assist refugee students and families through their transition into American culture, the Twin Falls School District and community.  The Newcomer Center serves as a transitional time period where students can adjust to westernized school and cultural norms.  The goal is to prepare students to transition to mainstream classrooms with the ability to participate socially and behaviorally, and communicate effectively while meeting academic standards.  Thanks to the support from community members, the Foundation has donated to this program since its inception.

If you would like to contribute to this worthwhile program, please contact the Foundation, and we will make sure it happens!

Look for the annual Cow P.I.E. Challenge every fall!  This event takes place before the Canyon Ridge High School/Twin Falls High School varsity football game.  There will be food, fun, and of course Cows!  An area will be sectioned off into squares that can be purchased for $25/square or 5/$100.  If the Cow does his/her business in your square, you will win $2011.  Tickets may be purchased from a board member, the Foundation office, or at designated locations around town.