The following is an open thank-you letter from the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence.

The Foundation wants to thank Highline district families, friends, and staff for the support of Oktoberfest. We made nearly $25,000 for students in the district and had a great party at the same time! The committee is already looking forward to next year and an even bigger event.

The Highline Schools Foundation is working with Barnes & Noble on a Book Fair occurring December 7 to the 13th. We will have wish lists from the schools and some friendly competition between schools. This is a perfect opportunity to purchase holiday gifts for teachers, family, and friends and at the same time give to all the schools in the district. We will be sending out shopping vouchers that can be used in any Barnes & Noble in the country (December 7-13) so folks across the country can help support our schools! The Southcenter store is our central location with the Westwood Village store also involved in the benefit. Just an additional note – educators get a 20% discount and the sale is still recorded in our total.

We are looking at a wide variety of ways to raise funds to support all the schools and students in the district. Another is through “Good Search” and “Good Shop” and on-line service. The “Good Search” engine pays us a small amount every time a search is conducted using our name in the charity line (Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence). In much the same way, “Good Shop” pays us when you shop on-line using our name. There are thousands of on-line vendors that participate in this program and they often have special discounts available only through “Good Shop.” So whether you are shopping for home furnishings, remodeling materials or holiday gifts keep the Foundation in mind – it will benefit our kids.

One final way to support the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence is through your United Way contribution. If you or a family member works for an organization that has a matching program or even a combined fund drive, you can name the Foundation for all or part of your donation. These funds, once received, go directly to support our mission of providing community resources to help Highline Public Schools succeed.

Sincerely, Holly Moore, executive director