Get to Know our School Counselors, Donor Spotlight, Board Profile and more!
Get to Know a North Thurston Public School Counselor - Meet Pamela Turlove, Lakes Elementary School
Over the coming year, we will share profiles of North Thurston Public Schools' counselors. Every day, the North Thurston Education Foundation partners with school counselors to make sure the immediate needs of our kids are met. We could not do our work without these amazing people!
Meet Pamela Turlove, Lakes Elementary School
Here's what she has to say about her work with NTEF:
This school year, 140 kids at Lakes Elementary benefitted from North Thurston Education Foundation funds; that's almost 25% of our student population.
This spring, 40 kids got to go on enriching field trips with their classmates to NW Trek, Point Defiance Zoo and the Children’s Museum with help from NTEF.
Students were introduced to the joy of music in band and orchestra because NTEF assisted with the district rental fee.
Alarm clocks were purchased and rang every morning to help students arrive at school on time to learn. Shoes with floppy soles and soggy socks were replaced with new ones that kept water out and feet dry. Our food pantry fed hungry stomachs with granola bars, cereal, crackers, trail mix, milk and more.
NTEF helps each kid know that “Everyone belongs." Their funding allows our school to provide food, clothing, school supplies and pay for fees that help all kids participate fully. NTEF helps bring equity to a child’s school experience. We are so lucky to have this assistance in our district and a compassionate community that supports it. Thank you NTEF!"
Thank you, Pam, for your hard work and dedication to the students of North Thurston Public Schools!
North Thurston Education Foundation Donor Profile:
John Suessman
When NTEF began 30 years ago, Dr. Gott, the former Superintendent of North Thurston Public Schools, as well as one of the original Board Members, had a close relationship with the former Chief of Police of Lacey, John Mansfield. At the time, John Seussman worked as a Lacey Police officer under Chief Mansfield. “I worked as a Lacey Police officer for 22 years under Chief Mansfield, and he felt strongly about giving back to the community, being involved and supporting the mission of NTEF,” says Suessman. In fact, at every NTEF annual luncheon, Mansfield made sure local police officers had a full table of men in blue to support NTEF’s mission.
Suessman retired from the Lacey police force, began volunteering at the North Thurston School District and unexpectedly ended up as the Director of Transportation for the North Thurston School District. “Well, retirement didn’t quite work out as I’d planned,” jokes Seussman. But my wife and I are able to give to NTEF, and every day here at work I see kids who really need support, and so we are happy to contribute regularly to their mission.”
Chief Mansfield instilled in Suessman the importance of NTEF’s mission, and Suessman encourages the community to give back. “Sign up for payroll deduction to NTEF; if you get a raise, increase your monthly donation. A little can go a long way and there are plenty of kids right in our community who need the support.”
We thank John for his ongoing contributions to our mission!
TwinStar Credit Union
TwinStar Credit Union is a community credit union serving all of Washington state and the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area (Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas and Marion counties), with locations in Vancouver, Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Ocean Shores, Centralia, Chehalis, Onalaska, Parkland, Tacoma, Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, Yelm in Washington, and Wilsonville in Oregon. If you live or work in any of these areas you can join!
"TwinStar Credit Union was actually started out of Olympia High School, so we've always been directly tied to Thurston County schools," says Alexis Miller, Business Services Manager at TwinStar. "And helping NTEF really helps us live out our own mission, which is to help the underserved population. We are so pleased to be able to help NTEF and encourage the community to contact them to see how they can help and also for anyone familiar with their work to share their stories and NTEF's mission!"
Thank you, TwinStar for your ongoing support and contributions!
Learning Improvement Grant Showcase April 30, 2019
On April 30, 2019, teachers who have received Learning Improvement Grants showcased how they used the funds in their classroom at our Learning Improvement Grant Showcase!
The North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) has a robust Learning Improvement Grant (LIG) program that provides funds to teachers in (NTPS) North Thurston Public Schools for classroom use. The LIG Committee selects recipients through a competitive application process. Funds help teachers increase student learning tied to district and state learning goals.
Thank you to all those who shared the innovative and unique ways they've utilized the grants!
Thank You to the Very Generous Sponsors of our 2018 Annual Luncheon
Save the Date for the 17th Annual Luncheon on October 18, 2019! Sponsorship Opportunities are Available! Contact us for Details! Email Executive Director Mike Jones here.
Board Member Spotlight: Cameron Daniels
Financial Advisor: Edward Jones Lacey, WA
1. How did you first get involved in NTEF?
I got involved with NTEF because I love working with and helping kids. I met Mike through some community functions and was invited to a board meeting. After hearing everything that the board had done and its plans moving forward, I knew I had to be a part of it!
2.What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy many different hobbies. I play softball and basketball weekly. I enjoy singing and playing guitar. I also love to spend time with Sarah and visiting family on the weekends.
3.How do you believe the community can best support the work of NTEF?
The biggest and best way to support the NTEF is to GIVE! Whether it be with your pocketbook or the gift of time volunteering to support students. Being ready and willing to give, as well as spreading the word will help the NTEF continue to help out as best as possible!
DID YOU KNOW…Kids that don’t graduate from high school are 347 times more likely to become homeless and eight times more likely to go to prison? Currently, North Thurston Public Schools has 1,237 seniors, and of those, 400 are on the Free or Reduced Lunch Program, and 87 are homeless…and these numbers typically go up as the school year progresses.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Your $100 donation sponsors one senior. Your senior will receive a Cap & Gown for graduation as well as a yearbook.
