Beaverton Education Foundation

Category: Uncategorized

  • BEF funds Beaverton’s Choice projects for May 2022

    BEF funds Beaverton’s Choice projects for May 2022

    Thanks to our generous donors Beaverton Education Foundation has awarded $112,337, funding 75 classroom projects for the 2021-22 academic year.

    The Mighty Molony Builders

    Beaver Acres Elementary School
    Students Served: 22
    Recipient: Amy Molony
    Award: $283

    Amy Molony’s kindergartners will have even more tools to solve classroom challenges thanks to your generosity. Funds raised through Beaver Acres’ recent Beaverton’s Choice project will secure naturally-engaging items that help students find their voice, build and create. Students will be able to organically integrate construction into play scenarios that advance math skills as well as increase their ability to read body language, tell a story and appreciate others’ talents. 

    Growing Interest and Representation with Books!

    Nancy Ryles Elementary School
    Students Served: 120
    Recipients: Victoria Adair, Crystal Gittings and Bridget Peterson
    Award: $1,500

    Funding provided by the Mike Osborne Memorial Award Endowment Fund

    Nancy Ryles fifth graders can expand their book collection with engaging, high-interest texts across reading levels with funds raised from their successful Beaverton’s Choice project and the Mike Osborne Memorial Award Endowment Fund. New books will provide representation of diverse characters and experiences that reflect their own classrooms, while also supporting Fantasy and Realistic Book club units. Book clubs are an opportunity for students to participate in collaborative discussions with their peers, grow their own ideas and create community around stories.

    Beaver Acres Authors

    Beaver Acres Elementary School
    Students Served: 125
    Recipients: Evan Churchill, Shannon Hanson, Sandra Hoppenrath, Randi Little and Angela Steindorf
    Award: $700

    After weeks of hard work, and thanks to our community’s generous support, Beaver Acres’ fifth graders will have their writing published in a book with enough copies for each student, plus extra for the school library. Student authors have been so inspired by the publishing goal they have worked tirelessly to plan, create and polish their stories for a broader audience, bringing greater purpose and authenticity to their work.

    Help AHS Multicultural Soccer Program make their GOAL!

    Aloha High School
    Students Served: 60
    Recipient: Enrique Abad Guzman 
    Award: $1,350

    Funding provided in part by the Aloha High School Booster Club 

    Aloha High School students will strengthen social and community values and build self-esteem with funds raised through Beaverton’s Choice to participate in our region’s most successful and significant Multicultural Soccer League. League participation gives students increased opportunities to develop pride in accomplishments earned through hard work.

    Middle School Social Studies Comes Alive Through Art

    Aloha Huber Park K-8 
    Students Served: 65
    Recipient: Kaydi Taylor
    Award: $1,000

    Funding provided by the BEF Building STEAM 4 All Initiative

    Social studies students at Aloha Huber Park K-8 can continue creating art projects inspired by their studies, thanks to our generous community. Using funds raised through Kaydi Taylor’s Beaverton’s Choice project, students have the supplies needed to create their projects, often using the classroom’s Cricut Design machine. Classes will finish the year studying Latin American history and the rise of Early Humans, complete with complimentary art that brings the subjects they are studying to life. 

    Restoring Our Green Space

    Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering
    Students Served: 500
    Recipient: Katy Reid
    Award: $3,010

    Funding provided by the BEF Building STEAM 4 All Initiative

    Your support of the BASE community garden gives students an abundance of opportunities to flourish and develop the three powerful traits of our school mascot, the Phoenix – responsibility, persistence and collaboration. Funds raised will replace garden beds, re-open the garden to interested 6-12th grade crews, create a new drip irrigation system and small greenhouse for 6-9th grade Health classes to start seeds in early spring, when learning about nutrition. Another portion will be used by our neighbors in the Community Transition Program. Finally, funds will support a long-term project for AP Environmental Science students in grades 10-12 to research and plan how to redesign the space.

    Connecting Outdoors

    Jacob Wismer Elementary 
    Students Served: 500
    Recipient: Merideth Brundidge
    Award: $2,075

    Funding provided by the BEF Building STEAM 4 All Initiative

    Jacob Wismer students can connect with nature, while they learn outside thanks to our generous community. Funds raised from Merideth Brundidge’s recent Beaverton’s Choice project provide the supplies necessary for her fifth graders to design and create outdoor classrooms that can be used by the whole school. 

    What will the Falcons Create Next?

    Five Oaks Middle School
    Students Served: 850
    Recipient: Suzanne Peerenboom
    Award: $1,086

    Funding provided by the BEF Building STEAM 4 All Initiative

    Five Oaks seventh grade science students can create life-like 3D models of molecules thanks to our generous community’s support of their Beaverton’s Choice project. Money raised purchased 3D printers and the supplies needed to help students design and build projects showing how atoms bond to create molecules. Additional printers and supplies will help create keychains to recognize student-of-the-month recipients.

    Thanks to your generous contributions, the dollars raised are enabling enrichment programs in Beaverton schools that otherwise would not be possible. For current programs, and to begin your application, please visit Beaverton’s Choice, Beaverton Education Foundation’s online resource that brings community and classrooms together.

  • BEF Kicks Off 35th Year with New Board Leaders

    BEF Kicks Off 35th Year with New Board Leaders

    As Beaverton Education Foundation begins our 35th year, we are honored to announce our Board leaders for 2022-23: Rajesh Shah, Chair; Kimberly Ogadhoh, Vice Chair and Dayna Weller, Treasurer. We recently asked the new Executive Leadership team about their goals for the coming year.

    Rajesh Shah, Datamaton, Inc., BEF Chair

    “Education is a great equalizer. It lays a strong foundation for long-term success and happiness. The pandemic has intensified educational gaps across our District, creating additional barriers for our students. As Board Chair, I will work to increase BEF’s reach and impact, to ensure all Beaverton students, families and educators have access to equitable opportunities.” 

    Born in India, Rajesh Shah has lived in Oregon for almost 30 years. He has a Masters in Computer Science from Georgia Tech and has worked in the computer industry for a long time — from large companies to his own startup. He loves reading, sports, hiking and whiling away his time playing Mahjong. All three of Rajesh’s children studied at District schools. 

    Kimberly Ogadhoh, International education consultant and community volunteer, BEF Vice Chair

    “This pandemic’s effects on learning gave us an opportunity to revisit our students’ needs. Beyond acquiring knowledge in core subjects, social-emotional learning is a critical component. BEF’s work to fund programs and projects that go beyond traditional state funding gives us the tremendous opportunity to help students across the District grow academically and emotionally.”

    Kimberly Ogadhoh has a background in early childhood education and international development. She’s taught first grade, worked with humanitarian organizations and written about supporting education for children living in difficult circumstances. Ogadhoh’s children attended District schools from pre-K through high school. 

    Dayna Weller, Nike, Inc., BEF Treasurer

    “I believe education is the most effective way to create lasting, positive change that benefits the entire community. BEF has been fortunate to receive generous support from local institutions and companies, especially in the past few years. Moving forward, I’m excited to introduce more individuals in the region to our work and hopefully inspire them to become life-long donors in support of Beaverton students.”

    Dayna Weller first moved to Oregon from California to attend the University of Portland. After college, she worked as an auditor with Ernst & Young, then moved to Nike in 2014 and has been there since. Over the course of her various finance positions at Nike, she has developed a strong relationship with the Beaverton community. She is consistently amazed and grateful that she can use her education and training to help organizations like BEF to help others achieve their dreams.

    Ready to become a part of BEF’s leadership? We are currently accepting Board member applications. Learn more today.

  • A Powerful Combination at Mountain View Middle School

    A Powerful Combination at Mountain View Middle School

    Beaverton Education Foundation has Mountain View Middle School students covered, helping meet their needs before, during and after school. Whether it’s the wellness center, a leadership class, or after school clubs, BEF’s awards create a multidimensional combination of academic and social emotional support, which is especially critical as schools rebound from the pandemic. 

    “BEF has been an essential partner to Mountain View Middle School,” says Carol Baltazar, one of Mountain View’s assistant principals. “BEF’s funding of meaningful and effective programs has had an incredible impact on our students. All of these programs work together to continue to improve overall outcomes for our kids.”

    Before school, as well as during lunchtime, students turn to the Health and Wellness Center, which provides much-needed safe and calming spaces for all students. Through a wide variety of tools, activities and strategies, students learn how to manage their emotions and improve their attitudes and confidence so they are ready to learn. Staff members also work closely with students to provide individualized assistance.

    Students in the Upgrade Program open their eyes to careers in the trades. The leadership class, as it’s called at Mountain View, shows middle schoolers career options they may not have considered before, and lets them try out the trades like construction and auto tech. “Upgrade can set them on a path toward better paying jobs that don’t require a four-year college degree,” says Janine Weir, who leads the District’s high school success coordination and development efforts. By exposing students to these opportunities in middle school — at Mountain View and two others — they are more likely to engage with them during high school. 

    After school, students in the Safe and Sound 4 Student Success (S4) program benefit from a special combination of academic support, peer-to-peer relationship building, soccer and other enrichment activities to help students thrive in school and beyond. BEF first funded S4 nine years ago and the District recently committed additional funds to complement BEF’s ongoing commitment. The program uses the incentive of playing on a school sports team and participating in numerous after school clubs to engage the students in academic and social supports that ease the transition so middle schoolers can become successful high school students. Drama, yearbook, 3D printing and dance club are just a few of the nearly two dozen after school clubs that benefit from BEF awards. 

    “We are proud to help Mountain View Middle School, and all Beaverton schools, be an enriching environment and offer positive experiences to students throughout their day,” says Kristine Baggett, BEF’s executive director. 

    BEF relies on its partnerships with Beaverton educators, who come to BEF with solutions to the challenges they face. “They’re our eyes and ears in the schools, and Mountain View Middle School educators have really tapped into how BEF can help in so many ways,” says Baggett. “At Mountain View and across the District, we’re able to help schools serve students who need support, while providing opportunities for all students.”

  • Thanks to Long-time Donors, Student Art Show Brings Community Together and Inspires Creativity

    Thanks to Long-time Donors, Student Art Show Brings Community Together and Inspires Creativity

    “I love how you can express yourself through art, and my art has really grown while I’ve taken classes at school,” says Angelina Conklin, a senior at Westview High School who’s headed to Portland State University next year. 

    Beaverton Education Foundation’s support for the arts in schools rallies the community so artists like Angelina have opportunities to tap into their creativity and round out their education, and have new ways to learn that keep them engaged in school. By engaging with educators and connecting with donors, BEF enables donors to make long-term investments in our students across all Beaverton schools. 

    Jim Meier and Mike Herzog, both Beaverton High School alumni, first started the Herzog-Meier Senior Arts Scholarship Awards 34 years ago. Their sons Chris Meier and Tom Herzog, the current partners at Herzog-Meier Auto Center, continue the tradition and have worked closely with BEF to elevate the program. Each year, senior students from the Beaverton high schools display their work to the public in the Herzog-Meier Auto Center showroom. And this year nine students from different Beaverton high schools each received a $1,000 scholarship to help with rising education costs. 

    “Sometimes things like the arts get marginalized because of the unavailability of funds. We want to support kids in Beaverton art programs and give them an incentive to continue down that track,” says Chris. “I worry that we’ll lose the artists in the world, and this is one way to inspire them to keep going.”

    “It’s really powerful that BEF and these donors value the arts,” says Tamara Ottum, the Mountainside High School art teacher who directed the show at Herzog-Meier. “Sometimes we feel so spread out across Beaverton, but then you come together at an art show like this, and it gives us a real sense of community.”  

    Congratulations to all the Herzog-Meier Senior Arts Scholarship Awards winners:

    • Rebecca Anderson, “The Comfort of My Room”, Beaverton High School
    • Angelina Conklin, “Angelina”, Westview High School
    • Taylor Igarta, “Bird”, Southridge High School
    • Carter Kohler, “Everything the Light Touches is Yours, The Sun Has Already Set”, Arts & Communication Magnet Academy
    • Helena Lieu, “RSVP”, International School of Beaverton
    • Lexi Nakamura, “Balance”, Mountainside High School
    • Abby Prior, “Habits Overtaking Me”, Sunset High School
    • Gabi Gonzalez Rodriguez, “Clouds”, FLEX Online
    • Carmen Smith, “ADHD”, Aloha High School

    The following students received special commendations for their artwork:

    • Michelle Abonce, “April Calendar”, Aloha High School
    • Max Acoba, “Leaky Pipes”, Mountainside High School
    • Jose Alvarez, “My Animal Garden”, Arts & Communication Magnet Academy
    • Joyce Chen, “Childhood Amnesia”, Sunset High School
    • Joyce Chen, “The Devil Whispered in My Ear”, Sunset High School
    • Bryce Dahlgren, “Phil”, Mountainside High School
    • Olivia Erickson, “Pomegranate”, Sunset High School
    • Lexi Kahlhamer, “Turbulent Thinking”, Mountainside High School
    • Courtney Karreman, “Bleeding Love,” Arts & Communication Magnet Academy
    • Sadie Layman, “Plant Collection”, Southridge High School
    • Kyra Mitch, “3y3”, Arts & Communication Magnet Academy
    • Elena Orwick, “Patchwork Theory”, Mountainside High School
    • Naue Pagtakhan, “Sliver of Light”, Beaverton High School
    • Teresa Pham, “Controlled by the Wires”, Westview High School
    • Zoe Pruitt, “Pants on Water”, Southridge High School
    • Shaun Puthuparambil, “Untitled”, Westview High School
    • Anna Scherer, “Almost”, Beaverton High School
    • Nina Takahashi, “Compulsions”, Southridge High School
    • Alesya Zaytseva, “Cursed Cat Coffeehouse Poster”, International School of Beaverton
    • Audrey Zhao, “Focus”, Westview High School

    You can provide opportunities for expression and creative spaces to build problem-solving skills at all Beaverton schools. Support BEF’s arts and music programs today.

  • BEF funds Beaverton’s Choice projects for April 2022

    BEF funds Beaverton’s Choice projects for April 2022

    Thanks to our generous donors Beaverton Education Foundation has awarded $97,988, funding 65 classroom projects for the 2021-22 academic year.

    Warriors Go Beyond the Building

    Aloha High School
    Students Served: 1,700
    Recipient: Dennis Joule
    Award: $2,500

    Funding provided by the Go Warriors! Aloha High School Opportunity Funds

    Aloha High School students will have a welcoming spot, suitable for classroom and social activities, thanks to our community’s generous support of their Beaverton’s Choice project. The space will benefit the student and staff experience far into the future and will also play a pivotal role in student leadership, as a group of dedicated students spearhead the project.

    Mustangs are Meant to Move

    Chehalem Elementary School
    Students Served: 400
    Recipients: Lisa Lane, Anna Montemayor and Angee Silliman
    Award: $1,030

    Funding provided by the BEF PE + Play Initiative

    Chehalem Elementary School students will have more opportunities to get hearts pumping and bodies moving with the funding of their recent recess-focused Beaverton’s Choice project. Our community’s generosity means students will have valuable brain breaks and the physical activity they have been craving.

    Enhancing Recess Through Structured Activities

    Beaver Acres Elementary School
    Students Served: 700
    Recipient: Andrew Ratzke
    Award: $305

    Funding provided by the BEF PE + Play Initiative

    Beaver Acres Elementary students can build stronger social relationships and increase their successes thanks to our generous community. Funds raised through Beaver Acres’s Beaverton’s Choice project will help students re-learn social skills they were not able to practice while in distance learning using structured activities that students can engage in safely and confidently.

    Bilingual Books for Newcomers

    Aloha Huber Park K-8 School
    Students Served: 32 students and parents
    Recipient: Dr. Molly Anderson
    Award: $670

    Funding provided by the Mike Osborne Memorial Award Fund

    Families in the Aloha-Huber Park K-8 Newcomers Program are strengthening English language skills with bilingual books, available in their native languages of Arabic, Pashto and Spanish + English. Texts were made possible thanks to community support through Beaverton’s Choice and the Mike Osborne Memorial Award Fund.

    Tools for Technology

    Vose Elementary School
    Students Served: 30
    Recipient: Abbey Morariu
    Award: $506

    All of Abbey Morariu’s 3rd grade students at Vose Elementary are thrilled they can easily listen to relevant and enriching educational videos and books thanks to their upgraded headphones, made possible through Beaverton’s Choice. Thanks to community support, all of Abbey’s students now have access to good quality technology materials.

    Aloha Band Symphony Experience

    Aloha High School
    Students Served: 30
    Recipient: Aliyah Jackson
    Award: $1,710

    Funding provided by the Go Warriors! Aloha High School Opportunity Funds

    Aloha High School band students will attend an Oregon Symphony performance of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in preparation for their final concert of the year in June titled “A Night at the Movies”. This exciting and educational experience will help students shine in their final concert and was made possible through our generous community and the Go Warriors! Aloha High School Opportunity Funds.

    Lights, Camera, Wildcats!

    Westview High School
    Students Served: 30
    Recipient: Brandi Duke
    Award: $1,020

    Thanks to our community’s generosity, Brandi Duke’s Westview High School yearbook class has updated tools to help students learn valuable and relevant lessons. High-quality and professional tools increase student creativity, innovation, leadership and life skills and also direct focus on inclusiveness and diversity.

    Bringing Baile Folklórico dance to Raleigh Hills

    Raleigh Hills K-8 School
    Students Served: 12
    Recipient: Jennifer Alvarez
    Award: $2,420

    Students at Raleigh Hills K-8 have the opportunity to overcome increased barriers to student connection postpandemic thanks to our community’s support for a new after school club, Baile Folklórico. The cultural program focuses on the history and traditions of each dance, the meaning of the music and the significance of the clothing. It will also provide  ethnically marginalized populations who often face misconceptions and lack of ethnic representation in education, an opportunity to feel empowered and included within our school community. 

    Science Solar Cars

    Tumwater Middle School
    Students Served: 414
    Recipients: Susan Duncan and Brian Phelps
    Award: $950

    Funding provided by the BEF Building STEAM 4 All Initiative

    Tumwater Middle School students and staff will end this year on a high note, completing a hands-on engineering project where they will build their very own solar cars! Thanks to our generous community, students will learn about the fascinating transfer of solar energy to kinetic/mechanical energy. They will sketch their ideas and reiterate their design many times to reach optimal speed. They will also experiment with different sized wheels, axels and gears in order to get their car to travel straight, fast and far.

    Preparing for the Future: ISB’s Computer Science Club

    International School of Beaverton
    Students Served: 40
    Recipients: Limor Geisler
    Award: $1,430

    Funding provided by the BEF Building STEAM 4 All Initiative

    The International School of Beaverton (ISB) Computer Science Club has access to relevant programming resources, LeetCode + Replit for Education, and the funds necessary to create a chapter of the Computer Science Honor Society thanks to our generous community. Membership in the honor society allows members to graduate with national honor society recognition and be identified by colleges and other institutions for computer science proficiency.

    Thanks to your generous contributions, the dollars raised are enabling enrichment programs in Beaverton schools that otherwise would not be possible. For current programs, and to begin your application, please visit Beaverton’s Choice, Beaverton Education Foundation’s online resource that brings community and classrooms together.