“I don’t read, I don’t need these,” one student remarked when he received new books designed to lessen the dreaded summer slide, when students can regress academically. But he changed his tune when he excitedly discovered Pokémon and car-themed books funded by BEF. Later in the day, he was already reading two of his new books.
This summer BEF helped elementary students close academic gaps caused by the pandemic and fight the summer slide. With help from two programs and a combined award of $87,000, 4,100 academically impacted students from all 34 elementary schools received take-home materials and summer experiences.
One parent noticed that something ‘clicked’ for her daughter when she began reading signs, packages and any and everything she could see. Her daughter’s confidence and reading skills soared thanks in part to the just-right books she received as part of BEF’s summer support.
And this fall, when William Walker Elementary hosted its first book fair in over a decade, we worked to ensure every student there received a new book of their choosing — something many could not afford on their own.
“We couldn’t have pulled this off without our generous community,” said Rosanne C. Freer, academic coach at William Walker. “Thank you for supporting our dreams and helping each child buy a book.”
For 35 years, donors like you have made it possible for BEF to bring innovative programs and classroom projects to Beaverton public schools, ensuring all of our 39,000 students have the opportunity to reach their highest potential. Beaverton teachers, families and students rely on BEF. But, we can only support programs like these — from literacy and STEAM to music and exercise, and more — with donors like you. Please consider a gift of $54, $1 in honor of each of the schools in the District, and help us continue to reach all of Beaverton’s students.