ARLINGTON The Arlington Education Foundation wants the local communitys input on where it should Pay It Forward.
AEF President Cindy Huleatt and Secretary Kathy Burkholder explained that their non-profit organization is committed to improving the quality of public education in Arlington by raising, managing, investing and distributing funds that will enhance programs and projects within the Arlington School District.
However, they need feedback from school staff, parents and surrounding community members on where they should focus their energies next, after the success of the Arts Alive Campaign in raising $2.5 million for the construction of the Linda Byrnes Performing Arts Center on the Arlington High School campus.
The AEF is looking for ways to help educators with the increasingly difficult task of meeting state education requirements, and is asking for suggestions from the community and educators to prioritize where it can have the greatest impact on student achievement, Huleatt said. Proposals must relate to education and may address topics such as academics, vocational training, mentoring, health and fitness, fine arts, citizenship, interpersonal skills and lifelong learning.
These seven areas of interest comprise the core of the AEFs Pay It Forward. Huleatt acknowledged that some such propositions could take months, or even years, but she invited a diversity of ideas to be submitted. She also encouraged area businesses to become partners in their efforts by sponsoring them, and promised the AEF would stage a fundraiser by the spring of 2008.
It wont be for any particular program, Huleatt said. Itll help out with whatever projects we wind up funding. Those of us who live in Arlington know we are lucky, to live in a community that is economically strong, socially diverse and naturally beautiful. Thats what Pay It Forward is all about.
Those who wish to submit an idea or learn more may contact the AEF by phone at 360-435-1337, via e-mail at info@arlingtonedfoundation.org or through postal mail sent to:
Arlington Education Foundation
135 S. French Ave., Box A
Arlington, WA 98223
You may also log onto the AEFs Web site at www.arlingtonedfoundation.org.