Are you In for Kids? The Issaquah Schools Foundation is working on its All in for Kids annual campaign. This campaign aims to raise money to bridge the gap between inadequate state funding and the top-rate education we expect and want for all kids in the district. “All in“ is a call to each of us to partner with the foundation to ensure that students in Issaquah are supported, enriched and equipped for the 21st century.

The foundation supports programs for students at all academic levels. It funds after-school homework labs, robotic clubs, 8th grade financial literacy, the PSAT for all sophomores and juniors, and mentors for struggling students. It also underwrites fees for teachers seeking National Board Certification, enriches cultural education by donating to art docent programs, and funds pre-kindergarten literacy testing.

These programs and many more are a critical part of Issaquah’s exceptional educational system. And high quality education matters for each of us, regardless of whether we have kids enrolled in Issaquah schools.

Today’s kids will be our neighbors, our caregivers, our artists and our community leaders. Top-ranked schools matter in keeping our property values high and in bringing new families and new economic opportunities to our area.

Issaquah’s kids belong to all of us. Providing them with an exceptional education is our privilege and it matters for all of us. So please, get all in for Issaquah kids.

Kristen Allen-Bentsen, Issaquah