Second annual event is February 3rd at Corvallis High School
The Corvallis Public Schools Foundation will hold its second annual “Hands Across Corvallis” fundraising breakfast to garner support for its mission to support and enrich public education. The event will showcase the foundation’s efforts to improve graduation rates, reduce barriers to education for students navigating poverty, and offer enrichment opportunities across all Corvallis public schools. All 290 seats at the “Hands Across Corvallis” breakfast are full, according to the foundation’s director Liv Gifford. “We’re expecting a great turn-out on Friday,” said Gifford. “We appreciate the community’s support for public education.”
Guests will experience a performance by Crescent Valley High School’s Snowbrush Quartet, several short videos by Horsepower Productions, and a celebration of three of the oldest former 509J teachers, all in their 90s. Superintendent Ryan Noss will also share some remarks on the importance of community involvement in our schools.
But the high point of the event will no doubt be the testimonials by former CHS class presidents, Jonathan Rodriguez and Brian Ixtlahuac of the class of 2016. These two graduates, who were the first Latino co-presidents in their school’s history, will speak about growing up in Corvallis now that they are in freshmen in college.
Proceeds from the event will support a wide array of projects across 13 schools, from art and music, to literacy, science, specialty equipment, and professional development for teachers. Funds will also benefit students navigating poverty and programs designed to boost graduation rates, such as AVID and after-school tutoring.
Classroom and school grants are awarded by the foundation through a competitive application process. Foundation funds are also designated to assist students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch or who are experiencing housing instability. These funds provide support for health and hygiene supplies, tutoring, food, clothing, and other resources to facilitate full participation in school. “We are pleased to direct resources toward areas that are making a real difference for students,” notes Foundation Chair Bill Humphreys, Jr. “We fund opportunities that simply cannot be covered by tax dollars under today’s budget.”
The Corvallis Public Schools Foundation was founded in 1996 with the mission to unite private donors with educators in order to provide the best possible education for all students. Visit the Foundation’s website at www.cpsfoundation.org.