$10,000 donated to Grizzly Bots Robotics

The board of the Tahoma Schools Foundation was thrilled to grant $10,000 to the Summit Trail Middle School Grizzly Bots robotics program for 25 laptops with the Autodesk Inventor Computer Aided Drafting system, and a computer cart. This project fits our mission, and we were excited to be able to award this grant.

“The laptops you have granted our robotics club are already making an impact on our club, on our school, and soon, in our community,” club adviser Dawn Boster wrote in a thank you email to the foundation.

The Autodesk system is the same CAD that the high school’s Bear Metal team uses, so Summit Trail’s team members will be even more prepared for their transition to the high school team. The Grizzly Bots are in their off season, and are planning an all-girls programming/robotics workshop in the spring, Boster said.

“As a club, we realize that we need to encourage women in STEM. This also feeds into the arc of robotics in Tahoma, as Bear Metal annually hosts Girls Gen robotics competitions that encourage and support women leadership in STEM,” she added. “Our students are also going to continue improving their proficiency in programming LEGO Mindstorm EV3, so that we can mentor younger FIRST Lego League teams, as well as teach new incoming students next year.”

Harlem Wizards: May 3, 2019

With their tricks, hoops and alley oops! Tahoma Schools Foundation along with the Bradley Hanson Real Estate Group was thrilled to welcome back to our community the Harlem Wizards. A night watching these tricksters is a world-class, laugh-a-minute, high-flying, interactive show on a basketball court. Anyone who has attended in the past can attest, these guys are a hilarious, talented blast!  

The event was held May 3, 2019 at 7 PM at Tahoma High School. 

A night watching these tricksters is a world-class, laugh-a-minute, high-flying, interactive show on a basketball court.

Grand Illusions; Comedy, Magic! March 31, 2019

We were so pleased to offer the community an afternoon of “comedy, magic and grand illusions” in a family-friendly performance by Las Vegas illusionists Garry and Janine Carson.

The “Family Entertainer of the Year” duo performed in the auditorium at Tahoma Elementary School on March 31, 2019 to raise funds for the Tahoma Schools Foundation. The Carsons will perform here as part of a national tour to raise funds for charities and foundations.

A BIG THANK YOU to our Event Sponsors, including The Kennedy Family, Abracadabra Sponsor Lakeside Industries, and the Tamara Paul Group with RE/MAX Choice Executives!

Thank You, Talli Pierre!

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Managing Broker and Realtor with John L. Scott Real Estate in Covington Talli Pierre recently reached out to the Tahoma Schools Foundation with the offer to donate $200 for each home that she sells in the Tahoma School District boundaries.

“The board is grateful for Ms. Pierre’s support and her generous offer to give back to Tahoma students via the foundation,” President Dan Neilsen said. “We value all our business partners, and are excited about this new partnership.”

The schools foundation raises money to help enhance educational opportunities for Tahoma students that otherwise may not be funded by tax dollars. In addition to hosting the Harlem Wizards vs. Tahoma Teaching Jedi basketball game for the past several years, the foundation last year had the extraordinary opportunity to welcome Brandi Carlile, who performed a live concert benefiting the TSF. Another major source of revenue has been private monthly donations from members of the community, with most of those donations coming from paycheck deductions from teachers and Tahoma staff.

In the past few years, the foundation has given money to the district’s Kindergarten Camp, the Tahoma High School We the People team, Bear Metal Robotics team, and to pay for AP Scholar tests for students in need. In 2019, the TSF made two major donations of $20,000 each: One to purchase a rear-screen projector for the high school drama program and the performing arts center and another to replace the aging timpani and chimes sets and bells for the band program, which will also serve to enhance the incoming orchestra program.

Talli and Denny Pierre raised three children in the Tahoma School District, and she said the idea for the donation just made sense.

“I just love the mission of the TSF, the whole idea of kindergarten readiness and all students having learning equal opportunities,” Pierre said. “I sell quite a bit of real estate in Maple Valley although my office is in Covington. It’s my favorite place to do business. I just thought it was the perfect fit to help the TSF while selling some homes.”

“Strong schools make a strong community,” she continued. “We should do our part in the community for the schools.”

To learn more about the Tahoma Schools Foundation including business sponsorship opportunities, click here. To visit Talli Pierre’s website, click here.

Alumni Painter: Iris Scott

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“Arctos” the focused bear graces the Commons of the new Tahoma High School. A group of private donors via the Maple Valley Creative Arts Council curated the piece by Tahoma Alumni, Iris Scott.

Scott said the piece took several weeks to plan, and about 17 tubes of oil paint to create. Learn more about her finger painting techniques at http://www.irisscottfineart.com/

Scott graciously donated a number of high-quality prints to the Foundation. These prints are for sale and the proceeds benefit the Tahoma Schools Foundation. If you would like to learn more about how to secure one for your self, please e-mail us at tsf409@gmail.com.

Trick Hoops + Alley Oops!

Returning again this Spring for an action packed night of trick hoops and alley oops, the Harlem Wizards! The Wizards will be taking on the Tahoma Teaching Jedi, in a game sure to get your family laughing. Tahoma Teaching Jedi is packed with our energetic and skilled (on the court and in the classroom!) teachers and staff.

Proceeds from the night will benefit the Tahoma Schools Foundation — the Foundation seeks to level the playing field for our Tahoma Students, and remove financial barriers to educational opportunities.

The night will be a great evening for your family — with FanFest starting at 5PM, where kids can play on the bouncy obstacle course and visit booths hosted by our PTA/PTOs with fun activities.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking this link, then select April 20th Maple Valley.

Brandi Carlile Benefitting TSF

BrandiFormer Tahoma Student turned Billboard Top 5 & Grammy Nominated Artist, Brandi Carlile, is returning to Tahoma where she is graciously donating an initimate concert with all proceeds benefitting the Tahoma Schools Foundation.

Carlile’s unique American folk rock sound will grace our community and fill Tahoma’s Performing Arts Center on Monday, March 19 at 7:30. At this time, the tickets are sold out — and a packed house is bound to enjoy the evening benefitting our local students.

Carlile’s latest release, “By The Way I Forgive You” has hit the Billboard 200 Top 5. The Tour for this album launches later this month in Seattle.

Tahoma Schools Foundation presented a check for $25,000 to the Tahoma School Board!

The Tahoma Schools Foundation presented a check for $25,000 to the Tahoma School Board, in August, to cover expenses for the first ever Kindergarten Camp.
This school year our goal is to raise funds to support programs for K-12. Please watch for us at your schools’ Open House to find out how you can participate through volunteering and/or donations! And for the first time, we will be offering the ability to donate on-site.
We are looking forward to seeing you – welcome to the 2016-17 school year!tahoma-foundation-check