A KICKSTART TO BASEBALL SEASON "He is a 7th-grade student here who turned out for baseball this year. He lives with his dad and sister. Due to his dad’s work schedule, it was a challenge for him to get registered and purchase the gear he needed. He wasn’t able to go to practice until these things were done. He hung in there and still had his enthusiasm to turn out even though he couldn’t join practice until two weeks into the season. Thanks to InvestED, we were able to get him outfitted with a baseball glove, cleats, and hat and were also able to purchase his ASB and athletic fee that is required to play sports. He is a great student with a great attitude. He definitely enjoyed his time on the baseball field this year and looks forward to turning out again." - High School Coordinator

THANKFUL STUDENT "This student loved P.E. and looked forward to it every day. Unfortunately, they grew out of their shoes and knew their parents could not afford new ones. Thankfully, we were able to purchase new shoes for the student using our InvestED money. The student is very proud of their new shoes and has been doing their very best to take care of their new shoes."  - High School Student

EQUIPED TO SUCCEED "This student was new to school. It was difficult to meet friends as an 8th grader as many friendships have already been created in 6th and 7th grade. He had played on many basketball teams and had a desire to play again. However, family funds did not allow for basketball fees, insurance or a uniform. Additionally, he did not have proper eye wear. InvestED funds were used to purchase glasses, sports physical, shoes and uniform. he was now able to build relationships and connections with others on the team which will continue on through high school.!"  

- Middle School Coordinator

DONATE TODAY to help one more student succeed in sports.

WELDING ART  "I am an 8th-grade student who had the opportunity to take a Monday multi-week class at The Barn due to a scholarship opportunity from InvestED. I took a welding class. What I liked about the class was taking unused scrap metal and making it into weird, random art. I also liked learning about the science behind welding as well as the interesting information about the helmets we have to wear and the welding gun and the arc it makes when you work with it. I also liked the rush of excitement when you turn on the heat of the welding gun at the beginning of class. It was a great experience for me. Thank you!"  -8th Grade Student

LOVE OF THE ARTS  "Through InvestED, a special needs student was able to take several classes with fees. They included photography, pottery, painting, and calligraphy. This student is hard-working and has received an "A" in all of these classes. The classes were of great benefit. The projects completed are happy reminders of what was accomplished in these classes. Being able to take them home is a cherished keepsake." -High School Counselor

DONATE TODAY to help one more student succeed in art.

ART HEALS AXIETY  "This student's health and well-being were in rapid decline due to a death in the family. School became almost impossible, and attendance plummeted. Art was everything to this student, and really the only thing we found to truly help. The family didn't have enough money to support this outside of school (and the student refused to see a counselor). Using InvestED, we purchased an electronic art program so the student could further delve into art in their free time. Their mental health and school attendance improved as they had a clear way to reduce their anxiety." -High School Counselor 

PANIC ATTACKS LESSEN  "Anxiety has been at an all-time high in the last few years among middle schoolers, and this year was no exception. We had a 6th-grade student who was frequently having panic attacks in class. W"e ran through a list of possible triggers, and tried copious coping skills, and still no change. Over a few weeks, the student and I would meet frequently, and I was slowly learning about the intricacies of her life. The student revealed she was the oldest of 4, had a lot of responsibilities at home, and she knew that her family was very low income. As we got to know each other we noticed a pattern in the panic attacks - they happened more frequently on days she didn't eat breakfast and a warning sign that one was coming was that she would get light-headed. We made a plan to store some food in the office and she could stop by whenever she needed to grab some. Not only did the panic attacks lessen, but this shy 6th grader started to build relationships with adults in the office and became a delightful, anticipated visitor. If we hadn't had the resources to provide her with some food throughout the day, the student might still be having almost daily panic attacks, and it would've taken so much longer for those relationships to build."  -Middle School Counselor

DONATE TODAY to help one more student get mental health services.

SAXAPHONE BROKEN  "This is a story about a saxophone that was accidentally dropped and needed extensive repairs. Our student is a very responsible young man, but accidents happen, even to the most careful kids. The repair bill came to over $125. This student's parents recently went through a divorce, and his newly single mom said that she would pay it as soon as she could, but clearly appeared stressed out about it. After a couple of months, we decided InvestED could help take a little bit of the anxiety of their new life circumstances off their plate. When our students' mother was told that the bill had been paid, she literally shed tears, and thanked us, saying, 'You have no idea what this means to me'." 

- Middle School Coordinator

BAND FOR ALL  "This year, our band teacher worked hard to support all students access to music. We were able to keep 12 kids in the band due to the use of InvestED funds. The expense of renting an instrument for the year is high. It is great to see the look and the parents' and students' faces as you tell them that you can pay for their instrument rental for them. We were able to give them access to an arts program that would have been a challenge to do on their own." - High School Coordinator

DONATE TODAY to help one more student succeed in music.

LAPTOP CHARGER GAVE HIM A BOOST "This particular student came to us as a 7th grader, he struggled his first year in some classes but remained determined to get good grades. This school year, as an 8th grader, he wrapped up first semester with A’s & B’s. Still determined to get straight A’s, office staff encouraged him and told him he could do it. He didn’t miss a day of school, refused early dismissal from his parents because he couldn’t miss out on anything in class. He then achieved his goal he got straight A’s! Soon after he misplaced his laptop charger, panicked that he wouldn’t be able to check his grades, or access his schoolwork, InvestED saved the day. Fully charged and riding out the straight A’s to the end." 

- Jr. High School Counselor

DONATE TODAY to help one more student get digital devices to succeed.

A PROUD GRADUATE "We are an alternative high school. We had a student that was diligent to obtain her diploma. With life circumstances, her mother and she were both out of work. When it came time to graduate, she had the classes (credits) to be able to obtain her diploma but had fees she could not pay. Without having money to pay for her fees she would not be able to receive her diploma or walk with her class. InvestED gave her the resources to be able to walk with pride and receive her diploma, she says, “Thank you InvestED." - High School Coordinator

A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT  "In mid-October, we accepted a Choice Transfer Request from another district in the county for a student who had recently moved into the area to escape a homeless situation. After just a few days of attendance, our counseling department and secondary administrators knew this student would succeed. Between taking courses at the high school, and also enrolling in numerous online courses, this hard-working 11th-grader managed to also work part-time, all while achieving enough credits and meeting requirements to graduate with the Class of 2023! We happily were able to use InvestED funds to help with the cost of graduation needs and allow this student a well-deserved send-off!" 

- High School Coordinator

THEY CARED "Receiving InvestED's support really helped me a lot. I don’t have to ask people I don’t know to help me. The school gave me the help I needed because they care about me. This is one less thing I have to worry about. I accomplished a goal that I didn't think was possible. The cap and gown made me happy and my family happy. Now that I have a cap and gown I can now graduate and be a successful person." 

- High School Student

FUNDS DRIVE STUDENT TO GRADUATE "One of our seniors came to us this year completely unengaged from school, due to relentless housing instability and mental health struggles. One major hurdle for them was getting to and from campus, especially with gas prices soaring. While most McKinney-Vento students receive district transportation, this student was ineligible because of the distance and transient nature of their dwelling. With InvestED funds, we were able to fill the student’s car with gas regularly the last few months of school so they could attend school, receive support, and ultimately: graduate. On Friday, they walked across our graduation stage and received their high school diploma with tears streaming and a huge smile beaming. InvestED funds are flexible and help us meet needs like this that school money simply cannot be used for. InvestED helps us capitalize on the motivation and drive of our students, so that no students’ difficult circumstances prevent them from graduating."  

 - High School Coordinator

DONATE TODAY to help one more student graduate on time.

GROCERIES DURING A TRYING TIME "We have several students in our district that are being raised by a grandparent, most of them on limited income. Being able to help with groceries during this time was so appreciated by this particular student and her Grandma. Our principal delivered a box of groceries to this particular family and was met at the door by Grandma who was very touched by the gesture and when she saw the box exclaimed how he was "spoiling her Grandkids" with a smirk on her face. Made his day and ours. We love being able to help our community and families when we can and appreciate all that InvestED has done, especially during this trying time. Thank you!"  - High School Coordinator

DONATE TODAY  to help one more student receive food.