The Day After

The sun rose this morning and it was official.  We made it through another "First Day of School".  The drama of what to wear, what to pack for lunch, what time to leave to account for traffic is behind us.  Our kids came back with stories of who they sat with at lunch, what kid they don't like in their class and who their favorite teacher is going to be.  This morning things were a little calmer, still feeling the early school year stress, but somehow we have made it and we likely have all breathed at least a small sigh of relief.

Scott and Tamra Villarreal are breathing a little easier this morning as well.  Their big family is out the door this morning and off to school.  Long time supporters of LTEF, the Villarreal's know how important supporting the Foundation is to the teachers and students of LTISD.  This year we are honored to have them serve as the Honorary Chairs of our Annual Giving Campaign.

Our teachers are ready, thier classrooms full of projects and plans to engage our children and prepare them for thier next step.  No matter what that may be.  Join us today in supporting the teachers and staff of LTISD so they can continue to help build the dreams of our children.

The BIG Picture

What a week!  Like many of you, we are anxiously anticipating the beginning of a new school year.  With that comes quite a bit to accomplish.  This year, LTEF has reached out to the teachers and staff at LTISD in our annual employee giving campaign. We are overwhelmed with the response!  Last year, 1.9% of LTISD staff were donors, contributing about $3,800 to the Foundation.  This year, staff came together and championed our cause.  The result - as I type this 48% of the staff are now Friends of the Foundation and have pledged monthly gifts or made one-time gifts totalling $18,782.  AMAZING!!!  This group of 1000 plus employees is extraordinary.  They are invested in our kids in so many ways and committed to giving our youth the brightest future possible.  We hope you will join them and look over the right side of this page and click the DONATE button.  Your kids, our kids, deserve it!  Thank you LTISD staff!

Working Weekends

It doesn't really matter what day of the week your "weekend" actually is, no one wants to be working on that day.  But sometimes it's just what has to be done.  What began as just a day to catch up - turned into a something more - an unexpected donation!  Pedernales Electric Cooperative has made a contribution of $1,000 to LTEF through their Partners in Learning program.  Thank you so very much!  Not only is PEC providing some of our families the power to light their homes, they are providing our children with power to ignite their minds.  If every working weekend started out this way, I might just find myself in the office on a few more Saturdays.

Playing for Donations!

It is a measure of a schools' success when its alumni return to the area and then look for ways to give back.  That's exactly what has happened with Zach - a Membership Director at The Hills in Lakeway.  A past recipient of an LTEF scholarship and former football player, he developed a great way to give back.  From now through the end of October when you contact Zach and sign up for The Hills in Lakeway Golf Membership they will waive your initiation fee if you make a $500 donation to the Lake Travis Education Foundation!   And guess what??  We are already celebrating the first member!  Contact Zach for more info - and be sure to ask to see his State Championship ring!

Sneak Peak!

Look what you have done!

Everyday you are asked to make choices.  Everything from creamer flavors to what kind of oil to put in your car.  You have so many options, for so many things, and I have to say that when it comes to giving, over 500 local businesses and families chose LTEF this past school year.  The impact of your dollars will be felt not only in the coming year, but for years, and even lifetimes to come.  Our Annual Report is headed to print and soon you may find one in your mailbox at home, at work, or in your email inbox.  I hope you will take a minute to see just what you have done, because it's really impressive.  Here's a quick glimpse of just what's inside.  Thank you!!

Funding Futures

2013 Scholarship Recipient Says Thanks!

I got a call a little while ago from Erin Quigley.  She was awarded the Shelley Stillman Memorial Scholarship in 2013 for $1,000.  LTEF is honored to be able to administer scholarships like this one.  Erin just finished her freshman year at  the University of Texas where she majors in Biomedical Engineering.  I don't think that was a even a major when I went to college.  She's talking about concentrating her studies toward tissue engineering.  Wow. Whatever that it is, it certainly sounds impressive and is most definitely something the Stillman family can be proud of.  In-state tuition for UT is about $5,000 per semester.  Her scholarship most certainly made an impact.  Thank you to all who made that possible and thank you Erin, for honoring Shelley's memory with your hard work.

Your Dollars Growing Education

Growing Minds

My mother always said that time flies faster the older you get.  But I remember hearing her say that in my head as I sat in my 4th grade class, staring out the window wishing for summer and feeling like it would never actually arrive.  I bet your parent said the same thing.  So it's summer now suddenly and I am trying to catch up on things.  While working through my inbox I came across this amazing article that reminds me again why I come to work every day and why our Directors work so hard to raise money!  This is an AMAZING garden Lake Travis Elementary School built in their courtyard.  Guess how they funded it??  Your donations to LTEF!!  Staring out the window as a 4th grader never looked so good. Check out the article and the photo of LTEF Directors presenting the check to LTE this year in the garden :  http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/ltes-celebrates-courtyard-culture/nfzj7/