Leschi Annual Give

My husband and I have lived in and around the Leschi neighborhood for 18 years. When our son started kindergarten at Leschi Elementary in 2024, we felt connected to our community in new and exciting ways. And we knew how lucky we were to be a part of Leschi Elementary! Part of the magic that happens at Leschi is thanks to the funds the PTA is able to raise every year.

As a mom of a now 2nd grader at Leschi and someone new to the PTA this year, I have seen the variety of ways this funding is thoughtfully and strategically used to support Leschi students and families. Money raised in this campaign not only enriches the school in the ways listed below, but it also directly supports Leschi families experiencing food and housing insecurity. As a Title I School, every dollar helps.

We invite you to help us reach our goal of $100,000 for the 2026-27 school year to fund:

Reading and math tutors, library, art, and physical education resources

Recess aides

Writers In The Schools program

Community events

Professional development and classroom reimbursement

Scholarships for field trips and after-school enrichment

Social-emotional learning programs

The Leschi PTA Annual Giving Campaign (https://leschies.seattleschools.org/get-involved/fundraising/) is the largest and most important fundraiser of the year. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a big difference for the Leschi school community. Also, please consider taking advantage of any employer match opportunities. Leschi PTA is a nonprofit organization, and is eligible for the match that some employers offer.

We asked a few Leschi leaders to let you know what the PTA funds mean to them:

Alisa Rodgers-Taylor, Kindergarten Teacher, Leschi Elementary: Having funds from the PTA has made such a positive difference in our classroom! I use the money to buy supplies and materials to make our classroom an inclusive and accessible place for all students that the school doesn’t have the budget to buy. I use PTA funds for things like left-handed scissors, fidgets, weighted blankets for the calming corner, art materials, adaptive materials to support OT needs, basic hygiene materials (hair ties, bobby pins, wipes, etc. to help students do their hair), bins for our library, and diverse books. I also use the money to purchase materials to send home with students who might not have school supplies at home.

Another way we use the PTA money is to support staff on long workdays like conferences. I’ve used PTA funds to make breakfast for the staff so we can enjoy a meal together and build community. This is one of our favorite conference traditions and it is thanks to the PTA that we can continue to do it!

Genevieve Ramsey, Principal, Leschi Elementary:  As Leschi’s principal I rely on the financial support of the PTA to ensure students receive a quality education in a safe and welcoming environment. The PTA support greatly enhances Leschi students learning experiences and provides needed enrichment beyond what the district provides. Several examples of critical PTA financial support:

• Arts Partnerships: PTA supports a partnership with local musician/drummer Aaron Walker Loud and Big World Breaks for 4th and 5th graders. Leschi does not have a music teacher. This partnership provides access to music and opportunities for future participation in drumlines in middle and high school. With additional funding, the PTA has supported primary partnerships with JazzEd and other music organizations.

• Writing Opportunities: PTA supports Writers in the Schools, a program that involves published authors teaching writing once a week for 11 weeks. Students create poetry and zines and have been invited to read their poetry at Seattle Arts and Lecture Events.

• 5th grade camp: The PTA supports outdoor education for our 5th graders, continuing a long tradition of providing this experience to all students at no cost. A state grant was cut and PTA support is the only way the experience of going to Islandwood, an outdoor education camp, is available to Leschi students.

• Recess supervision: Seattle Public Schools provides no additional funds for supervising the lunchroom and recess. Buildings must use their limited budgets to hire hourly employees. Having PTA funds allows us to provide adequate supervision for lunch and recess, which greatly supports teachers and students.

• Academic tutors: Leschi has a diverse range of learning needs. PTA funds pay for hourly tutors to provide both tutoring and enrichment to students across the learning spectrum.

• Field Trips: Many Leschi students have limited opportunities to explore the region. Field trips are a wonderful opportunity to extend learning beyond the classroom. Field trip buses and entry fees can be significant and PTA financial support for field trips means extended learning is available to all Leschi students.

• Accessibility tools: Leschi has a large number of students who receive special education services. These students benefit from tools and sensory supports beyond what their special education programs provide. PTA has supported targeted materials like adaptive bikes and sensory supports that support engagement and inclusion at school.

• Classroom supplies: Building budgets for supplies are greatly limited. PTA provides grants to all staff, certificated and classified, to buy materials that support student learning in the classroom.

As an elementary principal, I believe that the education of our young is greatly benefited by support from the wider community. Please join Leschi in supporting the Annual Give! We also welcome community members interested in volunteering on a regular basis.

The Leschi PTA is excited to strengthen our partnership with the Leschi Community Council. Thank you for considering how you can support Leschi PTA this year and, we hope, for many years to come.

~Lynda Petersen