Springfield Education Foundation

🏃‍♀️🌟 The best days start with movement! Thanks to a SEF Frank Sherman Grant to Maple Elementary School, Principal Megan Knight is ensuring that their students get their wiggles out through the Healthy Moves program! Four mornings per week, students in kindergarten through 5th grade get moving with UO student trainers through games, cardio activities, warm-ups, and even yoga stretches before heading to class. We’re excited to help keep those healthy moves happening all school year long! 💪🎉

"Healthy Moves provides students a way to move their bodies, interact with peers and work with trainers before the start of school each day. This opportunity for activity helps to prepare them for learning when they enter their classroom and provides a way to release some of the bottled up energy they enter the building with each morning." - Megan Knight
Springfield Public Schools - OR

🌟 Meet the Emcees of the Night of 11,000 Stars! 🌟

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the amazing duo, Brian and Jennifer Richardson, will be joining us as our emcees for SEF's Night of 11,000 Stars Gala & Auction on October 24! 🎤✨

With backgrounds in journalism, communications, storytelling, and community engagement, Brian and Jennifer know a thing or two about telling a great story. And, as people who are deeply invested in our schools, local youth, and the power of community, they’re the perfect pair to help us celebrate the students, educators, programs, and supporters who make the work of Springfield Education Foundation possible.

Jennifer is the founder and president of Richardson Media, an award-winning strategic communications and video storytelling firm, and a former television news anchor and reporter. Brian serves as Director of Communications and Community Engagement for Springfield Public Schools, with years of experience in journalism and public-sector communications. Together, they bring a wonderful combination of storytelling expertise, community connection, and plenty of personality to the stage! Read their full bios on our Guest Guide page at fundraiser.bid/nightofstars26.

We’re also incredibly grateful to Richardson Media for supporting SEF as a Gold Star Sponsor of this year’s gala. Their generosity helps us continue investing in opportunities that engage and inspire students across Springfield Public Schools. 💛⭐

Thank you, Brian, Jennifer, and the entire Richardson Media team, for being part of this special night. We can’t wait to see you under the stars! ✨

SEF is proud to support educators like Perry Joseph, who received an Innovative Educator Grant to fund the framing materials for this wonderful student artwork. Congratulations to all of the students in the Mayor's Teen Art Show! "These frames will benefit those students who put in the effort and craftsmanship to create exhibit quality work." says Joseph. "Let's shine the light on our artistic youth!"

🎻 A better fit makes for better music! An Innovative Educator Grant awarded to Riverbend Elementary School 5th grade teacher Andrew Strietelmeier is helping upgrade the school’s orchestra equipment with adjustable shoulder rests for young violin and viola players. These simple accessories help students hold their instruments comfortably and securely, making it easier to focus on learning, playing, and making beautiful music. 🎶

"Better shoulder rests clamp onto the instrument, provide finer support, and have feet with adjustable heights that can be personalized to each player's neck length. This makes practicing at home more enjoyable and therefore more likely to happen, leading to more frequent, “I can do it!” moments." - Andrew Strietelmeier
Springfield Public Schools - OR

🖐️ Welcome back, returning SEF Board Member Kari Isham-Skelton! We are so grateful that Kari has re-joined our board, after having served for six years from 2013 - 2019! As Principal at Yolanda Elementary School, she is a passionate supporter of education, and we are SO excited to have her perspective and passion in helping guide our mission in support of quality public education in Springfield.

"As a lifelong resident of Springfield and proud Thurston High graduate, I have a deep connection to this community and a strong belief in the importance of investing in our students and schools." says Kari. "I am excited to return to serving on the Springfield Educational Foundation and to continue supporting its important work on behalf of students and educators."

Read Kari's full bio at SEFLane.org/about/board 🍎

September brings great celebrations for SEF Staff and Board Members! This month, we applaud Ashley Mahlum for 5 years of dedication to SEF. Since being hired in 2021 as Executive Assistant, she now proudly wears many hats as Program Coordinator. Much has changed, but we applaud her creativity, determination, and dedication to her work. ♥️

We also celebrate the following Board Members' anniversaries this month:
🐱 Crystal McPheeters - 5 years
🌸 Nicole De Graff - 3 years
🎨 Michael Alvarado - 1 year
Thank you each for your service to Springfield students!

Lastly, happy birthday to SEF Treasurer, Justin Martin! We hope you have a warm and joyous celebration. 🎂 We are so thankful for our incredible team!