More than 200 community members turned out for the Edmonds Public Schools Foundation annual Spring Luncheon March 5. Together, they raised over $34,000 to provide grants to teachers and schools in Edmonds, Lynnwood, Brier, Woodway and Mountlake Terrace.

The late Hal Reasby, former Edmonds School District superintendent and founder of the Edmonds Public Schools Foundation, was honored at the lunch. The Reasby family donated $7,500 to the foundation in his memory. Reasby passed away in November 2009.

Highlights of the luncheon included a performance by the MOD Squad Double Dutch Jump Rope Team from Maplewood K-8 School. The audience cheered as current superintendent Dr.Nick Brossoit gave jumping rope a try. Teachers Jenni McCoughan and Errin Schull turned the rope as students and Dr. Brossoit jumped.

The honorary guest speaker was Dr. Laura Kastner, Clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at UW, celebrated author, and regular contributor to Parent Map. Dr. Kastner entertained and educated everyone about the trials and tribulations of raising teenagers, and the best practices for effectively communicating with them.

Meadowdale High School teacher Alison Ersfeld and her students, Fatima El-Zein and Nichole Jones, presented the Interactive Writing with Playback Theater Northwest, which was funded by the Edmonds Public Schools Foundation.

Lunch guests were also treated to a performance by the Chase Lake Elementary School third-grade Marimba band. Teacher Mark Press received a $3,000 grant from the Foundation in 2008 to purchase instruments.

McDonald’s, a luncheon sponsor, treated all of the student performers Happy Meals on their way back to school. Additional sponsors included Boeing, Landau, Schetky Northwest, Integrus, Landau, Hargis Engineers, and Wilson Strategic Communications. Integrus is building the new gym at Meadowdale Middle School.

Notable luncheon attendees included Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson, Edmonds City Councilmember D.J. Wilson, Lynnwood City Councilmember Stephanie Wright, Snohomish County Council Chair Dave Gosset, School Board President Susan Phillips, Vice President of the Edmonds Port Commission Mary Lou Block, Snohomish County Assessor Cindy Portman, Snohomish County Clerk Sonya Kraski, Snohomish County Treasurer Kirke Sievers, and Prosecuting Attorney Mark Roe.

For more information on the Foundation or to make a donation to the foundation, please visit www.edmondspublicschoolsfoundation.org. The board is currently looking for new members to help support our schools.

— By Jennifer Bardsley