2004 annual report Dear Friends of the Fulcrum Foundation, In just two years, the Fulcrum Foundation has much to celebrate. This second annual report tells the story of an organization, founded to leverage support for Catholic schools, that distributed $382,800 in tuition assistance and $402,000 to assist schools in need during fiscal year 2004. At the same time, we continue our historic commitments to the Pierce County Association of Catholic Schools (PACE) and to the Rainbow schools of South Seattle, while supporting all Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Seattle. Building on the successful event Celebration of Light, our annual fundraising has garnered support from donors across the Archdiocese. This report focuses on last year’s recipients of the Archbishop’s Award and on the generosity of one family, who lead by giving through their V. Rev. commitment to Catholic schools. Stephen C. Rowan, Ph.D. This report also features stories about the key components of our mission: to provide tuition assistance for families who cannot afford the full cost of tuition, to provide assistance to schools in need, and to support programs that promote excellence in teaching and faith formation. These stories show that our schools are succeeding because of the faith and dedication of our students, families, teachers, and benefactors. You will also find inspiring testimonials by Champions of Catholic Education, who spoke at last year’s Celebration of Light. They prove that enthusiasm for Catholic schools in western Washington is widespread and deep. We urge you to reflect on the quotations, which convey a powerful message in a few words. Finally, if your name is among our “patrons” and financial supporters, Colleen thank you for your support. On behalf of our schoolchildren and teachers, Oglesby we appreciate your generosity. If you want to add your name, please consider joining the family. You will be most welcome! Sincerely, V. Rev. Stephen C. Rowan, Ph.D. Colleen Oglesby Chair of the Board Executive Director leveraging support for catholic schools tuition assistance Like all mothers, Nigisti Waldemichael worries about her children. She was especially concerned about her oldest daughter, Luwam, who was adrift and apathetic at her neighborhood school. Nigisti sought help from everyone she could – the school, her family, neighbors and friends. Although she tried all she could to help, Nigisti was dismayed when Luwam didn’t improve. Finally, Nigisti’s friend, Nancy, recommended Luwam enroll at St. George Parish School in Seattle. Nancy believed Luwam needed personal attention and a greater sense of belonging. She explained to Nigisti that Catholic schools are special in that the whole community – teachers, students, parents, and parishioners – make every effort to help children succeed. Even if they are not Catholic, the families become part of the community. In addition to personal attention, students benefit from high expectations and the challenge to excel that uniquely stems from families, teachers, and the school and parish communities working together for student achievement. Nigisti and Luwam’s father, Nuguse, left their native Eritrea on the East African coast more than a decade ago and settled in western Washington where they raised their children. The financial commitment of having a child in a Catholic school can be a challenge for most families. With four of their children at St. George, the Waldemichaels rely on tuition assistance. Tuition assistance has helped Luwam and it has also made a difference to the entire family beyond the classroom. After her first year at St. George, Luwam has shown a marked improvement. In addition to performing better academically, she has been tearing up the track as the school’s newest record holder in sprints. St. George is now a family affair for the Waldemichaels. Nuguse regularly volunteers at Mariner games TION for the school, all four of the school-age children are enrolled, and the three- year-old twins are hoping to attend when they are old enough. FULCRUM FOUNDA 2 champion of catholic education “Catholic schools nationwide provide the best measurable results in the education of our young people.” Jim Sinegal, President and CEO, Costco Wholesale - The Fulcrum Foundation awarded $382,800 in tuition assistance to 696 students during 2003-2004, making a difference in the lives of children and families throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle. Above: The Waldemichaels - front from left: Ruth, Dawit, Adim; back from left: Rahel, Nigisti, Nuguse, Aron, Luwam. Below: A student from St. Paul in Seattle, St. George School, Bellarmine Preparatory Girls’ Cross Country. leveraging support for catholic schools assistance to schools in need South Tacoma is home to a diverse, working-class community. At the heart of this community is Visitation Catholic School. Started by the Benedictine Sisters in 1925, the school welcomed 170 students in its first year. Parents paid a monthly tuition fee of what amounted to the average hourly wage at the time: $1.00. In the 80 years since, the school has graduated nearly 2,300 students and, though much has changed, Visitation has remained a stable influence of Christian values and academic excellence for the community. In a year that saw Visitation contend with its own survival, the school persevered as an acknowledged alternative to the neighborhood schools. Like all Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese, Visitation School is distinguished by its ability to provide a personal learning environment where children can grow socially, academically, and spiritually. Children who have been bullied or in other ways are at odds socially or academically in another school are welcomed into a loving, Christian community. Families continually hail Visitation school as a passport to hope for their children who have been failed by other institutions. The unique importance of Visitation to Tacoma was immediately recognized when the school faced closure this spring. The community rallied to raise the money necessary to keep the school open while making plans to reverse declining enrollment. The Fulcrum Foundation was there, too. In addition to giving Visitation School $40,000, Fulcrum solicited local donors to contribute to the school. Fulcrum assists Pierce County Association for Catholic Education (PACE) in raising funds for schools in Pierce County through its St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Endowment Fund. Fulcrum Foundation’s annual assistance to schools in need helps Catholic Schools meet the financial demands of TION underserved communities where alternatives, such as faith-based, personalized learning, are needed most. FULCRUM FOUNDA champion of catholic education 4 “Catholic schools are essential alternatives in our educational system as they set high standards of excellence in academic areas of conduct.” Phyllis Campbell, President & CEO, The Seattle Foundation - In communities where it can mean the most, Assistance to Schools in Need allows Catholic schools to meet the challenge of today’s social and educational environment. Above: Visitation School. Below center: Visitation’s first graduating class in 1927, and Visitation students today on the sides. leveraging support for catholic schools promoting excellence “What are our children learning today?” Video games, television, friends, and neighborhoods can powerfully influence what children learn and what they will grow up to be. Without guidance, these influences can be corrosive on the family and damaging to the child. Catholic schools can be equally powerful in response. Catholic school communities offset detrimental influences through effective teaching in a caring and challenging environment. To support our Catholic schools, the Fulcrum Foundation initiated Teacher and Staff Development Grants to promote excellence in teaching and faith formation. The grants fund the practical application of innovative teaching in the classroom and in the school. This year the Foundation awarded seven grants to teachers and staff in the Archdiocese of Seattle. At Seattle’s St. Catherine School, Nancy Wilson, Assistant Principal, was awarded a grant to develop “Ethics Across the Curriculum,” a project to engage students in the moral implications of their studies in science, social studies, religion, and language arts. The project was developed in conjunction with the University of San Diego and Seattle Preparatory High School, and it will support St. Catherine’s middle school teachers and six other Catholic grade schools (Assumption-St. Bridget, St. Joseph, and Our Lady of the Lake in Seattle, St. Monica in Mercer Island, and Sacred Heart in Bellevue) to develop their curriculum around ethics. “Our mission is to graduate students who are recognized for their competence, conscience, and compassion,” explains Mrs. Wilson. “To achieve these expectations, our curriculum must focus on knowledge and skills and on the ethical questions the students encounter as they grow and develop in their critical thinking and decision making.” TION Students in middle school are eager to explore ethical questions, particularly those relating to their own life experiences. By opening the doors to ethics, students make their own connections to their studies throughout the school day. Moreover, teachers confronted by ethical questions in the classroom have a supportive and structured teaching model to foster learning and development during this formative time in a child’s life. FULCRUM FOUNDA 6 champion of catholic education “We need Catholic schools to ensure