This year, three dedicated teachers - Camille Bothe, Mary Salazar, and Alissa Drowns turned their classrooms into living laboratories with a North Kitsap Schools Foundation grant that funded the Lettuce Grow Farmstand Project. These self-watering, self-fertilizing hydroponic towers transformed everyday lessons into hands-on experiments in science, sustainability, and gratitude.

Having served the longest tenure for any Board Trustee with the North Kitsap Schools Foundation, Dennis Peters has decided to step away from the board. Out of NKSF’s 23-year existence, Dennis served on the board for nearly half of it. As of the end of 2025, he’ll have completed 10 years of service in various roles, most notably as Treasurer and President.

This year, thanks to a North Kitsap Schools Foundation grant, Preschool Teacher Pat Muñiz brought a world of sensory discovery to her classroom. The grant funded a collection of tools designed to meet her students’ diverse sensory needs, including alternative seating, noise-canceling headphones, chew necklaces, fine-motor learning materials, and the star of the show—a brand-new funnel stand for the sensory table.

This fall, the North Kitsap Schools Foundation has awarded $103,776 in classroom grants to teachers across the district. That total represents more than just funding — it’s a reflection of what can happen when teachers, families, and community members work together to support learning.

Like any other business, we understand that challenges may arise from year to year. Just like any other local small business, we remain committed to showing up and working to build a stronger community. Given the dozens of local businesses we reach out to, we’re grateful for every one that takes the time to consider how they may be able to help our schools each year and deeply respect the difficult decisions necessary to not only keep the lights on but help out however they c