Dear Prospective Community Partners,

On behalf of the Nooksack Valley School District, Vamos Outdoors Project, the Nooksack Indian Tribe Education Department, and the Wild Whatcom SEED program, we are looking forward to welcoming you to the Seed to STEM program.

With program builder funding through Career Connect Washington, the Seed to STEM team has co-developed the vision and guidelines for a career-connected, outdoor learning pathway serving K-5th grade students and leading into the existing Snow to Sea program at Nooksack Valley Middle School. Seed to STEM is intentionally designed to benefit all students by specifically providing equitable support that benefits Native students, Latine students, and students with developmental disabilities. These experiences prioritize students’ passions and cultural values, help them discover diverse and sustainable career paths, and gain the skills and confidence to pursue them.

The district is seeking applications from community partners who provide outdoor learning experiences for K-5th grade students to participate in a funded planning process this Spring, and partner on the implementation of the pathway program in the 24-25 school year if additional funding is secured.

Number of students for all three elementary schools:

• K - 139
• 1st  - 139
• 2nd  - 136
• 3rd  - 178
• 4th  - 157
• 5th - 173

Class sizes range from 15 - 26  (the highest class size would likely never be more than 28 at elementary)

If you are an outdoor learning provider, member of the Snow to Sea team, or offer support services that will benefit this effort, please consider joining the Seed to STEM team as a community partner by completing this application form (due March 29th, 2024).

We hosted a Community Launch Meeting on February 29th for interested organizations. If you were unable to attend that launch, we encourage you to watch the recording of that meeting using this link. The recording will give additional information necessary to understand the project, timelines, participation commitments, and how to begin the process of collaborating as a community partner in the Seed to STEM program.

The Snow to Sea website includes program guidelines and implementation plans and other relevant resources you may find helpful in completing the Seed to STEM application. Please keep your responses to 500 words or less. This is not a grant application, brevity is appreciated. After completing your application, please click the submit button at the bottom of the application. Selected Community Partners will be notified by April 15th.

We are thrilled to share this opportunity to collaborate! A collective thanks to each of the Seed to STEM team members, as well as the students, parents, and teachers who have participated in the process and provided invaluable insights. And thank you to Jenny, Sinead, and Career Connect Washington for their support.

Please reach out to Joyce Perkins if you have any questions and share this application with others who might be interested.

Sincerely,

Joyce Perkins: NVSD Seed to STEM coordinator joyce.perkins@nv.k12.wa.us

Zachary Williams and Ravenia Williams, Nooksack Education Department

Rebeca Sixto and Andy Basabe, Vamos Outdoors Project

Nicole Keeler and Adam Brayton, Wild Whatcom SEED

Sara Welsh, Snow to Sea Program Liaison

Ben Greene: WCEE director www.whatcomenvironmentaleducation.com