Washington County Public Schools Education Foundation

GLOW is a financial literacy and college financial planning curriculum. Along with the support of local mentors, the curriculum helps students overcome the challenges of financial literacy and funding, empowering them to apply to, attend, and graduate from college and reach their greatest potential.

The FAFSA Frenzy has been helping Washington County seniors complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) since 2014. The event has helped more than 570 students receive free assistance in completing the FAFSA and understand the Financial Aid process. Support is provided by Financial Aid professionals and community members to help students qualify for Federal and State Aid.

The WCPS Education Foundation Board of Directors voted during the June 2018 Board Retreat to add a pilot program that supports the WCPS initiative to enhance literacy in the classroom.

Lura Hanks, WCPS Supervisor for English Language Arts and Social Studies, explained during a committee meeting that many students come to school with limited experiences in literate environments and lacking exposure to books and phonological awareness (knowledge of sounds). These students have shown dramatic results by early intervention!

WCPS Education Foundation Board Members, Laura Barnes & Eric Meredith, are up for the challenge and agreed to pilot the program at each of their elementary schools for the 2018-19 school year. Executive Director, Christina Williams, has been working with the team to establish the program, recruit volunteers, schedule trainings and lead the foundation in making this program a success.