Early Literacy

Last year, we were excited to pilot The Book Nook Project in nine Monroe Elementary classrooms. The idea began when Lauren Fimbres, a graduate from Shadow Hills High School, approached the Desert Sands Educational Foundation with a vision to create themed spaces where children could discover books and develop a love for reading. Thanks to that student’s leadership and the support of our community, the project came to life and made a lasting impact on early literacy.

Building on that momentum, this year we are pivoting to support the reintroduction of Early Literacy Stations in TK–2 classrooms across the district. These stations will help young learners build strong reading foundations through engaging, hands-on activities that foster confidence and a lifelong love of reading. The goal is to provide materials, supplies, and resources for literacy stations across all elementary grades. 

Writing Competition

Last year, we proudly introduced our first High School Writing Competition at Shadow Hills High School. The competition gave students a platform to showcase their creativity, talent, and writing skills, with one winner selected from each grade level, each receiving a $400 award from the foundation.

This year, we are excited to expand the competition to include a second high school, giving even more students the opportunity. 

High School Job Fairs

Last year, we helped support College & Career Readiness by collaborating with our high schools to host Job Fairs at each campus. These events connected students directly with employers (including DSUSD) and community partners, giving them a chance to explore future opportunities and career pathways.

We are proud to continue this work again this year, supporting job fairs at all four high schools. In addition to benefiting students, money collected from the registrations goes directly to each school’s Career Center, providing valuable resources to guide students in their next steps beyond graduation. Last year, the Career Centers received more than $3,000!

Attendance

We look forward to working with elementary schools that show the greatest need to support improved attendance. Strong attendance helps strengthen student engagement, boost learning, and build healthy routines that last a lifetime.

Student Assistance Fund

When a group of students needed water shoes for a school Water Day but couldn’t afford them, the foundation helped make sure they were included. Thanks to community support, those students were able to participate and enjoy the experience. We have established a Student Assistance Fund to provide direct help to students facing challenges. While the fund is small to start, it represents an important step in ensuring that every student has the support they need to thrive.