Admiral FUNd a new FHS Ed Foundation approach

For the first time in recent memory, Farragut High School Education Foundation is making a simple plea for donations with its Admiral FUNd.

Phone calls went out Monday, Nov. 9, to all FHS families, notifying them of the push to raise money for the school’s elective programs.

The goal is $25,000, and the unique approach netted $5,000 on the first day, fundraising chair Beth Duncan said.

“We have had fundraisers in the past, but this is the first year we have held a donation drive,” she added. “This is the first time we have ever said, ‘You don’t have to do anything but make a tax-deductible gift.’”

“With your help, we plan to raise money for classes that broaden the interests of our students,” FHS principal Dr. John Bartlett said on a Nov. 9 call. “A few areas include cameras and editing software for photography and journalism classes, evaporative coolers for the greenhouse, which will be used in botany and zoology electives, resources for all-world language courses and a 3D printer curriculum for the engineering design classes.

“These are just a few of the advanced opportunities we want to offer your students,” he added.

Duncan said helping fund electives is something “that helps every student, since every semester they each take two.

“Dr. Bartlett started two of the newer electives this year — engineering and photography — and the idea to support all those efforts really kind of evolved from his telling us he needed to fund 30 cameras for that class,” she added.

“Farragut is really known for its academics, but Dr. Bartlett, with initiatives such as this one, is really helping our children to become well-rounded students and to explore their talents and interests.”

The drive continues this week with a networking

sponsored by Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday (Nov. 19).

“We are going to feature several of our elective classes then, just to showcase what our children are learning and doing,” Duncan said.

Donations will continue to be accepted after the drive concludes Monday, Nov. 23. To contribute, visit givebutter.com/AdmiralsFund2020, text Admirals to 202-858-1233 or send checks directly in care of FHS, 11237 Kingston Pike, Farragut TN 37934.