It seems hard to believe, but the first half of the school year has ended, and 2008 has come to a close. It's a good time to take a look back at accomplishments as we prepare for the new year.

This year, the Partners in Education Foundation raised and distributed nearly $95,000 in Teacher Grants to 90 teachers at 27 of Santa Fe's publicly funded schools. That's an increase of nearly 30 percent over last year's Teacher Grants distribution. The projects, covering all subject areas, will reach nearly 10,000 (unduplicated) students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

After Teacher Grants, Partners' second-largest program is funding field trips. Through the first half of the school year, Partners has provided field-trip buses for 358 classes (nearly 9,000 students).

With the economy in recession and more Santa Fe families slipping into poverty, increasing numbers of students are qualifying for the public schools' Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Partners' No Strings Fund ensures that no child will go without lunch while their paperwork makes its way through the system. So far this year, Partners has paid for more than 800 lunches. In addition, a special donation from the PNM Foundation provided more than 1,200 snacks to students in the after-school program.

Looking ahead, we will continue to provide buses for field trips, offer our annual scholarships for tuition reimbursement for teachers and educational assistants who are furthering their education, and of course, recognize our 2009 Teachers Who Inspire Award winners.

None of this important work could happen without our community partners. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the hundreds of individuals, the businesses and the foundations who have supported us with donations of money, goods and services — far too many to name here. Thanks to the Buckaroo Ball and to Thornburg Companies, for their generous support of our Teacher Grants Program. Our gratitude to the City of Santa Fe's Children and Youth Commission for continuing to provide funds for field trips. Thanks also to our board members, who volunteer their time on behalf of public education.

Last but certainly not least, we should all be grateful to the men and women who work tirelessly in and for our publicly funded schools. From Superintendent Bobbie Gutierrez and the school board to the teachers and administrators — you have dedicated your lives to educating and caring for our children, every day. It is an honor to be your partners in education.

Founded in 1988, the Partners in Education Foundation works to improve the quality of public-school education by linking the community with its schools. Partners is an independent nonprofit agency, and all donations are tax-deductible. For more information, contact 474-0240 or rgreeley@sfpartnersineducation.org. Correspondence can be sent to: Partners in Education Foundation, PO Box 23374, Santa Fe, NM 87502.