WHAT WE DO

Throughout the years, the Redwood Area Education Foundation has played a significant part in various special project initiatives.  

 

-When the decision was made to bring back the Agriculture Program, the RAEF supported the program by raising funds for the teacher salary and benefits for two years to aid in it's reestablishment.

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-The RAEF Funded 3 Wegner Acoustic Practice Rooms for the Music Department at a cost of over $100,000.

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- Most recently, the RAEF was an integral part of the expansion to the Redwood Valley High School's vocational training center, now known as the Estebo Career Development & Training Center.  With a gift of $1.2 million dollars to the Foundation from Orrin Estebo, along with other funding, the training center was established.  Donations continue to be provided through the RAEF to help support the programming now offered at the center including: plant science/grow lab, agriculture, horticulture, animal health & vet sciences, manufacturing, welding, carpentry, landscape design, sports medicine & other medical careers courses, drones, computer drawing courses and more!   

 

 

-Various President's Projects.  Each year, the President of the RAEF board works to identify a need within the district to help raise money to fulfill that specific need.  

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2024 PROJECT

We’re thrilled to announce that our nature based learning playground is FULLY FUNDED!  We want to extend our sincere gratitude to all of the generous donors who supported this project, especially the Janning family for pledging the final amount needed for this initiative!

 

ECFE Nature Based Playground is a nature based learning environment for the youngest learners (ages 0-5) within the early childhood programming of the district.  This will be a beautiful, welcoming space where our youngest learners can create, imagine, learn and be in touch with nature, all while having fun!  The benefits of outdoor learning are significant.  Nature based learning enhances imaginative play, increases physical & mental well-being, promotes environmental stewardship, encourages invention and creation, exercises both gross motor skills & cognitive abilities and expands learning opportunities.  Various areas within our playground will include a cascading water feature, mud kitchen, construction/building play space, outdoor building block area, sensory walking paths, outdoor music & art stations, slides, natural climbing features and more!  

 

The playspace will officially be named the Yvonne & Heinz Janning Early Childhood Natural Playspace to honor two significant individuals who’ve had a tremendous impact on our district & community. Yvonne was the founding director of the Early Childhood Family Education Program and instrumental in its development and prolonged success.  Heinz, a 32-year educator in the district, was also a significant proponent to Redwood Area Schools.  Both Yvonne & Heinz are members of the school’s Hall of Fame and were tireless advocates for our students, families and education.  We are honored to continue their legacy through this very special initiative.