Partners in Education (PiE) Launches $5.1 Million Fundraising Campaign

PiE funding provides critical staffing resources at all PAUSD schools in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), The Arts, and Wellness and Support

(August 10, 2017) PALO ALTO, CA – Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE) announced today the launch of its 2017-18 fundraising campaign, which aims to secure $5.1 million in donations to help ensure all students in the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) receive an excellent educational experience beyond what is possible with public funding alone. The campaign kicks off with a $500,000 challenge grant which will double the impact of donations and pledges made before September 5, 2017.

PiE funds are allocated to every PAUSD school on a per pupil basis, by level, and allow every principal to put resources towards staffing the programs that matter most for the students and families at each school location. PiE funds contribute to three focus areas: STEM, the Arts, and Wellness and Support and represent 85,000 hours of support and enrichment and full or partial salaries for 250 staff members.

“Today more than ever, parents, schools, community members, local businesses, and PiE must work together to ensure that we have the excellent education we want for our kids,” said Colleen Gormley, President of PiE’s Board of Directors. “This year’s campaign begins with a $500,000 challenge grant, which we hope will encourage families to double the impact of their contributions by pledging or donating to PiE between now and September 5, 2017. Every single gift makes an impact for the students. It truly is a whole community effort to support our schools through PiE.”

In a difficult fundraising climate last year, PiE fundraising fell slightly short of the goal. This year, extra effort is being made to communicate the importance of PiE in delivering an education that is commensurate with high performing districts elsewhere in the country. To help with that effort, a short video was created to explain how PiE was created to partially make up the significant negative impact that Proposition 13 has on California public school funding.

“Because school funding in California is complicated. It takes the support of a deeply caring community to help us maintain the high standards and deliver the excellent education that people expect from Palo Alto schools,” said Dr. Glenn “Max” McGee, Superintendent of Palo Alto Unified School District, “The ongoing generosity of our Palo Alto parents through PiE is instrumental in helping us deliver the highest quality of teaching and learning that transforms the words of our vision to action so we can empower all students to reach their fullest intellectual, social and creative potential.”

Donations to Palo Alto schools through PiE make an importance difference at every school and grade level, from pre-kindergarten through high school.

  • Elementary: STEM – Science, technology, and math enrichment; The Arts – Art and music programs; Wellness and Support – Classroom Aides, Counseling, and social-emotional learning.
  • Middle: STEM – Science, technology and math electives; The Arts – Music, choir, and art electives; and Wellness and Support – Guidance counseling and transition programs.
  • High School: STEM – Science, engineering and math electives; The Arts – Graphic Arts electives; and Wellness and Support – College and Career counseling, guidance counseling, mindfulness, and transition programs.

ABOUT PALO ALTO PARTNERS IN EDUCATION (PiE)

Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education foundation devoted exclusively to raising money for all Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) schools, and the only foundation dedicated to raising funds to pay for PAUSD teachers and staff. Through PiE’s partnership with parents, the school district, community members and businesses, PiE raises funds to help give all students in PAUSD an enriched and fulfilling education. Since PiE’s inception in 2004-05, it has donated over $47 million to Palo Alto schools. Learn more about PiE by visiting the Palo Alto Partners in Education website: https://papie.org.

Contact:

Rebecca Thompson, Communications Chair
650-269-7178
email: info@papie.org

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