Palo Alto Partners in Education Grants $3.4 Million to Palo Alto Public Schools
PALO ALTO, CA – MARCH 22, 2011 – Today, Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE), the education foundation that raises funds to staff school programs across the Palo Alto Unified School District, announced their results for this year’s schools campaign. [pullquote align=”right”]Download a PDF version of this press release.[/pullquote]”More parents and community members supported us than ever before this year, enabling us to donate $3.4 million to Palo Alto Schools. In these uncertain times, we are grateful to play a part in maintaining the educational excellence of our public schools.” said Elaine Hahn, PiE President. “Support from our entire community of donors and dedicated volunteers made this donation possible.” PiE funds are raised centrally and allocated on a per student basis directly to all elementary, middle, and high schools in the district.
Aides, Arts, and Science for Elementary Schools
This year elementary schools will receive $1.95M for Classroom Aides, Arts Instruction, and Science Enrichment, including 100% of district level funding for Spectra Art, the PAUSD elementary art program. In addition, PiE funds Classroom Aides, allowing for differentiation in small group instruction, and supplemental Science, providing hands-on discovery for budding scientists.
Counselors, Electives, and Mentors for Middle Schools
The middle schools will receive $625K for Student Guidance, Elective Enrichment, and Technology Mentors. PiE funds make more counselors available to more kids, allowing counselors to stay with the same students throughout their middle school years. In addition, electives like Chorus, Creative Writing, Public Speaking and an accelerated Industrial Tech have been restored. Technology Mentors ensure that teachers can utilize innovative technology in their classrooms.
Counselors, Guidance, and Electives for High Schools
PAUSD high schools will receive $825K for College & Career Counseling, Student Guidance, and Career/Technology Education. PiE funds additional College and Career Counselor time, helping all students plan for their future. PiE also funds LinkCrew at Palo Alto High School, a program that fosters student connections by training select Juniors and Seniors on leadership, then applying their new skills with Freshmen, at orientation and all year long. In addition, Career/Technology electives like Engineering, Biotechnology, and an online Java programming class are helping prepare our high school students for an ever-changing world.
Growing Support, Generous Community
More people gave more dollars to the PiE Campaign this year. Parent donations, in numbers and percentages, increased consistently throughout the district. PiE’s Leadership Circle program (donors who give more than $2500) added members at all contribution levels. Individuals in the greater community, without children currently enrolled in district schools, contributed 63% more than last year. And local businesses, Realtors, and corporations also contributed, including a 15% increase in corporate matching gifts.
“The incredible generosity of PiE donors reflects our community’s commitment to providing an excellent education to our children,” said Kevin Skelly, Superintendant. “This generosity couldn’t come at a better time, as uncertainties with state funding remain, making the partnership between parents, schools and our community even more important.”
About Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE)
Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education foundation dedicated to supporting all Palo Alto public schools. We partner with parents, Palo Alto Unified School District and the community to raise funds to give all students in PAUSD the best education possible. Since PiE’s inception in 2004‐05, we have donated more than $15 million to Palo Alto Schools. For more information about PiE, please visit www.papie.staging.wpengine.com.
Contact
Judy Logan
Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE)
judylogan1@gmail.com
650.450.0278