Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE) gives $4.875 Million to Palo Alto Public Schools

Community continues outpouring of support for nonprofit foundation powered by parent volunteers.

(May 10, 2021) PALO ALTO, CA – Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE), announced they will give $4.875 million to the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) for use in the 2021-22 school year. PiE also awarded $35,913 in Innovation Grants during the 2020-21 school year. The Innovation Grants and Big Gift were made possible by donors and volunteers from the parent community, who are committed to helping all PAUSD students receive an excellent education.

“Because it was a difficult year for everyone, we have an even greater appreciation for the parents and community members who supported PiE with a donation,” commented PiE President Brette Hudacek. “Their dedication will help us continue to provide important staff who educate and support every student in Palo Alto.”

PiE funds are allocated to all 18 PAUSD school locations on a per pupil basis. 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 more than 250 staff members. PiE funds allow the principal at each school to direct resources towards staffing site-specific the programs within these focus areas.

Donations to Palo Alto schools through PiE benefit every school and grade level, as students travel their academic path 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 – Music, theater, and art electives; and Wellness and Support – College and Career counseling, guidance counseling, mindfulness, and transition programs.

While declining enrollment and the Covid pandemic have presented new fundraising challenges, PiE continues to see broad support for its mission to provide funding for programs and staffing that enable PAUSD students to thrive. Excellence in education requires providing enrichment paths that can benefit each and every student. Parent support is key to making this vision an every day reality in Palo Alto schools.

“During a year of upheaval and unpredictability, PiE has continued to serve as a constant,” said Linda Lyon, Executive Director of Palo Alto Partners in Education. “We maintained our focus on enriching the education of each student, regardless of the method by which they were taught. The staff members funded by PiE worked with the students daily to support their educational goals and help them navigate this turbulent environment.”

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 more than $71 million to Palo Alto schools, including $69.5 million in big gifts, and $1.4 million in Innovation Grants.

Learn more about PiE by visiting the Palo Alto Partners in Education website: https://papie.org.

Contact:

Jen Schultz, Communications Chair
650-329-3990
email: info@papie.org