Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE) Gives $5.5 Million to Palo Alto Public Schools

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

(April 24, 2019) PALO ALTO, CA – Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE), announced they will give $5.5 million to the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) for use in the 2019-20 school year. The gift was made possible by to donors and volunteers from the parent community, which is committed to helping all PAUSD students receive an excellent education.

“We are so lucky to be in a community that values a well-rounded education for all of our students and demonstrates this commitment through their support of PiE. Thousands of families donated to PiE this year and every single donation helps in supporting our schools,” said Kamal Ardeshna, President of PiE’s Board of Directors during the 2018-2019 campaign, “I’m also very proud of the hard work and time given by our wonderful PiE volunteers to help our schools and support all of our children.”

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.

While declining enrollment presents a new set of 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.

“Every parent has dreams and goals for their child,” said Linda Lyon, Executive Director of Palo Alto Partners in Education, “because the community invests in Palo Alto schools, those dreams and goals can be reached for each student. Together we help PAUSD provide an education that is enriching and engaging.”

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 – 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 $58.7 million to Palo Alto schools. Learn more about PiE by visiting the Palo Alto Partners in Education website: https://papie.org.

Contact:

Kirstin Sego, Communications Chair
650-773-1405
email: info@papie.org