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Pasadena Educational Foundation
Working to Build Excellence in Our Public Schools
October 2006 - Vol 1, Issue 4
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Greetings!

The Pasadena Educational Foundation will be presenting two important public information events this fall and, as always, opportunities to support our public schools.

Tom DeLapp, a veteran consultant on communication, will present strategies for building public support and connecting with your community on Thursday, October 26 at 7 pm in the PUSD Board Room #236 in the Education Center at 351 S. Hudson Ave.

DeLapp will be a presenter at the California Consortium of Educational Foundations conference and brings an important perspective to community engagement and how this can advance student performance and educational accountability.
State Senator Jack Scott will be holding a forum on Public Education on Thursday, November 2 at 7 pm at the Armory Center for the Arts, 145 No. Raymond Ave. Scott, the Chair of the Education Committee for the California State Senate, will be presenting an update on the state of public education in California. Last month, two of Scott's bills, SB 1655 and SB 1209, were signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger in a ceremony at Muir High School. Among other measures, the bills give incentives - up to $30,000 - to teachers who want to go to work for low-performing schools and help remove hurdles for out-of-state teachers to get California teaching credentials.
PEF is thrilled to announce just a few recent gifts and grants to benefit PUSD students.
  • An amazing local family donation is creating computer labs at each of our high schools.

  • Gifts from the Webster Family Foundation are helping to fund computer labs, PE and playground equipment, field trips and scholarships..

  • PUSD art and music programs like the PHS band shown here are getting a boost from grants including those from Charter Communications, the VH1 Save the Music fund, and the Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation.

  • Since the beginning of the year, PEF has assisted the PUSD to receive government grant awards totalling over $1 million. These include grants from the federal Carol M. White Physical Education program and the state's School Community Violence Prevention program.

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    This year's deadline for PEF Teacher and All School Grant applications is November 1, 2006. Washington Mutual Foundation and Parsons Corporation have generously supported our efforts to provide teachers and principals with extra funds to support innovative classroom projects. Current 2006-07 Teacher and All School Grant Guidelines can be downloaded by clicking on link below.
    It's just about time for the October 23rd drawing at the Parade of Banners for the PEF's first SWEEPSTAKES OPPORTUNITY. You can still participate in this chance to win a brand new 2007 Audi A3 by coming to the Paseo Colorado before the 10 am drawing on Monday, October 23rd and purchasing a ticket there. Only 2000 tickets will be sold at $25 each for a chance to win this new car!
    For the past month, PEF has helped over 50 realtors get to know PUSD schools a little better by leading tours for agents from Prudential, Westlyn, Century 21, and Dilbeck Realtors. The realtors met with principals and visited Altadena, Franklin, Hamilton, Longfellow and Willard Elementary Schools, Webster School (K-7), and Blair IB Magnet School (7-12). Then, in early November, we will be sponsoring Neighborhood Gatherings in the Historic Highlands, Southwest Pasadena, as well as other neighborhoods within the PUSD area. Through these tours and neighborhood gatherings we are hoping to better inform people about what is going on right now in our schools, dispel myths, and encourage productive discussion on how we can all work together to improve public education. Many thanks to everyone who are taking the time to participate!

    We hope you will join us at our upcoming forums and encourage your friends and colleagues to learn more about PEF and the PUSD schools. If you have not already received a copy of the report by Richard Kahlenberg we commissioned this year, please download it from our website or call the PEF office at (626)795-6981, ext. 595 to receive a copy.

    Thank you and please e-mail us your comments and suggestions.
    Pasadena Educational Foundation

    email: pef@pusd.us
    phone: (626)795-6981, ext. 544 & 595
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