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Ideas to Impact: Your Gifts at Work!
Author-in-Residence
All of Park City enjoyed this year's Author-in-Residence! Author Daniel James Brown spent two days with every PCHS student, answering their questions and discussing his path to becoming an author (he didn't start until he was over 50!) and how his best-selling book, The Boys in the Boat, came to fruition. Many community members came to class as well, as this was also the 'One Community One Book' selection for Park City this year. And, the free Community Conversation on Tuesday night was packed with Parkites of all ages!
PCHS Junior Paige Billow said, "It was a very cool experience to be able to talk to Daniel James Brown about his writing process and how he went about creating this book. It's one thing to get a question answered by your English teacher, but it's another to have it answered by the actual author!" PCHS English teacher Kelly Yeates agrees. "It was fascinating to hear about Brown's researching process and how meticulously he investigated every detail. Then he explained how he edited all the information down and how he chose to structure the book. I think it really helped students appreciate his writing process and how monumental writing narrative non-fiction really is."
Summit County Library also held a book discussion in August. Librarian Kirsten Nilsson noted, "The room was packed with students, parents, senior citizens, community members, rowing coaches, a collegecrew member and even a wo
rld-class rower. It was exactly what the One Book OneCommunity Reading Program is all about -- getting a whole community to read and exchange ideas about the same book."
Thank you to our donors whose gifts to programs like this impact our entire community! To give to this or other PCEF programs, please click here. Read the Park Record article here. |
What is Beat the Call?
Beat the Call is a fundraising campaign for Park City Education Foundation that encourages families to donate by September 30th in order to avoid getting a phone call during Phone-a-Thon.
Why should I donate to PCEF?
PCEF goes beyond what the public education budget provides to meet the needs of Park City School District's students and teachers. PCEF funds over 60 programs that impact 96% of our students.
How does Beat the Call work?
Beat the Call is all about participation! Classes with the highest participation in each grade win class parties. The school with the highest participation of PCEF donors is awarded $2,500 from The UPS Stores Park City!
What if I already donated this year?
Thank you! Your donation already counts toward Beat the Call class parties and you're off the hook for Phone-a-Thon. Check the Beat the Call Donor Honor Roll if you're not sure.
What do these donations fund?
Beat the Call donations fund over 60 programs at our seven PCSD schools. To see how PCEF invests your gifts at your school visit: www.pcef4kids.org You can designate your gift to your school by clicking the box next to your school on the donation page.
Can I donate monthly?
Yes! Click the Monthly Donation box on the following donation page.
Excellent schools need everyone's support.
Consider a gift of any amount to Beat the Call!
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Passionate Parkites came together to 'Paint the Town Red' and raise money for PCEF programs in the Park City School District. Almost 300 guests attended The Red Apple Gala, generously hosted by the Montage Deer Valley and Presented by Zions Bank.
PCEF funded programs in Elementary Art, Reading, STEM and Students in Need, among others, will benefit from the proceeds.
PCEF Executive Director Abby McNulty noted, "PCEF supports so many programs inour schools, and being able to provide funds for things like EVA, which brings monthly art lessons to 1500 elementary students, the PCHS Author-in-Residence, a STEM Coordinator for the District, and helping our students in need, shows the commitment of our community to public education."
A big thank you to our sponsors, whose support ensures every dollar in ticket and auction sales and 'raise the paddle' donations go to PCEF programs. Thank you also to the 100+ volunteers, including Event Chair Kerri Whipple and her amazing Red Apple Committee, who put on Park City's favorite fall party.
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Teacher Spotlight - Andrea Solum
Like so many Park City residents, Trailside Elementary teacher Andrea Solum moved here after a ski vacation. "I had been teaching in Texas for four years, and we came out over New Year's. It was the whole Y2K scare, and no one was here. It was so beautiful, we bought a house right then and moved out that July!"
Originally from Michigan, Andrea earned her degree in English and Creative Writing and became a paralegal. "But I soon realized a desk job was not for me. I had always loved working with kids, so went back and got a second degree in Education. I applied to every state that had a reciprocal certification agreement with Michigan, and that's how I wound up in Texas!
"After moving here, I started out in the Tech job at Parley's, then I was hired for 4th grade at Jeremy Ranch. I took a five-year break to have my kids, and then was lucky enough to be hired at Trailside. I taught half time with Lisa McInerney at first, which was perfect with little kids at home. I teach 3rd grade full time now, and I love it!
"The biggest difference teaching here vs my experience in other districts is the parent involvement. It is so helpful to have parents available who want to be involved. And I myself have loved having both my children go to school with me. My youngest is a 5th grader, and I'll be sad when he's not at Trailside next year!
"Another difference is the community support. We take for granted organizations like PCEF, that give us access and the means to get what we need for our classrooms. The Stand Up Desks in my classroom are the greatest things ever!
"The best part of my day is when a student is struggling with something, and then they get it. I love it when they don't give up, when they really try, and then they have that 'aha' moment!"
Andrea is working on her Masters Degree and getting her National Teacher Certification Boards. She says it's actually really fun! In her spare time she raises money for the Kenya Urithi Education Fund, inspired by a "life-changing" volunteer trip she took to teach in Kenya two years ago.
Teacher Spotlight - Julie Hooker
TMJH Teacher Julie Hooker came to teaching after working in PR for several years. "I worked for an agency, then had my own business for six years. I was living near Sundance, and it was kind of lonely working from home. One of my neighbors said, 'You would make a great teacher!' It really sounded right, so I applied for a U of U/BYU year-long teaching credential program. We were in classes all summer, and then taught 4 days a week for the rest of the school year under the guidance of a classroom teacher mentor.
"My teacher mentor at Midvale Elementary really inspired me with her credo that 'Fair is not equal, fair is making sure everyone's needs are met' I still live by that today."
Julie's first teaching job was at Hillcrest Elementary in the Alpine School District, where she had 36 students in her class, with a large number of Gifted & High Ability students. "My principal there really pushed me to get my Gifted Endorsement." She then moved to Park City and taught at Ecker for a few years before taking a break to work in the film industry.
"But I missed teaching. I came back and interviewed with Bob O'Connor for the position at Treasure. I told him, 'I am a teacher, and I have to teach.' I was hired as an English teacher, and then we created the Leadership class and the Journalism class. Now I teach 8th grade English, Leadership, Journalism, work with Andy Coleman on LEAP (the TMJH program for Gifted and High Ability students,) and mentor student groups who need me.
"Each of these classes and programs has been supported by PCEF. What I have found is that if I have an idea that I think will help my students, PCEF will find a way to support it. In general, this community is so caring, and always willing to share their expertise!
"The best thing about teaching is that every day my students and I get to laugh. One of my biggest compliments was when a student said, 'If laughter makes you live longer, then our class will live to be 122!' One of my neighbors said, 'You never get the Sunday night blues,' and it's true! I love going to my classroom. The kids show up, and that's when the fun and magic begins to happen."
Julie's other passion in life is fostering dogs. "I have a mini rescue operation at my house!" She also loves reading, writing and yoga.
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Park City Education Foundation | 435-615-0235 | www.pcef4kids.org
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