Happy Holidays from the PCEF Board, Ambassadors, and Staff!
Ideas to Impact: Your Gifts at Work! PCEF Donors Ensure ALL Students are Ready for College and Career. 

PCEF makes annual investments in programs that have great impact: 
  • K-5 Afterschool program for at-risk youth in conjunction with The United Way
  • Latinos in Action (6th - 12th Latino leadership program)
  • High School Fee Waivers
  • Access to internet at home, in conjunction with Park City Municipal and Summit County 
  • Mentoring and scholarships for first-generation college students
Junior Enrique Sanchez is a remarkable senior at PCHS. He moved here with his family from Mexico when he was just two years old. "I was lucky," he says, "I was able to go to Preschool so when I entered kindergarten at McPolin, I could speak English.  It made a huge difference."
 
Enrique has been making a difference ever since.  Enrique has taken advantage of many PCEF funded programs including Afterschool, Latinos in Action (LIA,) TMJH Leadership Class and a scholarship to attend a summer Tech Camp at Stanford.  Enrique was a trailblazer in school.  He was the first Latino elected to Student Council at Ecker and Treasure. At PCHS he played football, was selected as the representative for Boys State, placed in the "Mr. Miner" contest, and has received a WUE College Scholarship. Enrique has also been an integral part of the LIA program since 8th grade. "He's represents everything we try to do," says LIA teacher Anna Williams.
 
Enrique is quick to point out that none of these things would be possible without outside help. "Ms. Amendola (Ecker counselor) nominated me to do the Stanford camp the summer before 9th grade. I didn't even know what it was, and there was no way my family could afford it. But my teacher and PCEF found a scholarship donor. It was an amazing experience. I had never flown, didn't even know how to find my bags at the airport. Once I got there, it was so great. I loved living in the dorms, going to classes, eating in the dining hall. I KNEW I wanted to go to college after that!
 
"All of the things I've done have pushed me out of my comfort zone. That's the good thing about LIA. It's a place where Latinos can be comfortable and get the support to go out and do the things that push us out of our comfort zone. And we get to help younger Latinos and help out in the community."
 
When asked about advice he gives to other Latinos, he doesn't hesitate, "Don't think there's not any opportunities, because there are a lot! You have to look for them, and get out of your comfort zone. When teachers ask you questions, they are not being nosy, they really care for you! If my teachers weren't 'nosy' I wouldn't have the chances I've had so far!"

Enrique has applied to the University of Utah and the University of Arizona. He has already been accepted into Colorado Mesa University, and received the WUE Scholarship for in-state tuition.
 
Read this Park Record article about the growing success of Park City's Latino students.
PCEF College and Career Readiness Facts
  • College and Career Readiness is one of PCEF's six areas of interest for program funding
  • Some College and Career Readiness Programs we support:
    • Latinos in Action
    • Elementary Afterschool Program
    • Park City Center for Advanced Professional Studies (PCCAPS)
    • First Generation Mentoring and Scholarships
    • Journalism at TMJH and PCHS
    • Homework Club at TMJH
    • Naviance College Planning Software for 6th - 12th Counseling Departments
    • Special Education Programs for post high school transition
    • College Academic and Athletic Preparedness Class
       
  • Together with our donors, we will fund over 17 College and Career Readiness programs this year, totaling over $190,000.  See a complete list here.
Teacher Grants Are Awarded!
It's the happiest time of the year, and the heart of what we do! Our teachers know what it takes to keep students engaged, and Teacher Grants give them the opportunity to test pilot innovative ideas and programs. 33 teachers were awarded grants for programs that that they feel will improve the classroom experience for their students. Perhaps someday, one of these pilot programs will become a district-wide initiative!
 
Many thanks to Deer Valley Resort for their support of Teacher Grants!

Please go to our website to see the full list of this year's Teacher Grants!
Get an insider look at programs and help PCEF accelerate 
educational excellence by joining Scholar Circle 

A membership program of the Park City Education Foundation, the Scholar Circle is comprised of families who invest over $1,000 annually into Park City's Schools. Scholar Circle members receive premiere benefits throughout the year including VIP invitations, private Scholar Circle events, Insider Updates, and recognition.  Scholar Circle members also watch PCEF programs in action through presentations and site visits.

Scholar Circle membership directly funds innovative and unique programing in Park City's schools; it's the smartest investment you will ever make!  For more information, contact Abby McNulty at 435-615-0235 ext. 1 or amcnulty@pcschools.us. To learn more or join visit the Scholar Circle Website. 

Scholar Circle members recently socialized and learned about two PCEF-funded STEM programs, PCCAPS Engineering and Robotics at Glenwild. Check out the photo album on Facebook. 
MAY 21st, 2016
IT'S ALMOST TIME!
 
It's almost time to register for Running with Ed! Registration opens January 4th, and the first 50 team captains to register will receive a FREE pair of Altra Running shoes!

Teams from 5 - 10 people are available, as well as solos and duos. Some legs are just over a mile so anyone and everyone can take part. And of course, you don't want to miss out on the great costumes, awesome swag bag, and rockin' Finish Party!
 
In this season of giving, why not give the gift that brings the community together for a celebration of education? It's Park City's Favorite way to get active while giving back to our teachers and students.
Thank You EpicPromise!
Vail Resorts revealed the 2016 grant recipients of their EpicPromise Program at the Chairs for Charity event last Thursday. According to the EpicPromise website, "At Vail Resorts, everything we do is built upon the promise of bringing together the mountains, our communities, employees and guests to ignite a passion for the outdoors, conserve the natural environment and support our local communities for a bright, sustainable future.
 
Through EpicPromise, Park City Mountain will be a Presenting Sponsor of Running with Ed, a Red Apple Gala sponsor, and a major supporter of Preschool!
 
In addition, we were honored to take part in the 'Chairs for Charity' event hosted by the Kimball Art Center. Our Motherlode chair was turned into a beautiful piece of Park City history by Montage Deer Valley's Ron MacDonald. We were thrilled when it sold for $15,000! This type of gift means we can pilot a new program, or extend an existing one. 

We thank Vail for their tremendous support and are grateful they are continuing their Golden Apple partnership with PCEF!
Teacher Spotlight - Manuel Maravi Clayton
  • 4th Grade Dual Immersion Teacher (Spanish) at Parley's Park
     
  • Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and Pre-Med, Endorsements in ESL, Technology, Music, Dual Immersion and Spanish.  Obtaining Master's in Language Acquisition/Spanish
     
  • Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina
     
  • Passionate about piano and tennis
Originally from Buenos Aires, Manuel had an idea he might become a teacher. "As a child I had a small library, where I kept all my encyclopedias, magazines and favorite books.  I did my homework there and pretended I had students.  I remember filling out report cards and taking attendance.  Becoming a teacher was always on my mind, but there were other passions that kept me wondering about my life profession.  I love science and music and I originally studied at La Plata Medical School in Argentina."
 
He came to the US, where he majored in music and pre-med at BYU. But, adopting his baby boy changed his life. "Erik came to our lives when he was one day old.  I remember holding him in my arms and I felt very unprepared and inadequate as a parent. Thinking of sending him to school, from a non-traditional family and being African-American, it just brought back bullying memories I lived as a kid.  I decided to take him with me, back to college, and get my teaching certificate.  By the time he was ready to go to Pre-school I was a certified teacher.  Now he is in my classroom and I enjoy having him and seeing what his other teachers had to put up with!!
 
"We moved to Park City in 2004. We have found here a supportive community to our small, but diverse family.  I appreciate the kindness of wonderful people we call our friends, our fellow parishioners from our church, and all the families I meet as a teacher. The best part of teaching in Park City is that it's personal.  The children I teach are my neighbors, my tennis pals, my friends' children.  This is a small community with a big heart.  And the best part of my day is when a child that struggles finds a way to shine and own his or her success.  It makes all the 'pulling teeth' pain well worth it!
 
"As a teacher I appreciate PCEF for providing the necessary tools to reach the needs of all our students.  As a parent I'm thankful that many people care for the education of our children.  They deserve the best the world can offer."
 
Manuel loves playing piano and conducting choir. He is the Music Director at St Luke's Church, and plays piano at The Viking Yurt during ski season. He plays tennis 3 to 4 days a week, and coaches his son's soccer team. "When I grow up, I want to slow down and just be a teacher!" 

Teacher Spotlight - Anna Williams
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) and Latinos in Action (LIA) teacher at PCHS, ESL Instructional Coach for PCSD
     
  • Teaching 20 years, 11 for Park City School District
     
  • Major in English, minor in Spanish and teaching credential from the University of San Diego.  Master's Degree from Boston College and a vocational license from Mississippi State.  Endorsed in English, ESL, Alternative Education and Spanish
     
  • Dreams of earning her PhD
"I grew up in a classroom," says Anna Williams. "My mother taught 1st grade Bilingual Education for 35 years! She is my inspiration."  Originally from Santa Fe, Anna headed to USD for college. After graduating, Anna taught Survey of British Literature in high school in San Diego.
 
"Then my husband was transferred to Mississippi and I got a job teaching in a single parent displaced homemaker program. I was teaching African American women the skills to pass a test to get a job. They were the most amazing women. I KNEW then I wanted to work with people who are underrepresented in educational settings. We were transferred again, and I taught at a Catholic high school in the roughest part of Dallas. I learned a lot. Then Delta transferred us to Salt Lake City, and we chose to move to Park City.
 
"It was about 11 years ago, and I got a job right away teaching the ESL classes at the high school. We have come a long way since then. I started the LIA program at the high school about 6 years ago. We started with 8 kids. This year we have 40 at the high school; there's been a class at Treasure for several years, and we are in our 2nd year with a group at Ecker. We now have a 100% graduation rate with our LIAs!
 
"I love teaching in Park City.  Park City has the most highly qualified, committed and passionate teachers I've ever known. I love collaborating with my colleagues, and when we plan an engaging or successful lesson together, it is a great feeling."
 
Her colleagues feel the same way, "I marvel at her skills in the classroom," says a fellow PCHS teacher. "Anna teaches the whole student. In her class, students quickly learn that they are valued and valuable and they can't help but rise to Anna's expectations.
 
When asked about the difference PCEF makes, Anna says, "In other districts, teachers often have to find their own means to support their ideas.  Here, we have a community that is so invested in its public schools.  Because of PCEF, I can get my students what they need, so that all can have full access to opportunities and resources.  PCEF ensures equal access to all kids.   Latinos in Action would not be viable and successful without the support of the PCEF."
 
Anna loves the fact that, "I have two daughters who come to school with me every day.  It's great to be a part of their school lives.  I've enjoyed chaperoning orchestra trips, judging debate, and cheering at volleyball games.  I love being with them and I also enjoy traveling with them and my husband.  And, even though I've been in school my entire life, I still want to go back.  My dream is to earn a PhD.  Once the girls are off to college, I will pursue that dream."

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  Park City Education Foundation | 435-615-0235 | www.pcef4kids.org
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