FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2016
 
 

Media Contacts: 

Monica Lopez                           
Pasadena Educational Foundation
626.396.3625                          

[email protected] 
Ken Luce
CFP Foundation
214.783.8031
[email protected] 
LaWayne Williams
Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation
626.449.4100
[email protected]
 
PASADENA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, WITH SUPPORT FROM
THE PASADENA
TOURNAMENT OF ROSES ASSOCIATION AND
THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FOUNDATION,
AWARDED A RECORD NUMBER OF GRANTS TO
PUSD TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS
PASADENA, CA - The Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) presented $184,000 in grants to 160 Pasadena Unified Schools District (PUSD) teachers and principals at the annual PEF Teacher Grants reception on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Altadena Town & Country Club. Thanks to support from the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation, and the generous support of the community, for the first time in the more than 40 years of the Teacher Grants program, PEF funded every PUSD school. The grants benefit thousands of students in Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre.
 
Science labs, iPads for mobile journalism, musical instruments, materials for a STOMP-style musical, expanded libraries, wireless language learning stations, outdoor classrooms with edible gardens and aquaponics, are just a few of the diverse and vibrant educational projects that the 2016 PEF Teacher Grants are supporting.
 
A full list of this year's award winners is available online here: http://www.pasedfoundation.org/teachers/teacher-grant-program/2016-17-teacher-grants/
 
"The goal of the PEF Teacher Grant Program is to promote the development of educational activities that will improve and enhance student achievement," said PEF Executive Director, Patrick Conyers. "This year, like every year, I am awed by the creativity and passion that our district's teachers and principals share in these proposals."
 
In addition to grants directly to teachers, PEF awarded School-wide Project Grants, and three special awards. School-wide Project Grants are for larger focused projects and included funding for an outdoor classroom for learning water conservation, a new athletic weight room, and resources to build supercomputers to create a virtual reality lab. Three special awards were also given: the Jarratt Brunson Memorial Award for Literacy honoring one of the founders of PEF responsible for initiating the Teacher Grant Program; the Kathy Onoye Principal's Leadership Award given in honor of the former PUSD Executive Director of Elementary Education; and the Calvin Hunt Arts Award, that promotes and supports dedicated teachers enhancing arts education in PUSD.
 
"The CFP Foundation is delighted to help make these educational projects possible through the Extra Yard for Teachers initiative," said Britton Banowsky, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff Foundation. "We want to inspire and uplift teachers in everything we do. Knowing that these classroom needs will be met allows the teachers to do what they do so well - open new worlds of learning to young minds."
 
Since its inception in 2013, the CFP Foundation has funded more than $2.5 million in direct classroom needs through the Extra Yard for Teachers platform in CFP host cities and in communities designated by its conference partners. CFP licensed products have generated more than $7.5 million in direct support of the CFP Foundation and its programming nationally. Visit www.cfp-foundation.org to learn more about the CFP Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers.
 
"The impact that educators have on children and families is without comparison," said William B. Flinn, Executive Director/CEO of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. "It makes a lasting impression that stays with someone for a lifetime. The Tournament of Roses, through our Parade and Game, aims to provide a similar experience. This is the reason we are so excited to be a part of this partnership with PEF and the CFP Foundation to support our teachers who support so many people throughout their careers."
 
PEF Teacher Grants and School-wide Project Grants help bring more creativity, innovation, and inspiration into our PUSD classrooms by providing the resources needed to help our teachers and principals take their creative projects from idea to reality and enhance the classroom experience for their students.

 
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2016 PEF Teacher Grant and School-wide Grant Recipients
(Click here for full resolution image)
 
More Photos available upon request.
 
Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) is a nonprofit organization that advocates for public education, engages the community, and develops resources to support excellent education for every Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) student. Whether it be through the arts, music, health centers, gardens, or STEM programs they support, PEF is dedicated to creating a better future for the public school students of Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre.  www.pased.org
 
The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) serves pre-K to 12th grade students in a 76-square mile area that includes the communities of Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County. Pasadena Unified School District provides a caring, engaging and challenging educational experience for over 17,000 students every day.  www.pusd.us
 
The Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts America's New Year Celebration� with the Rose Parade� presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game� presented by Northwestern Mutual and a variety of accompanying events. 935 volunteer members of the association will drive the success of 128th Rose Parade themed "Echoes of Success," on Monday, January 2, 2017, followed by the 103rd Rose Bowl Game. For more information, visit www.tournamentofroses.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and visit our blog at blog.tournamentofroses.com.
 
The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the charitable arm of the College Football Playoff and supports education and teachers across the country. The CFP Foundation creates multiple partnerships to execute its initiatives and support positive educational outcomes. The Foundation's primary philanthropic initiative, Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT), elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering quality teachers through the development and implementation of programs in three key focus areas: direct provision of resources, teacher recognition, and professional development training.