BACK TO SCHOOL CHALLENGE GRANT:  DONATE TO PiE BY SEPTEMBER 7TH AND DOUBLE YOUR DONATION!

Partners in Education is a non-profit organization devoted exclusively to raising money for all PAUSD schools, and is the only source of private funds that can pay for additional and much needed PAUSD teachers and staff. In the last three years PAUSD’s school population has increased while funding from the State has dropped by at least $919 per student. PiE provides more than half of every school’s flexible funding dollars, helping to buffer PAUSD from the volatile education government funding process.

PiE dollars are allocated on a per student basis so every child throughout the district benefits equally, with spending allocations determined at each school site. This means that every Barron Park Elementary student stands to gain as much as any other elementary student in the district, no matter how much our school raises. This is what makes PiE the “GREAT EQUALIZER” among the various schools throughout the Palo Alto neighborhoods.

During the 2012-2013 school year, donations from parents and community members will allow PiE to grant almost $118,000 to Barron Park Elementary.  These generous gift will fund:

** Barron Park’s new science program for all grades kinder through fifth, offered through the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo, a popular, hands-on supplemental science program with almost 100 sessions scheduled during 2012-13.

** More than two thirds of the general classroom aide time, or seven hours of vital classroom aide time weekly. Aides are a critical part of the classroom at Barron Park as they permit teachers to work with small groups and individual students, helping to differentiate instruction, benefitting all students in the classroom.

** 100% of Barron Park’s Spectra Art teacher, Erna Metzger, who provides an opportunity for all students to grow in creativity and confidence from art instruction.

** A variety of performing arts programs that bring Barron Park’s social studies curriculum to life, promoting student engagement and helping our students find valuable meaning through culturally rich activities tied to social studies in every grade, including historical simulations and theater.
 

Thank you to all the families who have donated, volunteered, and otherwise supported the cause in past years. You have truly made the difference.  As with last school year, PiE is requesting a donation of $800 per child, but any amount is appreciated.  You may drop off donations in the school office (extra forms are in office), or you may donate online at www.papie.org. 

Thanks to a group of generous parents, PiE will receive double the amount of any donations received by September 7, 2012, so please submit your donations TODAY to take advantage of this dollar-for-dollar challenge grant.

If you have questions, please contact your Barron Park chairs (all current parents at the school):

** Rita Lee (mother of 5th grader): rita_itabobita@yahoo.com
** Ruth Maurice (mother of 4th grader): ruthmaurice@yahoo.com
** Michael Nanevicz (father of kindergartener & 1st grader):  mnanevicz@yahoo.com
** Nancy Krop (mother of 4th grader): nancy@kroplaw.com