Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) schools are partnering with parents and the local community to help close the budget shortfall caused by deep cuts in state funding, officials announced today. The partnerships help schools continue offering rigorous academics that prepare students for success in college and careers. Events are planned in the next few days at two PUSD schools to celebrate partnerships and to prepare math, science and art rooms for the start of the school year.
“Parents and the local community are stepping forward to ensure that our students get vital standards-based experiences,” said Superintendent Edwin Diaz. “Our schools are forging connections with families and the local community and are making great things happen for our students.”
On Saturday, August 7, McKinley K-8 School will receive a $10,000 donation for its annual fund from HRock Church at its City Fest event. HRock Church selected McKinley School after seeing the school’s website appeal for funds to sustain its signature arts focus. McKinley families are invited to the City Fest from 12 noon to 4 p.m. A check presentation ceremony is scheduled at 6 p.m. at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena.
Created in coordination with McKinley School PTA, McKinley’s annual fund seeks donations to help bridge the school’s funding gap and sustain the arts and science programs that have won the school accolades.
“This generous donation will ensure continuity in providing quality art programs for all students,” said McKinley School Principal Marisa Sarian. “The arts make a significant difference on learning and achievement for all students, especially for those who are at risk of failure. We are truly grateful for this tangible support from HRock Church, especially at such a critical time.”
On Monday, August 9, Webster Elementary School parents and volunteers will work to set up a math and science room and an arts room. At 10 a.m., a committee of parents will meet to put the final touches on a plan to create Webster’s Art Loft, an arts resource room that connects units in Language Arts and Social Studies to hands-on art projects. For example, after learning about a particular artist and the history of his or her culture, students will go to the Art Loft where they will create art projects in the style of the artist they just studied. This month, parents will assemble art easels and other donated art supplies so that the room can be ready for the start of the new school year. Webster’s PTA allocated $5,000 to create the art loft.
At 10:30 a.m., a group of parents and volunteers from the Carnegie Foundation will set up Webster’s new Science and Math Discovery Room. Funded by a $5,000 grant obtained by Carnegie from the Hearst Foundation for educational outreach, the Math and Science Recovery Room will feature computers for student research, equipment such as microscopes, and a place where Carnegie scientists and Caltech mathematicians can work with students each week. Parents and volunteers will help prepare hands-on math and science projects so that teachers are freed from time-consuming setup and cleanup tasks, and instructional time with students and can be maximized.
“I want my daughter and other children in the community to experience what it’s like to be a scientist and an artist,” said Jane Wylie, a molecular biologist and former Caltech employee who chairs Webster PTA’s math and science enrichment committee. “I want her and other children in the community to get hands-on learning experiences that take them beyond the fundamentals that they learn in a textbook.”
To other parents who would like to do something to help schools through the current budget crisis, Wylie says, “Show up and be willing to support teachers and schools where they need help, whether it’s raising funds and designing learning experiences or cutting paper at home,” said Wylie, whose daughter will enter first grade in September.
“These partnerships expose children to experiences in math, science and art that would be unavailable given the limited resources of our school and our district,” said Webster Principal Sharon Lefler. “The experience in both rooms is designed to be standards-based and at the student’s grade level. Our volunteers’ work is completely aligned to learning standard.”
Webster Elementary School is located at 2101 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena 91104.
thx to Monica, for bringing this to our attention.
