Community Members Are Invited to Support Pacific Palisades Charter Schools
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Providing everything from reduced class size to physical education, edible gardens and much more, each charter school in Pacific Palisades has organizations working to fundraise to support the campus and students. The Palisadian-Post has assembled a list of ways to contribute.
Friends of Marquez
When it comes to Marquez Charter Elementary School, donations can be made to Friends of Marquez—“a nonprofit organization run by parents to fund supplemental educational programs to enrich the curriculum of basic education offered to students.”
Some of the FOM-funded enrichment programs include class size reduction, instructional aides, digital edge tech, physical education, science and music.
“Not only do we have an award-winning Robotics team at Marquez, we’ve been able to fund the expansion of robotics into an enrichment class for third- through fifth-grade students,” according to FOM. “That means every student in third, fourth and fifth grades receives robotics and coding curriculum.”
Donations also support the campus’ edible garden, designed for students in grades two to five and coordinated by parent volunteers, though students of all grades are invited to visit the space during recess and garden club.
“We have a seed to table program in which our students plant, tend and then harvest,” according to the FOM website. “Our harvests are supplemented by organic produce from local stores and the farmers market.”
A new program, specific to Marquez, will be introduced this fall: EnrichLA, which is “a gardening and sustainability program, which includes a full garden renovation.”
“Marquez has always been known for its gardening,” FOM said, “and we are taking it to the next level.”
Another program supported by FOM is the Media Lounge/Library—which “remains true to the library mission … to enable and enrich the learning process through access to information, while adapting to how information is packaged in today’s world.”
Those who wish to contribute to FOM can consider a Marquez Corporate Sponsorship, which includes a hanging banner on the front gate of the school, as well as logo placement in the Marquez weekly e-newsletters and homepage of the school’s website.
“Due to a corporate sponsorship from the community we are able to supply the fifth-grade fund with the budget to produce and perform three full-length historical musicals each year,” FOM said. “Coming up in November, fifth-graders will be performing ‘Miracle in Philadelphia.’”
FOM also has a selection of Marquez Spirit Wear available for sale via its website, including T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats.
“We at Marquez Charter Elementary appreciate your support and know it will make a difference in creating a memorable year for our children,” FOM wrote.
Palisades Enrichment Programs
Palisades Charter Elementary School is supported by parent-run Palisades Enrichment Programs—known as PEP—which is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to “community building and fundraising.”
“The majority of PEP’s budget goes to additional staff,” according to the organization’s website. This includes in-class staff, like class size reduction teachers. More than $200,000 goes to hourly in-class aides, according to PEP, which supplement those who are paid by the school.
“Every kindergarten room has an aide,” PEP explained, “while the higher grades share aides.”
Funds also support enrichments staff (including P.E., music, drama, technology teacher and library); instructional support (technology and STEM project supplies/programming); enrichments and beautification (Discovery Garden, murals, additional yard support); and administration (insurance, taxes and bookkeeping, as well as minor expenses for operations).
“This prioritization is based on parent feedback, which we seek every year,” according to PEP.
PEP also arranges activities and special events to supplement its academic programming, designed to enhance the campus’ sense of community. The organization also supports things like the yearbook and annual gala, which are handled by committees.
“It’s hard to imagine a better value for your child than a donation to PEP,” the PEP website read. “Students spend 35-plus hours at school per week. Let’s make every hour as amazing as possible.”
Canyon Booster Club
With a history dating back to the 1890s, Canyon Charter Elementary School is supported by Canyon Booster Club.
“With dramatic cuts in our state education budget and the global pandemic forcing the closure of our campus and hindering our ability to hold fundraising events,” read the Friends of Canyon Charter Elementary School website, “Canyon seeks contributions from generous families, community members, local businesses and grants to help raise much-needed funds for instructional and enrichment programs.”
Donations to Friends of Canyon support things like 60% of instructional aides for each classroom; the P.E. program (including instructors and equipment); art, music and drama instructors; digital learning instructor and 1:1 Chromebooks for each student; a reading specialist; science teacher and dedicated science lab; and one full-time upper-grade teacher to reduce class size.
Canyon’s largest fundraiser, according to its website, is its Annual Giving Campaign, which ensures the school “can continue to offer the rich learning environment we all hold so dear.”
Several events throughout the year—including an auction, Fiesta, Jammin‘ in the Canyon and more—also support the booster club. Corporate sponsorships are also available.
“We greatly appreciate your financial support,” the website concluded, “and please know that 100% of funds raised by Canyon Booster go right back to our students.”
classy.org/campaign/friends-of-canyon-school/c258382
PRIDE Booster Club
Annual Giving through Paul Revere Charter Middle School’s PRIDE Booster Club was described as “vitally important” to the education and enrichment of all students.
“Phenomenal teachers and amazing administrators,” read the PRIDE website. “Curriculum and technology geared for a 21st century education. Exceptional orchestra, band and choir programs. First-rate physical education classes that both move and motivate. A farm where students learn by feeding, digging and doing. This is Paul Revere Middle School.”
Throughout the 2022-23 school year, funding went to refinishing the gymnasium floor; purchasing new Mac Minis and iPads for the computer lab; new concrete tables for additional outdoor seating at nutrition and lunch time; new flooring, repainting and new furniture in the library; iPhones for the journalism and yearbook students to use for class; and sports banners in the gymnasium.
“In addition, the money raised provides for smaller class sizes through hired auxiliaries and a state-of-the-art computer lab that can support coding and digital imaging classes,” the website continued. “Your donations make creative outlets such as our Literary Anthology and the Reflections Art Contest possible, as well as fund campus security and maintenance, grounds beautification, our athletic and music programs, the school’s farm, and a host of other programs.”
The PCHS Fund and Palisades High School Booster Club
Palisades Charter High School is largely supported by two entities: The PCHS Fund and Palisades High School Booster Club.
“The PCHS Fund supports the annual budget of PCHS and directly impacts students, faculty and staff,” according to the Pali High website. “This ensures the sustainability of our important core programs where state and federal funding falls short, and gives each student every opportunity to succeed.”
Support of The PCHS Fund in previous years allowed the school to add an additional academic counselor, provide math aides and coaches, technology in the classroom, and extra mental health support.
“The Palisades High School Booster Club is a parent-run, nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to enhance the learning environment for all students at Palisades Charter High School, by supporting academics, arts, athletics, drama, music and technology,” according to the website.
“Established in 1961, the Booster Club meets monthly to receive and fund requests from students, staff and parents at the school,” the club wrote.
Through fundraising efforts, including the Annual Giving Campaign and Spring Auction, the club provides more than $300,000 to programs “that directly benefit the student body.”
Programming supported by the booster club include “immediate needs of students” that are not covered by the school’s budget, including academic programs, field trips, visual and performing arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities.
“Together we can close the gap between what California provides and what it really takes to educate our students in an enriched school environment,” the club concluded.
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