Foundation gives its largest-ever gift to schools Schools & Kids, posted by Editor, Palo Alto Online, on Feb 26, 2013 at 2:27 pm
The independent, parent-led foundation that raises money for Palo Alto public schools presented a $4.9 million donation at Tuesday's Board of Education meeting.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Tuesday, February 26, 2013, 1:42 PM
Posted by Long-Time PAUSD Parent, a member of the Palo Alto High School community, on Feb 26, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Thank you. The tireless volunteers and staff of PiE have my and my family's gratitude for the incredible (and hard) work they do on behalf of every child in Palo Alto. Thank you all, and thank you to all the families and businesses that contribute. I don't know Juliana Lee but am so impressed with her leadership.
Posted by George, a resident of the Palo Verde neighborhood, on Feb 26, 2013 at 3:36 pm
A huge thank you to everyone who gave to support our schools and our kids. Education and opportunity are the building blocks of our future, thank you for making both available.
Posted by Three time Palo Alto Parent, a member of the Gunn High School community, on Feb 26, 2013 at 3:44 pm
The list of thank yous required to respond appropriately to this wonderful news is too long to enumerate. To the thousands of generous individuals and businesses that support our schools and our youth, take a bow. To the tireless commitment of the many volunteers that fuel the engines of Partners in Education, you are deeply admired and appreciated.
Posted by Rachel, a member of the Ohlone School community, on Feb 26, 2013 at 4:37 pm
Thank you to all of the dedicated and generous parents and community members of Palo Alto who supported PiE! I am grateful that PiE funds allow for extra caring adults to enrich each of our children's academic experiences.
Posted by 4good, a resident of Stanford, on Feb 26, 2013 at 9:24 pm
PiE funds pay for art teachers, science instructors, counselors and other caring adults that make our schools a better place for children. While we wish public funds would pay for these things, reality is they don't. Thank you to all the community members and parents that donated to PiE so that every student from young fives to seniors in high school in our public school system benefit.
Posted by Parent, a resident of the Adobe-Meadows neighborhood, on Feb 27, 2013 at 11:49 am
To Ellie. I'm very sympathetic with your sentiment. Keep in mind, these don't have to be mutually exclusive. I give to PiE, but I give much more to organizations that support disadvantaged kids and families. I expect (hope) many others do that as well.
Posted by Parent, a member of the Palo Alto High School community, on Feb 27, 2013 at 1:14 pm
There is good reason that this money has increased, it is because the number of PAUSD families have increased.
I would like to see a breakdown of some of these figures.
What percentage of PAUSD families contributed?
What percentage of PAUSD families contributed last year?
What percentage of PAUSD families contributed five years ago?
One large gift should not be taken to mean to much, after all Juliana Lee is a local realtor who is advertising her business all over Palo Alto and how much of this can be considered as promotional/ self serving purposes.
The percentage increase in the dollar amount is not the same as a breakdown which attempts to figure out how many families are no longer contributing to PIE.
There are many of us who are pretty disgusted at how the PTA hoodwinked so many Palo Alto residents to vote for the library bond. Yes, I know the PTA and PIE are different organizations, but they are the same people and individuals. I was annoyed by the subtle blackmail of "vote for the library to show your support of children". I am not alone in feeling duped. I feel sure that many families seeing how their property taxes have increased due to the library bond decided to refuse to support PIE.
I suppose the editors may choose to delete any criticism of this "gift" as there are already deleted comments. However, I feel I must say what I think.
Posted by three cheers, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Feb 27, 2013 at 2:15 pm
Parent, I don't think that breakdown matters. If PiE can continue delivering increases in donations by this amount, frankly I don't care how they do it!
Posted by Sheesh, a member of the Palo Alto High School community, on Feb 27, 2013 at 2:35 pm
@Parent: Your thoughts on the large contribution of the realtor are rude and thoughtless; where's your filter? It's one thing to pop-off in conversation, but posting online, the messages should be re-read befre submission. I don't care if it's self-promotion, it's a generous gift.
My children cannot find other students who have extra cash for fun activities. There are so many residents in this town who are living mortgage to mortgage and cannot afford to donate to PiE. Is it really worth living here for the schools if children can't have any fun, even going to a movie?
Posted by Palo Alto Mom, a member of the Palo Alto High School community, on Feb 27, 2013 at 3:06 pm
I am VERY grateful that PiE allows so many wonderful programs to occur in our school (Spectra Art, Junior Museum Science), that it allows us to continue a robust offering of electives, to support our student through counselors and classroom aides, etc.
@Parent - PiE is a fundraising organization, not a political group. What the PTA has done in the past has no bearing on PiE, although as you say, many of the same people volunteer for both because they care about our schools and kids. Feel free to volunteer for PTA, PiE or the Library Commission if you aren't pleased with the way things are run.
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