WINTER 2020
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD
Dear Piedmont Community,

We are thankful for the strength and resilience of our community. From the volunteers who innovate spirited events and fundraisers for our schools, to our teachers who find creative ways to engage our students every day, our Piedmont School community continues to demonstrate hope and determination.

PEF’s mission is to provide sustained financial support to Piedmont schools through fundraising and community engagement. We exist to fundraise for our schools so they may provide the best possible educational experience for each child. We recognize that during the past year our students have not had the rigorous academic and caring social environment which has been a hallmark of PUSD. Yet, together, we have accomplished much.

Last May, after announcing a $3 million grant to the district, PEF cleared out its operational reserve and was able to grant an additional $360,000 to PUSD's COVID fund. We are so pleased that PUSD has used these funds to put safety measures in place for our eventual reopening. With funds from PEF and from the CARES act, PUSD has provided hardware, software, and technology support for students and teachers, and developed a distance learning curriculum. When our children go back to school, it will be to classes with excellent ventilation and purification systems, handwashing and sanitizing stations, and additional health and nursing staff. Even now, the district is working to meet the needs of the most vulnerable students by bringing small cohorts back onto campus.

In early October, PUSD was the first, and only, public school district in Alameda County to submit both a waiver for elementary school reopening and a full reopening plan. It is unfortunate that the County continues to deny permission to reopen. We encourage everyone who is in favor of getting our students back into the classroom to contact Alameda County Public Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss at 510-268-7635 or nicholas.moss@acgov.org.

PEF is proud of our district, and we are grateful to the 1,000 families who have so far donated over $2.7 million to the Giving Campaign. These funds will be essential for next year. We will continue to pursue our mission and look forward to working with PUSD to make the best possible use of your donations.

Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a wonderful year to come.

Warm regards,
Nicki Gilbert, Chair of the Board, Piedmont Education Foundation
Heather Frank, Executive Director, Piedmont Education Foundation
The Giving Campaign
We are deeply grateful for every single contribution to this year’s Giving Campaign. With just two weeks of active campaigning left, we have raised $2.76 million from 1,027 families. It is incredibly heartwarming that, in these difficult times, so many families have dug deep in support of our schools. Thank you to donors, to our amazing co-chairs, Amelie Kappes, Colleen Allen, and Teebie Saunders, and to our 55 Giving Campaign Committee volunteers for your tireless work.

We are so close to our $3 million goal. Help us ensure that PUSD has the funds to allow our children to return to a safe, supportive, and academically-rigorous school environment next year by making a donation today.
GRANTS AND STEWARDSHIP 2020-2021
PEF is serious about our role as stewards of community contributions. Each year a committee of Parents’ Club and Support Group representatives, community members, and PEF board members determine how PEF funds should be allocated to the district based on community priorities and district needs. The PEF Board approves both the allocation and the final grant amount based on our year-long fundraising campaigns. The full grant amount is transferred to PUSD in early autumn, and the district reports back annually on grant expenditures.
 
Below is the categorical breakdown of how PEF grant funds were distributed and are being spent for this year. For more detailed information, click here.
2020 Highlights
  • Celebrating the first day of school with pictures in Piedmont Park.
  • A special online panel discussion with members of the PHS & MHS Black Student Union.
  • Zoom parties welcoming new parents, Giving Campaign donors, and our PEF Board.
  • A new year of Education Speaker Series with online events like "Pandemic Parenting and the Art of Screen Time".
  • Driving around town handing out popsicles to launch the Giving Campaign.
  • The fun "Junior Top Chef Piedmont" competition.
THANK YOU
We made this video last June, but the sentiment still holds true. Thank you to everyone that has helped us get through this year. We are looking forward to a better 2021 and the time we can all be together.
SEE'S CANDIES & SCRIP
FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Need a last-minute gift? Want to send a gift card to family and friends? We still have a few boxes of See's Candies available for pick-up through 12/24 and Scrip can be sent electronically! Just email us at schoolscrip@gmail.com or call 510-653-1816.
PIEDMONT EDUCATION FOUNDATION
PiedmontEdFoundation.org