PASADENA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

PEF believes that strong schools build strong communities and strong communities build strong schools. Our goal is to make sure that every student in the Pasadena Unified School District receives a high quality education.

PEF's strategies are to leverage the resources of the community – i.e., funding, volunteers, and partnerships with a variety of nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and businesses – to support the academic, health, and social needs of PUSD students, teachers, staff and parents. PEF responds to specific needs in PUSD by developing, incubating, and implementing projects in collaboration with the District and a network of community partners. PEF also helps the community to gain a better understanding of our public schools by connecting individuals directly with schools and by regularly communicating with donors, community leaders, elected officials, and the media.

Over the past 50 years, PEF has developed a deep working relationship with the Pasadena Unified School District. Our physical location in PUSD headquarters enables PEF staff to work on a daily basis daily with key PUSD staff in all areas so that PEF maintains an authentic understanding of the district's needs and how to meet them. Through our many programs and services, PEF staff also regularly communicates with stakeholders in schools and in the community.

PEF was founded in 1971 as the first educational foundation in California dedicated to supporting public schools. In its early years, it awarded grants to community agencies that supported public education. Since then, there has been a steady expansion of scope and services, including the following major milestones:

· 1980: PEF begins the Teacher Grant Program to fund special projects developed by PUSD teachers.

· 1985: PEF develops a districtwide tutoring and homework assistance program that later becomes Pasadena LEARNs, a state-funded initiative.

· 1992: PEF begins securing grants from private foundations and corporations.

· 2003: PEF inaugurates the Summer Enrichment Program after state funding for summer school is eliminated.

· 2006: In partnership with eleven of Pasadena’s remarkable cultural institutions, PEF and PUSD develop My Masterpieces: Discovering Art in My Community, a comprehensive visual arts curriculum that today engages all 9,000 students and teachers in grades K-6.

· 2008: PEF begins districtwide Annual Funds for each school in PUSD to support their fundraising efforts and provide administrative and accounting support.

· 2009: The Middle School Robotics Program was started.

· 2012: In partnership with the PUSD College & Career Pathways Office, PEF establishes the App Academy, a four-year computer science program at Pasadena High School.

· 2015: PEF launches the Realtor Initiative to provide opportunities for realtors to learn more and get further connected to our schools.

· 2016: PEF helps to incubate the Math Academy at three middle schools and one high school, providing radically accelerated instruction to mathematically gifted students.

Included in our goals for the near future: securing additional funds to ensure the continuity and quality of the district's after school programs; supporting increased access to physical education, sports, and athletics for all students; helping the district to close achievement gaps by funding proven strategies, piloting new and groundbreaking educational efforts and taking a proactive role in the district's marketing and public relations to improve the community's perception of PUSD.