Reading Power: March 5 - March 19
The Reading Power Read- A-Thon is the second biggest annual School-Force fundraising event, and at the same time encourages the love of reading. It's a great way for you and your children to both improve their minds and help their school! You can also involve friends and family in the read-a-thon – which we've found creates real excitement for the kids. Money raised will help maintain quality education in our schools. More Info.
Look for the flyers in your elementary school child's backpack.
$500,000…and counting!
Thanks to many of you, we have raised $500,000 ($150 per child in our district) – bringing us closer to our goal of raising $2 million dollars for our kids this year. While $500,000 is a lot of money, we will need to raise our target amount of $2 million in order to fund critical programs in the coming school year. With state educational funding in it’s continually tenuous place – we are the only ones who together can make the difference for our kids. If you have given, thank you! If you have not given yet – now is the time – you can use the donate button to the right.
$3M education shortage –
The Impact is Up to You
Budget cuts are hitting school districts throughout the state, resulting in increased class sizes, teacher layoffs and/or narrowed curriculum in most districts. The Belmont Redwood Shores School District currently projects a shortage of almost $3 Million in 2010-2011. Over the past month, the district has been notified that there will be a $2 Million net reduction of cash flows due to the combination of reduced revenues (from state cuts and loss of property taxes) and increased costs (for mandated programs, inflation, and growth). In addition, due to rising enrollment and general cost increases, it will cost $912K to fund programs that the School-Force foundation supported last year with $725K.
Deeps cuts WILL IMPACT every grade level (K-8) :
- Increased K-3 class sizes
- Loss of librarians at all schools
- Elimination of 4th and 5th grade music and decreased support for upper grade science
- Potential loss or reduction of Dean and Counselor positions, After School Sports, and/or elimination of teacher prep time at Ralston
REDUCE THE IMPACT, DONATE $900 PER CHILD:
In response to this year's potentially drastic cuts - the suggested annual donation has been raised to $900 per child (still far less than most of us paid for preschool) with a goal of raising $2 Million. All money raised before June 30, 2010 will be used in the 2010-2011 school year .
If you have already donated this year, please strongly consider increasing your donation to reach the level of $900 per child. If you have not yet donated, it is critical that you do so, even a lower amount will help (the most important thing is that everyone gives) .
You can donate ONLINE or by CHECK at each school office.
IMPACT the future, PLAN to give at this higher level:
State economic forecasts indicate that the budget situation will NOT get better in the next 5-7 years. Please begin to budget increased donations to the schools now, since these higher donation levels will continue to be necessary going forward to maintain the high quality of your child's education in Belmont and Redwood Shores. Sadly, this is the new normal for California public schools. Together we can keep our public schools great (and spend a fraction of what we would spend at private school).
Be a part of the solution – get informed, get involved, and make or increase your donation today!
