SchoolForce raises funds each year to support students in the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District from our parents and businesses in the community. SchoolForce fundraising always supports the following school year, because we need to know the funds raised before the District can allocate the budget and hire necessary staff.
Specialized Credentialed Teachers & Librarians – We fund Science Teachers, Music Teachers, Reading Specialists, Library Specialists salaries. Specialized teachers provide students with a rich curriculum that allows them to dive deeper into the subject matter. Funding teachers salaries allows BRSSD to keep their student:teacher ratios low.
Counselors & SEL Support – – Counselors at all school sites teach a rich social emotional learning curriculum to help students develop social skills as well as help individual students and small groups. Tier 1 social emotional learning is taught in the classroom by licensed therapists; they work on relationships and expression of emotions. Tier 2 interventions are small group work that help students to better understand their emotions and their impact. Ralston students have three counselors, one for each grade, to aid in their social-emotional development.
Professional Development – Professional development programs and resources for our teachers, including year-round instructional and STEM coaches.
Art – Funding art supplies and curriculum for all grade levels to provide a well-rounded education and creative outlet to students.
Technology – Funding for the District’s 1:1 student device initiative so every student has access to current technology needed for educational instruction. Includes Chromebooks for in-school and at-home learning.
Innovation Grants – From technology to books and maker kits, SchoolForce Innovation Grants fund innovative, educational activities across all grades and schools. This year we are expanding the grants to include technology that can help teachers with distance learning.
Middle School Sports & Music – Funding middle school competitive sports to promote health and leadership – dependent this year on guidelines established by the county. Funding Music Boosters and instrument music and repair to advance our students’ musical pursuits.
Elementary Physical Education – Funding Physical Education Specialists salaries provides students fun, safe physical education programs that promote health and are correlated to stronger academic performance.
Newly Funded Initiatives Added
Because of your incredible generosity and corporate matching last school year (2019-20), SchoolForce is able to supply the District with funds for these new initiatives focused on enhancing the distance learning experience:
- Additional distance learning professional development as well as funding for two instructional coaches, who will provide professional development and support to our BRSSD teachers year-round.
- Education technology platforms the District will be using for at-home learning: Seesaw, SuperKids, Clever, Nearpod, Screencastify, Epic Books, Newsela, Gizmos, Google Classroom, and others.
- Technology to support hundreds of families with learning tools like Chromebooks for EVERY student who needs it.
- Expanding innovation grants to include technology that can help teachers with distance learning.
- Expanded social emotional support for students, teachers and parents will also be provided across all schools.
2019-2020 School Year Funding
Last year, SchoolForce spent $2,051,647 supporting students. See below for the breakdown. You can also view SchoolForce’s 2019-2020 Annual Report for additional details.
| District Funding | ||
|---|---|---|
| Reading/Literacy Teachers | $275,125 | Partially funded through other sources |
| Music Teachers | $394,000 | |
| Science Teachers | $322,114 | |
| Library Specialists | $198,000 | |
| Fund-A-Need | $99,911 | K-2 Chromebooks; 3-5 classroom libraries; 6-8 web management (GoGuardian software) |
| STEM Initiatives | $216,619 | STEM Coach, science/maker materials |
| Counseling Staff | $347,231 | |
| TK-5 PE and 6-8 Sports | $35,000 | |
| Music (6-8) | $12,000 | |
| Direct Funding | ||
| Art in Action/6-8 Electives | $104,302 | Funded directly to school PTAs |
| Innovation Grants | $47,344 | Funded directly to teachers |
| TOTAL | $2,051,647 |
