Good friends are always important. In difficult times, their support is invaluable. Here is a look at one longtime and one newer friend of Carlsbad Unified School District.
The CEF helps make excellence attainable
For decades, the Carlsbad Educational Foundation (CEF) has been a strong supporter of our students. However, at no time during our long-standing partnership, has the foundation's support been more needed and valued than these past few years.
As the District grapples with the state budget crisis, we continue to depend on support from the business and parent community to sustain our high quality programs.
The CEF supports the education of every CUSD student by developing and financing quality programs and projects; primarily for music, science and innovation. To date, the CEF has contributed more than $5 million on top of what state dollars can provide.
Recent CEF grants have supported weekly elementary music classes, along with a wealth of science instruction, learning activities, and other programs. According to CEO Valin Brown, the Foundation is stepping up its efforts even further in 2012-13.
"To help offset larger class sizes, several donors have made a significant investment in our science programs across the District. For example, a lab assistant has been added to the CHS staff. This lab assistant functions like a university TA helping to prepare, support and conduct science experiments. A similar hands-on elementary program using part-time science teachers is also being funded this year" Brown said.
In addition to these and other new programs, the CEF will continue its core investments in critical efforts such as FIRST LEGO League Robotics and Science Olympiad.
For more on the CEF, visit www.carlsbaded.org.
Grassroots Support
The Carlsbad Unified Parent and Community Budget Task Force began literally on the grass last fall, when a few proactive parents gathered in a Carlsbad park to brainstorm ways to help keep our educational excellence intact.
After establishing a nonprofit organization and growing in membership, the task force began formulating ways to garner financial support for District schools. They created the " I [heart] Carlsbad Schools" campaign to spread awareness, enlisted the support of local businesses and organizations, advocated at City Council meetings and met with District officials to explore challenges and opportunities.
Claudine Jones, task force co-chairwoman and parent of two Kelly Elementary students, says that she and fellow members are passionate about education and about saving our schools.
"The budget crisis can do permanent harm," Jones noted. "I want my kids to get into a good college. For that, they need the kind of great education Carlsbad children have long enjoyed. They want the high quality schools and teachers that make families like mine choose to live here."
The task force's mission is to identify new revenue streams to ensure students continue to receive a world class education. The task force remains committed to bringing a fresh perspective and entrepreneurial spirit to help CUSD address its fiscal challenges.
For more information, visit www.carlsbadunified.com.
Follow Superintendent Lovely at www.twitter.com/SuptLovely
The CEF helps make excellence attainable
For decades, the Carlsbad Educational Foundation (CEF) has been a strong supporter of our students. However, at no time during our long-standing partnership, has the foundation's support been more needed and valued than these past few years.
As the District grapples with the state budget crisis, we continue to depend on support from the business and parent community to sustain our high quality programs.
The CEF supports the education of every CUSD student by developing and financing quality programs and projects; primarily for music, science and innovation. To date, the CEF has contributed more than $5 million on top of what state dollars can provide.
Recent CEF grants have supported weekly elementary music classes, along with a wealth of science instruction, learning activities, and other programs. According to CEO Valin Brown, the Foundation is stepping up its efforts even further in 2012-13.
"To help offset larger class sizes, several donors have made a significant investment in our science programs across the District. For example, a lab assistant has been added to the CHS staff. This lab assistant functions like a university TA helping to prepare, support and conduct science experiments. A similar hands-on elementary program using part-time science teachers is also being funded this year" Brown said.
In addition to these and other new programs, the CEF will continue its core investments in critical efforts such as FIRST LEGO League Robotics and Science Olympiad.
For more on the CEF, visit www.carlsbaded.org.
Grassroots Support
The Carlsbad Unified Parent and Community Budget Task Force began literally on the grass last fall, when a few proactive parents gathered in a Carlsbad park to brainstorm ways to help keep our educational excellence intact.
After establishing a nonprofit organization and growing in membership, the task force began formulating ways to garner financial support for District schools. They created the " I [heart] Carlsbad Schools" campaign to spread awareness, enlisted the support of local businesses and organizations, advocated at City Council meetings and met with District officials to explore challenges and opportunities.
Claudine Jones, task force co-chairwoman and parent of two Kelly Elementary students, says that she and fellow members are passionate about education and about saving our schools.
"The budget crisis can do permanent harm," Jones noted. "I want my kids to get into a good college. For that, they need the kind of great education Carlsbad children have long enjoyed. They want the high quality schools and teachers that make families like mine choose to live here."
The task force's mission is to identify new revenue streams to ensure students continue to receive a world class education. The task force remains committed to bringing a fresh perspective and entrepreneurial spirit to help CUSD address its fiscal challenges.
For more information, visit www.carlsbadunified.com.
Follow Superintendent Lovely at www.twitter.com/SuptLovely