Cabrillo Education Foundation Distributes $250K to Coastside Schools This Current School Year

At recent back to school nights at Cabrillo Unified School District (CUSD) schools, members of the Cabrillo Education Foundation (CEF) highlighted new benefits for each school that derive from $250,000 distributed by CEF for the 2013-14 school year. 

Every school in the district — from El Granada Elementary, Farallone View Elementary, Hatch Elementary, and Kings Mountain Elementary to Cunha Intermediate School, Pilarcitos High School and Alternative Education, and Half Moon Bay High School — received funds from the distribution, which is only the second distribution by CEF from its education endowment.

"CEF targets its allocation funds to continually raise the bar for quality education for all students in our district," said CEF president Deb Hedger.

This year CEF worked closely with CUSD to collaborate on program development.

"The Cabrillo Unified School District is an enthusiastic partner with the Cabrillo Education Foundation," said Tony Roehrick, CUSD Superintendent. "CEF represents the entire Coastside community and their work compliments and enriches the educational program we provide our students. I am continually impressed by the high degree of transparency of CEF and their absolute commitment as a community organization. CEF is a treasure."

Programs supported this year include professional development for teachers with a focus on literacy and science; materials for a state-of-the-art science lab at the high school; a summer bridging class to help kindergarteners who are below grade level; science specialists for 4th & 5th grades to improve the consistency of science education across four elementary schools; post-secondary field trips for high school students; and discounted rental of musical instruments for elementary and middle school students throughout the district.

CEF will also continue to fund ongoing programs from last year’s allocation, which include a ropes course for Pilarcitos students, a career-building animation class at the high school, an academic field trip at Cunha, and the high school collaboration initiative (aimed at improved academic instruction and student achievement).

In 2014-2015, based on endowment returns, CEF expects to allocate a total of $145,000 to local schools. Approximately $94,000 of this is earmarked to sustain successful programs from prior CEF allocations. These include the animation course at the high school, the 4th and 5th grade science specialists, field trips at Cunha and Pilarcitos, the kindergarten bridge classes, and the high school collaboration initiative.

The remaining $51,000 will be allocated to new projects and programs in the areas of science, literacy and music.

Currently, CEF is inviting more community members to partner with CUSD schools to generate ideas and participate in the application process. The deadline for requests is October 31, 2013. To find out how to request funds, go to the CEF Request for Allocations page on the CEF website here.

In addition, community members who are passionate about public education are encouraged to apply by Oct. 6, 2103, to be a member of an Allocation Sub-Committee, which will review Requests for Allocations to support innovative school-led programs in Literacy, Science, and Music for the 2014-2015 School Year. 

The Allocation Sub-Committees are scheduled to meet twice per month during October and November, and monthly in December and January, or until the allocations have been approved by the board. Additional meetings may be scheduled as called by the Chair. For more information and to learn about the application process, click here. 

Questions, contact Valerie Dubois, CEF Allocations Chair, at 650-868-9436 or vjdubois@yahoo.com.