PEF PROGRAMS

PEF administers programs that enhance educational opportunities for students, teachers and administrators, and further engages the community in support of public education. Following are the PEF administered programs.

COMMUNITY FORUMS

PEF coordinates community forums on topics of interest to parents and the broader community with a focus on education.  Past forums focused on State Budget Issues, local Bond Measures, Introductions to New Administrators, Early Childhood, and health and safety.

COLLEGE PREPARATION

PEF coordinates workshops for students to better prepare them for applying to college.   Navigating the Ninth Grade informs parents and students of the courses that should be taken for a college prep curriculum.  Admission Matters is a series of workshops on how to apply to college, financial aid, testing and navigating the College Board website.  In addition, PEF partners with Pasadena City College and the PUSD to host the Fall College Fair with representatives from over 70 colleges and universities.   Forums are free and open to the public.  To learn about upcoming forums, see Calendar.

FIELD TRIP FUND

With a grant from a generous donor, PEF is able to award approximately $50,000 to fund field trips for students throughout the year.  To apply, click here to download the Field Trip form.

GOING TO BAT FOR KIDS

Going to Bat for Kids is a city-wide softball tournament sponsored by PEF and comprised of up to sixteen teams, representing various Pasadena businesses and organizations, all competing to raise awareness and support for the PUSD athletic programs.  Among teams that participate include Trader Joe’s, the Pasadena Fire Department, Leadership Pasadena, Guidance Software, Pasadena Police Department, Parsons Corporation, California Credit Union, Avon Products, City of Pasadena, Tournament of Roses, and PUSD teachers and staff.  To participate, please email or call the office.

GRANT WRITING

PEF offers technical assistance to the PUSD by coordinating and writing grant applications to government agencies as requested by the PUSD, and to foundations and corporations for programs in the PUSD.     In recent years grant applications have brought over $6 million per year to PUSD projects. 

MAKING TEACHERS SMILE

Making Teachers Smile is a grant program made possible by the Margaret Russell Fund.  Making Teachers Smile awards teachers up to $2,500 for activities that enrich their professional growth.  Teachers can apply for funding for staff development, conferences, continuing education, travel that pertains to the curriculum and workshops.  Approximately $25,000 is awarded each spring through this program. This program is temporarily on hold.

PEF AMBASSADORS

A teacher at each school is selected as a PEF Ambassador to help disseminate PEF news to the faculty and parents.  Conversely, the Ambassadors bring information to PEF about events occurring on their school sites.  Ambassadors gather 3 times a year to share information with one another.

SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

Starting in 2003, PEF has provided a Summer Enrichment Program for local students each summer.  Recently, 900 students participated in the five-week program that was located at Hamilton Elementary and Norma Coombs School.  Over 60 different enrichment classes including drama, art, math, creative writing, chess, golf, and Spanish were offered on both campuses.   Tuition is reasonable and scholarships are awarded on an as needed basis.   See the 2010 Brochure.

PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY

Principal for a DayPFAD is sponsored by Merrill Lynch and organized by PEF, the PUSD’s Welcome Center, and the Coalition of Area Rotary Clubs.  Principal for a Day is a nationwide program that helps build stronger relationships among schools, businesses and the wider community. Business and community leaders have an opportunity to shadow a principal on a PUSD campus and find out about the challenges and opportunities involved in running a public school today. During a luncheon that follows, principals and business leaders come together to share their experiences and often forge relationships that extend beyond the event that help support the schools.  Principal for a Day occurs in October of each year.  To participate, please email or call our office.

ROBOTICS

Seventh- and eighth-grade students took a robotics course this year at PUSD middle schools, where they learned to build and program LEGO robots to navigate and complete tasks autonomously. Robotics teams comprised of more than 100 students from four PUSD schools then competed in the first annual Middle School Robotics Competition held in May at Eliot Middle School. For Fall 2010 the Robotics course will be taught at all middle schools and in the after school program.

SCHOLARSHIPS

With support from foundations and individual giving, PEF awards several scholarships to students each year.

  • John Muir Class of 1954 Scholarship Fund.
  • John Muir Class of 1965 Scholarship Fund. Recommendations made by Class of 1965 committee.
  • Pasadena High School Class of 1972 Alumni Fund. Recommendations made by PHS Alum Committee
  • Blair High School Class of 1970 Scholarship Fund. Recommendations made by Blair faculty.
  • Visual Arts and Design Academy Scholarships. Recommendations made by VADA faculty.

TEACHER GRANT PROGRAM

The PEF Teacher Grant Program provides students with important tools and learning experiences. Each year, PEF awards grants of up to $2000 to teachers for creative classroom projects and up to $5000 to schools for programs that benefit the entire school.  This program is a vital resource for teachers and principals and funds equipment and instructional materials that enhance the curriculum and increase student achievement.  Approximately $100,000 is distributed to schools each fall through this fund.