Archive for year: 2018
PPIE funding Outdoor Ed
PPIE funding Outdoor Ed buses
Nonprofit partnering with Black Tie Transportation to bring Pleasanton elementary students to camps
by Erika Alvero / Pleasanton Weekly
Last week, Valley View Elementary students kicked off Pleasanton Unified’s annual Outdoor Education tradition by heading out to a camp in Loma Mar — this time on buses funded completely by the Pleasanton Partnerships in Education (PPIE) Foundation.
The nonprofit, which supports Pleasanton schools through year-round fundraising efforts, will be providing round-trip bus transportation for all nine PUSD elementary schools’ treks to the outdoors, thereby lowering overall camp costs for participating families. The donation is provided in partnership with Black Tie Transportation, which is offering PPIE discounted bus services.
“Of all the things PPIE funds at elementary schools, Outdoor Ed bus transportation receives the greatest applause from parents,” PPIE executive director Steve McCoy-Thompson said. “It has tangible impact on their children and we are happy to provide this support, which comes from our great parent and corporate donors.”
PPIE has budgeted about $36,000 for the bus transportation, McCoy-Thompson said.
Valley View students departed Tuesday for the Exploring New Horizons camp in Loma Mar, where they will learn about the environment and biology in a natural setting. Elementary students at other schools will follow suit in participating in Outdoor Education programs throughout the year.
“Our Valley View students are super excited to embark on this once in a lifetime adventure with their classmates,” said Soraya Villaseñor, principal at Valley View. “They will share memorable new experiences. We are so thankful to PPIE and Black Tie for their generosity in providing transportation to Outdoor Ed.”
Added Bill Wheeler, president of Black Tie Transportation and a PPIE board member, “We’re happy to support Pleasanton families and to help their children have this very special experience. We’re also proud to partner with PPIE to serve the Pleasanton community.”
Original Article can be found here
PPIE raises record funds for PUSD
PPIE raises record-high funding for local schools
Money will go toward intervention specialists, librarian hours and more
by Erika Alvero / Pleasanton Weekly
This year, the Pleasanton Partnerships in Education Foundation (PPIE) raised a record-high $644,000 for local schools.
The funding raised through PPIE’s Annual Giving Fund Campaign surpasses last year’s by over $100,000. Much of the money will go toward intervention specialist programs in the 2018-19 school year, according to the organization’s executive director Steve McCoy-Thompson.
“Thank you very, very much, Steve, for all you do for us,” said Steve Maher, a PUSD trustee, at the May 22 board meeting when McCoy-Thompson presented the board with a ceremonial check. “I don’t think we would make it without you.”
“Yes, thank you very much,” added board vice president Valerie Arkin. “It’s wonderful that we can put that money to good use for things for our kids in the district.”
PPIE is a local nonprofit that supports Pleasanton schools through year-round fundraising efforts.
The organization’s Giving Fund is supported through direct donations from parents and employer matching funds, along with proceeds from the annual Run for Education, which was held April 15.
PPIE executive director Steve McCoy-Thompson (far right) presents the PUSD school board and superintendent with a ceremonial donation check and Run for Education volunteer t-shirts. (Photo courtesy of PPIE)
“PPIE focuses on funding supplemental staff to support our students and teachers,” McCoy- Thompson said. “What’s important is that our funding is guided by school principals, teachers and parents who determine how the staff are best utilized at each school. We are grateful to our amazing volunteers, corporate sponsors and parents and we are honored to support our incredible Pleasanton schools.”
This year’s donation will be divvied up among various sectors throughout the district:
* $240,000 to fund intervention specialists in math, technology and English language, including one full- time specialist at each elementary school.
* $97,000 for extra librarian hours to keep libraries open at recess and lunch.
* $92,000 for on-site IT specialists.
* $85,000 for more support counselor and librarian hours at Foothill and Amador Valley high schools, along with support for Village High School and the Harvest Park and STEAM preschools.
* $42,000 in student and teacher grants for STEAM projects.
* $38,000 for round-trip bus transportation for outdoor education at all elementary schools, provided by Black Tie Transportation.
“Building excellence throughout our school system requires a community effort,” said Stephen Hilton, PPIE board president. “PPIE is grateful to the individuals, families and businesses whose generosity helped us raise more money for schools than ever before. We hope to build on that momentum as we look ahead to next year.”
Original Article can be found here
PPIE Thanks Sponsors
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors for supporting the Fall Gala and all our Pleasanton schools.
Support for Foster Students
Students honored for completing PUSD’s college-career prep program
18 foster, kinship seniors graduated from high school program. Aloe DeMichiel, a senior from Amador Valley High School who completed the program, spoke at the ceremony Thursday. (Photo courtesy of PUSD)
by Erika Alvero / Pleasanton Weekly
School and community leaders gathered at Foothill High School last week to honor foster and kinship students who completed the district’s college-career preparation and readiness program.
The program supports students in foster or kinship care in applying for college, work and financial aid. This is the second year of the program, with 18 students recognized at the Thursday luncheon.
“Though it has always been my dream to go to college and it has always been my intention, I wasn’t certain that it was actually going to happen,” said Aloe DeMichiel, a senior from Amador Valley High School who spoke at the ceremony. “I am very grateful the foster kinship youth program exists to turn my dreams into a reality.”
The program also provides resources for families and guardians who may speak English as a second language, to assist them in navigating school and application systems.
At the ceremony, each student received a new laptop through a donation from Pleasanton Partnerships in Education Foundation and the parent-teacher-student associations from Amador Valley and Foothill high schools.
“This year we had a 99% success rate with 18 seniors graduating,” said Brenda Montgomery, a youth development specialist with the district and the program’s coordinator. She cited statistics showing that two-thirds of youth who grow up in foster care never graduate high school, and said the students being recognized had “incredible resilience.”
“To end their two years of arduous college preparation with a celebration luncheon and a plethora of college needs just added cream to the crop,” she said. “I feel like a proud mama.”
Local partners that provided funding and resources for the program and its students include the Pleasanton Youth Commission, Blue Oaks Church, Valley Community Church and Keller Williams Realty. Any organizations interested in participating can contact Montgomery at 519-3864.
Foothill students connect with company leaders for ‘speed interviews’
DECA, PPIE sponsor career prep event with Google, Workday and more
DECA students planned the speed interview program in conjunction with Pleasanton Partnerships in Education (PPIE). From left to right: Tami Raaker (Foothill DECA advisor), Kylie Maeda, Trinity Chang, Brandon Ricci, Jacob Bolano, Pranav Dhar and Steve McCoy-Thompson (PPIE executive director). (Photo courtesy of Foothill DECA)
by Erika Alvero / Pleasanton Weekly
The program was hosted by the high school’s DECA program in conjunction with Pleasanton Partnerships in Education (PPIE) as a way to help prepare students for their own careers.
“These students are so capable and positive — I honestly came away feeling very hopeful about our future,” said Stephen Hilton, board president of PPIE and a senior vice president at Robert Half International.
Students from Integrated Marketing Communications and the Economics of Business Ownership participated in the event on March 27. At the session, each student met with a volunteer for a 15-minute interview and presented a two-minute “pitch,” answered interview questions and received feedback.
Volunteers also shared with students about their own career paths and experiences.
“Our students were so excited by this opportunity and they took a lead role in making it happen — from preparing their own portfolios and LinkedIn profiles to ensuring the day went smoothly for our guests,” said Tami Raaker, a teacher and the DECA adviser at Foothill.
“It was really amazing to have this opportunity to interact with industry professionals and getting to hear about their career expertise and life experiences,” said Rithvik Sunku, the DECA club’s director of training. “As a high school student, experiences like this make me glad that I am in a career technical education class like Economics of Business Ownership.”
The speed interview session comes as PPIE has been increasing efforts to connect Pleasanton students with additional resources from the local business community, including through working with the Tri-Valley Regional Occupation Program and having company representatives virtually visit classrooms.
Foothill principal Sebastian Bull added that he hopes to expand the program next year at Foothill and with Amador Valley High.
“We’re excited about the future, and we look forward to working with business and education leaders to shape that future for our students,” said PPIE executive director Steve McCoy-Thompson.
The companies who participated in the session heralded from a wide array of fields: 1st United Credit Union, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell’s office, Deep Sentinel, Google, Huntington Learning Center, FIDM, Intel, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Mirador Capital Partners, Oracle, Robert Half International, Roche Molecular Diagnostics, StartUp Genius, Valley Humane Society, Wells Fargo and Workday.
Original Article: https://pleasantonweekly.com/news/2018/04/09/foothill-students-connect-with-company-leaders-for-speed-interviews
PPIE Run for Education: More than just a morning stroll
Community event raises big bucks for Pleasanton schools
by Dolores Fox Ciardelli / Pleasanton Weekly
The PPIE fun run/walk offers courses for residents of all skill levels. (Photo by Chuck Deckert)
Or stroll. Or just turn out for a great community event, hosted by the Pleasanton Partnerships in Education Foundation (PPIE) to benefit all 15 schools in the district, with more than 14,500 students.
“This amazing event draws over 3,000 people throughout the community to help raise funds for school staffing, technology and student support,” PPIE executive director Steve McCoy-Thompson said.
The run, the morning of April 15, features three flat courses, for serious runners and casual strollers alike — 5K, 10K and 15K. They each start and end at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. This year the 10K and 15K routes go through the new phase of Bernal Community Park.
“We are excited that the 10K and 15K routes will take advantage of the beautiful Oak Woodland trails within Bernal Community Park,” said PPIE board vice president Kelly French, who founded the race in 2012.
The 5K course will go under the Pleasanton Arch, through downtown, and back to the fairgrounds; the 15K will be the 5K followed by the 10K route. Plenty of aid stations and bathrooms will be along the courses.
“Lots of people don’t even run, they just get together and stroll,” McCoy-Thompson said. “They literally have strollers, and it’s a casual morning of fun.”
The event includes a quarter-mile Kids’ Challenge, with everyone receiving a T-shirt and medal for finishing.
“It’s super-cute, and people bring cameras,” McCoy-Thompson said.
Runners end up back at the fairgrounds for the Awards Ceremony and Expo, with vendors’ booths and activities for children.
“It’s like a mini fair for the Pleasanton community,” McCoy-Thompson said. “It’s really become this signature event. It’s the only run where the community can get together and raise money for all the Pleasanton schools — 100% of the funds go back to PPIE programs and school staff support.”
“We sincerely appreciate Veeva and ClubSport Pleasanton’s commitment both to this event and to quality education in Pleasanton,” events manager Tanya Ludden said, in addition to thanking sponsors Workday Foundation, Walker Family Trust and others listed at ppierun.com.
Sponsors are equally enthused about the race.
“Veeva is committed to giving back and playing an active role in the communities where our employees live and work,” Veeva Systems CEO Tim Cabral said. “We’re proud to continue our hometown sponsorship of the Pleasanton Run for Education to help enrich kids’ lives and support the health and education of local families.”
Ralph Rajs, senior vice president at Leisure Sports, parent company of ClubSport, noted that ClubSport has supported the Run for Education since its inception.
“We’re happy to be a legacy sponsor of this great, heart-healthy event for the community,” he said.
PPIE was founded 30 years ago, noted McCoy-Thompson.
“Up until 2008, it was relatively small, then when the economic crisis hit, the district asked PPIE to really step up and try to raise funds to lower class sizes,” he recalled. “PPIE did that and ever since then, we have tried to raise money for needed staff.”
“Overall our income has been going up,” he added. “This year we’re hoping to have our best year ever. Last year we netted, from the run itself, over $100,000.”
PPIE also has a gala in the fall at Castlewood Country Club. This year it will be held Oct. 12 with the theme, “Night of the Stars.”
Come to the fun run
What: Pleasanton Run for Education, with 5K, 10K, 15K runs plus a quarter-mile Kids’ Challenge
Who: Pleasanton Partnerships in Education
When: Sunday morning, April 15. Races begin at 7:50 a.m. Awards ceremony is at approximately 9:30 a.m.
Where: Alameda County Fairgrounds
Cost: $19-$65
Register: ppierun.com
Original Article: https://pleasantonweekly.com/news/2018/04/05/ppie-run-for-education-more-than-just-a-morning-stroll
March 4 – PLAY for PPIE
By Shirley Yuan
PLAY (Promoting Leadership for Aspiring Youth), a youth-led 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization held its 3rd annual music fundraising concert at Harvest Park middle school on Sunday March 4. The 2-hour concert showcased the performance of band, orchestra, Chinese ensemble, choir, Kong Fu, and a wide variety of dances that delighted the audience.The event drew more than 350 people, including city and school district officials, and the multipurpose room was fully packed with some in the audience even having to stand at back. Local families, residents and businesses joined together to raise approximately $10,000 in cash and goods for PPIE (Pleasanton Partnerships in Education), a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that has been raising fund for Pleasanton School district for 30 years.
Mr. Steve McCoy-Thompson, PPIE executive director, exclaimed: “Wow – what an amazing event! PLAY is truly a labor of love , and we are so grateful to be beneficiaries of your great commitment to the community.” Superintendent Dr. David Haglund said, ”I was so impressed with the work of our high school students. They shared their love for music, dance, and performance, while being positive role models in the community. In the process, they raised significant amount of funding to support our schools. This small troupe of high school students who had an idea four years ago and have walked it forward with humility and passion. This is a perfect example of the character traits we strive as a community to develop in our youth.”
Before the concert, PLAY youth also hosted a “Music Instruments Petting Zoo” sponsored by Ingram & Brauns Musik Shoppe, which gives curious children of all ages a hands-on experience of different types of instrument. This was the 3rd music fundraising showcase by PLAY Music Group, which was founded in 2015 with only 5 middle schoolers who were passionate about music and community service. Within 3 years, PLAY has grown to about 50 youth members consisting of Band, Orchestra, Chinese Ensemble, and Choir. So far, the talented young musicians have raised over $30,000 in cash and goods for different charities. Besides annual music fundraising concerts, PLAY music groups also play music to entertain seniors, and support other activities in order to better the community.
There are 9 other groups in PLAY. Through the multitude of groups and activities, PLAY Youth learn by experience that everyone has talents and leadership potential. They gain larger than life experience by using their talents to serve and cultivate true leadership. By engaging in the community, the youth are exposed to civic, business, engineering, and other areas of learning, and discover at a young age what they are truly passionate about. In PLAY, young members develop into the leaders of tomorrow by serving the community with real life experiences. To learn more, please check: http://www.
