[PiE News] September 2008 Newsletter

Welcome back to a new school year -- and an exciting, new targeted approach to fundraising for our schools. PiE fundraising will now focus on educational initiatives deemed high priority by principals, teachers, key district personnel, and parents. For each school level --elementary, middle, and high school -- PiE funds will support three targets that have high impact and need. (Visit our website, www.papie.org, for details about these targets.) PAUSD Superintendent Kevin Skelly is here to let us know what he thinks about PiE's new approach.
1)      Are you excited about PiE's new targets?
Yes, I am very excited. I think that PiE's new targets will make this fundraising much more effective.
2)      How do the PiE targets fit with the new PAUSD strategic plan? How does an organization like PiE help the district meet its strategic plan goals?
Our strategic plan and the input we received from parents and students indicate that the PiE targets clearly reflect critical PAUSD needs. I think support for PiE is one of the most visible ways parents can step up and show their interest in seeing the district achieve the ideals identified in the strategic plan.
3)      How have PiE, district teachers, and administrators collaborated to reach consensus about important educational funding goals?
Principals consulted their staffs and PiE discussed its goals with donors and community members. The district also worked with the community on areas such as technology in the schools - one of the key components of the Strong Schools Bond -- as well as on college and career counseling and other educational priorities.
4)      After this year's implementation of PiE's new targets, will funding continue for staff and programs that are currently funded by PiE?
Yes, but we must continue to work hard to identify the needs of the district and issues that are most important to parents and community members. We see this dialog as very helpful in terms of our areas for emphasis. We want to listen to and hear from our community.
5)      What do you have to say to parents who have contributed to PiE?
Thank you! It is clear that you care passionately about your kid, but you also care deeply about every kid. This is how communities become stronger.
6)      What do you have to say to parents who haven't yet given?
We hope that you will see a contribution to PiE as an appropriate response to all that your student receives from the education they receive from teachers and staff. I also believe that by supporting PiE you are making a statement to your student regarding the importance you place on education.