Foundation has new name, same mission





DEDICATION—The Foundation for Las Virgenes Schools, formerly known as T.H.E. Foundation, is kicking off its annual appeal for donations. The foundation’s board of directors is pictured.

DEDICATION—The Foundation for Las Virgenes Schools, formerly known as T.H.E. Foundation, is kicking off its annual appeal for donations. The foundation’s board of directors is pictured.

School districts throughout California are rebounding financially with the help of a more robust economy and new state education funding formulas, but many districts still depend on the generosity of volunteer groups to supplement their budgets.

The fundraising arm of Las Virgenes Unified School District, which recently underwent a name change from T.H.E. Foundation to the Foundation for Las Virgenes Schools, has launched its annual appeal for donations.

According to Deanna Glassberg, foundation president, California’s economy may have improved, but Gov. Brown’s commitment to directing more money to lower income communities leaves the more affluent LVUSD “coming up short.”

Glassberg said this year’s fundraising theme is as child-centered as the school programs in Las Virgenes. “If you have a child, you have a reason” is emblazoned on the foundation’s website and will be featured in all communications asking for support from residents in the school district’s boundaries.

Campaign organizers say they will take a multipronged approach to raising funds this year. Appeal letters will be sent to the school community next week, and the foundation will also provide materials for students to take home.

Glassberg said that weekly emails requesting donations will be sent to parents, and banners with the fundraising message will be put up at schools.

“Give a little, give a lot—just give,” Glassberg said. “The foundation is the only parent organization that can raise funds to hire credentialed classroom teachers and counselors.”

Additional school counselors and teachers, and smaller class sizes, translate into more individual attention for students, she said.

According to Superintendent Rose Dunn, the district employs 23 counselors, with five of their salaries paid for by the foundation.

The foundation has not settled on a specific dollar amount for this year’s campaign goal. Instead, Glassberg said, the foundation’s goal is “to raise as much money as possible.”

“We have high aspirations and we want to make an impact,” she said. “We believe that teachers and counselors are the heartbeat of our schools, and we think that more of them would help our children reach their highest potential and better prepare them for their lives after high school.

“If we had smaller class sizes, teachers would have more options in the classroom, and if we had more counselors, our students would have support socially and emotionally to enable them to be strong learners.”

Over the past two years, the foundation has raised about $500,000 for Las Virgenes schools.

Glassberg said the foundation and the district work together to determine where the money should go.

The nonprofit was formed in 2010, and in its first year raised money to reduce class sizes in all 15 schools. Last year, the group paid for counselors.

This year’s goal is to do both.

“We recognize the need for both teachers and counselors, so we are really hoping that our community comes together to make this happen,” Glassberg said. “If our current appeal campaign is successful, we will add teachers for the 2014-15 school year.”

In addition to the parent appeal, the foundation is preparing for its fundraising party, The Event. The yearly community gala at the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center is scheduled for June 7. The wine and food party will feature an auction, entertainment and celebrities.

The Event has sold out for two years running, and Glassberg expects the same turnout this year.

District Superintendent Dan Stepenosky appreciates the organization’s efforts.

“Our partnership with the foundation helps ensure that each and every one of our schools will have the resources necessary for success,” he said.

For more information, visit www.thefoundationlvs.org.


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