Donations are made every year to the Peninsula Education Foundation (PEF) in order to improve Palos Verdes public schools by enhancing and developing curricula, clubs and after-school events. PEF funds many programs such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs and more. The money provided by the state is not enough to implement these enrichment programs; thus, PEF aims to apply the funds received from families to compensate for the lack of funds received by the state. In previous years, the suggested donation per student was $500. After much discussion on the topic, the requested amount for the 2016-17 school year has been raised to $750, with the goal of raising $3.5 million. The rise in the suggested donation price for the 2016-17 school year would only provide benefits to the school and give parents more opportunities for involvement with the PEF community.

With the previously suggested donation amount of $500, PEF has struggled to help Peninsula reach its highest potential. The amount of funding received from the state is specific to each school. Peninsula currently receives $49 per student each school day, which is very little considering the upkeep of provisions such as faculty, enrichment programs and textbooks. PEF is currently working to provide more technological equipment, programs and teachers to run these programs, which influenced its decision on raising the suggested donation amount.

An increase in donations to PEF would also allow more families to become active members of the Palos Verdes Peninsula (PVP) community. On average, only around 25 percent of PVP’s population donates money to PEF every year. Although the donation price for this school year may seem overwhelming, it remains a suggestion and PEF urges families to see what their donations can do for the school and the education of the students.

“The mission of PEF is to engage and inspire our community in support of wstudent success in our local schools,” Executive Director Christine Byrne said. “PEF supports programs and positions that keep our schools among the best in the state and the nation. It is our goal for this year to successfully attain our pledge so that we can continue to meet the needs of our amazing school district.”

Principal Mitzi Cress believes that this action would benefit the school drastically. She expresses her gratitude toward the families who have participated in the donation, and hopes to see donations from other families in the future. Through managing a site budget, she realizes how much PEF truly does for the school. The programs that PEF funds adds up to close to $250,000.

PEF does its best to fill in the gaps where state funding simply does not reach. With the help of generous and involved Panther families, those involved feel that this goal is highly attainable.

“The important thing is that we are working as one to keep our schools strong and ensure the best possible education for our children and for future generations,” Byrne said.