HATS OFF TO THE GRADS. AND TO yOU. - Peninsula Education ...

vol. 1, no. 5 August 2011
LIghT WAVES
PeF WelComes a NeW PresideNt
MEET DEIDRE MANNS.
I am excited and honored to be the new President of
the Peninsula Education Foundation. I have great
passion for PEF, and I’ve
been a part of it for years.
It’s an organization I love.
Our family moved to
California 12 years ago from
Chicago and we selected
Palos Verdes as our home
because of the great schools.
Our daughter Katie graduated
from Palos Verdes high
School in 2009 and our son Tyler will be a freshman
this fall at PVhS.
We are all so fortunate to live in a community
where education is a priority and where we all work
We made it!
thaNK you For helPiNG PeF raise $2.5 millioN!
The Peninsula Education Foundation Board is thrilled
to announce that with the help of our wonderful Palos Verdes
together to keep our schools among the best in the
nation. Unfortunately, we are facing some of the worst
budget cuts to our schools in recent memory. Your
support and commitment to PEF is more important
than ever. I have confidence that everyone will rise to
the challenge of helping PEF meet its pledge to the
district which supports all our students and schools.
In closing, I’d like to take a moment to thank Kate
Cocke, our outgoing PEF President, who has selflessly
served the Foundation for the past two years. We are
fortunate she will continue on as a trustee. her dedication,
leadership, and enthusiasm have guided PEF
to a new level.
With the PEF Board and entire community, I
know we can exceed our goals and together give our
children a brighter future.
community, we raised $2.5 million and fulfilled our pledge to
the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District just in time
for the June School Board meeting.
Each June, PEF reviews its Strategic Plan and District
needs and formulates its pledge for the following school year.
This year, the Board challenged itself, even amidst a faltering
economy, to raise its pledge from $2 million to $2.5 million.
“As the foundation challenged itself with the higher pledge,
our amazing community challenged itself to find the extra
funds to save our classrooms from further devastating cuts,”
said Kate. “We couldn’t be more thankful.” A complete list of
donors is included in this issue.
Accepting the check from PEF on behalf of the PVPUSD,
Board of Education member Dora de la Rosa said, “The
district is eternally grateful for the support of the Peninsula
Education Foundation, particularly in these challenging
economic times.”
From bake sales and garage sales, to major donors and
corporate community partners, the entire Palos Verdes
Peninsula came out to raise funds and donate to what PV
residents value most: a superior education! Once again, thank
you for your support!
vol. 1, no. 5 August 2011
LIghT WAVES
briGht sPots & NeWs Flashes
2011 sam GoldberG aWard Goes to steGura.
Every June, PEF honors a community member who has made significant
contributions in support of the youth of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.This
year, the 2011 Sam goldberg award goes to Debby Stegura,
shown here with Deidre Manns, left, and PEF President Kate Cocke.
A past PEF President and trustee, Debby has been actively involved in
the Friends of the Library board, Booster Club, PTSA, and AYSO
for over a decade. She’s also a past President of NCL and a mock-trial
coach. “PEF is so pleased to award Debby the Sam goldberg award this
year,” says Kate Cocke. “Debby exemplifies the incredible volunteers
we have in our community. She has touched so many children across
the South Bay with her selfless hard work.” The Sam goldberg Award
is named for a founding member and first President of PEF.
PeF aNNouNCes baGdasar sCholarshiP WiNNers.
The Jack Bagdasar Scholarship is an annual award given by PEF for PVPUSD
graduates who are entering college to pursue an elementary school teaching
career. Named for longtime teacher,
principal, PVPUSD board member and
PEF trustee Jack Bagdasar, this year’s
scholarship was awarded to Palos Verdes
high School’s Lindsay hoffman, left,
and Peninsula high’s Amanda Van Enk.
Congratulations, Lindsay and Amanda!
(Photo of Amanda: Wendy Chou).
WalK the WalK, suPPort the sChools.
SAVE ThE DATE! PEF will again participate in the third annual
Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk on Sunday, October 30th. Last year,
over 800 walkers representing our community
took part, earning PEF a check for
$44,000– up from $7,500 in 2009. The
donation amount received from Pier to Pier
is based on the number of walkers from our
community. This year the goal is to gather
2,000 walkers!
PEF encourages every school to create
walking teams of teachers, administrators,
parents and students to come out and join the fun! Let’s all walk
together to keep our schools great! To learn more, and to download
registration forms, visit the website at www.pier2pierwalk.com.