Giving Campaign Has Reached $75,000 Goal

About a year ago, an Albany school  started examining to the district’s three elementary schools. raised the most, with the least, and in the middle.

Donated money is used for a variety of activities, from art classes to field trips and chess clubs to puberty education.

The task force, formed when school sparked by suggesting the district couldn’t honor its pledge to provide an equal education to all students when some schools could augment curriculum more than others, proposed for the equal use of all schools, essentially a pot divided in thirds.

The solution had some detractors, but won strong support.

Now, the Albany Elementary Giving Campaign, as the equity effort is called, is nearing its fundraising goal for 2011-12.

We asked the committee of parents working on the campaign for an update. Marin Elementary PTA vice-chair supplied the answers, but said they were approved by the group.

What's the fundraising goal?

The Albany Elementary Giving Campaign fundraising goal is a total of $75,000, however $18,000 has been raised by SchoolCARE and $15,000 was donated at the outset by the individual PTA organizations as seed money.

What's the deadline?

The total must be raised by the end of the school year, however the preference is to have the total amount raised early so that programs are not in jeopardy.

How is the campaign at this point?

Now that the campaign is wrapped up, we are excited to let everyone know that we met the goal! 

What are the uses for the funds?

The funds are being used to provide extensions and supplements to core programs that are important to the parents, teachers and students at the Albany elementary schools. This includes art, music, chess and puberty education. [Note from editor: The fund started covering enrichment when the school year began.] 

Who decides how and where the funds are used?

The three principals, with input from the teachers, the district, and the PTAs, decide which programs will be implemented.

Is there a district, or other, match? Please explain.

No, there is no money coming from the district to pay for these programs.

The district acts as the fund's bank, correct? But it doesn't have decision-making authority?

The district does not act as the campaign's bank.

Given the controversy in the past, how is the PTA feeling now about launching the fund?

We feel strongly that all three elementary schools are quality institutions providing an excellent education to our students. We are committed to joining together to ensure that there is an equitable educational experience across all three schools.

The PTAs at each elementary are still fundraising separately for other school-based needs, right? These monies are separate from the pooled funds.

Yes. Each school PTA raises money for site improvements, assemblies, teacher support, etc. 

How is parent response to the equity mission via this fund?

Parents are asking a lot of good questions and learning more about the importance of equity in Albany elementary schools. It is crucial that our students have a similar foundation of knowledge when they come together in middle school and high school. Parents know that this fundraising activity is important so that programs can be provided to our students that are no longer funded by the school district. 

How can the community get more information or make a donation?

Parents can contact the PTA president at their school for more information. Donations are being collected in all three school offices.

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Everybody makes mistakes ... ! If there's something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, call editor Emilie Raguso at 510-459-8325 or email her at emilier@patch.com.