First published in the Aug. 20 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
This month marks the Glendale Educational Foundation’s 18th year of operation. As I look forward to a second year as GEF’s president, I am imagining GEF at its 20-year milestone, now just around the corner. I am privileged to partner with GEF Board of Directors and the Glendale Unified School District leadership in the coming school year to advance GEF’s mission to enhance public education and to prepare for the third decade of this critical public-private partnership.
As the new school begins, GEF is pleased to announce its newest board members, Captain Robert Williams, Glendale Police Department; Ron Scott, SHRM-SCP, retired; Jodi Deranja, real estate specialist, Compass; Kristen Levy, owner Aqua Buddies; Brenda Danna, educator; and rejoining the board, Yvette V. Davis, GCC trustee and accountant, The Counting House, LLC. This group of volunteers brings a solid commitment to student success and cross-sector collaboration and reflects the perspectives of parents, business leaders and community stakeholders.
GEF is committed to engaging local businesses and community organizations with opportunities to support GUSD. We are so appreciative of the financial contributions that these partners made during the 2021-22 school year to help us garner $250,000 through a variety of giving opportunities. GEF is fortunate to have such dedicated supporters committed to the promise of public education.
In the school year ahead, GEF will provide funds to support Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) engagement at all 20 GUSD elementary schools. We also anticipate the emergence of a GUSD instructional program seeded by funds from the L.A. County Arts Ed Collective in 2021 and matched by $25,000 contribution from GEF. This collaboration around visual and performing arts will bring more artist expertise and standards-based arts instruction to elementary schools in dance, theatre, music and visual art. Career and Technical Education pathways is a new focus area for GEF that will generate internship opportunities for high school students across the Glendale business sector. We are so grateful to our Visionary Partner, Pacific BMW, for helping us to launch our new role in linking GUSD to exciting work-based learning opportunities. Pacific BMW will be offering an internship placement for Hoover High School students in the Automotive Technology CTE program this fall.
GEF is excited about the return of the 18th Annual State of the Schools Breakfast to the Glendale Civic Auditorium on Oct. 13 in partnership with GUSD. This annual event informs the community about GUSD efforts and recognizes GEF’s Educational Excellence awardees. We look forward to the return of the in-person event and the great honor of engaging the Glendale community around its greatest asset, its remarkable young people.
Robert Gordon is president of the Glendale Educational Foundation.
