Read about our record contribution to the Glendora Unified School District in a recent Glendora Patch article written by Aaron Castrejon. This year’s donation is our largest since we were founded and will be used to help fund the arts, grants, scholarships, educational programs, and technology.
We are proud to be able to make this contribution on behalf of the dedicated parents, donors, and partners that are helping us enhance the Glendora Unified School District.
The following is from an article found in the Glendora Unified School District’s Fall/Winter 2011 newsletter.
The Foundation for Glendora Unified Schools (FGUS) has been working with GUSD to allocate the $455,000 raised last year in a way which will have the greatest impact on the most students at all grade levels. First, funds were donated to continue music education in the elementary schools, including both vocal and instrumental music instruction. Statistically, children who play a musical instrument perform better in the classroom.
Funding was provided to supplement the grades 3-12 GATE Program and the AVID Program in both middle and high school. Although many students do not participate in these programs, the benefits of these programs reach well beyond their direct participants.
Money was directed for technology education and support. FGUS provided funding for a variety of technology-related programs, and also to sustain the technology staff technicians, an important element to providing technology education.
Funds were provided to support tutoring in the elementary and middle schools. These will be used to expand the Barton Reading Program to additional elementary schools, and to provide after-school support to individual students at the middle schools.
FGUS helped finance the School Resource Officer (SRO), an important element to maintaining a safe environment in all schools. The SRO provides counseling, security, and intervention, and his visible presence on school sites, proactively contributes to campus safety.
Finally, FGUS provided funding for Connect Ed, a valuable communication tool used by the District to keep parents informed via telephone and email. Without funding from the Foundation, this system would not be continued.
As you have read, the Foundation has provided the funds for very meaningful programs in all the schools in GUSD. There are many additional areas of need and potential enhancements FGUS would like to address. The only way to continue this important work is through the support of school families and the community. Please make a gift to the Foundation to sustain Glendora’s educational excellence.
For more information, visit the GUSD website as www.glendora.k12.ca.us.
Credit Hazel Lodevico-To'o
The Glendora Patch has published an article by Hazel Lodevico-To’o from a recent board meeting where nine GUSD students were awarded $500 scholarships and iPads. The students were chosen for their scholarship, participation in school activities, and well-rounded performance in all areas of school. Five students from Glendora High School were awarded $500 scholarships, while four students from Goddard Middle School and Sandburg Middle School were awarded iPad 2′s.
Glendora High School students Sarah Toback, Joshua Douglass, Nicholas Tsianos, and Shintaro Yamamura, along with Whitcomb High School student Kia Espinda, were awarded the scholarships. Goddard Middle School students Austin Bishop and Emily Relph, and Sandburg Middle School students Micaela Lamb and Andrew Nelsen were awarded the iPad’s. Congratulations to them all!
An article in the Glendora Patch titled Districts Readying for Never-Ending Budget Rollercoaster makes it clear why support for FGUS and our local schools is becoming more important in the face of statewide budget cuts.
From the article:
In May, Glendora Unified rescinded teacher layoffs after Gov. Brown’s May revise showed a slightly more positive outlook.
Doug Ferrell, Glendora Unified board president, said that Glendora had a two-fold dilemma, declining funding and enrollment.
“Declining enrollment was almost insurmountable without closing schools,” Ferrell said in regards to the closing of Williams Elementary in 2009-2010. “With District of Choice we can keep our ADA constant over the long haul.”
District of Choice allows potential students outside Glendora Unified to attend its schools.
“It’s truly a lifeboat for us, allowing us to keep everything open and stay afloat,” Ferrell said.
This message from Dr. Rob Voors, Superintendent of the Glendora Unified School District, can be found in the GUSD Newsletter for Fall/Winter 2011.
Greetings from the Glendora Unified School District. On behalf of the Board of Education, administration and District staff, I hope you find this newsletter helpful in obtaining relevant and important information related to our school district. GUSD has a long history of providing excellent educational experiences for our students.
There are several reasons why GUSD continues its remarkable educational tradition locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally. There are programs, organizations, and individuals who contribute and expand the educational opportunities for each and every student.
GUSD instructional programs regularly receive accolades for excellence. Eight of nine of our traditional schools are recognized as California Distinguished Schools. Last year Whitcomb High School received the Model Continuation High School recognition, which is equivalent to a distinguished school for alternative programs.
The Washington Post, “Challenger Index” reports that based on Advanced Placement testing, GHS ranks 732nd nationwide, and 114th in California. Those standings place the Tartans in the top 3% nationally, and top 10% in the state for challenging college level, AP courses. This is a great affirmation that we challenge our students and our students consistently rise to accept that challenge.
GUSD strategically identifies goals that encourage continuous improvement, which is evident in an accompanying article regarding the outstanding API scores. The goal of Creating a College Going Culture, is alive and well. The annual district Parent Academy College Fair schedule for November 2nd at Glendora High School, is for students and parents from elementary through high school. Please look for information to come home with your students. Our middle schools and Whitcomb High School hold annual Career Days to encourage students to work hard, identify a career, and to pursue post high school educational opportunities. Did you know that over 92% of our graduating seniors from GHS attend college each year and more students took one or more Advanced Placement (AP) tests than ever before?
What makes Glendora Unified School District a great school district? The consistent support our schools receive from the community. The Foundation for Glendora Unified Schools (FGUS), our supportive PTA organization, parents, services clubs, the city of Glendora, and community friends all significantly contribute to the educational opportunities for our students. It is the positive relationships with all of our stakeholders that make GUSD a great school district.
You can read more in the Glendora Unified School District Newsletter, or by going to the GUSD website at www.glendora.k12.ca.gov.
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My daughter and I are grateful to FGUS for rescuing the music program in our elementary schools. This program is not only enjoyable for students; it brings the arts into their lives through teaching them about various forms of music. I hope our community gives generously to the Foundation so valuable programs like this can continue to enhance our children's educational experience.
Margerie C.
Parent
Let us know how the Foundation for Glendora Unified Schools has affected you or your student's life by sending us feedback.
