Friends of Oak Park Schools pledges $100,000 to benefit Oak Park Schools

Friends of Oak Park Schools pledges $100,000 to benefit Oak Park Schools

Oak Park, CA. May 2007 – Friends of Oak Park Schools has announced that it will be presenting a check for $100,000 to the Oak Park Unified School District for the benefit of the children within the Oak Park Schools, at their June 12th Board Meeting.

"On the heels of our $60,000 donation last year, which contributed in saving the Elementary Music Program in the district, Friends of Oak Park Schools has quickly established itself as an endowment base to support the children in our incredible schools," said Barry Myerson, Chairperson of the Friends of Oak Parks Schools Board. "We look forward to doing more next year and in years to come, and continuing the Promise to Our Children".

Hands-On Science Specialist

Friends of Oak Park Schools has designated the funds this year to be spent on a Hands-On Science Specialist/Coach to help add more experiential learning in the science departments at the High School, Middle School and Elementary Schools. This donation will contribute to the future of Science education in the District. In addition, this year's contribution will fund the ongoing support of the Music Programs in the Elementary and Secondary Schools.

Friends of Oak Park Schools capped a very successful fundraising year, with contributions from our generous supporters both inside and outside the District, as well as our phenomenally successful fundraising event, Casino Royale, which raised $60,000.

About Friends of Oak Park Schools

Friends of Oak Park Schools is a non-profit organization with IRS 503(c)3 status. Dedicated to providing the Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD) with additional private funding to supplement increasingly limited public funding. By working with dedicated parents and generous business partners in Southern California, we raise money to support educational programs that would not otherwise be funded.

Through fundraising events like the Slam ‘N Jam in 2006 and Casino Royale in 2007, as well as generous contributions from our Letter and Email campaign, The Friends of Oak Park Schools have made over $210,000 in donations to the OPUSD in our three years of existence.

Our work is intended to complement existing school-based fundraising by addressing the district-wide needs. By working together as a community, we can sustain smaller class sizes and quality education. For more information on Friends of Oak Park Schools, please visit www.friendsofoakparkschools.org.

The Oak Park Unified School District in Oak Park, California is made up of approximately 3,800 students from six schools in the District: Brookside, Oak Hills and Red Oak Elementary schools (K-5), Medea Creek Middle School (6-8), Oak Park High School (9-12), Oak View High School (continuation 9-12), and Oak Park Independent School (home schooling K-12). Student achievement at all levels is high and over 95% of the graduating seniors go on to college. Brookside, Oak Hills, Red Oak, Medea Creek and Oak Park High have all been named California Distinguished Schools. Oak Hills, Medea Creek and Oak Park High have received national recognition as Blue Ribbon Schools. Oak View High has been recognized as a Model Continuation School.


CONTACT:
Robert Brown
Friends of Oak Park Schools
638 Lindero Canyon Road
Suite 126
Westlake Village, CA 91361
Phone: (818) 970-9104
Email: info@friendsofoakparkschools.org
Web: www.friendsofoakparkschools.org

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