Tuesday, September 23, 2014

When you Donate --- Consider a good S T R E T C H



So this question has come up lately:

"Why should I give more than $120?"

Because:

The History Department does not have updated maps.  Our students are looking at maps with USSR on them.

Art class is better when you have paint, glaze, and a working kiln.

Aquatic class is more inclusive when swimsuits can be provided for students who cannot afford them.

Dancing is more efficient when the teachers have a working sound system.

There are LACES students who are treading water in their writing skills.  A Writers workshop would raise the tide for all our students.

If we had more PE equipment the kids would be able to do more than just run the mile.

We are in second largest city in the United States.  On any given day there are venues offering first class field trips.   It would be nice if LACES students could go on Field Trips.   For example:  The Pompeii Exhibit at The California Science Center would connect with the curriculum for various grades.  

Tomorrow’s jobs will be in programing, robotics and other areas that will need workers who are well versed in new technology.   As hard as it is to believe, just because a kid can download Youtube or play a game on a phone or computer does NOT make them technologically savvy.    Our students will be on an advanced track if LACES had more computer labs, soft ware and robotic parts.

When you donate more than $120 you are supporting LACES in these areas and more.  This is what our teachers and departments would like to bring to LACES.  Please stretch your donation to help our school retain its excellence.


S T R E T C H  YOURSELF…..CONSIDER DONATING ABOVE THE FRIEND LEVEL!       

Monday, September 22, 2014

Burke Williams Spa Drawing!!!!!!


What do LACES and Burke Williams Spa have in common?   

.........YOU!

If you have not turned in your Direct Donation yet--you are in luck.

This Friday, September 26th at the FOL Coffee Stop, volunteers will be accepting your Direct Donation check.   Volunteers will also have The Square to accept your credit card donation.  All donations that come into FOL on Friday will be put into a drawing to WIN a Pure Relaxation Massage from the uber luxurious Burke Williams Spa. *


"Burke Williams has elevated the spa experience to a new art form. Each of our locations incorporates the finest amenities of a world-class European spa, and our dedicated, professional therapists will treat you to the ultimate in relaxation and renewal. Make your escape today!"

Massage description:


Pure Relaxation Massage

Just as the name implies, this is the perfect modality to relieve the stress and tightness caused by your hectic life so that you can return to schedule refreshed and rejuvenated. Blending Swedish and circulatory massage strokes, your therapist will gently knead your muscles to increase flexibility, stimulate circulation, and promote relaxation.


There are lots of Burke Williams locations convenient to our community.   


There you have it....luxury could be yours!  All you have to do is: 

Drop off your Direct Donation on Friday.    

And those people don't stop by the coffee but use the Paypal and Amazon donation links on Friday will be included in the Drawing.  Simply email your paid receipt to foldirectdonation@gmail.com


*Thanks to Dabney Family (2020 Class) for this lovely drawing donation. 


Sunday, September 21, 2014

Our Update as of Sunday September 21

168 families have contributed

and....


Friday, September 19, 2014

Don't Forget !!!!





All families who make their  Direct Donation contribution at the Friend Level or higher  before October 6th will have their names submitted for a drawing where they can choose between a $500 cash or a Mini iPad.

Why are we doing this crazy fantastic offer?

Because in October we will be calling every family who has not gotten their donation into school and we hope to have fewer people to call!!!

Get your donation in so you have a chance to win!!!!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Where are you?


165 LACES families have contributed to Direct Donation.

There are about 1200 families at LACES.   So, let's do the Common Core math

1200
-165
____
1035 Families still have not gotten in their donation.

Yes, many of you have said you are going to do soon.    Great.
Some of you have been probably pondering it.  Sure.   But get on it soon!!

Please don't wait.  

Thank you

Coffee Stop & Direct Donation Drop



Next Friday September 26 at the FOL Coffee Stop is a fabulous opportunity for those people who have not contributed to Direct Donation to get their donation in.

We will have a volunteer with a square to take your credit card.   And we will have a volunteer to take your check donation.

*** Also There will be a special additional exciting perk to all donations made at the Coffee Stop which will be revealed on Monday.  ** check back in for that news!

If you have not gotten your donation in---bring it in next Friday!!!!



Wednesday, September 17, 2014

"So, I want to donate but....."



"So, I want to donate but I can't write one big check now"

No problem.  You can break it up into smaller payments.  Whatever works for you.

"So, I want to donate but my donation will have to be below $120 (Friend Level). 

No problem.   Your donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated.   And you will raise our participation amount.  

"So, I want to donate but my donation will be above $600 (Benefactor Level), is that okay?"

Yes.  We will gladly take any donation above the Benefactor Level.   All of it helps!!!!


Tuesday, September 16, 2014

What is Direct Donation?

As you all know in the fall of 2008 the economy crashed and the first wave of hurt crashed on public schools.  

Since 2008, parents at LAUSD schools had to make a choice.  "Do we sit here and let the cuts happen and just let our students do without?"   or "Do we ask our parents to step up and make up the difference?"     If we were lucky, we came from an elementary school where the parents said, "Heck no! We aren't going to go without!"    And so it is at LACES.  

This spring, new members of the Direct Donation team found out the needs of the Departments --- For example, History teachers need new maps.   Dance department has a broken sound system.  PE needs swimsuits for kids in need.  English needs Writing Workshops.   It is a compelling list of needs; you can check the Donation form for more item breakdowns.    

In addition, we talked to Principal Boger about his vision for LACES.   He told us that one of his priorities is to improve the technology program. He told us that tomorrow’s job market will rely on workers having a vast understanding of technology.  Therefore, it is important that students know how to use computers in the most productive way by the time they graduate High School.  Also, Mr. Boger does not believe that The District will be buying any new computers for LACES before 2022.   We will be long gone if we wait for them!  

Since 2008 none of these things have been included in "the ask" for the Direct Donation Campaign.   It is our goal to uptick our donations this year so we can start to cover these much-needed requests. 

You can donate on the Friend Level for $120 a year 
You can donate on the Patron Level for $300 a year
You can donate on the Benefactor Level for $600 a year.

If you don't want to write one check, you may make a monthly donation of $10 a month (Friend level) $25 a month (Patron Level) and $50 a month (Benefactor Level).   
If you want to donate below $120 or over $600 we'll take that, too!  Nothing too low or too high, it is all good. 

We are all in this together.   Remember the difference between a GOOD school and a GREAT school is funding by parents.   We can do it!  

Also---don't forget to ask your employer if they have a matching fund.  


Many of them will match whatever you donate!!

Current Update: As of September 15

Did you know?




Four Grande Starbucks Latte a week between now and June is $600.

Two Grande Starbucks Latte a week between now and June is $300.

One Grande Starbuck Latte a week between now and June is $150.


Is your child's school worth a Starbucks Latte?

YES.


The Different Levels in Direct Donation





You can donate on the Friend Level for $120 a year 
You can donate on the Patron Level for $300 a year

You can donate on the Benefactor Level for $600 a year.


What do the different levels mean? 

A donation of $120 will take care of the LACES/FOL yearly budget.  This includes basic needs. 

A donation of $300 a year will take care of the basic yearly budget PLUS support the department heads.   --- For example, History teachers need new maps.   Dance department has a broken sound system.  PE needs swimsuits for kids in need.  English needs Writing Workshops.   It is a compelling list of needs; you can check the Donation form for more item breakdowns.    

A donation of $600 will take care of basic yearly needs, plus the department heads AND will take care of  Principal Boger and his vision for LACES  including new computer LABS.     Also, Mr. Boger does not believe that The District will be buying any new computers for LACES before 2022.   We will be long gone if we wait for them!  




How are we looking?

LACES has approximately 1600 students made up by about 1200 families.

As of September 15

165 families have contributed to the Direct Donation Campaign.

This is decent start but we need WAY more families to contribute.  

If you have not made your donation yet, now is the time to do it.

If you have not made your donation because you do not believe you can make a donation of $120 (The Friend Level) that is fine.  Make a donation that is comfortable for you.   Our goal is $200,000 and 100%participation.   If everyone donates we will make our goal.


How do I make my donation?




If you are ready to make your donation you can use the Direct Donation form that was mailed home the last week of August.  
If you have misplaced the form send an email to Shari Cooper sharicoop@aol.com  Or Peter Ellis  peterbellis@sbcglobal.net and they will email you a new one.

Or if you would like to do automatic payments then go to the FOL website HERE.





"Help me understand something"


Some parents are wildly confused by Direct Donation and have questions like:   

1. "Isn't the Government supposed to pay for everything at school?"  

2. "Don't my taxes pay for our school?" 

3. "When I was a kid in school no one asked my parents for money. Why now?" 

4. "This is a public school not private why is there a Direct Donation Campaign?"  

5. "I did not grow up in the United States.  How can I make sense of donating money to my child's public school?   



All of these are good questions.   And the answers are simple. 

1. The State and The District (LAUSD) pay for the school buildings, some supplies, teachers salaries and some staff salaries.    They only pay for the BASIC minimum.   They used to pay for a lot more but that dried up some time ago.   A number of years ago  public schools in California and the rest of the United States started to go to parents to make up the difference in order to help run their schools.   

2. Basically, No.  Taxes were disconnected from local schools many years ago.  Google "Taxes and California Schools" for more information.  

3. If you were a student in a California public school before 1980, your parents most likely did not need to help your school with donations beyond a random bake sale or carnival.  Prior to 1980 there were more funds from local and federal monies allocated to public schools.   There were more resources and more staff at that time as well. 

4. LACES is a public school with an academic bar as high as any top private school.  The difference between a private school and LACES  is that the private school can increase tuition every year while they keep the bar up.   Unfortunately, LACES has not had its funding increased.  It has had instead experienced major cuts.  The Direct Donation campaign is a way for FOL to bring in much needed funds to support LACES academic excellence.   

5. Donating money to public schools is foreign to many Americans over a certain age.  And it must be even more confusing to people who grew up outside of the USA.    Please know that your donation  helps LACES teachers, staff and students.   The money does not go to any individual.   It does not go to one department.   Each dollar is put to use to help the whole school.    

Remember the difference between a good School and a GREAT school is parents donating to Direct Donation.    

Status Report on Direct Donation

The first week of Direct Donation Campaign we had recieved $10,000k. What a great start!

What is Direct Donation at LACES?



As you all know in the fall of 2008 the economy crashed and the first wave of hurt crashed on public schools.  

Since 2008, parents at LAUSD schools had to make a choice.  "Do we sit here and let the cuts happen and just let our students do without?"   or "Do we ask our parents to step up and make up the difference?"     If we were lucky, we came from an elementary school where the parents said, "Heck no! We aren't going to go without!"    And so it is at LACES.  

This spring, new members of the Direct Donation team found out the needs of the Departments --- For example, History teachers need new maps.   Dance department has a broken sound system.  PE needs swimsuits for kids in need.  English needs Writing Workshops.   It is a compelling list of needs; you can check the Donation form for more item breakdowns.    

In addition, we talked to Principal Boger about his vision for LACES.   He told us that one of his priorities is to improve the technology program. He told us that tomorrow’s job market will rely on workers having a vast understanding of technology.  Therefore, it is important that students know how to use computers in the most productive way by the time they graduate High School.  Also, Mr. Boger does not believe that The District will be buying any new computers for LACES before 2022.   We will be long gone if we wait for them!  

Since 2008 none of these things have been included in "the ask" for the Direct Donation Campaign.   It is our goal to uptick our donations this year so we can start to cover these much-needed requests. 

You can donate on the Friend Level for $120 a year 
You can donate on the Patron Level for $300 a year
You can donate on the Benefactor Level for $600 a year.

If you don't want to write one check, you may make a monthly donation of $10 a month (Friend level) $25 a month (Patron Level) and $50 a month (Benefactor Level).   
If you want to donate below $120 or over $600 we'll take that, too!  Nothing too low or too high, it is all good. 

We are all in this together.   Remember the difference between a GOOD school and a GREAT school is funding by parents.   We can do it!  

Also---don't forget to ask your employer if they have a matching fund.  


Many of them will match whatever you donate!!