This past year has been filled with stories that reflect the power of community educators, students, partners, and supporters like you working together to strengthen public education.
From expanding innovative programs to building stronger connections, the Pasadena Educational Foundation continues to enrich learning experiences across every school in the Pasadena Unified School District. Whether through new partnerships or student-led initiatives, we are creating opportunities for every student to thrive.
As you read through these stories, I hope you feel the same sense of pride and optimism that we do. Your support has been essential to our progress, and together, we are building a brighter future for our schools and community.
Thank you for being a part of this journey
Sincerely,
Patrick Conyers Executive Director
Read more about the many ways our community helps the Pasadena Educational Foundation make an impact. Our story is your story
ScoringBig!OurExpandedPartnership
Our expanded partnership with the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is making a significant impact on our educators and students. Thanks in part to their continued support, we awarded a record $233,000 in teacher grants this past year, providing essential resources for innovative classroom projects and enhancing learning experiences across the district.
The partnership has also enabled the renovation of school libraries at Octavia E. Butler, Eliot, McKinley, and Marshall. These revitalized spaces will inspire a love of reading and improve access to information and technology, fostering a more enriching educational environment.
As part of this collaboration, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses®, along with the CFP Foundation, celebrated the Big Day for Teachers by honoring Don Benito Elementary teacher Ms. Christine Sandoval with $1,000 to use toward student resources.
Through this partnership, we’re providing more resources and opportunities for our educators and students, while celebrating the vital role teachers play in shaping the future and ensuring students have the tools to succeed.
Morehere>>
Leaders from local science, technology, education, and government gathered in September for PEF’s inaugural SciTech Roundtable at Caltech, focused on preparing PUSD students for future careers and technological innovation right here in our community.
Experts, including educators from PUSD and higher education, as well as industry and civic leaders, brought their diverse insights to the table. Discussions centered on essential skills and knowledge needed for local workforce success, innovative educational approaches, and strategies for ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities.
Discover the Benefits of Working with PUSD Certified Real Estate Agents!
Over 100 real estate agents have completed the PUSD Real Estate Agent Certification Course, offered by the Pasadena-Foothills Association of REALTORS®, PEF, and PEN.
This course equips agents with valuable insights into Pasadena Unified. Certified agents gain firsthand experience through exclusive school tours and are included in a directory of PUSD Certified Agents. This distinction makes them trusted advisors for families navigating the local home-buying process.
Thank you to this growing group of certified agents dedicated to making a positive impact in our community.
The group also explored how community partnerships are critical This collaborative effort rooted in strengthening public education and preparing students for careers in the local community will drive the development of new initiatives and programs designed to help equip PUSD students for success.
A follow-up roundtable is scheduled for November 2024.
Building Empathy
Connecting History to Contemporary Civil Rights
Through PEF’s Building Empathy project, more than 500 PUSD middle and high school students researched the impact of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 that led to 120,000 Japanese Americans being placed in internment camps during World War II.
Students and teachers collaborated to develop lessons, conduct research, and craft visual art to study history and draw parallels to contemporary civil rights challenges. Additionally, sixteen Blair and PHS students undertook an overnight trip to Manzanar National Historic Site, and all participating students visited Los Angeles’s Little Tokyo and the Japanese American National Museum, gaining first-hand insights into this dark chapter of American history.
During Spring 2024, a group of ninth graders who participated in the first phase of Building Empathy created lesson plans and taught workshops in three Blair middle school classrooms. This peer-to-peer learning model reinforces the older students' knowledge while creating engaging experiences for younger learners.
Building Empathy has been awarded three consecutive Civil Liberties Grants from the California State Library as well as the California Humanities Civics + Humanities Middle Grades Grant.
ArtCenter College of Design Joins My Masterpieces
ArtCenter College of Design is now a partner in PUSD’s My Masterpieces program, welcoming 4th graders to explore their galleries and engage with a unique artistic curriculum. My Masterpieces is a collaboration between PEF, PUSD, and eleven of Pasadena's cultural and arts institutions, including the Norton Simon Museum, The Huntington, and the Armory Center for the Arts.
This program provides every PUSD student from kindergarten to sixth grade—with a cultural journey through their community. Each grade level visits a different cultural institution, reflecting on various artistic themes that progress and build upon previous experiences. My Masterpieces cultivates a lifelong appreciation for the arts, allowing students to connect their experiences with the vibrant cultural resources in their community.
Reflecting on Important Lessons Learned as a PEF Youth Leader
Every summer the Pasadena Educational Foundation’s Youth Leader Program gives high school students the chance to mentor younger kids as classroom aides. This experience helps them build essential soft skills while they make a positive impact in their community. Youth Leaders support teachers and engage with students in fun educational activities, enhancing their leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
A crucial aspect of the program is the focus on growth both for the Youth Leaders and the younger students they mentor
Through weekly check-ins, our high school volunteers gain insights into their personal development and the progress of the children they're supporting.
Here is what we heard…
“The hardest thing about helping students is understanding that each student’s talents are different.”
“Things change in class...adapting to different situations was important.”
“I am very grateful I am able to be a part of this program and make such good connections with new people.”
We look forward to more growth and inspiring learning experiences with our Youth Leaders in Summer 2025!
PEF has been committed to making summer learning accessible for all students for more than 20 years. Recognizing that cost is the primary barrier to participation, we provide financial assistance to more than half of our summer students, made possible by the generous support of foundations, donors, and grants.
Our dynamic program offers K-12 students the opportunity to explore over 80 unique classes across four Pasadena-area campuses, serving over 1,000 eager learners. With hands-on exploration opportunities, students are able to perform, create, and strategize while having an incredible time
A recent National Gallup Poll on Youth Summer Experiences highlighted that the top reasons parents enrolled their children in summer programs were to "have fun" and "make friends." Our Summer Enrichment Program does just that...and more.
We provide an engaging and enriching experience that nurtures creativity and builds lasting friendships. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this past summer a success.
