Palos Verdes Education Foundation 2021 Main Event

3 months ago • Community Information, School Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes Peninsula Education Foundation 2021 Main Event

Palos Verdes Peninsula Education Foundation (PEF) will be holding its annual “Main Event” fundraiser online this year on May 1, 2021, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. to raise additional funds for the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. This year’s event Main Event Live will be free and held online but you must register in advance at www.maineventauction.com. You will have the opportunity to bid for fine wines and spirits, beauty packages, vacation getaways, activities for kids, school spirit items and much more. The online auction starts on April 21, 2021, at 8:00 a.m., and goes through May 1, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. This is a great way to start shopping for some great deals while supporting all 17 PVPUSD schools at the same time.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Education Foundation was founded in 1979 to raise much needed money for our schools that the State was not providing. PEF’s first gift to the School District was $250,000. The number of students and amount of government aid has varied tremendously and the school district relies on these donations from PEF for the shortfall. These donated funds are being spent to retain teachers, library aides, keep class sizes smaller, music instruction, academic counselors at high schools, college and career centers, STEM funding, help with science fair funding and teacher grants for innovative classroom projects. Pledged funds for this year will help support the above programs and all support is welcome – big or small – especially when schools have had to be creative with their teaching this year. There will also be an opportunity to win a Lexus by purchasing tickets before the event. (Winner does not need to be present.) Tickets can be purchased on line at www.pvpef.org for $50 each or $125 for three tickets. There will also be a raffle for a year of dining at Terranea Resort. The winner of this event will be drawn online at the Main Event. Tickets for this raffle are $100 each and can be purchased www.maineventauction.com.

This year you will be able to purchase party packs where you can gather in your pod and plan your in-home celebration as you tune into Main Event Live. To read more about these party pack which need to be purchased by April 23, 2021, go to www.maineventauction.com.

For more information call (310) 378-2278.

Click here to read my prior article on Palos Verdes Peninsula Education Foundation’s Main Event.

Photo courtesy of Palos Verdes Unified School District’s Main Event.

Palos Verdes Schools 2021 Spring Break Activities!

3 months ago • Children's Events, Community Events, School Information

Palos Verdes Schools 2021 Spring Break Activities!

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District will be taking their annual Spring Break for 2021 starting on Monday, March 29 through Friday, April 2, 2021. Since we are still under some Covid restrictions, outside activities are limited for Palos Verdes homes owners who are looking for day camps for their children to enjoy.

AYSO Spring Soccer Camps are being offered from March 29, to April 2, 2021, at Highridge Park. Children 7 to 14 years of age can spend a half day learning and improving their soccer skills. The cost of the Half Day Camp is $149, and runs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. AYSO Tiny Tykes camps are for children 4 to 6 years of age and are being held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Highridge Park for the price of $149. For more camp information and/or to register click here.

Highridge Park is located at 28220 Highridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes.

To read my prior article on Spring Break click here.

Photo courtesy of AYSO

Palos Verdes High School Choice 2021-2022

4 months ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, School Information

Choose Your Palos Verdes High School Now For 2021-2022!

Palos Verdes residents who are parents of eighth grade students, have received high school information packets and it is time to designate which high school their child will attend in September 2021. This decision time is coming to a close. Palos Verdes High School and Palos Verdes Peninsula High School tours have taken place online and now families must make their choices. Any current eighth grade student will have an opportunity to enroll under “open enrollment” which means that the students who will enter 9th grade in September 2021, may choose which Palos Verdes high school to attend. Planning for the 2021-2022 school year is beginning and enrollment numbers are critical to effectively prepare for this next school year.

Both high schools had scheduled online sessions to help assist you and your student in selecting which one of our award winning high schools would be the best fit for them. It is important to remember that the deadline of February 28, 2021 is only two weeks away.

For more information on Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, you can contact the school at (310) 377-4888. PVPHS is located at 27118 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates. Palos Verdes High School can be contacted at (310) 378-8471 and is located at 600 Cloyden Road, Palos Verdes Estates.

If you are looking for additional information or need enrollment forms, go to www.pvpusd.net.

To read my prior article on the Palos Verdes High Schools, click here.

Photos courtesy of Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District

Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club Educator of the Year Award Presentation!

5 months ago • Community Information, School Information

Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club Educator of the Year Award Presentation!

Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club will be honoring nine outstanding local teachers virtually, at their Educator of the Year award presentation on Thursday, February 4, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This forty year tradition will be missing their traditional gala dinner, but this is a critical year to highlight educators who are working tirelessly online, in hybrid format, and in person according to Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club, President Eileen Hupp. The teachers being honored are the role models that help lead the way to inspire and guide our children.

Every year, a group of schools select an Educator of the Year for this event. This year the honorees are as following: Lydia Cordova – Ridgecrest Intermediate School, Michelle Slattery – Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Kristy Spencer – Rancho Vista Elementary School, Bonnie Roth – Dapplegray Elementary School, Captain Joy Groenleer – College for Officer Training at the Salvation Army, Jose Rincon – Marymount California University, Chris Meisel – Chadwick School, Christy Burden – Peninsula Heritage School and Jonny Brammah – Rolling Hills Prepatory and Rennaissance Schools.

The community is invited to support the Rotary Club’s scholarship program by purchasing a ticket to the virtual event or making a tax deductible donation. Scholarship applications are available at all high schools and their seniors are encouraged to apply for the Club’s 2021 College Scholarships. To date they have raised over $410,000 for need based college and vocational scholarships for students.

Ticket prices are $20, and buyers will be provided with the viewing link and information by noon on February 4th, 2021, via the email address provided at time of purchase. To purchase tickets click here.

For additional information contact Eileen Hupp at eileen@palosverdeschamber.com, or call 310-377-8111.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club

Join The Peninsula Education Foundation’s Great Palos Verdes Scavenger Hunt!

7 months ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, School Information

Join The Peninsula Education Foundation’s Great Palos Verdes Scavenger Hunt!

Palos Verdes homes owners can support the Peninsula Education Foundation by participating in The Great Palos Verdes Scavenger Hunt. This is a fun way to spend your Sunday, on November 15, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. as you drive around Palos Verdes using clues to find the next stop. You will need to successfully complete a challenge to get the next clue. Each stop will be fun filled with activities and every car load will be counted as one team.

The hunt will include:

- a car decorating contest
- an obstacle course
- live band
- shopping opportunities
- prizes and more

The fee to join in the fun is $40 per car. Each car load counts as one registered team. This will be an enjoyable outing while following Covid safety protocols at each stop. Registration must be completed by November 11, 2020. You can get more information by clicking here.

This is a great opportunity to enjoy a fun afternoon while helping to raise funding for the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. The primary source of income for most public school districts in California, including the PVPUSD, is from the State. However, State support has declined since 2007-08. The most stable and reliable funding source in recent years has been local revenue from the Peninsula Education Foundation. This year the Foundation is celebrating their 41 year anniversary and much has changed this year due to the Coronavirus. However, the income from the Peninsula Education Foundation is still greatly needed since it has allowed PVPUSD to continue providing students the programs and services needed for their success in college and/or the work place.If you have any questions please call (310) 378-2278.

To read my last article on Peninsula Education’s Fundraisers click here.

Photo courtesy of Peninsula Education Foundation

Skechers 2020 Virtual Friendship Walk Benefits Peninsula Education Foundation

8 months ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, School Information

Skechers 2020 Virtual Friendship Walk Benefits Peninsula Education Foundation

Palos Verdes homes owners can enjoy and support a virtual friendship walk for the Peninsula Education Foundation, which is seeking donations to support our local Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. The primary source of income for most public school districts in California, including the PVPUSD, is from the State. However, State support has declined since 2007-08. The most stable and reliable funding source in recent years has been local revenue from the Peninsula Education Foundation. This year the foundation will be celebrating their 41 year anniversary, and much has changed this year due to the Coronavirus. However, the income from the Peninsula Education Foundation is still greatly needed since it has allowed PVPUSD to continue providing students the programs and services needed for their success in college and/or the workplace.

This year the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk will be going virtual. At this year’s event, Skechers will be live streaming on YouTube and on the official Skechers friendship walk website on Sunday, October 25, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.. Last year our district had over 33,500 registered walkers which resulted in a check to PEF for more than $257,000 that went toward the annual pledge to support our schools. Palos Verdes homes owners have a wonderful opportunity to support our schools by registering for The Pier To Pier Virtual Friendship Walk. To register, go to www.skechersfriendshipwalk.com and click DONATE. Sign up for your school’s team and remember to select Peninsula Education Foundation as the charity you support.

In prior years, a large portion of the pledge money has been allocated to saving teachers’ jobs, with the remaining pledge balance supporting elementary choral and instrumental music, library aides, PE for grades K- 5, STEM for elementary grades 4-5, intermediate & high school safe schools counselors, College Career Center staff and STEM programs for robotics and engineering called PVIT and SMERT. The PEF Board voted to allocate funding for the development of a digital citizenship program at the intermediate level and the creation of Parent University to provide technology training and resources to access important district and student information/resources.

Please register your entire family to join the fun while supporting PEF and our schools. This is a win-win. Our Palos Verdes schools will receive additional funding and you and your family can enjoy a virtual Friendship Walk along the beach!

To read my last article on Skechers Friendship Walk click here.

Photo courtesy of Peninsula Education Foundation

Palos Verdes Local Business Offers Home School Support!

10 months ago • Community Information, School Information

Palos Verdes Local Business Offers Home School Support!

Palos Verdes homes owners with school aged children are working on finalizing their plans to start the 2020-2021 school year on August 26, 2020. Many students have chosen for the Hybrid Learning Models, but quite a few have signed up for the Distance Learning Academy. The schools strict policies for opening, have put many families in a bind. Some have reached out for small pod learning groups so that the children can study with other children in a safe environment. However, there are not enough groups to satisfy the demand. Having learning pods allows the parents time to work from home or return to their jobs.

Elite Dance Studio is offering a school setting where children bring their laptops and participate in their zoom classes for school, then for physical education they can dance, or play games for activities. The hours would be from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with early drop off and late pick up for parents. This program will be starting in September to allow the school program to start on August 26,2020. This program is being offered on a first come first serve basis, due to distancing guidelines.

Pricing will depend on each child’s exact schedule requirements. If you are interested please contact the owner Dyan Lopez at (310) 413-6536, to save a seat and put together a specific program for your child.

Elite Dance Studio is offering Zoom dance classes, and in studio classes for the rest of the year respecting social distancing. To find out more information about these wonderful dance opportunities contact Dyan Lopez at (310) 413-6536.

Elite Dance Studio is located at 550 Deep Valley Drive Suite 241, Rolling Hills Estates. To read more about the studio go to www.elitedancerhe.com.

To read my last article on the Palos Verdes Peninsula School District click here.

Photo courtesy of Elite Dance Studio

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School Districts Guide for Reopening!

11 months ago • Community Information, School Information

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School Districts Guide for Reopening!

Palos Verdes homes owners with school aged children should read the District’s Guide for Reopening. This has been quite the school year for both parents and children who have had to adapt to remote home learning.

These educational choices have not been easy parents and the school board which is doing its best to follow the state guidelines. Now that the school year is approaching, families have had to decide whether to use the Hybrid Learning Models or Distance Learning Academy. For the students who have not yet responded to the school district’s choices, they will be placed in the Hybrid Learning Model unless they opt in for the Distance Learning Academy.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School Districts has encouraged families to make sure that they respond in a timely manner. August 2, 2020, is the deadline to select Distance Learning Academy. Following that protocol, August 19th, will be the tentative date for the material pick up at school campuses. As of now the 2020-2021 school district will begin on August 26, 2020.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School Districts informational guide can be seen by clicking here.

To read my last article on the Palos Verdes Peninsula School District click here.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District Townhall Meeting!

12 months ago • Community Information, School Information

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District Townhall Meeting!

Palos Verdes homes owners who have students in the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District are encouraged to watch a livestream meeting on the School Reopening Planning on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, from 7:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This event will be Live Streamed and the public will have an opportunity to submit questions by joining the Zoom video-conference, via an online form or email.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District’s Board of Education is inviting the community to watch this informative meeting regarding what comes next for your child’s education. The meeting will be moderated by School Board President Suzanne Seymour, and will include the school board members, superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss, district staff and other outside information specialists.

If you are interested in video conferencing you can click here for the Townhall information and sign up under “How to Submit a Question.” You can also email a question ahead of time to boardcomments@pspusd.net. While the meeting is taking place, they hope to divide the amount of questions to 50% via live Zoom participation and 50% of written questions – each will be limited to one minute.

For more information click here for the Townhall information.

The Livestream link is available at: www.pvpusd.net/july1/

To read my last article on the Palos Verdes Peninsula School District click here.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District

Palos Verdes 2020 Summer School Changes!

1 year ago • Children's Events, Community Information, School Information

Palos Verdes 2020 Summer School Changes!

The Palos Verdes Unified School District has had to change directions for its summer school program because of the COVID-19 virus. This year, summer school will be an online program for all grade levels. All summer school programs will begin on June 22, 2020.

Palos Verdes elementary students participating in a Summer Break Program will be taking one block of reading, writing and math which will be taught via Zoom. The program will be taught with the maximum of only 18 students per teacher. Classes will begin at 8:30 a.m. and go until 12:00 noon. Students will be attending classes from Monday, June 22, through Friday, July 17, 2020. The cost for elementary students is $500. Registration will open on May 12, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. and will close on June 1, 2020, at 3:00 p.m.

Palos Verdes intermediate students grades six through eight will be able to participate in the Summer PEP Program which will consists of (1 or 2) two hour blocks of time for each subject. There will also be a third 2 hour block from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to provide a limited number of enrichment based electives. The program will be taught with the maximum of 25 students per teacher. Classes will begin at 8:30 a.m. and go until 12:30 p.m. Students will be attending classes from Monday, June 22, through Friday, July 17, 2020. The cost for intermediate students is $275 (1 block), $550 (2 blocks) and $825 (3 blocks). Registration will be open on May 11, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. and will close on June 1, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. Online signups will close on June 12, 2020, at 3:00 p.m.

Summer high school for Palos Verdes students in grades ten through twelve will be offered online. Summer school full session cost will be $660 or tuition for a one semester class is $330. First semester classes (3 weeks) start on Monday, June 22, and continue through July 9, 2020. Second semester classes (3 weeks) start on Monday, July 13, and continue through July 30, 2020. The classes offered during the summer are listed on the summer school website listed below.

For more information and description of classes offered, go to www.pvpss.com.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District

Palos Verdes Schools Awarded California Distinguished School Recognition!

1 year ago • Community Information, School Information

Palos Verdes Schools Awarded California Distinguished School Recognition!

Two of Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District’s elementary schools just won recognition by the California Distinguished Schools Program. Rancho Vista Elementary and Silver Spur Elementary were among several of the South Bay and Long Beach elementary schools awarded in this statewide program.

The California Department of Education (DS) Program recognizes schools that demonstrate exemplary achievements. The California DS Program recognizes elementary, middle and high schools in alternate years and allows eligible schools to apply for the California DS Award once every two years. Additionally, each year two of California’s DS Awardees are eligible to become a National ESEA Distinguished Schools Awardee. In 2020 California is recognizing outstanding education programs and practices in elementary schools using a multiple measure accountability system to identify eligible schools based on their performance and progress on the state indicators. In 2020 eligible schools in the elementary school cycle were selected within two categories: Category 1: Closing the Achievement Gap & Category 2: Exceptional Student Performance.

Rancho Vista Elementary and Silver Spur Elementary Schools were both awarded for closing the achievement gap and for achieving exceptional student performance. These two awardees represent examples of not just excellent teaching, learning and collaboration, but highly successful school climate efforts. This is prestigious accomplishment is a tribute to the amazing teachers and staff that go above and beyond for our children. The schools mentioned will be honored on February 10, 2020, during an awards ceremony at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

This is just another reason to be proud of not only these two elementary schools, but the entire Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District for their outstanding school accomplishments. Our own Palos Verdes Peninsula High School was the top South Bay school at teaching STEM in Newsweek’s “America’s Best Stem High School” and ranked #288 in the nation.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District