Recent campaign will Bridge the Gap for El Segundo Public Schools

Last spring the El Segundo Educational Foundation (ESEF) announced its pledge to Bridge the Gap between state funding for El Segundo schools and the state of excellence we must maintain for the children of El Segundo Unified School District (ESUSD). The State of California allocates less financial support per pupil than most other states. Fortunately for our students, the ESUSD has been resourceful in its efforts to reduce expenses. Previous cuts have been made far away from our classrooms, but recent state budget reductions for education are making it necessary to seek the community's help to Bridge the Gap to keep our schools on the path of excellence.

Contributions provide technology for new science building.

With your support, the Bridge the Gap campaign will provide $250,000 during the 2004-2005 school year for:

• New Language Arts textbooks that are required, but not provided, by the state for our kindergarten through eighth graders;
• A modernized sound system and refurbished grand piano for the El Segundo High School Auditorium;
• Proper equipment for the high school's new science building and other technology requirements within the District.

California schools received $2 billion less than promised this year due to the state budget crisis. Money raised through campaigns like this allows the District to continue value-added programs in reading, science, technology, and the arts. El Segundo children deserve an excellent education. The ESEF enables the community--parents, businesses and residents--to collectively support the most important needs within the school district. It is our shared belief that there is more to education than just the basics.

We are excited to announce that we have already raised more than $162,000 to support these efforts. As funds become available throughout the year, grants are distributed to the ESUSD to fulfill these needs. If you are planning to send a gift, please send it today. We can accept your secure credit card donation when you click on the "Give Now" button on the front page of this newsletter. We gratefully thank you--our contributors--and look forward to reporting on the completion of a successful campaign in 2005.