Thank you to our families and community! We really do live in a special place. As many of us continue to struggle through these changing economic times, shifting job markets and tighter household budgets, you have continued to make education a top priority by supporting WCEF.
Because of your commitment to our children’s education:

• We raised $743,390 surpassing our goal of $724,000 for the 2009-2010 school year.
• K-5 (WCSD) students will have two more weeks of Art, Music and P.E.
• Students at WCI (WCSD) will continue to have the benefit of a complete administration as we partner with the WCI PTA to fund a Teacher on Special Assignment (Vice-Principal Position) and many more valuable programs.
• Students at Las Lomas High School (AUHSD) will benefit from Class Size Reduction (Freshman-English, History, and Algebra), increased computer, technology and science services and so much more for the 2010-2011 school year.

Click the link for a list of all WCEF funded programs and personnel for the upcoming school year:
Of course in this uncertain funding climate we cannot rest on our laurels. We have successfully kicked off our Spring Parent and Community Fundraising Campaign receiving $153,000 toward our 2010-2011 funded commitment goal of $750,000. While this is a great start, now more than ever it will take all of us, donating at some level to reach our goal and affirm this year’s campaign theme: All Together Now.

Mary Vanderpan
President, WCEF

Liz Davis
Executive Director, WCEF

New Board & Executive Director

The Walnut Creek Education Foundation K-12 (WCEF) has selected their Board of Directors slate for the 2010-2011 year. Officers assume their posts on July 1st.

The 2010-2011 officers are: Executive Committee: Mary Vanderpan, president; vice presidents: Earlene Caven, administration; Bruce Fuller, finance and treasurer; Eva Santelli, fundraising; Trina Horner, secretary. Committee Chairs: Sherri McGoff, marketing communications; Ellen Osmundson, business development; Erin Sicotte, community development; Mary Dockter and Sharon Taplin, co-chairs, parent development; Anne Siri, volunteers. School site chairs: Glynnis Cowdery, Laurie Goodwin, co-chairs Las Lomas High School; Daniel Jones, Taun Hall, co-chairs, Walnut Creek Intermediate; Susan Bigham, Walnut Heights; Nancy West, Jonathan Rosenbaum, co-chairs, Parkmead; Leesa Weidinger, Buena Vista; Catie Micallef, Indian Valley; XXX, Murwood. The Foundation is seeking a site chair for Murwood elementary school. Interested parties should contact the Foundation.

Click here to read the full article.

WCEF Volunteers

It takes 1,000s of hours to raise the funds needed to support vital programs and personnel that WCEF commits to each year for the Walnut Creek School District and Las Lomas High School (AUHSD). Click here to see our volunteers. Next time you see one of them at a school event or meandering among the shops of Walnut Creek thank them for their passion and effort towards providing the quality education our children deserve.

Las Lomas Student Receives
Michael W. De Sa Memorial Scholarship

The fourth annual Michael W. De Sa Memorial Scholarship administered by the Walnut Creek Education Foundation, was awarded in the amount of $2,000.00 to Las Lomas High school senior, Melissa Bartow. The scholarship was presented to Ms. Bartow during Las Lomas High School Senior Awards Night held on Wednesday, May 26th.

Bartow was chosen from close to twenty Las Lomas seniors who applied for the scholarship.  Her achievements exemplify the scholarship criterion, which seeks a well-rounded graduate of the Walnut Creek schools (attending K-12) who has nurtured life’s passions both in school and outside the confines of academia, through service in the community and other pursuits.

After graduation from Las Lomas High School Melissa will be attending University of San Diego where she will be fulfilling her dream of playing water polo.

Click here to read the full article.

BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Shop Locally – Support our Businesses - Support our Schools

Business owners and corporations understand that partnering with a great school district and reaching thousands of families with their message, product or service is a powerful marketing tool that helps boost economic success.

Whether in times of economic prosperity or in the challenging economic times that we are currently experiencing, ensuring that our future business leaders and innovators receive an excellent education, starting right from Kindergarten, is one of the most important endeavors that we can help our children with.

WCEF's Business Partnership Program is an outstanding opportunity for local and regional companies to provide financial support to save the quality academic and enrichment programs, student support services and personnel that may be cut due to the continuing State education budget problems.

With various funding levels of participation, businesses and corporations can help make a big difference in the Walnut Creek School District and Las Lomas High School of the Acalanes Union High School District. Our business partners receive ample recognition and positive public relations benefits for their support.

For more information or to become a business partner, contact WCEF executive director, Liz Davis at eadavisus@yahoo.com or call (925) 933-WCEF (9233).

WCEF BUSINESS PARTNER
WHOLE FOODS of WALNUT CREEK

For that past nine years Whole Foods of Walnut Creek has donated thousands of dollars and in-kind grocery donations and gift cards to the Walnut Creek School District and Las Lomas High School (AUHSD).

During the 2009-2010 school year, Whole Foods donated $7747.50 to WCEF with their Nickels for Non-Profit program and their 5%Day. Every time you bring your own bag to the store during the Nickel for Non-Profit promotion a nickel is donated to the non-profit that has been selected for the month.  This year Whole Foods wrote a check for over $1,400 to WCEF. On March 23, Whole Foods hosted an all day event to benefit WCEF by giving back 5% of their sales for the day. On May 6, Whole Foods presented a check in the amount of $6,249.00 to the Foundation.

Click here to read the full article.

WCEF in the News: District Administration article

Recently WCEF was featured in the June issue of the District Administration magazine. District Administration is the leading provider of smart management solutions for K-12 administrators at school districts throughout the United States. Follow this link to read the article

Save the Dates

• From June 1 – August 31 Sports Basement will be donating 20% of all Sigg sales dollars to WCEF. Follow the link to read more about this great offer…
  
  
• Las Lomas Tri-S Tuesday, August 17th and Thursday, August 19th
  
  
• WCI Tri-S Monday, August 16th and Wednesday, August 18th
  
  
• Elementary Welcome Back Days, Monday, August 23rd and Tuesday, August 24th (days and times vary by site)
  
  
• Walnut Creek Downtown Wine Walk fall event, Wednesday, September 15th , 6-9pm
  
  
• A Taste for Education to Benefit WCEF hosted by Wine Thieves at Heather Farms, Friday, September 24th
  
  
• Mardies Marathon, Sunday, November 7th 8:00 AM Heather Farms

Other ways to give to WCEF

Help Us Help YOU Get Free Money! Take advantage of Corporate Matching!

It is very likely that your employer has a corporate matching program and we encourage  you to take advantage of it!  This is when an employer matches a part or all of an employee's donation to a charity. This process must be initiated by the employee through their Human Resources or Payroll department and the paperwork sent to WCEF at PO Box 186, Walnut Creek, CA 94597.

We have a partial list of employers with matching programs, but if you don't see your employer, be sure to ask your HR department.

GoodSearch.com is a Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use as you would any search engine; get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your designated charity! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, BestBuy, eBay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop. Each time you place an order with a simple click of the button, you'll support your favorite cause.

Go to www.goodsearch.com, enter Walnut Creek Education Foundation as your charity of choice, and shop! And, be sure to spread the word to friends and family. It's a fast, easy and fun way to support our schools.

Visit our website for other ways to give including;  Corporate Matching, Stocks and Securities, Vehicle Donation, Donations in Kind, Memorial Tribute,Charitable Remainder Trust or Traditional Bequest and Volunteering.

WCEF • P.O. Box 186 • Walnut Creek, CA 94597