May 31, 2024
Hello Seagull Supporters!
The end of the school year is here! It is the perfect time to reflect upon our accomplishments and look forward to the coming year. By reading this, I hope you will feel more connected to Sunset Hills and the Foundation.
This school year we raised approximately $115,000 through our Blue Envelope Campaign, Auction and Raffle, Read-A-Thon, Seagull Supper Fundraisers, Friends of the Foundation Sponsorships, corporate matching donations, and individual donations. As fundraised dollars slowly rolled in, the Foundation sought savings by taking advantage of nonprofit discounts for software, switching payment processors to allow donors to cover fees, partnering with Ms. Sousa and the school to win a Cal Coast Credit Union grant, using 3rd party vendors that donate their services or a portion of sales at events, and opening an interest-earning money market account. Our expenses for the school year totalled $115,276. We paid for our Art and STEM programs and salaries, our 2 IMPACT teacher salaries, online teaching resources, spirit supplies, traffic signage, the Sunset Hills PTA (programs/events, staff appreciation, and small grants for teachers), CAASPP testing snacks, and a small amount to support our administration. Only 6% of our expenses went toward operating costs (fundraising, marketing, and processing fees).
In May, our voting board of 11 directors approved $116,348 to support Mrs. Pineda’s 2024-2025 Sunset Hills funding proposal. Compared to this school year, the major difference is that cuts were made across the board and the Music program will be funded (The district will no longer be funding our music program; they are reallocating the funds). We also elected new directors and officers. We look forward to having Laura Hampton and John Paul Mitchell join us with their young, actively involved families. Our Foundation officers for the coming year will be: President-Brian Gibbs, Vice President-Phil Gaeta, Secretary-John Paul Mitchell, and Treasurer-Cathy Honda. They will do great!
It is my hope, in the coming school year, that all families take part in supporting Sunset Hills at whatever amount they are able to. Every dollar makes a difference. The state budget crisis and PUSD budget limitations are real - the Sunset Hills community makes a significant difference in the education and wellness of our children with their contributions.
Thank you so much to our supportive community, students, parents, teachers, and staff, who make Foundation-funded programs work for all of our Seagulls. Thank you for the amazing partnership between the PTA, Foundation, and the administration. Thank you to all our volunteers. It cannot be taken for granted.
Wishing you a wonderful summer,
Casey Chan-Ruthenbeck
President
Sunset Hills Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit