by Krista Carman, President, PUSD Education Foundation President
The Prescott Unified School District Education Foundation (PUSDEF) is the catalyst igniting the power of community; connecting generous hearts with the needs of our teachers and students; and elevating the long-term success of every child, every day.
Since 2015, the PUSD Education Foundation has successfully raised more than $600,000, which has gone directly into the public schools. The Foundation has funded one-on-one technology for students, a new engineering course at Prescott High School, reading curriculum for struggling readers, science and technology projects for gifted students, sight-reading technology for the middle and high school choral program, and so much more through innovative teaching grants awarded to our teachers and schools.
Most recently, the Foundation partnered with Prescott High School and Prescott Mile High Middle School to bring Naviance to our students. Naviance is a college and career readiness solution for schools. Naviance helps align student strengths and interests with their future options for school and career. This tool allows students, parents and educators to inform students about their potential career and college futures. Students can apply for scholarships and to colleges through its online capabilities.
The information collected in Naviance – grades, interests, extracurriculars and test scores – can be easily transferred into a college application accepted universally. Naviance also contains a rich database for students to explore universities and career options.
This year, Prescott High School will be incorporating Naviance for all students. Freshmen will have the benefit of a dedicated Freshman Academy that will introduce and work with students in using this tool to help them decide their future after high school graduation.
At the middle-school level, students will be taking interest surveys and exploring possible careers at a more general level. The Foundation funds college tours for every eighth-grade student so each one has the opportunity to see a college campus before entering high school. PUSDEF believes exposure to a higher learning environment is vital and a chance many students will not have the opportunity to explore without funding from the Foundation.
As a Foundation we are able to bring opportunities to the students and teachers of PUSD through a wide variety of fundraising avenues. We have been awarded grants from the Arizona Community Foundation, Fiesta Bowl Charities, and many local family foundations that believe in our mission.
Thanks to partnerships with Prescott Area Young Professionals (Party in the Pines), EPIC Rides (Whiskey Off Road Mountain Bike Race), LAMB Chevrolet (a consistent major sponsor of PUSDEF), The Club at Prescott Lakes (invitational golf tournament), and other generous community members, the Foundation continues to fulfill dreams of students and teachers at every PUSD school. PUSDEF’s board members are dream builders, and they fully intend to continue to support and elevate PUSD schools to be the best in Arizona.
The PUSD Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, officially launched in 2015. The Foundation receives private, business and grant donations to support its work. PUSD Education Foundation’s vision is that every student will have a fully funded and innovative education to ensure stronger character and long-term success.
The PUSD Education Foundation is thrilled to be a small part of a big community change. If you would like to volunteer, donate or be a part of our amazing organization, please contact us through our webpage, pusdeducationfoundation.com.
