WiSH Education Foundation Newsletter

2017 - 2nd QUARTER NEWSLETTER

Message from our Chair

Richard Cohn

Hello families,

As the school year winds down, it’s a great time to reflect on all of the wonderful accomplishments, experiences and progress that our students have made.

Hart District schools, programs, teachers and administrators are among the best around…because of their dedication and determination, our students are fortunate to recognize such a high level of academic achievement as well as interpersonal development.

I’m extremely proud that the WiSH Education Foundation has helped to fund and support a wide array of programs across the district for nearly 5 years. As you’ll see in this newsletter, the 2016/2017 year continued that partnership where we were able to provide much needed resources, tools and materials to students throughout the district that would have normally just sat on a “WiSH list.”

Despite their amazing efforts and commitment, teachers and staff still need to have the tools and resources to continue such performance. But with government/budget shortfalls and constraints, our district lacks sufficient financial resources to provide for fundamental modern necessities let alone upgrades and replacements.

For instance, did you know that our school district stopped receiving any direct library budget dollars for library books in 2008? That means that some of our schools haven’t had any consistent new and replacement book program for nearly a decade…and some of our older schools have books dating back to the 1950’s and 1960’s. While the ‘Classics’ are important, our children need to continue to get access to newer classics (both fiction & non-fiction) and give them the opportunities to learn, stay and expand their minds with contemporary writings.

We share your desire and commitment to provide our students with the best tools and best opportunities available…together with your support and financial participation, we can continue to build on success and achieve even more.

Get involved. Become a supporter, even $5 helps! Follow us on Facebook and on visit our website at www.WiSHscv.org. Attend WiSH events, become a sponsor, or refer us to your company or a business owner who can help contribute towards our efforts.

Wishing you and your families an amazing summer filled with adventure, learning, fun and peace.

Thank you for your continued support.

Cheers!

Richard Cohn
Chairman, Board of Directors
WiSH Education Foundation

Focus on WiSH

Vice Chair, Lynne Secrest

Last quarter we focused on fundraising and explained how the WiSH Education Foundation receives our funding. Funding falls into one of two key categories – Events and Donations. For details please click here to go to last Quarter’s WiSH eNewsletter.

This quarter we’d like to share some of the donations WiSH made to the classrooms within the Hart School District this past school year. Remember, WiSH provides funding for programs and initiatives that are not funded by tax dollars alone. It is our mission to get our funding dollars directly into the classroom where it’s needed most. WiSH receives what we call “WiSHlists” from teachers, staff and administration often…and it’s not for paper and pencils. It’s for the tools that our students need to succeed in the classroom, such as technology, books, advanced placement projects, calculators, programs, etc. The list never ends, and our goal is to never say no to a classroom in need.

We donated funds for the following WiSHlist programs/items during the

2016-2017 School Year, with more giving slated for the year:

Special Education's Hart Games (inclusive of all the special needs kids in our valley, in or out of Hart District)
Next Generation Science Standards
High Schools’ Athletic Trainer Program
Young Women's Conference Sequoia/Bowman
Literacy Projects
District "Listen" film project (to promote attention to our young people)
Music Programs
Adult Transition Program
Girls Who Code Program
Donated TWO AutoNation Vehicles - one to a Hart District Family, the other to a student with good grades in the district (had to show improvement from quarter 1 to quarter 3)
MakerSpace Project
Graphing Calculators

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PARENTS OF STUDENTS IN THE W. S. HART SCHOOL DISTRICT: This summer, included in your students fall registration packet, you will receive a donation request for WiSH – simply write a check, attach it to the WiSH form and return it with the rest of your registration documents. We appreciate any amount that you can provide – remember WiSH is the William S. Hart School District’s Non-Profit Foundation – we help support education programs for over 23,000 students within the Santa Clarita Valley. Don’t forget to turn that page over to see the special offer from our partner, The Signal!

Great news! We have received funds to pay for our grant writer for the next three months. Our foundation’s goal is to receive 15 – 20% of its annual budget in grant funding. Check with your employer to see if they have a Grant Program for Education non-profit foundations. We plan to apply for grants from companies both within our community as well as major corporations across the U.S. Do it for the kids! Please contact Executive Director Amy Daniels at [email protected] if you are able to help with this most important program.

We are proud to share that WiSH Education Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization so your donations are 100% tax-deductible. WiSH has donated over $ 160,000 to the Wm. S. Hart High School District classrooms over the past four years. We ask that you please donate to WiSH and encourage you to attend one of our upcoming events. If you have donated to WiSH in the past I personally Thank you!

Lynne Secrest, Board of Directors Vice Chair
Proud Board Member of WiSH Education Foundation
Please make a difference in local education by clicking below
WiSH Education Foundation

Event Updates

Congratulations to AMY JUICO

Winner of the AutoNation FREE Chevrolet Cruze

Castaic mom Amy Juico was the big winner in our AutoNation Raffle! She took home a brand new 2017 Chevrolet Cruze with an MSRP of $21,565! With tickets only $25 apiece and no limit, be looking for your opportunity to win next year! Your participation in this raffle allows us to continue to make a difference, right in the classroom, for our local students. Many thanks to AutoNation Chevrolet, whose venue was perfect for the live ticket pull and party and to SOS Entertainment, who provides DJ music and sound for our events throughout the year!

Winner Amy Juico and her son, Executive Director Amy Daniels, General Manager Mark LeCompte,

WiSH Chair Richard Cohn, WiSH Vice Chair Lynne Secrest,

Signal SCV HOOPS Finale

Once again, our district’s senior boys and girls basketball players got together for games and competitions in March, this time at Saugus High. Former Laker Mike Penberthy was on hand for some surprises and we raffled off a host of memorabilia! Don’t miss this fun evening next year; it’s a wonderful family event. Thanks to Jersey Mike’s for donating 100% OF THEIR PROCEEDS from the event back to WiSH!! Much appreciation goes out to our hometown newspaper, The Signal, for helping WiSH raise funds for special education through this event – we helped fund the HART GAMES, which is a fun, full day of Olympic style competition for our special needs students throughout the valley. In addition, we were able to purchase computers and sewing machines for our Adult Special Education program to provide incredibly important, ongoing transitional skills.

David Fernandez Singer Songwriter Series David Bowie Tribute Concert

Well, you certainly missed an amazing event if you weren’t at this one….the 19th annual benefit concert raised thousands of dollars for music programs in our district – all by everyone having an incredible evening of David Bowie music and dancing in the aisles! Held at a brand new venue for WiSH, the LIMS studios in Castaic proved to be a perfect space for a concert. The 50+ local musicians are not only talented but have a deep philanthropic commitment to our community. Thank you, once again, to Jersey Mike’s for donating their proceeds back to WiSH and to Wolf Creek Brewery, who stayed the night and provided wine and beer for our guests, all while donating a percentage back to WiSH! Just another reason why we love our community partners! Be sure to keep in touch with WiSH ( www.WiSHscv.org) to find out which artist will be honored next year.

DFS3 David Bowie Tribute Concert Fundraiser

“Listen” The Movie.

Selling out in less than a day, this remarkably raw and important film about the value of truly listening to our students was shown to families and administrators at COC’s Performing Arts Center. Following the film was a wonderful discussion with the Director himself. As it was such a success, the district is looking forward to sharing this film again next year to allow more people access – keep up with this and other events at www.WiSHscv.org.

Upcoming Events

Cocktails on the Roof Pre-Party

at TPC's Oaks Grille

THURSDAY, AUGUST 17th 5-9pm

Our COTR17 Pre-Part y this year is held at the beautiful TPC Oaks Grille! Come and enjoy the best sunset in Santa Clarita as you enjoy a NO COVER party with happy hour pricing all evening long! Enjoy the live DJ, dancing and bartender lessons as well! WiSH staff will be on hand for last minute Cocktails on the Roof ticket purchases.

WiSH thanks TPC for their generous donation of 15% of the proceeds from this event!

Tuesday, August 22nd 7:30pm

(check for updated info on www.WiSHscv.org and www.scvburritobowl.com)

New to WiSH this year but not new to you, the 8th annual SCV Burrito Bowl brings the best of high school football fun to Westfield Town Center! Come root for linemen from each of the six high school football teams as they get up on stage to down a four foot burrito in record time! Raffle tickets will soon be on sale to help raise funds for football, cheer and band programs throughout the district. WiSH is proud to be a part of this event that consistently raises over $20,000 each year for these programs!

C heck the Burrito Bowl website often for updates to time and location.

Hosted by Eve Bushman of Eve’s Wine 101, Marlee Lauffer, President of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation, and Executive Director Amy Daniels, Cocktails on the Roof is back to the top of Macy’s parking garage at Westfield Town Center and better than ever! Bring your friends and enjoy our wonderful participants as they ply you with all you can eat and drink under the stars on a warm summer evening! Inventive lighting, cool and modern lounges, live DJ and dancing – it all adds up to the best party in the SCV! BRAND NEW this year are 10’X10’ PRIVATE LOUNGES that seat up to 8-10 people. Whether you’re a company or a group of friends, the lounges provide you with your own space to enjoy the party and individual signage for your space! Lounges are $1,000 and are limited, so if you want one, please contact us immediately at [email protected]. This year everyone is a VIP with tickets just one price at $85. Of course, designated drivers continue to be discounted at $65. Don’t be left off the ROOF! Tickets are available now and selling already at www.WiSHscv.org or click HERE. Please drink responsibly, take alternate transportation and 21 and over only. All tickets, if available, at the door are $95.

Keep up with all #COTR17 news and teasers on our FB pages and brand new dedicated website, www.cocktailsontheroofscv.org!

Jersey Mike’s
Newest Opening
to Raise Funds for Libraries

As you learned from our Chair, Richard Cohn, above, our libraries are in dire need of assistance. Jersey Mike’s is generously stepping up to help as they offer THREE DAYS of specials when the newest Jersey Mike’s opens this fall (stay tuned at www.WiSHscv.org).

The first three days of the storefront opening in the Target Shopping Center in Valencia will offer anyone with a Hart District ID (student or staff) a FREE REGULAR SUB with a minimum $2 donation to WiSH!! Please be generous and help our libraries – whether you have kids about to come into the 7-12th grades or students who have already graduated out, we all know the importance of books in a child’s life. We need the community’s help with this, so let’s join Jersey Mike’s and make a difference!

Continued donations through the
AMYDANIELS’ CLIMB FOR EDUCATION KILIMANJARO CLIMB

Executive Director Amy Daniels is going to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa in September to raise funds for Public Education! Please give your 100% tax deductible donation and follow the training and climb at www.amydanielsclimbs.com or support the expedition itself at https://www.gofundme.com/amydanielsclimbs. Henry Mayo Fitness & Health has been a wonderful partner in this endeavor – you can see what they do by clicking on the video below and learn why you should train there, too!

Giving

Richard Cohn and Lynne Secrest talked about our giving during this academic year but you might enjoy some of the pictures we took around our district during our many visits with recipients of WiSH funding. Take a look at just a few of the things we did, including a donation to Special Education, the Sequoia Women’s Conference and graduation, Bowman’s Literacy Project and graduation, Girls Who Code program at Rio Norte and the music program at Canyon High School! Still to come this year: more musical instruments and 750 calculators needed for the math classes in our high schools! It is our pleasure to make a difference for the 23,000 students of the Hart District – won’t you please join us by making a donation HERE. Even $5 will add up to big impact. Thank you.