RANCHO SANTA FE — A new school year at R. Roger Rowe School means new opportunities for the students. Through the fundraising efforts of the Rancho Santa Fe Education Foundation, children are afforded enriching prospects year-round.
In addition to providing children with extraordinary education, for the new school year, their 2015-16 Annual Giving Campaign is steadfast in trying to raise $1.3 million while trying to achieve the goal of having total parent participation.
“Through fundraising and the coordination of parent volunteers, the Education Foundation allows the RSF School District to provide an extraordinary education to the students. The funds raised help to keep class sizes small, allow for small group focus and differentiated levels in almost every subject,” said Barbara Carson Edwards, Rancho Santa Fe District Education Foundation development director. “Parent volunteers coordinate and assist in a wide variety of enrichment programs, including award winning athletics, music and robotics, and popular activities such as Career Expo, International Festival, Ocean Week and Science Discovery Day.”
According to Edwards, every R. Roger Rowe school parent is part of the Education Foundation just by being a member of the school community. On average, parent volunteers help champion or support nearly 30 foundation-sponsored annual school events.
“Additional parent volunteer efforts occur throughout the year in many other extras like athletics, music, drama, robotics and lunch clubs like Chess and gardening,” she said. “We can always use more volunteers.”
The RSF Education Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. It gives parents and members of the community an avenue to help invest in the school district in an array of avenues such as endowment campaigns, annual giving and volunteering.
Edwards explained that in 1978, the passage of California Proposition 13 capped property taxes for all pre-1978 homeowners at one percent of full cash value at the time of acquisition.
“This led to a decline in education funding, making private funding necessary to maintain the small class sizes, focused academics and robust enrichment programing that RSF families expect for our students. For almost 20 years, RSF families and community partners have provided significant funds to supplement District budgets in order to make up the diff¬erence between insufficient public funding and an extraordinary education,” she said.
Edwards wants people to know that the Endowment was established in 1997 and exists to provide long-term financial security for the Rancho Santa Fe School District. And all contributions are 100% tax deductible.
This year, she hopes that parents, residents, and business owners will contribute in one way or another and become involved. By providing a robust RSF Education Foundation, families with young children will find the Ranch an attractive destination to move to.
Edwards shared that she grew up in La Jolla and attended both private and public schools.
“Even then, Rancho Santa Fe was known to have a top-notch School District. In addition to R. Roger Rowe School, our four children have attended two other public and three other private schools in the area,” she said, noting how her family has fond memories of the District.
What makes the District so attractive is the small community, wonderful teachers and personalized care and attention.
“It is truly a very special place and I consider it a great privilege to represent the Education Foundation,” Edwards said.
To learn more about the RSF Education Foundation please visit rsfef.org.
