From the Foundation Presidents

Welcome to the 2023-24 school year! 

The Pelicans are off to a great start and have already been enjoying the advantages of our efforts. While our school year may be unconventional, we are beneficiaries of three strong administrators collaborating to provide seamless leadership to our school and community. In collaboration with Bird Rock Elementary teachers, administrators, and staff, our many parent volunteers have been busy planning opportunities to give our children a well rounded primary school experience.

What We Do. Our children are privileged to attend one of the best elementary schools in San Diego. We also face the challenges of public school budgets and the continuing budget deficits within the SDUSD. The Bird Rock Foundation’s mission focuses on providing enrichment opportunities beyond what public school funding currently can provide. Each year, our parents offer their time as volunteers and money through fundraising events. This helps to ensure enrichment and community events at BRE. Your support of the Foundation allows BRE to do things like:

• Hire additional classroom teachers to reduce classroom sizes
• Provide science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) enrichment program/curriculum
• Provide arts (visual, performing and music) enrichment program and supplies
• Fund classroom technology subscriptions (IXL, RazKids, Starfall, Padlet, etc)
• Provide classroom mini grants (to be used by the teachers for individual classroom needs)
• Fund buses for student field trips
• Sponsor school support programs including school-wide cultural assemblies, family STEAM night, teacher events, family events, Missoula Theater, etc.

The Foundation also works hard to support BRE’s community of students, parents and school staff by organizing and supporting Fall Festival, Movie Nights, Kindness week, SEEDS, After School Enrichment (ASE), Young Actor’s Workshop Theater, and various campus and community events. Foundation parents work hard behind the scenes to plan and host  fun new activities such as Popsicle Day, Future Vikings events (joint with LJHS), grade level meetups, and Family Dance.

How You Can Help – Funding. Throughout the year, the Foundation will raise money, starting with our annual giving campaign, Splash for Cash and ending with the 42nd Annual Gala and Auction in the Spring.  Ongoing fundraising events and activities include BirdStock, the Read-a-thon, Scholastic Book Fair, La Jolla Art and Wine Festival, corporate sponsorships, matching and givebacks, BoxTops for Education, and Pizza Wednesday.

How You Can Help – Volunteer. We rely heavily on parent volunteers who contribute many hours to organizing and supporting our events, utilizing their skills to help where needed, bringing their passions and big ideas, and making connections as part of our school community. We hope that every parent can find some way to contribute, big or small, time, money or skills, and in whatever combination works for you.  There are many opportunities to contribute and we need you!  By getting involved in any and all ways you can, you give our kids the best elementary school experience possible.

In gratitude,

Jessica Donovan, President – Friends, Bird Rock Foundation

Brant Crenshaw, President – Funds, Bird Rock Foundation