Greetings!!

The energy from our Bird Rock Elementary community is palpable. Playing together, learning without limits, socializing without distance, the change is apparent.

As we begin to settle into the 2022-23  school year, we have so much to be thankful for: coming together again, seeing each other’s faces, getting back some beloved traditions, and creating new ones!  Bird Rock Elementary’s teachers, administration, and staff and many of the BR Foundation’s volunteers have been collaborating to give our kids a well rounded school experience.

What We Do. Our children are privileged to attend one of the best elementary schools in San Diego. But we also face the challenges of public school budgets and the continuing budget deficits within the SDUSD, which were only exacerbated by COVID. 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 STEAM enrichment program and curriculum

• Provide arts (visual, performing and music) enrichment program and supplies

• Purchase science supplies

• Provide classroom mini grants (to be used by the teachers for individual classroom needs)

• Fund structured playground and lunchtime supervision, through Playground Partners

• Sponsor school support programs including school-wide cultural assemblies, family STEAM night, teacher events, family events, Missoula Theater, etc.

How You Can Help – Funding. Throughout the year, the BR Foundation will raise money, starting with our annual giving campaign, Splash for Cash, in the Fall and ending with the 41st Annual Gala and Auction in the Spring.  Ongoing events and activities include the Read-a-thon, Scholastic Book Fair, La Jolla Art and Wine Festival, business sponsorships/givebacks, and Pizza Wednesday. This year, we are planning with the Bird Rock Community Council the return of Birdstock, a music festival for the whole family. The BR 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, After School Enrichment (ASE), Missoula Theater, and various campus and community events.

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.

Jessica Donovan, President – Friends, Bird Rock Foundation

Brant Crenshaw, President – Funds, Bird Rock Foundation