New Video Tells the Portland Public Schools Foundation Story

In several meetings last year with Portland Public Schools Local School Foundation leaders it was communicated that a tool was needed to help parent and school communities understand the work of Portland Public Schools Local School Foundations and the impact of Portland Public Schools Foundation Equity Fund investments. After surveys and focus groups of parent leaders and principals at both revenue-generating and grant recipient schools we created a video to respond to the needs and desired messaging.

The resulting video, The PPS Foundation: One District. All In. debuted at our fall summit with foundation leaders and was previewed again at the October meeting of PPS principals and administrators. The video is linked from our website and we have copies of the DVD available in our office. We think this video is a great tool not only for Local School Foundations, but for any group at any PPS school interested in parent engagement and equity across the district.

We remain the national promising practice on how to receive private funds in a public school district. It is an honor to earnestly administer a courageous PPS Board Policy from 1998 in partnership with all of you. And, we are grateful for the significant support from New Seasons Market that enables 100% of the funds raised through PPS Local School Foundations to stay in schools and classrooms throughout the District.

Finally, next week marks one of the largest and most important engagement events of the year for All Hands Raised – Principal for Almost a Day, or PFAD as it is called. In its 13th year PFAD connects local community leaders with five of our six partner districts, including PPS. Last week at the PPS leadership meeting, Lincoln Principal Peyton Chapman and Roosevelt Principal Charlene Williams spoke to their experience in building strong community advocates through the annual opportunity, encouraging their peers to participate.

The class of 2013 guest principals is deep and represents a beautiful cross-section of this community, including corporate CEOs, heads of non-profits and government leaders. Look for photos from this year’s PFAD soon on our website, on Facebook and through Twitter. And, if you have a good lead on a guest principal, please have them register now!

Thank you for your continued partnership and please reach out should you need anything.

Sincerely,

Dan Ryan