$100k Challenge

Dear Community Families,

Community Magnet’s student body is impressively diverse. We have one of the highest school ratings in California. Our children are supported not only by their teachers, but by the aides the Parent Association has long provided for every class room. To round out their school days, our students are exposed to art, music, drama, Spanish, and PE. But, the sorry state of California’s economy means we are staring at a huge budget shortfall. Much of what we have long considered essential to Community Magnet is in danger of being cut, as our school budget is reduced by at least a third next year.

To avoid cutting those services and programs that set Community apart from the rest, we are asking you to be part of the solution by giving toward the $100,000 Challenge Grant. The Challenge? Our challenge is to raise $100,000 between now and February 28th from the Community Magnet families. We are seeking at least 50 donations of $2,000, in order to raise $100,000 – an amount that will make a BIG difference. If we are unable to raise the entire $100,000 commitment, you will have the option to opt out, although every penny donated would go towards the children.

Every parent who supports Community Magnet and its annual fundraising efforts plays a critical role. Working together, we’ve provided our children with a school experience that rivals any in Los Angeles, including those private schools with huge price tags. We value every kind of contribution and right now we need to ask those with more to give at a level that is above and beyond the norm. If you can, please step forward and make a tax-deductible gift, so that we aren’t sending our children into classes with one teacher and 35 9-year olds.

Why Now? Our state and school district are in dire financial condition. LAUSD is facing a 1.2 billion dollar deficit this year and the gap is anticipated to be even bigger next year.  Download the attached document to see our budget projections.

The state Charter Implementation grant was a two year grant given to our school from 2008 – 2010. We are excluded from most federal grant programs because fewer than 40% of Community Magnet students are eligible for free or reduced lunch. CSPA’s fundraising is down in a sagging economy. In short, the financial outlook for next year is bleak. We need your help! How Will the Challenge Grant Money be Spent? While we don’t know exactly how the Community Parents’ group will vote to spend the $100,000 Challenge Grant, we do know that this campaign must be successful or many of our “extras” will be gone. What are “extras”? The biggest priority is to continue to provide teacher’s aides in every classroom. Other programs the challenge grant money might help save are PE, drama, music, Spanish, art and CATCH.

Can you imagine our school without:

• Teachers Assistants PE Program
• Drama Enrichment Music & Art Program Library Program
• CATCH Spanish Program Valet
• Field Trips Computer Lab Office Support

It’s hard to imagine our children’s long school days without these “extras.”

We need your help!!

We Are A Community. As a community we must support and help each other for everyone’s benefit. We all rise together. If you are able to contribute $2,000, please don’t delay. Download the donation pledge form here. You may be the family that makes the difference between $100,000 to bridge the budget gap…or nothing at all.

Pam Marton

To download the form to pledge your donation, click here.