WHY FUNDRAISING IS NECESSARY
California ranks 44th in the nation in per student funding for education and Orinda schools receive among the lowest levels of funding in California. Orinda’s elementary schools, Orinda Intermediate School and Miramonte High School are among the highest performing schools in our region and the State because of the high level of parent involvement in our schools and the additional teachers, specialists and class offerings funded through generous donations that supplement public funding for our schools. With anticipated budget cuts of over $1 million annually starting next year, maximizing fundraising and making efficient use of every dollar will be essential for preserving the outstanding education for our children that we have come to expect.
Orinda schools receive about 20% to 30% of their total funding from local sources.
Miramonte High School(part of Acalanes Union High School District)
This year, ONE will fund 14 sections, helping to preserve the 7-period day at Miramonte and allowing greater scheduling flexibility and access to Honors and AP classes. Donations to ONE-Miramonte will also be used to support the school’s Academy program, science lab supplies, tech education, College & Career Center staff and services, world languages, computer science, field trips, music, art, drama, Miramonte’s Wellness program, its Student Union, student programs (Graduation / Baccalaureate, MATS Day, and Senior Day), Parent Education programs, Exam Jams and staff appreciation.
22% of the total AUHSD budget comes from local sources, including parcel tax measures and the money raised by ONE and our sister organizations in Lafayette, Moraga and Walnut Creek.
Elementary and Middle School(Orinda Union School District)
OUSD ranks 998 out of 1000 school districts in terms of funding. We fundraise to fill the funding gap from the state as it is not enough to cover the additional benefits our children receive to make our schools among the top in the nation.
30% of the total OUSD budget comes from local sources, which breakout as follows:
Current fundraising supports small class sizes, music and art instruction, school librarians, instructional technology, books and instructional materials, counseling and student support services, diverse elective course offerings at OIS and Miramonte, and a seven-period academic day at Miramonte that provides access to honors and AP classes that help students qualify for the best colleges and universities. During an economic downturn and reduced public funding for local schools, fundraising is essential for preventing deep and devastating cuts. We risk these benefits and other school cuts when we cannot meet our fundraising goals. The programming supported by local fundraising is the difference between our schools being good and our schools being great.
"There is no question that our Orinda public schools and students excel because we have an engaged community that is willing to invest time and money into our children’s education and future. The financial support from our community helps bridge the gap between inadequate state apportionments and the level of funding required to provide Orinda students with a high quality public education.”
-- Carolyn Seaton, Superintendent
Orinda Union School District
ONE Dollars At Work
ONE funds instrumental staffing and signature programs that directly benefit and improve the quality of education for every student in every grade. Collectively, the staffing, programming and opportunities, funded through the generosity of the Orinda community, make Orinda schools a hallmark of our town and make them nationally competitive.
ONE, in partnership with the Parents’ Clubs of the six Orinda public schools, will work to raise over $6 million dollars for the 2020-21 school year. These funds will be granted to OUSD and AUHSD and support the following priorities:
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Teachers & Professional Development: ONE funding pays for salaries of many of the school’s excellent teachers, allowing for small class sizes, additional academic course offerings, PE, art, music, language courses and a wide range of electives.
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Arts & Sciences: Funding supports credentialed teachers in these fields of study as well as materials, supplies and experiences including libraries and school gardens.
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Innovation & Technology: We encourage innovating thinking by supplying state-of-the-art classroom technology and online learning tools. We provide access to STEAM Labs and STEAM projects on every campus.
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Guidance & Wellness: We provide resources to support and develop the whole-child at every age in their schooling. We fund counselors, a wellness center and various student support programs across our schools.
ONE is proud to work in partnership with our school districts. We know that our contributions directly benefit students.
“Art opens up brain channels in students. I witness it every day. It can be very empowering. Art offers a place for self expression which is very personal but universal at the same time. It offers a gateway to understanding so many other subjects.”
– Hillery Patterson, former OUSD Art Teacher
Elementary Schools
Sleepy Hollow, Wagner Ranch, Glorietta and Del Rey
Personnel and Academic Classes – Excellent teachers and staff are the lynchpin of our schools. ONE is proud to provide the necessary funding for critical instruction and student support personnel.
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100% funding for TK/K-3 class size reduction
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100% funding for art instruction
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100% funding for choral and instrumental music instruction
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100% funding for physical education instruction
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100% funding for a school counselor
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100% funding for instructional aides
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100% funding for STEAM Labs & school gardens
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100% funding for librarians
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Shared funding for Math, STEAM, Literacy and Tech Coaches
Academic Support – ONE donations ensure that our elementary schools have the resources and materials necessary to provide effective, engaging instruction and rich learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom.
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Teacher professional development
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Technology including devices, support and subscriptions
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Classroom supplies and materials
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Library books and classroom library books
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Academic school events like STEAM Expo (Maker Faire), Science Fair and Math Night
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Stockroom supplies and materials
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Emergency supplies
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Recess supplies
“The experiences offered through our STEAM Lab allows our students to stretch their thinking as well as provide them with an opportunity to collaborate with others on a task that may or may not prove successful, which gives students a chance to practice perseverance, patience, and flexibility. Students often choose to enter the STEAM Lab during recess, working on a variety of intriguing projects. Opening the STEAM Lab has changed the landscape at Sleepy Hollow as we find ourselves looking forward to going to the lab, enjoying the experience once we are in the lab, and referencing our learning after we have left the lab. It serves as an integral part of our campus for everyone from TK all the way to fifth grade. The 4 C's: Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity are put into practice in the STEAM Lab every day.”
-- Patsy Templeton, Sleepy Hollow Principal
Orinda Intermediate School
Teachers & Academic Classes – As middle school students grow into independent learners, they benefit from opportunities to explore new areas of interest. ONE OIS funds a range of elective courses and the necessary staff to inspire and guide students through these critical years of schooling. ONE OIS funding supports the following staff positions and courses:
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100% funding for a computer/technology teacher
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100% funding for a second guidance counselor
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100% funding for a librarian
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Shared funding for electives teachers
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Shared funding for Math and STEAM coaches
Academic Support – ONE OIS supports middle students by providing the enrichment opportunities, resources and materials needed to deliver engaging, relevant instruction and cultivate students’ interests and skills. ONE OIS also funds the following:
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Staff Professional Development
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Technology upgrades, materials, and online software programs
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Core classroom materials and enrichment opportunities
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Math materials
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Science materials
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Library books and materials
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Materials for all elective courses, including Art, Band, Ceramics, Chorus, Computer, Drama, French, KOIS (video production) Leadership, Maker Space & Woodwork, Public Speaking & Debate, Robotics, Spanish and Yearbook
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P.E. equipment and supplies
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Lunchtime clubs and sports such as Page-Turners Reading Club, Pickleball, Basketball, Knitting & Embroidery, Green Team, Creative Arts Club, WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) and Mouse Squad (Computer Club)
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Bulldog Theater
Our electives help keep students engaged and connected, but they also inspire innovators and problem solvers, cultivate ethical and respectful citizens, create resourceful collaborators and critical thinkers, and nurture the emotional and social well-being of Orinda's youth.
– Stacy Wayne, OIS Principal
Miramonte High School
Academic Classes – More than half of ONE’s donations will go to provide 100% funding for teachers and staff for 14 class sections and to support Miramonte’s Wellness program. Without this money, Miramonte would have fewer classes, larger class sizes, and fewer options to help students navigate through their high school years.
Academic Support – The next largest set of donations goes to support students and teachers, supplementing state funding for things like Miramonte’s Academy program, science lab supplies, tech education, College & Career Center staff and services, world languages, computer science, field trips, our Student Union, music, art, drama, and our library.
Student Support -– Donations to ONE will also support student programs (including graduation / Baccalaureate, MATS Day, and Senior Day), our very popular Parent Education program, Exam Jams, and staff appreciation.
News and Events
(Coming Soon)