The Simi Valley Education Foundation is thriving, with more and more initiatives we’re tackling every year. From computers for classrooms to online giving that will match donor with classroom needs, the Simi Valley Education Foundation is taking the lead in making a difference in the lives of Simi Valley Public School students. Here’s a brief overview of the Foundation’s current programs:

• Matching School Funds Program

  Matching School Funds Program is a collaborative effort of the Simi Valley Education Foundation (SVEF), secondary public schools in Simi Valley and parents.
  The goal of the Matching School Funds Program is to stimulate greater parent involvement in the education process, expand the volunteer base at each school, and forge a lasting partnership between the Simi Valley Education Foundation, each school and the neighborhood it serves in order to develop additional programs at the school.

  
  For more information on this program, we have provided the following links:
  • Matching School Funds Guidelines (in .pdf format)
  • Matching School Funds Fact Sheet (in .pdf format)
  • Matching School Funds Check Request Form (word document)
  • Request for Matching Funds Form (word document)
  
  
  Board Members from the Simi Valley Education Foundation were recently on hand to present Matching School Fund Checks for the 2006-2007 school year to the following schools:
  
  

  	Royal High School: A check in the amount of $57,891 to provide visual and wireless technology at the school.
  Sinaloa Middle School: A check was presented for $15,820 for classroom technology.
  Santa Susanna High School: A check was presented for $16,800 for their performing arts center.
  Simi Valley High School will be holding a BBQ in the fall as part of their fundraising efforts and plan to dedicate those funds to college and career counseling.

  
  
  
• Scholarship Endowment Program
  The Simi Valley Education Foundation Scholarship Endowment Program was established to honor the wishes of the original donor to provide community college scholarships for students who cannot afford to fund their own education. These recipients are to be individuals who can demonstrate a strong desire to succeed by obtaining college education. These scholarships are intended to offer an opportunity or create a turning point in a young person’s life that inspires them to become an asset to our community.
  
  The Simi Valley Education Foundation will award two-year community college scholarships this spring for students enrolling in a local community college in the fall of 2007. Three high school graduates will be selected from the four high schools in the Simi Valley. Scholarship recipients must attend a local community college on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester units). Each individual two-year scholarship will be for the sum of $1,000 per year. Scholarship funds for the second year will be released upon the scholarship recipient’s application and verification of the successful completion of at least 24 semester units in the prior year.
  
  Scholarship Requirements:
  • The recipients must have a financial need. These scholarships are intended to make it possible for the recipients to attend college when they would not have the financial resources to do so on their own.
  • The recipients should be students who have tremendous potential, but may not necessarily have outstanding grades. The committee will be looking for individuals who have shown significant improvement or promise of future success during their high school careers.
  • Applicants must attach an official copy of their high school transcript for the first seven semesters of high school.
  • Scholarship recipients must attend a local community college in the fall of 2007 and carry a full load of classes (minimum of 12 semester units).
  
  The Simi Valley Education Foundation is proud to announce that three seniors from Simi Valley Unified School District were awarded two-year scholarships to Moorpark College. The recipients are:
  
  • Roberto Campos ~ Royal High School
  • Maribel Gallegos ~ Royal High School
  • Lacie Robison ~ Santa Susana High School
  
  
• Scholarships
  Each year, the Simi Valley Education Foundation grants deserving students scholarships so that they can attend college, technical or vocational schools. Click here to read more.
  
  
• Partners in Education - Sponsored by Casden Properties LLC
  Partners in Education scholarship provide teachers an increasingly rare opportunity: the time to explore a subject in-depth. This can include conferences, workshops or classes that enhance K-12 education through teaching training, course or curriculum development, creation of laboratory exercises, or innovative use of electronic media. Scholarships were awarded in May 2007. Click here for a list of the items funded through this program.
  
  Applicants must currently be employed in an elementary or secondary school classroom in a Simi Valley public school. They must also have at least two years of teaching experience in Simi Valley prior to the conference, workshop or class for which the grant will be used. Each application requires an Applicant Statement and a Statement of Support from the applicant’s principal.
  
  The Simi Valley Education Foundation will rank scholarship proposals on the following criteria:
  • The degree of curriculum enhancement in an area of demonstrated need
  • The degree the conference, workshop or class information will directly affect students
  • The longevity of the conference, workshop or class material without requiring additional funds
  • The number of students directly/indirectly affected; and,
  • How the teacher measures the conference, workshop or class success through objective or subjective means.
  
  The application is now available in both .pdf and word formats.
  • Partners in Education Application (.pdf format)
  • Partners in Education Application (word format)
  
  
  
  Darren Embry, from Casden Properties LLC, presents $5,000 check to the Simi Valley Education
  Foundation Board of Directors as the sponsor of the new Partners in Education program.
  
  
• The Education Enhancement Grants
  The Simi Valley Education Foundation believes that investing directly in the creativity and commitment of teachers is one of the best ways to improve student learning and achievement. The Foundation accepts grant requests from teachers, departments, grade level, and school requests as well.
  
  Eligibility for a grant requires that the teacher must be an educator, grades K-12, and in Simi Valley School District.
  
  Enhancement Grants provide an opportunity for educators to expand and improve a classroom, grade level or department’s academic environment; develop richer curriculum; and provide students with learning experiences not possible through the limited school budget.
  
  Enhancement Grant Applications are now available below and at each school site. The grant application for the 2007-2008 school year is now available in both .pdf and word formats.
  
  
  • Grant Application (.pdf format)
  • Grant Application (word format)
  
  The deadline to submit the completed application is Friday, October 12, 2007.