Education Foundation of Palm Beach County info@educationfoundationpbc.org

Nothing Will Stop Us

From Supporting the Needs of our Students

Visit EducationFoundationPBC.org/PBCBackpack or Text PBCBackpack to 41444

Each summer, in preparation for the new school year, the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County collaborates with community partners to organize the Backpack and School Supply Drive to ensure that students will begin the year with essential supplies needed to succeed.

While the upcoming school year will look different for all of us, there’s one thing that’s for certain: the need for supplies remains. 67% of Palm Beach County School District students qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch-priced meals prior to COVID-19, and that number continues to rise. In under-served communities across Palm Beach County, many students will begin the first day of school without the supplies they need to learn.

Yet, here’s the good news: research shows that when students are equipped with the tools they need to succeed--they flourish. By providing essential school supplies for teachers and students alike, we create environments where teachers can focus on teaching and learners have equal opportunity to learn.

In a survey conducted by the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, teachers reported spending an average of $875 annually on school supplies for high-needs students prior to partnering with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County. Teachers also shared how this program impacted students in the following ways:

90.26% learned in a more equitable classroom environment
79.22% displayed improved behavior in the classroom
64.29% earned better grades

After last year’s success with providing over 4,000 elementary students backpacks filled with supplies to start their first day of school, the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County has again teamed up with the community to make an impact. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Sugar, Carrier, ICNA Relief and the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County Volunteer Center contributed over $50,000 in funding which will provide backpacks filled with school supplies and classroom books for elementary students in Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay and Canal Point for this 2020-2021 school year.

Deliveries will take place during the first week of school thanks to Two Men and A Truck of Palm Beach who has generously donated their time and equipment to transport supplies to support these selected Title 1 elementary schools within the Glades Region.

Join the community in raising funds to help place some of the district’s highest-needs students in a more equitable place along their educational journey.

Sponsor Spotlight

The Weitz Company has been ‘building a better way since 1855’. Being The sixth oldest Architectural / Engineering / Construction firm with 10 offices throughout the United States, their team has built a reputation of delivering value and quality in construction services.

The Weitz Company's West Palm Beach team has also built a reputation of giving their time, talent and treasure to support important causes in the community, including education. The Education Foundation of Palm Beach County welcomes these community leaders who volunteer at Red Apple Supplies. As a "Champion of Education", and a trusted advisor in their field, this dedicated team has made a significant impact in our local community and in support of the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County.

Mike Thomas, Director, an active volunteer at Red Apple Supplies, has led successful school supply drives for the past two consecutive years (with the company matching donations made by its employees)! Mike quickly learned just how much of an impact he and his employees' efforts have on his future workforce. “Supporting education gives children the opportunity to reach their full potential and provides the tools necessary to succeed. Investing in students is supporting the future of our workforce here in Palm Beach County. The Education Foundation’s position as the nexus to support education provides the business community the opportunity to make a difference by investing in the future of Palm Beach County.”

Together, the Education Foundation and its business partners, such as The Weitz Company, are changing the world through Education. How are you helping shape the future of Palm Beach County's workforce by supporting high-quality education?

Learn more about becoming a Champion of Education, contact the Foundation today!

*Distributed over $656,000 in FREE school supplies to over 38,000 students in Palm Beach County

*Served 53 Title I schools with 93% or higher Free and Reduced Lunch Rate

*Provided backpacks with school supplies to over 4,000 students in Pahokee and Belle Glade in August 2019 (for back to school)

*Partnered with the School District of Palm Beach County's Welcome Center to provide school supples and backpacks to students enrolling in PBC schools after Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas

*Provided $94,434.15 in FREE school supplies to students in need using the school-based feeding sites to distribute "Kits for Kids" when students shifted to distance learning, as a result of COVID-19

*90% of teachers reported students learned in a more equitable classroom environment, due to support received from Red Apple Supplies

To Learn more about Red Apple Supplies click HERE.

2020-2021 GoTeach! Classroom Grants and
GoReach! Grant Cycle Now Open

The Education Foundation of Palm Beach County is excited to launch our 2020-2021 GoTeach! Classroom Grant & GoReach Grant Cycle in support of The School District of Palm Beach County's teachers and schools.

GoTeach! Classroom Grants will be awarded to teachers who submit proposals that showcase innovation in these priority areas: Literacy, STEM, Improving Graduation Rates, Career Readiness and Supporting Underperforming Students. Individual teachers may apply for $1,000 and teams of teachers may apply for $1,500 in funding support.

We are also excited to announce a new opportunity for teachers and schools this year... Four GoReach! Grants in the amount of $3,000 will also be awarded to schools/teachers throughout the district to further support innovation in schools.

Grant workshops will be held on August 3rd and August 13th for teachers and administrators seeking support with their application. Click HERE for additional details regarding the gran application process, grant writing workshops and to access the application.

If you're interested in supporting this initiative, contact the Foundation today!

Jennifer Ethridge Accepted into

Leadership Palm Beach County Engage Program

We are thrilled to announce our very own Director of Programs & Grants, Jennifer Ethridge, has been accepted as a member of the Leadership Palm Beach County Class of 2021. Read more about this leadership program HERE

Special Events Update

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The School Bell - July 2020

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