Robert Gray Middle School

Parents and friends make classes happen at Robert Gray. The Foundation raises money from parents, friends and the community for one purpose: to hire additional teachers and staff. Supplementing the budget for teachers reduces class sizes and increases course offerings.

The RGMS Foundation is an organization run entirely by volunteers. The Foundation is not the only volunteer body at Robert Gray tasked with raising money for valuable programs: the PTA is a notable example. But the Foundation is the only parent organization that can contribute money toward staffing.

 

Reach beyond the doors of our school. The Foundation provides support for schools with greater economic challenges by donating a portion of its earnings to the district’s equity fund. This is a requirement of Portland Public Schools and is the only way to pay for teachers outside district funding sources. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization; all donations are tax deductible.

 

Contributions to the Foundation are a tremendous asset to Robert Gray and are appropriated with careful consideration by the school’s principal. With last year’s contributions RGMS hired a 2nd foreign language teacher, allowing RGMS to continue to be one of only a few middle schools that offers two languages, French and Spanish.

 

Raising money today for tomorrow. Foundation fundraising is always ahead of the game so administrators can make plans for the upcoming year. Beginning in Fall of 2011, all contributions go to the 2012-2013 school year.

 

This year, the Foundation presents the Oui & Si +I.T. campaign. Oui & Si + I.T. successfully raised over $26,000 for a teacher and tech support for next year:

• $18,000 to fund a foreign language teaching position and keep the language department offerings the same as this year. Because this is a teaching position, this amount will be filtered through Portland Schools Foundation, a division of All Hands Raised, to meet the equity requirements.
• $8,000 for to pay for technical support. The hours it takes to keep computers and technology running smoothly are about twice what the school budget allows.

Will we make it? Yes, we did! Thank you all so much..

 

Ways to get involved. Come to a Foundation meeting. The Foundation meets quarterly throughout the year and more frequently during fund drives and for campaign planning. They are always looking for new ideas and would love to have your input or helping hands. The 2012 Foundation chair is Patti BuserHill. Feel free to contact her today at hillandbuser@comcast.net.

A Message to PPS Volunteers
From Dan Ryan, Chief Executive Officer & Samantha Lopez, PPS Foundation Manager
Portland Public Schools Foundation, A Division of All Hands Raised 

    For over 17 years, PPS parent volunteers and their Local School Foundations have embodied the core values of this organization. "Filling the gap", working to support all kids and communities, ensuring access to an excellent, equitable, and high-quality public education - PPS parent volunteers have consistently set the example for what everyone in our community must do to support all students. 
    All Hands Raised (formerly the Portland Schools Foundation) remains 100% committed to your incredible work and dedication, and we take great pride in working with the 39 school foundations that make up the Portland Public Schools Foundation. This nearly two-decade long relationship with PPS parent volunteers has evolved into one active and powerful community. In 2011, more than 4,000 of you contributed a record-breaking $3.04 million in teachers and staff in support of all kids in PPS; an amazing accomplishment during these challenging economic times. In total, 130 teachers and staff in PPS are supported this academic year because of your hard work and generosity. 
    Your contributions do not go unnoticed in this community, particularly in the schools impacted by the PPS Equity Fund. This year you supported over $840,000 in investments in those schools most in need. We have also been fortunate to see that your commitment to our schools has served as an inspiration for large public school districts both within this region and nationally.