Pasadena : Education Campaign Begins

The Pasadena Education Foundation has launched a campaign to raise $1.4 million for special programs in Pasadena Unified School District.

Hoping to build on the foundation’s successful $1.5 million fund-raising drive last year, education officials and business leaders are calling on residents, area companies and private foundations to invest in the children of Pasadena.

“We want every company, every foundation in Pasadena to think about supporting the educational system,” said John Van de Kamp, Community Campaign for Schools chairman and former California attorney general.

Education foundation officials say the money is needed to support Pasadena’s innovative programs not supported by the state, such as the seven partnership academies, a Parent Resources Center and pre-kindergarten programs.

The programs conducted in partnership with businesses and local colleges include a Space Academy, a Finance Academy and a Health Academy. These schools within a school allow students to combine usual academic subjects with specialized learning in places such as Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where they get a taste of possible careers.