4 LAUSD Schools Awarded $40,000

Four Los Angeles Unified School District elementary schools were awarded a total of $40,000 Thursday from the Getty House Foundation to fund innovative programs for children and parents.

Welby Way Elementary School in West Hills won the $25,000 Above & Beyond Award, which it will use to support an arts education program and a chamber music group.

In addition, three other district schools were awarded $5,000 each at a luncheon at the Getty House, the city’s official mayoral residence.

Breed Street Elementary will use its prize money to expand a student council program that teaches fifth-grade students public speaking and conflict management skills.

With its award, Cahuenga Elementary will buy materials for a program that helps students organize their thoughts.

Franklin Ave. School to Fund Parent Education

The prize won by Franklin Avenue Elementary will fund parent education classes, said Susan Caputo, the foundation’s executive director.

In selecting Welby Way for the highest honor, Caputo said, “It was clear the minute we walked in the door that they met our requirements.”

Before a campus tour in June, foundation board members were unaware that Welby Way had recently won the prestigious National Blue Ribbon school award.

Nominations were made by LAUSD’s 11 local district superintendents and then pared down by a committee representing educational foundations and school district management.

Welby Way Principal Gigi Edler said two-thirds of her campus’ prize money will go toward the new “Building Bridges Through Art” program that provides fourth-grade students with an in-depth look at five artists, starting with Vincent Van Gogh. The remaining money will be used to expand the school’s chamber music group.

“We want to provide instruments and training to students with a strong interest who haven’t had an opportunity outside school to learn music,” said Molly Schroeder, the school’s magnet coordinator.

Nonmonetary Awards Also Given

Also on Thursday, the Getty House foundation gave nonmonetary awards to Kathy and Frank Baxter for their philanthropic support of several organizations and schools; KNBC-TV’s weatherman Christopher Nance for his support of schools through weather-related and reading programs, and Washington Mutual Bank for providing $1.4 million in student scholarships.