Hundreds Gather “Celebrating Our Schools” at City Hall Wednesday

Hundreds of Pasadena Educational Foundation supporters gathered with local educational and civic leaders in the Pasadena City Hall Courtyard Wednesday evening to present awards, hear from Pasadena Unified Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald and draw inspiration from White House Champions of Change honoree Dr. S. Dallas Dance, Superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools.

Pasadena Educational Foundation Executive Director Patrick Conyers told the gathering that the reality of what is happening in Pasadena’s public schools is far better than the community’s perception.

At PEF, Conyers said, “we know that when people have a look and see what’s happening they are going to walk away with a far better impression.”

From the podium PUSD Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald said he has five children of his own enrolled in the school district “and couldn’t be happier.”

McDonald, who formerly worked under Dr. Dance back East, oversees more than 17,000 students in Pasadena.

“We have some amazing employees in our school district who care deeply about our kids,” McDonald told the crowd. “Thanks to the dedicated work of our employees, our students are successful in the classroom and in life.”

The energetic keynote address by Dr. Dance focused on the central role of public schools in forming the nation’s character. Dr. Dance is responsible for overseeing one of the largest school districts in the nation. A rising star in education, he is highly regarded for being a vibrant and driven leader, committed to advancing technology in the classroom.

Rich Webster was presented the 2015 Exemplary Service Award in recognition of The Helen and Will Webster Foundation’s steadfast and generous support of the Pasadena Educational Foundation, the Pasadena Unified School District and the wider community.

Contributions to the Spring Event allow PEF to support the priorities and forward-thinking initiatives of the district, and help PEF provide award-winning art programs, summer school, and cutting-edge classroom technology.

The evening’s program will be followed by a reception in the Pasadena City Hall Courtyard.

For more about the Pasadena Educational Foundation, visit http://pased.org.