Organization

The Pleasanton Schools Educational Enrichment (PSEE) Foundation was founded in June 1999 as a nonprofit, all volunteer-based Public Benefit Corporation organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  PSEE’s 501 (c) (3) status was certified by the IRS in May 2000.

The mission of the PSEE Foundation is to provide art, science, and other enrichment programs for the benefit of all Pleasanton Unified School District students, from those at risk to the gifted and talented. The primary objective of the Foundation is to build permanent charitable resources, in the form of an endowment, to generate ongoing funds for School District programs. However, PSEE also accepts directed donations and does project fundraising for specific programs year to year.  Currently, PSEE is campaigning to save the Elementary Band/Strings program and Visual and Performing Arts Specialists for the 2010-2011 school year.

Why are music and art programs so important?  Both subjects are considered core subjects by the California State standards. Music programs contribute to higher attendance and graduation rates for schools (over 90% with music and under 73% without). Studies show a strong correlation between music study and standardized test scores. Students who study music scored 20% higher in math and English on standardized tests. There is a strong link between study of the Arts and overall cognitive learning.  The arts foster students' abilities to develop problem solving skills, flexibility, creativity, cooperative approaches, persistence, and responsibility as well as oral and written language skills.