The Excellence in Education Committee works to find ways to help the school and its teachers achieve excellence in the face of declining revenues and support. Thus, we strive to provide financial assistance to promote educational enrichment, encourage collaboration and provide professional growth opportunities. The committee grew out of a generous Teacher Grant program started by Eva and Gill Clark in 2001. Eva a retired Venice High math instructor, and Gil, a retired UCLA physicist, believe Venice High is a special place of creative and innovative people. Currently, the committee consists of five retired Venice High teachers: Eva Clark, Joan Miner, Lucia Barbaro, Carolyn Berry and Jim Blackwood.

Each year through the Teacher Grant program individual teachers and teams of teachers are awarded grants based upon proposals they submit outlining their goals and a rational of the need for funds.

2008 - For the 2008-2009 school year, the committee awarded $5,000, supporting 13 teachers. Grants of $500 went to individual teachers and $1,000 to teams of two or more. The funds will finance a wide range of classroom activities from presentations of Shakespeare, to the purchase of manipulatives for applying mathematical concepts, to lab equipment for chemistry experiments. Some of the monies will finance a study of murals and architecture of Los Angeles, while others will support production of the yearbook. Another grant will support the fund raising effort to send six students to Shanghai next summer.

How You Can Help

• Donations can be made by sending a check (payable to "VHSAA" with a note “Excellence in Education” in the memo section) to:

VHSAA
13000 Venice Blvd.,
Los Angeles, CA 90066

To make a donation online:

• Join the Support a Teacher (SAT) Club

SAT members commit to $500 per year for three years.
Send your first check as above, except note “Support a Teacher Club” on the check.

To join immediately and make your first donation online:

• Leave a Legacy:

Make a gift bequest in your will or Family Living Trust for the benefit of VHSAA Excellence in Education.

• Volunteer or join the Excellence in Education Committee

Contact Jim Blackwood (S' 58) jblackwood13@verizon.net