Beverly Hills Education Foundation (BHEF) is a non-profit organization established over 50 years ago to support the Beverly Hills Unified School District by providing additional funding to its school programs.
BHEF shows up in many students’ day-to-day lives in ways that they might not even realize. This past year, BHEF helped purchase new dance costumes for BVMS and BHHS dance performances, enlargers for the darkroom in the Beverly photography classroom, and podcasting equipment for the journalism program. BHEF also provides funding for Instructional Technology Coach Karen Lagola’s monthly new teacher lunches.
Photography Teacher Timothy Briggs said, “It’s made a huge difference. Everything is in great shape now. It’s like a brand new darkroom. It’s better than it’s ever been in the time I’ve worked here. And being able to print [the student’s] work is amazing. The kids really benefit from it.”
Several classes at the high school have hydroponic towers that are used to grow food sustainably. The City Greens club cares for these towers, and they recently hosted their first seed sale, all of which was done with the help of donations from BHEF.
BHEF gains funding from city grants, community partners, private donors and parents. Throughout the year, board members are expected to make connections in the school and business communities and to encourage all to become donors. This year, BHEF offered decade-long legacy seats for purchase at all school theaters to support their funding.
At the beginning of the year, BHEF establishes endowments for programs and classes, such as the high school’s English department and the BVMS library, as well as the middle school’s secondary science fair. The funds are used throughout the school year for supplies and necessities to improve those programs.
BHEF President Tina Wiener said, “Strong schools are as important to our community as strong police and fire departments. Businesses recognize this and are incredibly generous in partnering with BHEF to ensure that we have a lighthouse district in BHUSD.”
Wiener said, “Whether or not [the students] recognize that these things are coming from BHEF, it makes us so proud when we come to performances and see the work these kids are doing and how it has elevated what they are participating in. That makes us really, really happy.”
The Apple Awards are designed to highlight and recognize exceptional school teachers and staff within the district. 10 years ago, the awards were presented at a gala. Most recently, however, they have been distributed at the district-wide staff back-to-school meeting. BHEF is returning the awards to its original gala form this year in an effort to further involve the community.
Wiener said, “It is so important that our community, including current family and alumni families, be a part of the celebration to honor our outstanding staff members. We are thrilled to be bringing this event back.” The awards will be hosted on May 21 from 5-9 P.M. at Beverly Canon Gardens.
This year, they also funded soccer coaches at both El Rodeo and Horace Mann to teach good sportsmanship and skills and to serve as referees for lunchtime games.
Wiener said, “Our goal for this year has been to really reintroduce ourselves to the Beverly Hills community, both the school community and business community, to know what it is we provide for the district and the students.”
Although Wiener’s third and final term as president is almost up, a new president will be elected by the BHEF board of directors in May. BHEF hopes to continue to fundraise and help further support the district in the coming year.
