Features

A Berkeley non-profit foundation set up to promote excellence in local schools has received that distinction itself—an award from the Public Education Network in Washington D.C. for Excellence in Communication. 

The Berkeley Public Education Foundation (BPEF) received this year’s Carmen A. Sarnicola Award for its fall 2003 newsletter in a national competition with 1,600 school districts in 33 states. The newsletter is distributed to households and businesses in Berkeley. 

BPEF was formed in 1983 with the stated mission of “restoring excellence in Berkeley public schools” in the wake of the cutbacks caused by the passage of Proposition 13. It’s main project is to provide classroom grants to teachers and volunteers. Other foundation projects include the Berkeley High School Health Center, the Berkeley Teachers’ Center, and the Longfellow Theater Capital Campaign. 

The Public Education Network is a national organization of local education funds. 

—J. Douglas Allen-TaylorC