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Community ProgramsThrough collaboration with community partners, Santa Barbara Education Foundation creates opportunities for students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. SBEF also oversees a number of signature programs serving students in the district.

SBEF Signature Programs

KEEP THE BEAT

From music teachers to instruments, SBEF has been raising funds to support music education in local schools since 2003. Today, all 5000+ elementary students learn to play an instrument during their school day. An originating partner in the Pianos on State project, SBEF also runs a year-round instrument drive.

SBEF Signature Programs

THE LÉNI FÉ BLAND PERFORMING ARTS PARTNERSHIP

In memory of avid performing arts supporter Léni Fé Bland, her dear friend Sara Miller McCune established a fund honoring Léni and her incredible generosity to the performing arts. The fund continues Léni’s work by supporting and encouraging student participation and exposure to the amazing performing arts programs in Santa Barbara.

SBEF Signature Programs

PIANOS ON STATE

A favorite event in Santa Barbara, Pianos on State is a collaborative and interactive musical experience that takes place during Arts and Humanities month in October.  The thirteenth annual installment is taking place this October 4-23rd.  Each piano becomes its own piece of art as local Santa Barbara artists create individual looks.

SBEF Signature Programs

SOUND WAVES: MUSIC AND MOVEMENT CAMP

Inspired by the Orff-Schulwerk method, campers age 7 to 10 engage with music and each other through playful and artful experiences. Campers explore their musical talents, build confidence, and develop a love for music in a fun and supportive environment.

SBEF Signature Programs

STUDENT FUND-A-NEED

The Student Fund-a-Need supports the most critical needs for SB Unified students. As these needs evolve, we will pivot to new essential needs once projects are completed.

SBEF Signature Programs

STUDENT GRANTS

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation is awarding up to $500 to individuals and groups of students in grades 9-11 for student-managed projects that enrich the academic, artistic, and/or personal development of students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District.

SBEF Signature Programs

STUDENT ONLINE AND ACADEMIC RESOURCES (SOAR)

School closures have exposed the prominent role that our public schools play in the community. Families depend on schools to care for their children during the day, provide healthy meals, and even offer mental health services. The role of public schools is especially important to our community’s most vulnerable families. SOAR helps support students with access to essential tools for instruction no matter what happens.

SBEF Signature Programs

SUMMER BAND CAMP

Originally founded by Nick Rail in 1989, this well-established program provides an enriching and affordable summer music experience. Campers are grouped by ability and taught by professional musicians to play solo and as a group.

SBEF Signature Programs

SUMMER DRUMLINE CAMP

The Summer Drumline Camp offers participants an opportunity to expand their understanding of the elements of music performance, rhythm reading, and develop proper playing technique.  Camp participants explore all different types of percussion instruments that are used in large percussion ensembles, including snare, marching tenor, bass, hand percussion, and the melodic percussion.

SBEF Signature Programs

SUMMER STRING CAMP

String students will gain technical skills on their instrument, increased note reading facility, and composition instruction in a fun, supportive environment. Players will be divided by level into ensemble groups where they will practice their instruments together, culminating in an end of camp performance.

SBEF Signature Programs

TEACHER GRANTS

Santa Barbara Education Foundation funds grants once a year to support the purchase of much-needed, project-based supplies and tools, as well as to encourage the development of creative and innovative teaching in the Santa Barbara Unified School District through adopting new technologies, instructional tools, and field trips.

 

SBEF also proudly supports:

AVID

Prepares 4th through 12th-grade students for college eligibility. Students learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking, receive academic help from peers and college tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities that show students that college can be attainable.

BRAVO!

A free, district-sponsored after-school elementary music program that is held at several school sites to provide instrument specific instruction to 4-6th grade elementary students.

CONDOR CIRCLE

Condor Circle is an academic and behavioral intervention program for the most at-risk students at Santa Barbara Junior High School. Students receive one-on-one academic attention, learn organization and time management, and build life skills.

COMMUNITY OF SCHOOLS

Community of Schools improves students’ chances of success from birth to college graduation by targeting early childhood education, school readiness, family and community engagement, and college readiness. Neighborhood schools partner with community service providers and stakeholders to support children and their families.

HOMELESS STUDENT SUPPORT FUND

Over 14% of students in SBUSD schools are considered homeless. This fund helps provide students in unstable housing with the essentials to continue their studies and participate in school activities.

INNOVATE

Innovate seeks to change education and student engagement through a project-based, mastery learning format. The program is an innovative academic experience enhanced by the strong personal relationships built between teachers, support staff, and students. The program’s goal is to develop independent, problem-solving, critical thinkers who participate in their community and succeed in college and careers.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE WORLD SCHOOL

The International Baccalaureate World School at Dos Pueblos High School is a two-year, humanities-based curriculum for juniors and seniors that provides motivated students with rigorous, honors level coursework.

KIND MIND

Kind Mind teaches and facilitates the regular practice of mindfulness and compassion skills using a nature-based approach and provides social-emotional learning lessons to improve self-awareness, attention and emotion regulation, and social skills. Learning how to stay kind, curious, alert, and relaxed during our experiences helps students through intense emotions, stress, and anxiety. Kind Mind provides weekly lessons for all classes, ideas for daily practice, staff training, and daily support at recess and lunch–building relationships with students and helping resolve conflicts using restorative approaches.

THE LITERACY PROJECT

This program targets struggling readers and delivers research-based intervention to help students improve their skills to read at grade level. The program has expanded to include training SB Unified educators in proven literacy intervention methods to reach a larger group of students.

MISSION SCHOLARS

This program gives high-achieving, low-income students access to expert guidance on the path to college. Mission Scholars helps level the playing field by providing students with academic advising, mentorship, and college admissions counseling, along with the skills to thrive as college students.

PARENTS UNITED/PADRES UNIDOS

Seeking to close the achievement gap among all students, Parents United/Padres Unidos delivers courses that give parents the tools needed for effective participation in their children’s education.

PEERBUDDIES

PeerBuddies provides social skills training for children and teens with social difficulties through peer mentoring in the community. Children are paired with a typically developing, same-aged or slightly older buddy who teaches and models essential life skills.

PROGRAM FOR EFFECTIVE ACCESS TO COLLEGE (PEAC)

PEAC increases high school graduation and four-year college entry rates of low-income, historically underrepresented, first-generation college students by providing mentors, tutors, and study spaces.

SOUTH COAST YOUTH BAND

The South Coast Youth Band is an after-school music program that provides fun band experiences and quality instruction for elementary school students in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades. Beginners are welcome! Students rehearse weekly throughout the school year and receive instruction on their instruments from professional musicians. Performances include holiday parades, Boo at the Zoo, Winter and Spring concerts, and collaborations with local junior high school music programs.

TINY LIBRARIES

Tiny Libraries punctuated State Street this summer! In collaboration with the County Office of Arts & Culture and the Santa Barbara Public Library, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation got the unique opportunity to support youth literacy in the community through this innovative project. The little libraries were open for anyone to take or leave books with help from the Library and SBEF to ensure there were always good books to read –for everyone. SBEF played an important role by providing children’s books in both English and Spanish, and working with local schools to encourage young readers to participate in this community project.

WHAT IS LOVE

One in three teens in our community report experiencing dating abuse daily. Working directly with teens, parents, school staff, and community organizers, What is LOVE helps students build healthy loving relationship skills and prevents dating abuse. This researched program improves social emotional strengths, gives educators and parents the tools needed to identify abuse, and connects students to much needed resources.

YOUTH INTERVENTION PROGRAM

This program prevents students from engaging in violence by helping youth foster stronger attachments to their schools, families, and community. Field trips to universities along with non-traditional techniques such as Tai Chi and meditation help reduce violent behaviors and inspire students to graduate high school and attend college.