On Tuesday February 15th, Piru Elementary School and its proud principal Tricia Godfrey hosted a crowd of approximately 70 parents, district staff, community members and students for the dedication and unveiling of the new marquee sign. The brand new sign, paid for through community fundraising efforts of The Friends of Piru (FOP) parent group is a new and important way for the school to communicate with parents and the community. For approximately four years the parent run group Friends of Piru had it’s sights on a marquee for the school all the while funding other needs at the school. Parents at the school choose the sign and FOP wrote the check for nearly $6,000.00 At the dedication Godfrey recognized the work of John and Luanne Schaper, as well as “Mrs. Dollar… thank you so much for just not giving up.” Friends of Piru Board members and Piru residents Katherine Ponce and Maria Villa were thanked although they were unable to attend. The final president of Friends of Piru Kelly Baker was the only board member able to attend the event and receive the thanks in person. Ponce, Villa and Baker were instrumental in organizing many fundraising drives which allowed the group to purchase many items for the school, recently including: paper (nearly $400.00 current school year) headsets and supplies for computer lab, “Bellworks” books ($2,500.00), kindergarten and after school rugs, coordinating a grant for over $1000.00 in library books and supporting the 6th grade annual science camp.

At the beginning of this school year Friends of Piru disbanded due to the fact that the children of all board members either moved up to the middle school or transferred to other elementary schools and there were no current Piru school parents who had been involved with the organization in the past. Current Piru school parents formed a new parent group, Friends for Change, its new name chosen by students at Piru Elementary School. Friends for Change will be planning many new fundraising efforts to continue to supply items requested by the school.