Scholars’ Circle-level donors recognized

The Rancho Santa Fe Education Foundation hosted a special evening Feb. 2 in recognition of Scholar’s Circle-level donors at the RSF home of Darryl and Carolyn Flaming.

Guests participated in a medieval-themed evening filled with music, food, wine, and ale. The Rancho Santa Fe Education Foundation’s community partner, Wells Fargo -The Private Bank, underwrote the event.

Scholars’ Circle members continue a tradition that began in 1997 when a group of 25 Rancho Santa Fe school families came together to provide considerable funds to supplement the RSF School District annual budget allowing for an enriched public education. Today’s Scholars’ Circle is made up of parents and members of the community who pledge $35,000 or more, usually over a three-five-year period. Getting multi-year pledges of a significant level is important as they allow the RSF School District to more accurately plan and make staffing and program commitments to provide a “Five-Star Education.”

The funds that the Education Foundation provides to the RSF School District, $1 million this year, are used to support the Five-Star Education program, over half of which is spent to help the district meet its small class size objective of 20 students or fewer per class, grades K-8. The rest of the monies fund teaching specialists across Science, Spanish, Art, Athletics, Math and Music in addition to special programs such as Integrated Science, Differentiated Math and Literacy Excellence from the Columbia University Reading & Writing Program. The co-chairs of this event were Beth Nelson and Helle Brandrup.

Photos/McKenzie Images