The Carlmont Academic Foundation (CAF) is an organization made up of parents and volunteers who raise money to financially support the school’s enriching programs, such as instrumental music and the biotechnology institute (BTI).
“The money we raise allows smaller class sizes and sustains many innovative programs because it’s important that students have more class choices,” said April Carlson, the CAF president.
The most recent CAF meeting took place on March 27. Led by Carlson, fifteen Carlmont parents, including Principal Ralph Crame, talked about their latest fundraisers and upcoming events.
One topic of discussion was the 2017 Bagpiper Bash, which included food, music, and an auction. CAF came just short of their goal in ticket sales and raised a total of $45,135 by the end of the evening.
Carlson said, “Our money comes from donations and volunteering, both mostly from parents.”
However, donations from larger businesses can be made on the CAF website.
For example, Oracle contributes to the organization in order to help support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education at Carlmont.
As a director and English teacher of BTI, a STEM pathway, Susan Gold said, “[We are] grateful that CAF has provided funding so that biotech teachers are able to purchase equipment for special lab projects. Our school’s state-of-the-art biotech labs are a cornerstone of the BTI program.”
Students can also be involved in the foundation by joining the student leadership program, which gives the CAF parents advice and holds a thank-a-thon, where donors are called and thanked for their contributions.
Audrey Crook, a sophomore who has participated in the group, said, “Being in the club is beneficial to a student because it helps them see how the school runs. It has especially helped me see that so many parents, volunteers, and just genuinely nice people make our school what it is today.”
CAF will have its next general meeting on April 24.
