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The Shark Fund is a dedicated group of parents and concerned Malibu residents who
recognize and hope to realize the true potential of Malibu High School. The Fund
was established in 2003 as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) corporation to
provide private financial support for Malibu High School, a California Distinguished
School. Working side-by-side with the PTSA, Arts Angels, the Athletic Booster Club,
and the Technology Committee, The Shark Fund is the school's umbrella fundraising
organization which seeks donations to support education, the arts, athletics, technology,
and other extracurricular activities at Malibu High School.
Mission Statement
The Shark Fund, a non-profit organization, was founded
in 2003 by concerned parents and Malibu citizens who believed the
continuing decline in proportional educational funding by the State of
California would have a catastrophic impact on the quality of education
at Malibu High School (Grades 6 – 12). Sadly, this was quite prophetic.
Since then, we have seen deeper and more damaging cuts in virtually
every sector of educational spending, with California now ranking 49th
out of 50 states in per student expenditure. The State’s present budget
crisis will likely further these deficits, with our future generations
paying the ultimate price.
But the news is not all dire! Since its inception, The Shark Fund has
collected over $3 Million from parents, residents, businesses and
various governmental and private organizations.
As the umbrella fundraising body for Malibu High
School, our mission is to provide enough financial assistance to keep
MHS one of the finest public schools in the nation. The Shark Fund works
to support all areas of need including:
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basic requirements, |
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equipment and |
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expendables that most assume would be covered by
SMMUSD |
The Shark Fund was chartered to help alleviate fiscal
competition among the many special interest groups on campus – the
theory being if we raise the money, it allows these groups to focus more
attention on designing and implementing their agendas.
Through our work with the PTSA, Athletic
Booster Club, Arts Angels and MHS Administration, we have
helped fund vital academic and extra-curricular programs, capital
improvements and much of the school’s consumable operating
expenditures including:
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23 distinct Athletic Programs |
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Theater, Visual and Music Arts |
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Computer and Science Labs; Technology Systems &
Upgrades |
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Campus Beautification |
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Working Lockers |
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Family Services/Counseling |
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After School Library |
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Teaching Assistants |
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Certain Textbooks (Yes, Textbooks!) |
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Classroom Projectors |
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Photocopies |
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even the oft-debated Toilet Paper and Paper Towel
shortfalls! |
And together, look how high we’ve flown! MHS
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has been named a California Distinguished School
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has earned a Top 200 finish in Newsweek’s
national ranking of public high schools |
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was just awarded the prestigious Gold Medal honor
and placed in the Top 100 High Schools in America by U.S. News
and World Report’s December 10, 2007 issue! |
Malibu High School is a testament to what determined
educators and private funding can accomplish in concert – a thriving
institution that is nothing short of miraculous.
But we can never rest on our laurels and have to acknowledge that it’s
largely up to each and every one of us. A comprehensive, well-rounded
education does not come without cost, as much as California and local
lawmakers would like to dream it does. “Shark Funding” is critical
if we are to give our children the academically rigorous, broad
experiential, competitive global education they deserve. |
The
Shark Fund 15th Anniversary
Look at all you've done!
Big thanks also to Michael Kaiser and Kaiser Marketing for design and
print - Looks great Michael! |
