We believe in education that enriches, inspires & engages students!
Our Mission
Creating a Climate that Contributes to Learning
Our mission is to enrich, inspire and engage learners through educational experiences in collaboration with PYLUSD and our community.
The foundation of our activities, programs, and events is to advocate for 21st-century learning skills.
The 4 C’s: Critical thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communications. The key skills that are a part of our Mission statement are broken out into three categories:
- Learning Skills - Critical thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication
- Literacy Skills - Information literacy, Media literacy, Environmental literacy, Health literacy, Technology literacy
- Life Skills - Flexibility, Leadership, Initiative, Productivity, Social skills
The REACH Foundation will use 21st Century learning skills as the tool to measure the value of the programs we support.
2023-2024 REACH Foundation Board Members
Gisele T. Nguyen, President
Gisele T. Nguyen, President
Gisele T. Nguyen, President
"Education is not the learning of facts, but training the mind to think." - Allbert Einstein. As a PYLUSD parent for 20 years, I'm inspired by the ageless wisdom, dedication, and optimism of this Foundation. I'm thankful for the opportunity to partner with the District, Parents, Community Partners, and local businesses to produce and promote programs that prepare our children for their future. It is an honor to be apart of this awesome team!
Melina Michaels, Treasurer
Gisele T. Nguyen, President
Gisele T. Nguyen, President
"You make a life by what you give." -Winston Churchill. The positive PYLUSD K-12 experience my kids had inspired me to volunteer with the foundation in 2014. Serving on the foundation's board has been rewarding. It is inspiring to see how the programs we offer students spark interest and encouragement in learning. "
Traci Severson, Secretary
Gisele T. Nguyen, President
Claudia Beckman, Secretary
I have been a parent of PYLUSD students for 13 years but did not get involved in PTSA and REACH until they were in high school. Better late than never they say, and it's true! I am so thankful that I have finally gotten involved and will get to experience the great things that REACH does for PYLUSD.
Claudia Beckman, Secretary
Anne San Roman, Academics Advisor & Elementary Programs
Claudia Beckman, Secretary
Vivian Cuesta, Kids In Need/Vintage Promwear
Anne San Roman, Academics Advisor & Elementary Programs
Anne San Roman, Academics Advisor & Elementary Programs
Each child is unique, not only capable of learning… but also capable of succeeding. Robert John Meehan
As a former PYLUSD principal, teacher and parent, I have experienced and appreciated the uniqueness of children. I am inspired to be part of an organization that offers opportunities where all children learn and succeed.
Anne San Roman, Academics Advisor & Elementary Programs
Anne San Roman, Academics Advisor & Elementary Programs
Anne San Roman, Academics Advisor & Elementary Programs
“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” – John Wooden
Being a part of the PYLUSD family for the past 25 years has been a blessing. I am excited to have an active role in the REACH Foundation & hope to inspire students in PYLUSD to reach their full potential.
Carrie Johnson, Middle School Track Meet
Carrie Johnson, Middle School Track Meet
Carrie Johnson, Middle School Track Meet
Seeing the potential in every child, the REACH Foundation was a natural fit for me. As one of founding board members for REACH and a PTA/PTSA for the last 13 years, I have had the honor and privilege of helping students see their potential within our three core goals “Academics, Art, Athletics.”
Diane Adamson, SCAC
Carrie Johnson, Middle School Track Meet
Carrie Johnson, Middle School Track Meet
I became a PTA volunteer in 2007 when my Grandaughter started Kindergarten and served in numerous positions over the years. I have continued as a Reach Foundation volunteer since 2017 because I love the opportunities Reach provides to our schools.
Valerie Coulombe, Care Closet
Carrie Johnson, Middle School Track Meet
Valerie Coulombe, Care Closet
There is no power for greater change than a community discovering what it cares about. Margaret J. Wheatley.
As an educator for 34 years, I saw firsthand that a strong school community provides the foundation for
a productive, compassionate world. The REACH Foundation adds an important layer that ensures a
positive future for the families we serve.
Roy Gill, ShamRock ’n Run
Jennifer Bolanis-Rogers, Finance & Special Projects
Valerie Coulombe, Care Closet
Jennifer Bolanis-Rogers, Finance & Special Projects
Jennifer Bolanis-Rogers, Finance & Special Projects
Jennifer Bolanis-Rogers, Finance & Special Projects
Jennifer DiBias, Academics - FLL Explorer
Jennifer Bolanis-Rogers, Finance & Special Projects
Jennifer Bolanis-Rogers, Finance & Special Projects
Heather Siemons, Arts & Seat Dedication
Heather Siemons, Arts & Seat Dedication
Heather Siemons, Arts & Seat Dedication
Joanne Combs , Vintage PromWear
Heather Siemons, Arts & Seat Dedication
Heather Siemons, Arts & Seat Dedication
David Huizar, Academics
Heather Siemons, Arts & Seat Dedication
David Huizar, Academics
Antonio Gei, Academics
Amy Spillane, Marketing
David Huizar, Academics
Amy Spillane, Marketing
Amy Spillane, Marketing
Amy Spillane, Marketing
Program Coordinators & Volunteers
ACADEMICS TEAM
- Experience Your Environment - Anne San Roman, Chair : Inside the outdoors award winning environmental Science program for PYLUSD Students at Carbon Canyon Regional Park 10-28-2023 4:40pm-6:30pm.
- From the Inside - Rohita Thammineni, Chair: Recent PYL alumni bring STEAM career insights to students on a Zoom meeting. November 15 6:30pm-7:30pm
- Communicating with Confidence - Evelyn Yao, VHS REACH Intern, Lead: These Learning Labs bring a hands on approach to communication skills.
- REACH Foundation Internship program - Gisele Nguyen Chair: This is a hands on work experience opportunity for PYL students who want to make an impact on their community.
- First Lego League Team Competition- Megan Wang, YLHS REACH Intern Chair: A robotics program that allows students grades 5-8 explore STEM in a hands-on manner.
- Experimental Design - Tanya Vihun & Natalie Tang VHS REACH Interns Co Chairs : Science Experiments brought to local elementary schools presented by PYLUSD high school students interested in STEAM.
ARTS
- Seat Dedication - Vanessa Cortez, and Heather Siemons : We are adding the Valencia Auditorium in addition to the Performing Arts Center for Performing and Visual Arts fundraising.
- ArtWorks - Vivian Cuesta & Joanne Combs Co-Chairs : The foundation assists in opening night for this district wide art show. We also coordinate docents for the for the duration of the exhibit.
ATHLETICS
- Middle School Track Meet - Carrie Johnson Chair: Middle school students across the district compete in this timed track and field event.
- ShamRock 'n Run & SQUARE Course - Roy Gill Race Director : This is our biggest community event and raises funds for many programs, the Middle School Track Meet , Jog A Thon PTA sponsorships, RTeacher grants and more.
- Jog A Thon PTA Sponsorships- Elizabeth Chan & Tanya Vidhun, REACH Intern Co-Chair: Our tradition of supporting PTA's with a sponsorship and delivery of bottled water is going on it's 5th year.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
- Care Closet -
- Placentia Chamber Representative for REACH Foundation -
- Yorba Linda Chamber Representative for REACH - Amy Spillane
- PYLUC Representative for REACH - Diane Adamson
- Vintage PromWear - Claudia Beckham, Vivian Cuesta, Joanne Combs
- REACH Foundation Teacher Grants - Gisele Nguyen & Vivian Cuesta
- Kids In Need - Vivian Cuesta
REACH Foundation Interns at 2022 Middle School Track Meet
2022-2023 REACH Foundation Interns
Rowan Dix EDHS, Samuel Dix EDHS, Nikita Gupta YLHS, Harish Iyer EDHS, Sydney Kim EDHS, Aiden Kim Kraemer MS, Srihasika Potluri YLHS, Tanya Vidhun VHS, Megan Wang YLHS, Angela Yao VHS, and Evelyn Yao VHS.
Resources for our Students
In 2012, the ripple effects of the great recession were felt across the California education system with pervasive cuts to educational enrichment programs. The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District long tradition of hosting a district wide Middle School Track Meet was canceled due to budget cuts. Many 6-8 grade students over the years have good memories and experienced the positive effects of being part of a middle school team, practicing and training to compete in a track and field sport that kept them interested in school and healthy lifestyles.
Seeing a need to be filled, a group of action-minded parents organized and created a 501(c) (3) on a shoestring budget and founded the REACH Foundation, an education foundation to provide enrichment programs for PYLUSD students.
This year, we begin our eleventh year as an all volunteer non-profit. We have expanded our Healthy Lifestyles program beyond the Middle School Track Meet to hosting an annual Shamrock-n-Run 5K, 2K & SQUARE Obstacle Course. The funds raised from Shamrock-n-Run supports the Middle SchoolTrack meet along with our support of over 22 elementary school PTA Jog A Thons. The foundation also funded $13,900 Teacher Grants in 2023 . In recent years, we have accelerated our support of STEM by offering coding classes, bringing students and families together for outdoor environmental experiences and offering students the ability to work in Teams, develop communications and leadership skills and preparing them for the 21st Century.
We continue to be an all volunteer non-profit organization. In 202-2023, the foundation logged in over 3,900 volunteer hours. This year, we provided in-person experiences and continued a few of our virtual programs.
The sentiment of the founders of REACH remains steady in 2023-2024. Academics, Arts and Athletics/Healthy Lifestyles are key to becoming well rounded students and community members. The REACH Foundation continues to support the students of PYLUSD.
REACH Foundation
Together we give
Help us expand our programs to more students by clicking on the Donate button below. Thank you in advance for your support!