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.
2021-2022 REACH Foundation Board Members
Melina Michaels, President
Gisele T. Nguyen, VP Academics
Gisele T. Nguyen, VP Academics
"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 as president since 2019, it has been rewarding to see how the programs we offer students spark interest and encouragement in learning. "
Gisele T. Nguyen, VP Academics
Gisele T. Nguyen, VP Academics
Gisele T. Nguyen, VP Academics
"Education is not the learning of facts, but training the mind to think." - Allbert Einstein. As a PYLUSD parent for 18 years, I'm inspired by our children every day to create, connect, and collaborate with the District, Parents & Community partners to develop and advance STEAM programs, preparing our children for their future. It's an honor to be apart of this awesome team!
Tonjia Bier, Secretary
Gisele T. Nguyen, VP Academics
Karin Kitahara, Treasurer
"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” ~Marian Wright Edelman My overall passion in life is to help others. Drawing from 19 years in the corporate world and being a parent in PYLUSD for over 10 years, I am proud to be a part of REACH Foundation as a means to fulfill my passion.
Karin Kitahara, Treasurer
Vivian Cuesta, Kids In Need/Vintage Promwear
Karin Kitahara, Treasurer
"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is deficient." - Unknown
We are thankful that our kids were in PYLUSD schools K-12. It provided an excellent education/foundation with a wonderful community to be part of in raising our family. I joined the REACH Foundation in 2018 to give back and continue to support our district. I just recently retired from a high tech company where I managed a worldwide technical learning program.
Diane Adamson, PYLUC/SCAC
Vivian Cuesta, Kids In Need/Vintage Promwear
Vivian Cuesta, Kids In Need/Vintage Promwear
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.
Vivian Cuesta, Kids In Need/Vintage Promwear
Vivian Cuesta, Kids In Need/Vintage Promwear
Vivian Cuesta, Kids In Need/Vintage Promwear
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.
Carrie Johnson, Middle School Track Meet
Anne San Roman, Academics Advisor & Elementary Programs
Anne San Roman, Academics Advisor & Elementary Programs
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.”
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.
Layne Williams, High School & Middle School Programs
Anne San Roman, Academics Advisor & Elementary Programs
Layne Williams, High School & Middle School Programs
As a PYLUSD alum, it is an honor to help expand access to valuable academic opportunities in my home community. I hope to help promote early interest in STEAM and spark a lifelong love of learning in students through REACH programs.
Program Coordinators & Volunteers
Roy Gill - ShamRock'n Run Race Director
John Teal - STEAM Team Coordinator, Academics Programs
John Teal is a Business Development executive and Technology & Design Project Manager with a broad background in engineering, training, application development and graphic design. John joins the REACH Foundation with a vision to integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) through hands-on/minds-on critical thinking, creativity, and learning. John and his wife Lorna have two children who both attended primary, middle, and high school in the PYLUSD.
Evelyn Yao - Student Representative
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Gandhi. I am currently in 8th grade and attend Kraemer Middle School. While growing up, I was inspired to be part of my community more and help others. I want to be able to encourage others to reach their full potential while also developing my own and making new friends in the process.
Nikki Linen - Placentia Chamber Liaison, photographer
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 ninth year as an all volunteer non-profit. We have expanded our Healthy Lifestyles program beyond the Middle School Track Meet to hosting an annual 5K Shamrock-n-Run (USTAF certified) and 2K Fun Run/Walk. The funds raised from Shamrock-n-Run supports the Track meet along with other programs including our support of over 22 elementary school PTA Jog A Thons. Our Board also funded teacher grants for Visual or Performing Arts special projects. 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 2019-2020, the foundation logged in over 2,500 volunteer hours. In 2020-2021, we adapted and reinvented our programs for virtual and distance learning, maintaining our volunteer hours. This year, we are looking forward to providing in-person experiences, following the State and District’s guidelines, and continuing a few of our virtual programs.
The sentiment of the founders of REACH remains steady in 2021-2022. 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.
-Melina Michaels
REACH Foundation president
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!