Past Initiatives
WHOLE CHILD EDUCATION THROUGH SCHOOL GARDENS
Our school gardens present an incredible opportunity to facilitate educating the whole child while she learns to integrate math, science, art, health, and social studies with the natural world. Students thrive in outdoor learning environments as their abilities to focus, cooperate, socialize, and gain self-confidence soar. READ MORE
COVID RELIEF FUND
GEF encouraged our community members to give generously to support GUSD’s safe reopening of schools. Community support helped us provide the best in-person learning opportunities for our young scholars. READ MORE
KINDERGARTEN READINESS
GEF received a grant from the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara in 2018 and partnered with CALM to expand a social-emotional development program within the four Transitional Kindergarten classes in the Goleta Union School District. CALM therapists worked with students, their families, and teachers to increase kindergarten readiness.
TEACHER PRESENTATION CENTERS
Thanks to community support, the Goleta Education Foundation funded interactive teacher presentation centers. Each center consists of an iPad, an Apple TV, and a large flat-screen television. Due to the success of this program, the District funded this essential teaching tool in every classroom district-wide.
SUMMER SCHOOL
GEF supported an enhanced summer school program for students who were functioning below grade level. In addition to classroom learning, students visited museums and experienced hands-on learning.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
- Specialist programming for art, music, and physical education
- Tutoring
- Technology (iPads, Apple TVs, Chromebooks, etc.)
- STEM/STEAM equipment
- Support for Spanish-speaking parents (Padres Unidos)
Summer and Fall 2024 Educator Grants
Goleta educators continue to go above and beyond to support students! Two teachers, Chad Smith and Iain Garcia, will be teaching ukulele to their classes. With grant funds to purchase class sets of ukuleles, sheet music, tuners, and more, these two are bringing...
Thank You 2024 Lemon Runners!
Thanks to our amazing sponsors for making the 2024 Lemon Run a success! From start to finish, it was an amazing day filled with energy, smiles, and community spirit.
The Science of Sound
All nine STEAM teachers received funds for books, storage tubs, beakers, jingle bells, drum sticks, and the supplies for making drums and kazoos.


