About SchoolForce

SchoolForce is the non-profit education foundation that raises money to support teachers and programs to ensure an exceptional education for every student in the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District. SchoolForce is run by volunteers and supported by parents, community members, and businesses to support academic and innovative programs that provide an enriching and multifaceted educational experience.

SchoolForce raises funds to bridge the gap between low state funding and rising educational costs for our 3951 students. In addition, SchoolForce is dedicated to raising community awareness of key issues faced by our district, and what we can do as a community to ensure that all of our children receive a quality public education.

SchoolForce raised over $2.5M to support BRSSD schools last year.

Schools We Serve

SchoolForce serves the seven schools in the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District: Central Elementary, Cipriani Elementary, Fox Elementary, Nesbit K-8, Ralston Middle School, Redwood Shores Elementary, and Sandpiper K-8. Read more about our schools…

Yearly Events

SchoolForce holds five fundraising events a year: The Education Commitment Campaign (a Partnership with PTAs) in the fall, it’s yearly Annual Giving Campaign which runs from November-June, the Reading Power Read-a-thon, the Annual Gala and Auction, and an outdoor spring music festival called Celebrate The Music. Click on each event above for more details.

How is the Money Spent?

Each year the SchoolForce Board works with the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District to identify key funding requirements that are not met by other district revenue sources. Click on the image below to learn more about what SchoolForce funds.

2023-2024 Board of Directors

Executive Board

• Ying Gonikman, President

• Eric Bookstein, Treasurer

• Debbie Pan, VP of Operations

• Matt Debski, Secretary

• Ellen Chan, Financial Secretary

• Jo Kupbens, ECC Co-Chair

• Sheri Lyn Hafalia, Gala Chair

• Allegra Newman, VP of Effectiveness

• Ryan Lewis, Endowment Chair

• Paul Breslow, Strategy

• Jeff Goldman, Schools & Community

• Carisa Olivo, Past President

Board of Directors - School Chairs

• Alan Kissick, Central

• Vaishaly Mistry, Cipriani

• Kiristin Stura, Fox

• Mindy Song, Nesbit

• Nivedita Sahasrabudhe, Ralston

• Linh Dang, Redwood Shores

• Lourdes Arce, Sandpiper

Administrative team

• Executive Director: Ardythe Andrews

• Operations Manager: Susan Alley

• Donor Support and Matching Gifts: Melody Chan

additional members:

• District Representatives: Dan Deguara, Rui Bao

• School Board Representative: Sam Leinbach

• Graphic Design and Social Media: Jacqueline Kraft

• Silent Auction Committee Chair: Kulaya Jirasut

• Data Special Projects: Ying Ding

• Save The Music: Alan Sarver

• Legal Counsel Counsel: Aaron Lockwood