Paterson Education Fund

🎷 Last chance to grab your tickets! 🎷

Tomorrow is the day — PEF's 43rd Annual Jazz Party is HERE! Join us Saturday, June 13 from 2–5 PM at Berkeley College (44 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park, NJ) for an afternoon of incredible live music, great company, and a celebration of some truly amazing people doing big things for our community.

🎵 Live music by the illustrious Craig Redmond and C-Dreams

🏆 We'll be honoring:

Irene L. Sterling Founders Award:
Paterson Taskforce for Community Action — Darien Allen, Executive Director

Nelly Hidalgo Celi Partnership in Literacy Award:
Camp YDP — Teresa McDermott, Director

Executive Director's Community Partners Award: CUMAC — Jessica Padilla Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer

President's Appreciation Award:
Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation — Malcolm McClain, Program Director

These are organizations and leaders who show up for Paterson every single day — come help us celebrate them!

🎟️ Tickets: $100 individual | $900 group of 10
Purchase online at: https://bit.ly/PEF-jazz-2026

See you tomorrow! 🎶💚

Join educators, advocates, and community leaders virtually on Tuesday, June 2, at 11 a.m. ET for the official unveiling of the 2026 Education Policy Brief from Our Children/Our Schools!
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8kxhCs_NSf6DMr27j_qjqQ #/registration
Paterson Education Fund, New Jersey Community Schools, Statewide Education Organizing Committee

🏫✨ It Takes a Village — and we're building it TOGETHER! ✨🏫

We're so excited to invite ALL Paterson families to the Parent Resource Fair, presented by the Paterson Education Association! Come connect, learn, and have a blast with your community! 🎉

📅 Saturday, May 23, 2026
🕚 11 AM – 2 PM
📍 John F. Kennedy High School | 61-127 Preakness Ave., Paterson, NJ

And did we mention — it's FREE?! 🙌

There's something for everyone:
🎮 Game Truck & Horse Rides for the kids
🎨 Face Painting
🎁 Raffles & Gift Baskets
📚 Resources for you AND your child

This is what community looks like. Don't miss it! 💛

📞 Questions? Contact Nicole @ the PEA Office: 973-881-9445

👏🎉🏆

Paterson Task Force is proud to announce that our Executive Director, Darien Allen, will be honored with The Irene L. Sterling Founders Award at the Paterson Education Fund's 43rd Anniversary Jazz Party.

This recognition celebrates Darien’s leadership, service, and deep commitment to uplifting the Paterson community — values that guide the work of Paterson Task Force every day.

Join us as we celebrate this special honor and support an evening dedicated to education, community, and impact.

Saturday, June 13, 2026
2:00–5:00 PM
44 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park, NJ

Purchase tickets and explore sponsorships at paterson-education.org.

🎷 The Jazz Party is Coming — Are You Ready?!

PEF's 43rd Annual Jazz Party is right around the corner, and trust us — you do NOT want to miss this one! We're talking a beautiful Saturday afternoon, great people, and the incomparable Craig Redmond and C-Dreams bringing the music live. It's the kind of afternoon that reminds you why we love this community so much.

Tickets are going so if you've been thinking about it, now is the time! Grab yours, round up your crew, and come celebrate 43 years of fighting for Paterson's students and families.

And if you've ever wanted to put your name or your organization's name behind work that truly moves the needle for education in Paterson, sponsorship opportunities are still available! It's more than a sponsorship. It's a statement that says you believe in this community.

🎟️ Get your tickets and sponsorship info at https://bit.ly/PEF-jazz-2026 or reach out to Linda Reid at [email protected] / 862-239-0507.

Saturday, June 13th | 2:00–5:00 PM | Berkeley College, Woodland Park, NJ
See you on the dance floor! 💚🎶

PEF has released our analysis of the Paterson Public Schools 2026–2027 budget and there's a lot to unpack.

The Board of Education approved an $851.9 million budget, which includes cuts to staff, the closure of four schools, and a $22.5 million reduction in school-based budgets districtwide. Only six schools saw their budgets increase.

We broke it all down so the community can stay informed and engaged.

👉 Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/PEF-Budget-Blog

Have questions? Come to the next Board of Education meeting and make your voice heard. We'll see you there! 🙌🏽

⏰ 3 days away — don't miss it!

Trained Circle Keepers, our next Community of Practice is THIS Monday, May 11 at 7:00 PM and we'd love to have you in the circle! 🌿

It's a free, virtual space to connect with fellow practitioners, share what's working, and support one another in the important work you do every day for Paterson's children and families.

📲 Sign up today: bit.ly/PEF-Community-of-Practice

Spots are open — grab yours and spread the word! 💙💚

Paterson is stronger because of its teachers. 💛

This National Teacher Appreciation Week, we're shouting out every educator who pours their heart into our city's children.

You are the backbone of our community and you deserve every celebration coming your way!

UPDATE!!
Today's community forum will be virtual due to the extremely high temperature in the auditorium. Please join virtually.

📣 Big news, Paterson families! Paterson Public Schools and Paterson Education Fund are hosting a Middle School Model Community Forum!

Come learn about school configurations, what to expect next year, and get your questions answered.

📅 Tuesday, May 19, 2026
🕠 5:30 PM
📍 School 18 | 51 East 18th St., Paterson, NJ

Can't make it in person? Join us virtually! 💻 Info on the flyer. We hope to see you there! 🎓