Kathy Paul—The PIE is the Limit

Carpenter Honorees

Carpenter Community Charter School is holding their biggest event of the year soon, May 19, and there will be a week of events building up to this crucial fundraiser. Every year it’s an amazing theme, and this year is the Bootlegger’s Ball.

Check back every day and browse through this special section of Carpenter Honorees, profiling this rogue’s gallery of great volunteers who have helped out at Carpenter, and made it the high-achieving innovative school that it is.

By the way, it may look like the honorees are lining up for a mug shot after they get arrested. Well, it’s meant to look that way. It is thethis year after all.

Kathy Paul—The PIE is the Limit

Kathy Paul is in her seventh year helping out at Carpenter Community Charter School.

Her daughter went to school there since Kindergarten and has graduated. Her son is in third grade. 

“I have two more years here,” she laughs.

Paul has worked in the Partners in Education, or PIE program. That means, she has attracted corporate sponsorships, getting businesses involved in the school.

“I’m most proud of that,” she says.

She should. It raises upwards of $60,000 a year. She started , where families could go to California Pizza Kitchen and proceeds would go to the school. Now it’s “Restaurant Night” and includes , , the Green Apple and others.

“The parents of the school can support these businesses, and their going out will help in this economy,” Paul says.

She loves the diversity of the restaurants and businesses in Studio City. That diversity is reflected in the kinds of offerings that the Restaurant Night allows.

“We learned to utilize our email blasts, it’s a give-give, we’re not just taking,” Paul explains. “When parents are hurting, then businesses are hurting. This helps people all around.”

FAVORITE MEMORY: “To walk into a school this size and feel comfortable means a lot to me,” she says. “Last year, I joined the clean-up beautification committee. I came up with idea to do an inside cleaning and see the inside of these classrooms, That was overwhelming to me. It showed us coming together, there were over 100 parents showing up to clean up—on a weekend.”

She feels uncomfortable about getting the award. “I don’t think anyone volunteers for an award. You know affected things in a positive way. You do it because it feels good and is better for the community.”

WISHES FOR THE FUTURE FOR SCHOOL: “I want the school to be more green. I want to see more volunteers and support. It is an uphill battle. It will get tougher and tougher to do.”

Check back every day for a new profile of the Carpenter Honorees.