Kip Parent, Foundation President, Received a Honorary Service Award from the PTA Council from the PTA Council at their June 6 luncheon, presented by Dr. Pendery Clark. Here is some information about Kip:
Kip's auspicious beginning - born at Alta Bates hospital in Berkeley, only a mile from his future alma mater, UC Berkeley.
Raised in Clayton, CA, Kip is the son of two dedicated public school employees, his mother taught elementary school and his father taught middle and high school, finishing as a high school counselor.
Kip's passion for cars as a teen led to his role as the family auto mechanic through high school and college. Once Kip discovered the challenges of computer science courses at Cal and began earning a decent wage as a Hewlett Packard summer intern, he swapped greasy engines for Silicon Valley. And now finds himself the family computer tech support.
Kip developed leadership skills and an interest in volunteer service as an officer in the Cal Marching Band. Kip could be spotted on the football field, leaping with a tuba on his shoulder, as well as in the band office fielding calls from potential recruits. Kip got an early start as a parent volunteer, making time for the co-op preschool, Indian Guides and AYSO. As the boys grew older, Kip fully supported Leslie as the primary volunteer in the family. The couple tag-teamed once again when Leslie finished her Laurel PTA career and Kip stepped up to be on the Board of the Foundation.
Kip and Leslie settled in San Mateo when they married in 1983. Their three sons attended Laurel, Abbott and Hillsdale and are testimony to success in the public school system: Phillip is a Senior at Cal, Paul is a Junior at UCLA and Kyle is a Junior at Hillsdale High School (yes, that's right, Kip has long since had children in the SM-FC School District!).
2008 is a milestone year for Kip in so many ways, celebrating his 50th birthday, his 25th wedding anniversary and his 2nd year as outgoing President of the Foundation.
I think if a thriving educational community depends upon people who reaffirm daily what it means to be responsible for everyone else in that community, there can be no finer example of this sort of person than Kip. He's led for kids! through a period of significant transition and change. There was no Executive Director position before Kip. Kip made sure this important job was created. Phone banks were not a part of the for kids Annual Campaign before Kip's presidency. Kip was directly responsible for initiating this important fundraising tool. Kip steered a group of people with many divergent ideas through the often difficult process of deciding which idea was best suited to getting the job done, and he did this with great equanimity and determination. He always gave the very best of himself, and, in return, asked of us to give our very best- to our public schools, our children, and our community. He has a great liberal spirit, and the school district is a better place because of it. I was lucky to be part of that vision.
Mike Nagler
I have been inspired by Kip's commitment to saving "for kids!" and keeping it going against all odds over the years. It is so difficult to find time to fulfill our self assigned civic responsibility for our schools let along keeping it going well past the time his kids are out of our district.
Leslie Lopez
I have worked with Kip Parent now for about 5 years, and while I don’t have a funny stories (to tell out loud) I would be delighted to give you my perspective.
Of all the parents that I have worked with in both PTA organizations and for kids, Kip Parent remains in my mind one of the most committed individuals that I know to quality public education for all children. Kip has worked tirelessly over the last 5 years to build a strong Education Foundation in San Mateo. Prior to taking over at the helm of for kids! as the president, Kip was responsible for creating the Giants Night fundraiser. As president, he worked hard to institute the Phone Bank as a key fundraising device and to create the structure within the for kids! organization that would turn into it a sustainable and successful organization. Even after all of his children left the school district Kip has remained at the helm to counsel and enthuse board members, select and train the Executive Director, and lend a hand where needed. The San Mateo Foster City School District has been extremely blessed by the efforts and commitment of Kip Parent.
Thanks, Michele Bronstein
And in the same vein, I’d like to recognize Michele Bronstein for her Honorary Service Award from Borel in May. Below is the information we received about her:
It seems like it must have been longer than 4 years with all she's done! I know she came on after I left the Board.
Michele, Mike and Kip have really been the glue that kept the Foundation going
She has served in several Board positions including Co-Chair of the Annual Campaign, worked on the Phone Bank, represented Baywood and Borel, as well as Secretary this year.
In addition she has volunteered tirelessly at Baywood and Borel.
