Thank You PPIE: Another Successful Run & The Beat Goes On With Elementary Music

Dear PUSD Community,

On behalf of the Pleasanton Unified School District (PUSD) and our Board of Trustees, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Pleasanton Partnerships in Education (PPIE) Foundation for hosting another outstanding Pleasanton Run for Education. It was truly inspiring to see our community come together to support our students and schools.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of PPIE, our community, and our generous sponsors, this year’s event raised over $100,000 to directly benefit PUSD programs. More than 2,000 runners participated, and 250 volunteers contributed over 1,500 hours to make the event a resounding success. After the run, families enjoyed a lively expo featuring nearly 50 sponsors, offering fun activities, valuable resources, and community connections.

As we look ahead to the 2025-26 school year, we’re thrilled to share an exciting new development in our partnership with PPIE:

PPIE will begin supporting music education at all elementary schools in our district.

As PUSD and school districts across the state continue to face severe budget shortfalls, we are incredibly grateful to PPIE for listening to our families and community: music is more than enrichment, it is essential in Pleasanton — it is a cornerstone of a well-rounded education. By providing students with a strong foundation in music during their formative years, we are helping to cultivate the next generation of artists, innovators, and critical thinkers — while building the skills that support our award-winning middle and high school music programs.

Thanks to PPIE’s expanded commitment, we can ensure that music education not only survives but thrives in PUSD, enriching every child’s school journey for years to come.

We are deeply grateful to PPIE, our families, volunteers, and sponsors for their steadfast support. Together, we are building a brighter, more enriching future for every student in Pleasanton. Moreover, PPIE surely held the events in which I had the most fun this year. The PPIE Gala at Castlewood last fall and last Sunday’s Run were the best and most enjoyable events I’ve attended, any time, anywhere!

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment.

Maurice Ghysels
Interim Superintendent
Pleasanton Unified School District