A week after the fire that devastated our campus and disrupted the lives of Peralta families, teachers, staff and neighbors, the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians announced a special donation of $100,000 to the Peralta Parent Teacher Group in support of Peralta's efforts to return to "renew, rebuild, and regrow" our school campus. We are honored that the Lytton Band has recognized the special commitment of the Peralta community to the public education experience for our students, and that they have chosen to support our efforts to return to Peralta with more resources at our disposal, so that we can continue to do what we do best, and do it even better.

We are humbled and honored by the outpouring of support by the community -- right here in Oakland and indeed across the United States -- in response to this crisis. The grassroots support has been tremendous: children emptying their piggy banks, neighbors and local business owners lending their elbow grease and in-kind donations, financial contributions small and large--more than $28,000 from these sources to date. We accept their donation with a pledge that the funds will continue to serve the Peralta community in ways that will set an example for public education everywhere. With our initial fundraising goal achieved, we will breathe a grateful sigh of relief and will gladly accept contributions from any and all who wish to express their support for our community.

In gratitude,

Kathy Rieves and Christopher Waters
Co-Chairs, Peralta Parent Teacher Group