Pictured in the center, Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica, Feeding the Foothills Outreach Coordinator Heidi Knost, Placer County Board of Education President Andrew Tagg, and volunteers and program leaders from Feeding the Foothills.

ROCKLIN, CA (MGP) - The Placer County Office of Education (PCOE) proudly recognizes the invaluable contributions of community and business partners through its “Gold in Education Partner Recognition Program.” This program honors organizations whose collaboration, sponsorship, or resource contributions significantly enhance Placer County Office of Education programs and support the diverse student populations we serve—including at-promise youth.

At the July Placer County Board of Education meeting, Placer County Office of Education was thrilled to recognize two outstanding partners: Kaiser Permanente and Feeding the Foothills.

“As we look ahead to a new school year, we’re reminded that strong community partnerships are the driving force behind meaningful progress,” said Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica. “We’re deeply grateful for the continued generosity of our partners and their steadfast commitment to supporting the success and well-being of Placer County youth.”

Placer County Office of Education extends its sincere appreciation to both organizations for their continued collaboration and shared vision of educational and community success as highlighted below.

Kaiser Permanente:

Kaiser Permanente was recognized for its unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of Placer County school communities. Through their support, schools have been able to create safer, more welcoming environments for students and staff alike. In addition to their impact on student wellness, Kaiser’s initiatives have promoted staff well-being and fostered lasting wellness practices across entire school communities.

Placer County Office of Education's Executive Director of Prevention Supports and Services, Luke Anderson, accepted this award on Kaiser Permanente's behalf.

From left are, Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica, PCOE's Executive Director of Prevention Supports and Services Luke Anderson, and Placer County Board of Education President Andrew Tagg.

Feeding the Foothills:

Feeding the Foothills was recognized for its deep commitment to supporting local families, particularly those with young children.

“Hunger doesn’t belong in our classrooms," said Feeding the Foothills Outreach Coordinator Heidi Knost. "This is why we are proud to partner with 15 schools in Placer and El Dorado counties to ensure that twice monthly, over 900 students and their families receive food to supplement the nutrition they need to fuel their learning and promote overall development both in and out of the classroom.”

Every other Friday, the organization delivers fresh produce and pantry staples to families enrolled in the California State Preschool Program at Kaseberg Elementary School. Their support includes thoughtful touches—like self-care kits—that uplift the health and wellness of entire households.

About Placer County Office of Education
Nestled in the Sierra Foothills, Placer County Office of Education (PCOE) serves nearly 75,000 students in sixteen individual school districts across Placer County. In order to serve the students of Placer County, PCOE provides an array of programs and service to meet student needs. This task is accomplished by providing high-quality specialized programs for students; recruiting, retaining and developing highly qualified staff; and monitoring fiscal accountability and expenditures of our tax dollars. For more information, please visit www.placercoe.org.