Every year, Pinecrest Woodland Hills participates in Math-A-Thon®, a fundraising program that supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Not only is this program educational, but the children learn how to "give" without receiving something tangible in return. As part of the Math-A-Thon®, the roll of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is discussed, as is the use of the money that the students raise. Last year, we were very proud that the students of Pinecrest Woodland Hills raised $9,184.77,

Students in Kindergarten through 5th grade completed booklets containing math problems. The children had one week to complete the booklets and collect pledges (Pledges were made per problem). They collected those pledges and brought the moneys collected to school, along with the completed booklet. We in turn were able to donate $9,184.77 to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The event was a huge success!

Math-A-Thon® is an educational based fundraising program in which students obtain sponsors for the number of math problems completed in special workbooks provided for students in grades K-8.  The program is sponsored nationally by Six Flags Theme Parks, who provide free passes to their parks for every student raising $35.00 or more.

The students who participate in the program learn to do more than just math problems; they also learn the importance of helping children who are less fortunate than themselves.  Through Math-A-Thon®, they are able to help provide a future for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Children with more than 200 forms of cancer and other catastrophic diseases find hope at St. Jude. Since its founding in 1962 by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, the survival rate of most forms of cancer has risen dramatically. In fact, today more than 70% of all children with cancer will survive their bout with the disease. St. Jude fully credits these successes in treatment to the generous support of people around the world, including the students at Pinecrest School Woodland Hills.

"We are very proud of our students for working so hard on the Math-A-Thon®," said Mrs. Monello, volunteer coordinator. "With their help, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will be able to create new treatments that may one day lead to a cure for many forms of cancer that will benefit the children of our state, our country, and around the world. I also want to extend our thanks to the Woodland Hills community for supporting our students. It takes all of us to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer, and we can all feel proud of our response."