Dear Jennifer,

    Also, one of the alumni who's written to me has asked what the Friends of the IHP is.  Would you be interesting in posting a small explanation on the website?  This is purely mercenary, of course, but there is so much that the school cannot (and indeed sometimes is not allowed to) fund.  This year, given the budget crisis, there has been even less money from the LAUSD than usual and the Friends of the IHP has had unusual expenses this year helping new teachers set up.  Just to give you some idea of what we do, we bought new physics books for Fitz's AP physics course (now taught in 8th grade) and for James Oh's eighth-grade physical science course.  Together, I think it was over 8k!  Pat Fennell is bringing in a Shakespeare troupe, other teachers needed texts and materials, etc.  And the LAUSD will not funding any book, even if state-approved, if it is for HS or college students.  So if any alumni wanted to help out, we'd be delighted to post a pitch for that assistance.

    Thanks,
    Amy