7:15am | 
Long Beach-based technology company Laserfiche finalized months of efforts last Friday with the presentation of its “challenge grant” matching funds to the John C. Fremont Elementary School PTA for the school’s science and technology enrichment program. The Fremont Elementary PTA reached its $60,000 fundraising goal last week and Laserfiche President & CEO Nien-Ling Wacker and Senior Vice President Chris Wacker, as promised, presented their matching check for $60,000 upon the PTA reaching the goal.

“Many of the greatest advancements of the past century have been due to scientific and technological breakthroughs, but without a strong foundation in critical educational disciplines such as math, science and computer science, our children will be unable to maintain this tradition of innovation,” said Susan Tanaka, president of the Fremont PTA in this lbpost.com article featuring the challenge grant kick-off in March 2010. “We are grateful to Laserfiche for investing in the success of our students, our community and our future.”
  

Laserfiche’s challenge grant will fund the Fremont Elementary science and technology enrichment program which is designed to help Fremont students achieve impressive test scores that place the school in the top three percent in the nation. The program lost school district funding in 2004, and has since been financially supported by the Fremont PTA. Due to the economic downturn and an increase in expenses, PTA fundraising efforts were in danger of falling short of the $125,000 needed to finance the program during the 2010-2011 school year.

The matching grant presentation took place at Fremont Elementary’s Founder’s Day event where parents, teachers, and community members were honored for outstanding service to the school.