‘Pali Pops Back’

Pali High Booster Club Hosts Back-to-School Kick-Off Party

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Palisades Charter High School Booster Club hosted “Pali Pops Back,” a back-to-school kick-off party on Wednesday, August 27, at Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club.

“The kids are back in school,” read an event description, “and Pali pops back with a night just for parents.”

The event was a “popcorn-themed celebration” hosted by the club together with the Paul-Natella family (Jamee, Steven and Sammy). Those who attended had a chance to meet Pali High administration, teachers and fellow parents.

“We are thrilled to share that the evening raised $38,500 in support of the Booster Club,” Jamee said.

Donors at the event included Jamee, Donna Clark, Kristine Reut, Julie Ephraim, Sara Trepanier, Angela Telles, Michelle Kelly, Dick Held, Ben Shenassa, Robert King, Andrea King, Brenda Cayana, Andreas Romani, Raqueli Dahan-Gonen, Erika Feresten and Rene Rodman.

“We also had several silent donors who generously contributed behind the scenes,” Jamee continued.

The Booster Club gives grants to students and “funds the items kids need to get by during the school year,” according to President Dick Held.

“Its mission is all about directly supporting the students by funding the essentials that the school cannot afford or that insurance does not cover since the fires,” Jamee added.

Student volunteers from Leadership and ASB were on hand to help with set up and navigating the popcorn machines.

“Thank you to our Booster Club for making this event possible,” ASB President Alasandra Santini said. “We loved seeing families together and can’t wait to plan more spirit-filled events.”

Pali Ambassador Ocean Silkman described being “grateful to the Booster Club” for its “continued support of groups like ours.”

Though Treasurer Dorothianne Carr missed the evening, her daughter, Maggie Nance, who also sits on the Pali High Board of Trustees, was present to collect funds.

“With the devastating fires earlier this year, so much was lost,” Jamee said. “Insurance only partially covered damages, leaving us in urgent need of the following: technology (smart boards, TVs and classroom supplies), Film Department equipment, and Theater Department resources, including costumes and wardrobe for school plays.”

Jamee described an influx of “many new families” to Pali High, which is currently convening at the Pali South campus at the former Sears building in Santa Monica, with plans to return to the Palisades campus as soon as January 2026. Many of the attendees were new families, Jamee said, “though we were delighted to also see support from some returning parents and senior parents.”

“All in all, the night was a wonderful example of Pali’s resilience and community spirit,” Jamee concluded.

For more information or to support the Booster Club, visit palihighboosterclub.com/donate.