Educational Excellence Fund

At University Park Elementary School, kindness isn’t just encouraged—it’s woven into the culture of the school. Thanks to a $15,000 Innovative Grant from the Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF), the school is bringing its vision for a more inclusive and welcoming campus to life through Project Kind Campus. This initiative is designed to inspire students, families, and staff to embrace kindness as core value, fostering a strong sense of belonging and community for all. 

Led by principal Dr. Vicky Wong, Project Kind Campus is all about creating spaces that celebrate and encourage kindness through two impactful projects: a vibrant kindness mural on the playground and a revitalized library filled with books and technology that promote kindness and cultural inclusivity.  

“There’s a saying: you often become what you behold,” shares Dr. Wong. “What if our students behold beautiful reminders of kindness every day? This mural will inspire and reinforce the values we hold dear.” 

With students at University Park speaking over 24 different languages, fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment is key to creating a strong sense of belonging for all students. Research shows that when students feel safe and connected, they engage more deeply in learning and build stronger relationships. Project Kind Campus is making that vision a reality. 

“Kindness helps us form bonds and makes meaningful connections,” one student shared. Another added, “It makes you feel good because you get back more than you give.”  

By embedding kindness into daily life, University Park is empowering students to support one another, creating a ripple effect that extends throughout the community. 

University Park’s Project Kind Campus is a shining example of how IPSF’s Innovative Grants Program empowers schools to turn bold ideas into reality. By investing in initiatives like this, we are creating spaces where students not only learn but also thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. 

Interested in bringing an Innovative Grant to your school? Learn more about IPSF’s grants program and discover how you can support projects that make a difference in our community. Together, we can make kindness bloom everywhere!

For nearly a decade, IPSF and FUTEK, an Irvine-based engineering corporation, have partnered to make enrichment opportunities possible for Irvine students.

As a result, five graduates from Woodbridge High School now have an incredible opportunity to pursue engineering careers as part of a unique internship program that pairs hands-on industry experience with scholarships to develop their academic and practical knowledge simultaneously. Currently attending institutions such as UC Davis, MIT, and Irvine Valley College, the students continue their internships with FUTEK remotely and in person. This ongoing collaboration allows them to apply classroom concepts to real-world projects while gaining skills that will benefit them throughout their future careers.

The FUTEK internship places students on the front lines of engineering innovation, tackling projects like automating sensor calibration systems to improve efficiency. One intern reflected, “When the internship started, I felt overwhelmed by the tasks we were given. I often sat in meetings confused, but I overcame this by asking a lot of questions, even if they sounded silly. I learned so much from my peers, and now I feel more confident about what I know.”

“Every day our people and products push the boundaries of innovation. FUTEK is honored to partner with IPSF to create life-long learners who have the opportunities to continue to grow, dream, and lead,” says FUTEK CEO Javad Mokhbery.

This partnership exemplifies IPSF’s mission to unite the community in support of educational excellence. We are deeply grateful for FUTEK’s transformational investment in IPSF and commitment to developing the next generation of engineers and innovators.

At Santiago Hills Elementary, creativity is shining brighter than ever, thanks to a $21,000 Innovative Grant from Irvine Public Schools Foundation! This grant funded an exciting new project called Brite Ideas, which introduces a giant Lite-Brite wall to the school’s library, a space already considered the heart of the campus. 

The goal is simple: spark students’ imaginations and deepen their engagement with reading. “Through this grant, we hope to ignite our students’ imaginations with the addition of a giant Lite-Brite wall, along with a variety of books that students can bring to life through their innovative designs,” explains Santiago Hills educator, Kathryn Wilhelm. 

Here’s how it works: after reading a book, students translate what they’ve read into a Lite-Brite design. Younger students can start with templates matching emotions, themes, and characters, while older students can plan and design their own displays. As confidence grows, they have the freedom to create their own interpretations, bringing their books to life in a brand-new way. The new large-scale Lite-Brite allows an entire class to contribute and build on each other’s ideas throughout the day, making it a dynamic and collaborative experience. 

The Brite Ideas project isn’t just about creativity, it’s about making reading more interactive, engaging, and fun for all students, from Pre-K through sixth grade. By fusing literature with the engineering design process, the library has been transformed into a hub of innovation where students don’t just read stories, they illuminate them! 

IPSF’s Innovative Grants Program is all about funding groundbreaking projects like this that push the boundaries of traditional learning and inspire students in new ways. These grants support creative educators and bring unique learning opportunities to students across Irvine. 

Santiago Hills is ready to light up young minds—one peg at a time.