PTA

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PTA

Although separate organizations, IPSF and Irvine Unified Council PTA share one common goal: ensuring excellence in our student’s education. These essential organizations work closely with IUSD throughout the year to achieve this goal. The PTA at your child’s school provides financial support for items at that particular school site, such as supplies, assemblies and field trips, while IPSF yields funds to our district for enriched curriculum and quality instruction at every IUSD school.

PTA Structure

A registered 501(c) (3) charity, PTA is one of the oldest and largest child advocacy organizations in the United States. When you join PTA, you are joining at the unit (school) level, but you are also becoming a part of a national organization. PTA units are governed through by-laws which dictate how much fundraising may be done and how it may be achieved. For example, PTAs may not employ staff directly and the majority of funds raised must be spent in the year in which they are received, rather than longer-term or multi-year commitments. Additionally, IUSD’s school board has policies that govern donations and gifts to schools that PTA units must follow.

IPSF Structure

Also a 501 (c) 3 organization, IPSF operates with the sole purpose of providing support to all schools in the Irvine Unified School District. Through community contributions, corporate donations and other fundraising activities, IPSF makes substantial annual grants to IUSD that support district wide programs such as classroom support, fine arts, music, and science; grants to teachers in the classroom; summer enrichment programs and more.

IPSF also provides IUSD with funds for faculty and staff salaries. As an example, the district is able to staff a minimum level of nursing and health clerk support at each school site thanks to IPSF funding. Some PTAs supplement these funds for additional hours, but PTAs alone could not hire these important staff members. This requires IPSF investment.

Through our combined efforts, IPSF and PTA are enriching the educational experience of each child in every school. But we can’t do it without community support. Get involved this year with IPSF AND the PTA at your child’s school to make the biggest impact on our schools.

PTA = Great Stuff for Your School

PTA funds site-specific needs, such as equipment and supplies. For example, classroom and art materials, library books, computers and technology purchases, school equipment, enrichment programs, and limited staff support.

IPSF= Great Staff for Every School

IPSF’s annual grant to IUSD pays for staff expenses such as teacher salaries. For example, teachers, instructional assistants, music specialists, health clerks and nurses were funded in part by IPSF in 2016-2017.

PTA Programs = School Site Specific

Most PTA programs are focused at the school site. Examples include assemblies, playground activities, parent education, family nights, jog-a-thons, and book fairs.

IPSF Programs = District Wide

IPSF programs take place at schools throughout the district, insuring equal access for all students. Examples include Afterschool Classroom Enrichment (ACE), Summer Enrichment Academy, Instrument Rental, etc.

What IPSF Does:

  • Aids in class size reduction by granting funds for staff expenses, such as salaries for instructional assistants, music specialists in K-3, high school athletic trainers, and a district wide nursing position
  • Provides grants to teachers to implement innovative teaching methods and technology
  • Works with corporate sponsors to help fund STEAM-related programs such as the IUSD Science Fair, Donald Bren Honors Concert and the Irvine CubeSat STEM Program
  • Provides quality cost efficient programs such as Summer Enrichment Academy, Afterschool Classroom Enrichment (ACE), and Instrument Rental
  • All donations to IPSF are eligible to be matched by the City of Irvine

What PTA Does:

  • Funds site-specific needs which can vary by school such as equipment and supplies, support for PE paraprofessionals, Meet the Masters art program, health clerks, media clerks and enhanced technology
  • Focuses on school sites, hosting assemblies, playground activities, parent education, book fairs, field trips and coordinate teacher appreciation events and Reflections Program
  • Some high schools also fund areas such as software for computer programs, mini grants to teachers and Grad Night