Programs

1ST Annual Got Mud?  Youth Fitness Challenge…

1ST Annual Got Mud?  Youth Fitness Challenge…
MUD RUN
 

Saturday, August 23rd Adventure Playground is hosting its first annual “Got Mud Youth Fitness Challenge”.  Children ages 6-13 will test their limits as they complete in the ¾ mile obstacle course.  Treading through grasslands, shooting hoops, jumping in and out of the bounce house, whisking down the waterslide and plopping in the mud pit are just some of the challenges one will face in this course.  Be a part of this event by registering now.  Registration is only $5 until July 1st.  We are in the process of planning a fun “carbo energy load” pasta dinner the night before the race for the participants and their families.  We look forward to seeing your school’s participation at this event.  Any ideas and feedback are always welcome!
Mud Run 2Mud Run 3

Sandy Spurgeon McDaniel

Sandy Spurgeon McDaniel
 
This is the time of year when schools and churches have me in to teach either my “Transition Class” (for 5th or 6th graders moving from Elementary School to Middle School)  and/or my “Making Good Choices Class” for children between 4th and 8th grade.
 
From my standpoint as a child advocate, as parent who (thank God!) now has grown children and as an educator it is just plain foolish to send our children through the years without training them in life skills.
 
The parents “should” do it, people say. Cool! I agree –except there is a HUGE chance that today’s parents did not get that training and therefore don’t have a clue about how to think about or teach lessons that are appropriate to children’s needs.
 
Does your child understand what it is like to do something foolish because of peer pressure?
What are the “pit” words that your child needs to know to stay out of trouble? How important is the choice of friends your child makes to his/her survival? Does your child know what to do with someone being unkind –or how to say no when he/she wants to say no? How does your child handle it when the group leader wants to do something he/she does not want to do? How does your child get you to help him/her get out of a difficult situation without the other person knowing you were asked to help?  Why is it important to take care of yourself first?  What percentage of children can just walk out of a difficult situation where peer pressure is involved?
 
These are some of the questions today’s parents need to be sure their children know the answers to in order to keep them safe in an unsafe world. 
 
A child who has one friend who will accompany him/her can leave a party, get out of a car or otherwise make the choice to leave a negative situation.  The importance of making one friend who shares your morals and values cannot be over-stated.
 
If a child thinks about a possible negative situation before it happens, he/she is far less likely to get swept up in the tide of peer pressure. It is important to discuss, “What would you do if….” with your children.
 
We play “The Choice is Yours” game in my workshops. What would you do if you walked into a home/party and were handed a beer –and you did not want to drink it?  What would you do if someone offered you a pill that would make you feel really good? What would you do if a friend asked you to let him/her cheat on a test?  For everything from smoking a cigarette to being unkind to someone falls under the category of choices on makes vs peer pressure.
 
Take a piece of paper, draw a line down the center from top to bottom and put a plus sign at the top on one column, a minus sign at the top of the second column. Write the positive and negative of each choice. Using the I don’t want to drink a beer example, one choice could be to pour the beer out in the bathroom sink. A “plus” of that choice is you are not tempted to drink it; the “minus” of that choice is someone could refill your drink.  
 
A child who rehearses these life dramas has a tool for making a good choice. Teaching our children how to make good choices is essential to the safety of each child.
 
Workshops on these topics are available to schools and churches at no cost to the school/church.  Ask for details at sandy@sandymcdaniel.com
 
OCR- MAKING GOOD CHOICES

Sandy Spurgeon McDaniel - At Lakeside join us!

ASE program information

What is ACE?
The Ace Afterschool Program was founded in 1996 through the efforts of the Irvine Unified School District, Irvine PTA Council, Irvine Public Schools Foundation, and the parents of Irvine school children.
The ACE Program is an innovative afterschool classroom-based program based on the concept of school-site program control by volunteers, using paid instructors. This keeps control of the program focused on the needs of the students, and keeps administrative costs at a minimum, while providing professional-level instruction.
Carefully developed and implemented policies and protocols, supported by computerized database technology, ensures that the program is in compliance with district and state educational policies and laws, and fully insured. District-wide training of the school-site coordinators provides the administrative and institutional infrastructure that enables schools to join the ACE Program.
This is one of the most successful volunteer-run education programs in Orange County. It embodies the spirit of volunteer effort, the quality of professional teaching, the savvy of a well-run business, and the efficiencies of computerized program support.


Who may participate?
Any school may participate in this program. The only requirement is commitment by the school principal and presence of one or more volunteers interested in running the program at that school.

How do we find a volunteer interested in coordinating the ACE Program at our school?

If you are one of the many PTA’s who send home a volunteer interest list for the upcoming school year, include afterschool programs as an interest item. You can also individually recruit as well as have your principal recruit an enthusiastic volunteer. If you have a welcome back volunteer tea, that would be a good time to see if anyone is interested in providing afterschool classes to your students. If you would like someone to come talk about ACE or give you information about ACE, call IPSF at 949.263.8340.

How will our volunteer know what to do?
In September, an ACE training will be conducted. Have your volunteer come to the training. IPSF will train them and continue to be available for individual help.

Can an ACE Site Coordinator be a PTA Board position?
An ACE Site Coordinator can and should attend PTA meetings in a liaison capacity. Most high schools have booster club liaisons that attend PTA meetings so that all parent-run groups can be kept informed and schedules coordinated. ACE, like a booster club, has separate fiduciary responsibilities that do not involve PTA.

What happens if we have students that can not afford to participate?
Some partial scholarship money is built into the price of the classes. IPSF also provides some money for each school site to be used for scholarships. Granting of scholarships is at the complete discretion of your principal.

Where do we find instructors?
IPSF employs IUSD teachers at the participating schools. In addition, several parents teach at the schools and we carry contracts with many local contractors. Finding instructors is easy.

Is this an IPSF fund-raiser?
This is not designed as a fund-raiser for IPSF or the individual school sites. There is a charge for direct IPSF expenses only (payroll, insurance, training). IPSF sponsors this program to benefit the students in the IUSD. All schools are responsible for their own budget. Excess funds, after expenses, will stay in a separate IPSF account to be used at the discretion of the ACE Coordinator and principal for use at their school site.

How do we get started?
Call IPSF ACE (949) 651.8128 and tell them you are interested in an ACE program.

Parent Education Seminar

Is your child's behavior "bugging you"?
 
We can help!
 

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Register now for our Parent Education Seminar....
 
The Challenge We Call Children: 
Tips & Tools for Survival
Saturday, February 9th
at the Orange county Department of Education
200 Kalmus Drive, Building D, Costa Mesa CA
 
8:30 a.m. registration and breakfast
9:15 to 10:30 a.m. first session
10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. second session
 
Our presenters:
Dr. Lyndsay Elliott    Eating disorders
Frank Boehler   Bullying
Friday Night Live Program
Lance Christensan   Drugs & Alcohol Trends in our Schools
Tony La Mantia   The Whole Child
Turning Point   Anger Management
Dr. David Lechuga   Sports Injuries and the Effect on the Brain
 
Sign up today!  $10 for PTA members--$15 for non-PTA members
 
To download registration form, go to:
http://www.fourthdistrictpta.org/forms/2008ParentEdSeminar_RegistrationForm.pdf
 
Do it today!

TEEN SUMMIT

TAKE THE LEAD
TEEN SUMMIT
February 29, 2008
Leap into Action

Background


The Teen Summit began 11 years ago to assist the community in developing youth volunteers. The conference has consistently attracted more than 400 youth, educators, and community partners over the past eleven years. The summit steering committee consists of youth, educators and community activists.

Time & Place
Friday, February 29, 2008 from 7:45AM – 1:30 PM
California State University, Fullerton – 800 State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA

Purpose
The highly interactive environment at the Team Summit will allow Orange County youth and educators the opportunity to learn leadership strategies and skills that will strengthen youth volunteerism and enhance civic participation. They will learn how to get involved and inspire others.

Participants
All Orange County youth (grades 9-12) from public, private and alternative school settings who have never been involved and those who have participated in service are encouraged to attend.

Format
The conference features a key note speaker, lunch, and more than twenty different workshops focusing on service, leadership, and civic involvement.

Keynote Speaker
Come and listen to a story about a cool guy who co-founded a cool restaurant loved by thousands of teenagers. He used his success to help the community in an endless number of ways. While following in his father’s footsteps, this guy and his two brothers worked to expand the restaurant chain throughout the U.S., impacting people’s lives with charitable acts along the way. Your keynote speaker is Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco restaurant chain. How cool is that? Don’t miss this inspiring guy. You will learn a lot from him! You may become the next cool success story when it comes to helping the community. Check it out!

Sponsor/Support
The Youth Service Conference is made possible through the sponsorships and support of local businesses and companies who value the contribution that the youth of our community can make within Orange County. For sponsorship information, please contact Cindy Beyl at 714- 953-5757 ext. 140 or cbeyl@volunteercenter.org, Cassady Taylor at 714-438-3205 or ctaylor@festivalofchildren.org


NEWS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOODS

Irvine Public Schools Foundation
December 1, 2007


The IPSF Community Campaign is Underway!


In conjunction with the Irvine Unified School District, IPSF supports many programs that enhance the education of all our students. For more details about our programs, please visit our website at www.ipsf.net

This year IPSF fundraising is focused on three crucial areas:

Health and Wellness

IPSF supports the health of our students by providing additional funds for increased numbers of school site nurses and health clerks, Type II Diabetes Screening, leading edge health curriculum through the Great Body Shop, and by promoting active lifestyles through activities such as the Walk to School Day event.

Classroom Support

IPSF supports educational experiences that directly and positively impact students, teachers and parents in the classrooms by providing funds for reduced class sizes, grants directly to teachers through the Innovative Teaching Awards Program (ITAP), Afterschool Classroom Enrichment (ACE) Programs, fine arts programs, and enhanced parent communication resources. (MyIUSD.com and voice communications)

Advancing Multi-Cultural Understanding

IPSF partners with cultural groups to provide the funds needed to advance greater awareness, enhanced understanding and professional development opportunities in support of multi-cultural understanding through programs such as the Program to Advance Cultural Education (PACE).

Our annual appeal will come to you by email, and by direct mail to your home. Your support is ESSENTIAL to reach our community campaign goal of $150,000. That’s only $6 per IUSD student to realize a private education experience in a public school setting! Please give generously to support these programs for all our students. Donate online TODAY at
www.ipsf.net/donations.

Thank You!


IUSD Middle School Career Options ConferenceThis year’s conference will be held on December 18, 2007 at University of California, Irvine, to give our middle school students the chance to explore careers in Science and Mathematics. For more information, contact Jenna Kurtenacker at jkurtena@iusd.org or call 949-936-5057.


DID YOU KNOW?



Nearly ten years ago, IUSD teacher and IPSF Board member Barbara Reynolds, had a creative idea to recognize outstanding staff members and raise money to support grants to the classroom. The IPSF Parents Appreciating Teachers and Staff program (PATS) was established and since
its inception has thanked thousands of teachers and staff members and raised more than $200,000.

The 2008 PATS program will begin in January, 2008.
Look for the flyer in your school bulletin or in your child’s backpack!
Thank You for Shopping!!

The recent Orchard Hill Center Grand Opening was a great success! IPSF received a check for $1,000 as our part of the proceeds for the day. Thanks to the Irvine Company Retail Properties for putting together such a great event and to everyone who came out, explored the center, and shopped!!




IPSF wants to highlight the great things going on at your school site! Please send news, announcements, good ideas about what is going at your school, and it will be posted here in:

NEWS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOODS

Food Services Presentation at Northwood High School

On December 6th at 7.00pm in the NHS Theater. Rhonda Devereaux from IUSD Food Services will be talking about the new state mandated food policy and will be answering questions from the floor. This is geared toward Middle and High Schools and both parents and students are invited to attend.

If you would like to attend and have questions for Rhonda, please e-mail these questions to Sue Kuwabara, the PTA Program coordinator for IUSD PTA Council,
sukuwabara@cox.net.



December is filled with concerts, performances, and holiday activities of all kinds! Check your school site calendar, and plan to attend one or more of these great events!






Food Flyer

Informational Night with the Director of Food ServicesFood flyer 2

Vetrans Day- LemonAid Event

CIF flyer

CIF Parent Training class
Flyer on Parents

Reflections

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IRVINE PTA COUNCIL
REFLECTIONS PROGRAM
 
 
You’re cordially invited to enjoy our students’ work of art
At Irvine City Hall
 
Thursday, November 8, 2007 through Friday, November 16, 2007
Weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 
Please join us for the Awards Ceremonies
 Saturday, November 17, 2007
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
 
Preschool through Second Grade presented at 11:00 a.m.  
Visual Art and Photography Third through fifth Grade
Presented at 11:30 a.m.
Literature, Music Composition, Film and Dance third through fifth grade presented at 12:00 p.m.  
Sixth through twelfth grade Categories presented at 12:30 p.m.
 
Congratulations to All Students who participated
in our Reflections Program. 
 

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Reflections Invite

IRVINE PTA COUNCIL

REFLECTIONS PROGRAM


You’re cordially invited to enjoy our students’ work of art
At Irvine City Hall

Thursday, November 8, 2007 through Saturday, November 19, 2007
Weekdays 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please join us for the Awards Ceremonies
Saturday, November 19, 2007
11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Preschool through Second Grade presented at 11:00 a.m.
Visual Art and Photography Third through fifth Grade
Presented at 11:30 a.m.
Literature, Music Composition, Film and Dance third through fifth grade presented at 12:00 p.m.
Sixth through twelfth grade Categories presented at 12:30 p.m.

Congratulations to All Students who participated
in our Reflections Program.

Helpful Hints for Reflections Chairpersons

Helpful Hints for Reflections Chairpersons


1. Please double-check for student’s signature, Parent signature, grade level, school name, school address. Verify that the student’s address and telephone number are on the form.

2. Check and recheck the size of the entry. Photography and Visual Arts have size limitations and must be within the limitations. Mount Photography and Visual Arts entries on stiff and sturdy material, such as mat board, corrugated cardboard or foam core board.

3. DO NOT submit mounted works in Literature. If a book is submitted, please see that the entry is placed in a manila folder with the entry form staples to the back.

4. Reminder – Plagiarized entries will be disqualified and returned to the student. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. This includes the use of copyrighted Cartoon Characters or other such material in visual arts or photography entries. Musical Composition and Literature entrants are not to borrow from Copyrighted material either.

5. Confirm that the length of playing time for musical compositions, dance choreography and film/video production together with the student’s name, grade division, state and year are marked on both the cassette tape/CD/DVD/Videotape and its case.

6. Shrink Wrap is required for entries sent to the state for judging. This process is highly recommended for Photography and Visual Arts at the Unit level as well. DO NOT use plastic food wrap! Shrink Wrap Photography and Visual Arts entries and then place the completed Official Entry Form in a plastic sheet protector and firmly attach to the back of the entry on top of the shrink wrap. Tape the plastic sheet protector on three sides, leaving the top open for easy access for the judging process. Kinko’s and Office Depot will laminate your work at a decent price.

7. Photocopy Literature entries sent to the State, and make a copy of the Music, Dance and Film/Video entries. Photograph the photography and Visual Arts entries. When photographing, place a card with the entrant’s name and grade level on it with the pieced to be photographed. If you hold an Award program after the entries have been forwarded to the State, you could use the photographs for display. Please keep a copy of all the entry forms of the winning entries which you forward to the next level of judging.

8. Local Units must complete the appropriate Participation Form A (FORM A). These forms must accompany the entries to each level of judging. The local unit initiates the forms, forwards them to the Council with the winners, and the Council then forwards their forms to the State with its winners. Please complete only the section appropriate for your level. Keep a copy of your FORM A.


Revised 10/20/07 Amy Tingirides IUCPTA Reflections Chair

Cans For Cash Update

As we are halfway through the month of October, I wanted to give you an update regarding Cans for Cash
 
First, if you did not catch the IUSD
Cans for Cash news story on ICTV that was filmed the day of the kick-off at Bonita Canyon, you can watch it online at http://www.cityofirvine.org/depts/citymanager/pio/ictv/irvine_news.asp.  Click on the October 3rd newscast, and skip ahead to the story on Cans for Cash .  We also have some pictures from the day, which I've included as attachments. 
 
Also, as you are aware, the City has been working with Irvine businesses to involve them in the
Cans for Cash effort by partnering businesses with schools to collect aluminum beverage cans.  You will find a list of the schools and their business partners attached to this email.  The City will be placing an ad in the Irvine World News next week thanking the businesses for their support of Irvine Schools and the Cans for Cash City Recycling Challenge
 
I hope to get a report of recycled can poundage for the first half of the month from the district's recycling company sometime this week.  I will keep you posted on any new information that becomes available. 
 
Also, I was hoping to be able to work with you through the PTA network to really encourage participation in the last half of the month.  Is there a newsletter or email network that the school district could tap to get a message out to parents?
 
Thank you for your continued partnership! 
 
Sarah
 
~~ 
Sarah Mills

City of Irvine
Cans for Cash City Recycling Challenge
Phone: 714.227.0181
SarahMills@gmail.com
Partners in Recycling

Walk to School Day video

Hey Scott Bowman:  Can I have your autograph??  What a great effort in support of Walk To School Day!!
 
Video: An Irvine principal walks to school from his Lake Forest home as a challenge for students to get fit. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1127694947/bclid1125901233/bctid1225543884
 
Debbie Rugani Director of Community Initiatives & Programs 949-265-6403 (direct) Irvine Public Schools Foundation

Walk to School day Vol. 1 Issue 2

walk to school

August 27, 2007 Volume I, Issue 2


Thank You to the schools that will participate in Walk to School Day:

Alderwood, Bonita Canyon, Brywood, Canyon View, College Park, Culverdale, Deerfield, Eastshore, Meadow Park, Northwood, Oak Creek, Santiago Hills, Springbrook, Stone Creek, Turtle Rock, University Park, Westwood Basics, Lakeside Middle School, Sierra Vista Middle School, South Lake Middle School, Venado Middle School, Northwood High School!

New Partners and Supporters

HSBC Bank The Veggie Grill, Irvine www.veggiegrill.com/visitus.html Veggie Grill will donate $5 gift cards to reward students who walk to school.
AT&T
Mochilato – Just open in Irvine!
If you are a fan of mochi ice cream, like I am, wait until you try mochilato…mochi filled with gelato! The store features lots of varieties of this tasty treat, plus a great selection of pastries and baked goods, The store itself is spacious, elegant and inviting. In the Heritage Park Shopping Center: 14310 Culver Drive, Suite E, Irvine 949.559.1116. 10 a.m.-midnight daily. Free wi-fi.

Information

¬ IPSF will send home a back pack flyer to all elementary families the week of Sept. 17. (Copy attached) It is being printed by the IUSD Print Shop and will be delivered to the school sites. You might consider attaching a cover letter, customized to your school site. Check with PTA and your principal.
¬ IPSF will supply round stickers for each student that say “Walk to School – October 3, 2007”. These can be distributed a day or so (?) before as a reminder.
¬ IPSF will supply each site with about 200 silicone bracelets that say “Walk to School – www.ipsf.net.” You can use these as incentives or rewards in whatever way works at your site. I would love to have enough for every child, but our budget is limited.
¬ As other incentive or in-kind items are donated, I will distribute them equally to participating schools, so you may get more reward or incentive items.
¬ The City of Irvine is providing more than 20 banners to advertise the event!! More details to come.





Keep “walking” to the next page……

Plans and Ideas
Here are just a few ideas you might use at your school to build excitement and participation:

Have your students help plan your event. Involve student leaders and others.
Have classes make signs to carry along the way. ****See Special Opportunity Below****
Have your students wear their School Spirit wear that day, if your school has it. (You could sell Spirit Wear at school before the walk!)
Have students make and hang posters around school describing the benefits of walking
Reward the class(es) with the most participation
Hold a PTA meeting right after the Walk. Invite a speaker to talk about Health and Wellness and where walking fits in.
Start a moms and dads walking club. Visit www.walkstyles.com for ideas

****City Councilmember Sukhee Kang has arranged a walking partnership with the Nowon school district in Seoul, Korea.  Sukhee will travel to Nowon to meet with their mayor on September 15.  Sukhee would love to take photos of our IUSD kids holding banners of greeting for the kids in Nowon schools. "We Love Nowon School friends" or Hi, Friends of Nowon" "We Love Korea", these are just samples of signs we can make. If you can get students at your site to make and hold up a banner and then take a photo, I will see that the greetings get to Councilmember Kang before his trip.  Cards and letters from students would be great, too.****



Resources
New York State has a cool page to teach safe walking to kids: This page features a cool activated chart with things to remember.
http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/Kids/kidswalk.htm

Thank you all for your help and support!! More newsletters will be coming to you on a regular basis. PLEASE email back any questions, concerns or GOOD IDEAS you have and I will share them!!

Walk to School Day Vol 1 issue 3

walk to school
September 4, 2007 Volume I, Issue 3

Happy September! Take a deep breath and tie up those laces! We are walking to school!
IPSF supports our students all year long with programs like
the Health and Wellness Initiative, adding nurses and Health clerks to our sites,
Instrumental Rental,
Afterschool Classroom Enrichment,
grants to teachers through the ITAP program,
Parents Appreciating Teachers and Staff,
the Honors concert and so much more!
Thank you for all you do to support these outstanding programs for our students.

New Partners and Supporters
Fresia Market

Information

¬ The City of Irvine is providing banners to advertise the event!! More details to come.
¬ Walkstyles www.walkstyles.com, wants to encourage all our schools sites to set up moms (and dads) walking clubs. Their site lets you register FREE to be an administrator and start a club. You can then invite your friends and colleagues to join your club, and they can participate for free, too. Of course you can upgrade your membership for a fee, but it is NOT required that you do so. IPSF Board and staff have a club, thanks to Stephanie Bynon!
Sue Parks, the president of Walkstyles, has offered us a 10% discount on any purchases on the site…..I just got a very cool pedometer! The discount code is CHIPSF1X. They have some cute walking clothes, too.

Plans and Ideas
Here are just a few ideas you might use at your school to build excitement and participation:
Model good behavior for your students! Start a walking club at your school and make time each day to walk with your kids and your friends. See the offer from Walkstyles above to get started. Get a pedometer and start keeping track of your steps.


    Keep “walking” to the next page……

    Walk on over to Veggie Grill and treat yourself with a healthy salad or those unbelieveably good sweet potatoe fries!
    Since we are doing a partnership with a Korean school district, see if there is a volunteer parent from the Korean community at your school site who might help with that partnership!
    Have your students help plan your event. Involve student leaders and others.
    Have classes make signs to carry along the way. ****See Special Opportunity Below****
    Have your students wear their School Spirit wear that day, if your school has it. (You could sell Spirit Wear at school before the walk!)
    Have students make and hang posters around school describing the benefits of walking
    Reward the class(es) with the most participation
    Hold a PTA meeting right after the Walk. Invite a speaker to talk about Health and Wellness and where walking fits in.
    Start a moms and dads walking club. Visit www.walkstyles.com for ideas


    ****City Councilmember Sukhee Kang has arranged a walking partnership with the Nowon school district in Seoul, Korea.  Sukhee will travel to Nowon to meet with their mayor on September 15.  Sukhee would love to take photos of our IUSD kids holding banners of greeting for the kids in Nowon schools. "We Love Nowon School friends" or Hi, Friends of Nowon" "We Love Korea", these are just samples of signs we can make. If you can get students at your site to make and hold up a banner and then take a photo, I will see that the greetings get to Councilmember Kang before his trip.  Cards and letters from students would be great, too.****


    Resources

    NOTE: I have sent this link to our principals suggesting that they tell their teachers about this cool site:
    Take a look:
    http://www.saferoutestoschools.org/walk/
    Walk and Bike Across America is a web-based interactive game that promotes physical activity. The object of the game is for school classes to accumulate miles by tracking the miles students walk and bike to school. Use those miles to travel around the U.S. visiting as many sites on the map as possible. Each site represents a significant national park, historic site, or key agricultural location with nutritional information, that will broaden the students' knowledge of the United States.

    Thank you all for your help and support!! More newsletters will be coming to you on a regular basis. PLEASE email back any questions, concerns or GOOD IDEAS you have and I will share them!!

    IPSF Ambassador Job Description

    ipsf
    IPSF Ambassadors
    Job Description



    BACKGROUND:

    The IPSF Ambassador program was developed from an IPSF Board Member’s idea to improve the relationship and communication between IPSF and the individual school sites. Over the years, the Ambassador program has become instrumental in keeping schools connected with IUSD and IPSF information and activities. Ambassadors are primarily representatives from each individual school who serve as IPSF liaisons to enhance communication between IPSF and the local school sites. The IPSF Ambassador program has expanded to include many members of Irvine’s diverse multi-cultural community as well.


    EXPECTATIONS

    1. Commitment:
    The Ambassador position is a one-year commitment beginning at the start of the school year in the fall. Although the Ambassador position is vital to a successful school district, it requires minimal time commitment and provides individuals with the ability to work at their own schedule. All Ambassadors are required to meet twice a year, for an introductory meeting in the fall and a wrap-up meeting in May.

    2. Communication:
    Almost all of the communication for the Ambassador Program is done through email and/or phone calls. On the 1st and 15th of each month, IPSF sends out an Ambassador Alert. The Ambassador Alerts provide the latest IPSF updates in an easy format, which can be quickly reported to a group, or cut and pasted into a newsletter. All Ambassador Alerts are sent via email so they can be forwarded on to the PTA, School Site Council, or other member groups.

    3. Roles and Responsibilities:
    Conduit Of Information
    The Ambassadors are responsible for relating IPSF information to their constituent groups regarding upcoming programs and events. They also answer any questions regarding IPSF while out in the community, promoting better awareness and communication. In addition, all Ambassadors at the end of the year complete an evaluation.