WESTPARK ELEMENTARY PTA
Take a look at the detailed descriptions below of the many programs, activities, and initiatives the Westpark PTA supports through your generous donations and volunteer efforts.
Program Descriptions are in alphabetical order:
6th Grade Promotion
An elegant ceremony celebrating the promotion of Westpark 6th graders to 7th grade. The ceremony is held at Westpark and includes performances and presentations by the students.
Additional School Support
PTA funds also go towards large-scale gifts to the school that impacts learning and the overall student experience at Westpark. These include beginning-of-the-year funds to reimburse teachers for classroom supplies, mobile laptop carts, iPads, Chromebooks, audio enhancement systems for each teacher/classroom, classroom furniture, playground shade structure, and an upgraded sound system for the multi-purpose room.
Apex Fun Run
The Fun Run is a fundraiser jog-a-thon run by an external vendor – Apex. Kids participate in a rally to kick off a week of lessons about fitness, positive thinking, and the value of effort. After a week of gaining sponsors and the classroom lessons, the children participate in a run complete with warm-ups, music, and inflatable tunnels.
Back to School Night
The Back to School Picnic is an opportunity for the Westpark community to celebrate the start of a great new academic year. The PTA sponsors fun activities for the students and arranges for food vendors to be present. Families can get reconnected after the summer break and students can get to know their new classmates in a casual and fun environment.
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Book Fair
Scholastic book fairs are held quarterly in the school library. Classes take turns shopping for books and other items for sale. The book fair also has some after-school hours for kids and parents to shop. Proceeds from the sales go towards the purchase of new books for the library.
Concession Stand
The PTA hosts a small concession stand to sell treats and beverages at certain school events: the talent show and the school musical. Any proceeds from these sales benefits the PTA.
Family Lunch
Family Lunch is a community-building event and provides the opportunity for parents to come to have lunch with their child on an early release day. Parents are free to bring a picnic lunch, set up an E-Z UP/umbrella, mat, and/or chairs, and stay for the duration of the school day until the school day ends.
Classroom Gifts
Every year, the PTA gifts each classroom with funds. Teachers are reimbursed for classroom supplies up to a pre-determined amount depending on the PTA budget.
Guys’ Night 5th Grade
An evening of bonding and learning about physical development, personal care, and other issues surrounding young adulthood. This program is for 5th-grade boys and a parent or guardian.
IPSF Ambassador
The IPSF Ambassador is a conduit between the Irvine Public Schools Foundation and the PTA.
Irvine Junior Games
Irvine Junior Games is a track-and-field competition between 4th – 8th graders from all IUSD schools. The event takes place in the spring at one of the local high schools. All students are welcome to participate but must pay a small fee. Proceeds from the event benefit the Irvine Children’s Fund.
Kids Run the OC
KROC is a fitness event run in conjunction with the Orange County Marathon. Children in can register to participate at the beginning of the calendar year. There are weekly training sessions before school where the number of miles the children run are tracked and recorded. At the end of the program, the children participate in a final mile run at the OC Fairgrounds, therefore finishing the same number of miles one would run if participating in a real marathon.
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Girl Talk
An evening of bonding and learning about physical development, personal care, and other issues surrounding young adulthood. This event is only for 5th-grade girls and a parent or guardian.
Movie Night
Movie night is a fun event for the Westpark community. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets set them up on the field behind the school, and watch a family-friendly movie under the stars. The concession stand typically sells popcorn, candy, and other items.
Open House
During Open House in the winter, the PTA helps facilitate a pancake dinner with Kiwanis Club.
Outdoor Education at the Pali Institute
6th-grade students spend a few days in the mountains at the Pali Institute. The mission of the Pali Institute is to introduce experiential education to young people by providing progressive learning experiences that extend beyond classroom walls. Through their curriculum and professional outdoor staff, students experience the thrill of seeing, touching, and learning about the world around them. Families are charged a fee for students to participate. However, the PTA does provide scholarships, as needed.
Popsicle Stand
Parents and kids are able to purchase popsicle punch cards. The popsicle cart is available every day after school. Punch cards can be purchased for $10 each on our Webstore. Cash and checks (payable to Westpark Elementary PTA) are also accepted. Please leave the payment in the PTA mailbox or in your child’s conduit. Be sure to indicate your child’s name and teacher for delivery. Funds generated from the sales go towards the Sixth Grade Committee.
PTA Executive Board Meeting
Monthly meeting attended by the PTA executive board.
PTA Open/General Association Meeting
PTA Open or General Association meetings are open to the whole Westpark Elementary community. During these meetings, PTA business is conducted (e.g., approving the annual budget, approving the calendar, and electing the next executive board).
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week is a week-long, district-wide event involving various anti-drug demonstrations and activities.
Reflections Art Contest
PTA Reflections is a nationally acclaimed student recognition program to encourage artistic creativity in the classroom and at home. Students of all grades and abilities may participate and explore the arts based on the annual theme. Students may choose one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.
Room Parent
Room parents serve as the conduit between the PTA and the classrooms. They are also responsible for class gifts to the teachers and door decorating for Teacher Appreciation Week. If you are interested in becoming a room parent, please communicate with your student's teacher.
School Musical
The school musical is directed by Mrs. Green. Students may audition for special roles; however, every student in grades 1-6 who submits the application form and pays the participation fee will be able to participate. Rehearsals are held weekly after school until the performances.
Spirit of Giving - Westpark Cares
The students in the Westpark Cares club vote on charitable organizations to support.
Spirit Wear
Annually, the Westpark community is able to purchase Westpark t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc. to support the school. Proceeds from these sales benefit the PTA. Spirit Wear can be purchased at the beginning of the year via the Spiritwear page.
Talent Show
Students audition to participate in the talent show or can choose to participate in grade-level performances. Performance can include instruments, dancing, comedy routines, singing, etc. The director of the talent show, Mrs. Green, choreographs the grade-level performances and works to pair up students to enhance the overall performances. Mrs. Green also guides a group of Westpark staff in a surprise performance at the event.
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week
Each spring, the parents and students work together to show their appreciation for the entire staff of Westpark through decorations, surprises in the teacher lounge, and tokens of appreciation from the students.
All IUSD schools can participate in three athletic tournaments throughout the year: Harvest Cup - a soccer tournament in December for 3rd - 6th grades; Winter Bowl - a January flag football tournament for 3rd-6th grades; and Hoops Classic - a spring basketball tournament for 3rd-6th graders. The PTA helps coordinate coaches and tryouts, distributes school uniforms, and can coordinate for scholarships, as needed.
Walk to School Day
Walk to School Day takes place on the Wednesday of Red Ribbon Week. Westpark students meet before school at a local park and, as a community, walk to school together in a show of solidarity and overall fitness.
Welcome Back Coffee
The PTA Welcome Coffee is a time for Westpark parents to meet up after dropping their students off on the first day of school. No formal programming is scheduled, but there are coffee and light refreshments, as well as PTA personnel on hand to answer any questions.
Spring Carnival
Our annual Westpark Spring Carnival event celebrates the conclusion of a successful academic year. Spring Carnival hosts several family-friendly activities including carnival-type amusement for the students and their families as well as food trucks.
Yearbook
Each year, families are able to purchase a Westpark yearbook. Parents are encouraged to submit photos of school events for the yearbook. A sales form to purchase yearbooks is distributed towards the end of the academic year. To submit photos for the yearbook, please go to the Yearbook page.