IPSF IMPACT - July 2017 Edition

LIGHTS, CAMERA, GALA!

On October 14, 2017, we will proudly host our 8th Annual Spirit of Excellence Gala & Auction presented by FivePoint. This is one of our most highly-anticipated events of the year and brings the community together to honor distinguished alumni and raise funds for schools.

We are excited to announce the 2017 Spirit of Excellence Award honorees:

EXCELLENCE IN
THE ARTS

As a multi Emmy Award winning Production Designer, Steve Bass has created the overall visual look of some of the most prestigious live and televised shows produced to date. Steve has built a reputation as a creative talent known for his ability to design high-profile, grand-scale events. His credits include production design of the Oscars, Grammy and Tony Awards, Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Olympics, and the Democratic National Convention.

Steve graduated from Irvine High School in 1987, and also attended Venado Middle School and Deerfield Elementary.

EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM

Eli Stokols, a self-proclaimed "political junkie" and prolific writer, has followed his passions to Washington DC, currently serving as White House Reporter for The Wall Street Journal. Stokols is a frequent contributor to MSNBC, Fox and NPR, and has previously served as National Political Reporter for POLITICO Magazine, and was Host/Producer of the Emmy-winning Sunday morning show #COpolitics: From The Source.

Eli attended University High School as part of the class of 1997, Rancho San Joaquin Middle School, and University Park Elementary.

EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP

From kindergarten student to IUSD administrator, Cassie Parham, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services, is a true product of Irvine education. Since leaving her role as principal of Northwood High, Cassie has served for over a decade at the District Office, becoming one of the most influential leaders in IUSD's history. Her vision, dedication, and tenacity have been pivotal in guiding the district through critical shifts in education.

Cassie attended University Park and Santiago Hills Elementary Schools, Sierra Vista Middle School, and graduated from Irvine High School.

IPSF STEAM SUMMER SERIES: OCEANS CLASS BRINGS MARINE SCIENCE TO LIFE!

IPSF summer programs allow students to explore their passions and discover how scientific theories and methods are at work in our daily lives. For example, IPSF's Oceans class covers all aspects of the ocean including marine biology, ocean recreation, beach safety, and physical oceanography.

This year's class focused on investigating the special adaptations of the ocean's animals as well as experimentation with the physical dynamics of tides, waves, and ocean currents. These skills were then put into real life application through fieldtrips to local beaches where students had the opportunity to snorkel in a kelp forest, surf, body surf, paddle board, and fish. Students also visited the Ocean Institute where they boarded the R/V Sea Explorer for a marine wildlife cruise, and took a trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific, where they gained an even deeper understanding of marine life.

By giving students an opportunity to fully immerse themselves into a subject in a fun and encouraging environment, we hope to help students see that STEAM is more than an acronym. Through hands-on classes like Oceans, we can spark an interest in students that extends beyond the summer and inspires the next generation of leaders, creators, and great thinkers.

INSTRUMENT RENTAL DAY 2017

Save the Date! Instrument Rental Day for year-round schools will take place on Saturday, July 22, and Instrument Rental Day for traditional calendar schools will be held on Saturday, September 9. Each year, IPSF rents nearly 2,000 high-quality musical instruments at affordable prices to students in IUSD. Instrument Rental (IR) offers parents a less expensive alternative to purchasing a new instrument that may only be used for a short time. Proceeds from the IR program support music programs across the district.

Appointments must be made online in advance.

SAVE THE DATE: SOUL OF KOREA

On Sunday, September 24, Irvine Korean Parents Association will host Soul of Korea at the beautiful Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. This wonderful evening will be a celebration of music and talent of our Korean American youth in Irvine, while raising funds for the IPSF Program to Advance Cultural Education.

For the past ten years, IPSF has collaborated with the Irvine Korean Parents Association and California State University, Fullerton (FIRST) to offer the Program to Advance Cultural Education (PACE). PACE offers IUSD teachers continuing education in Korean history and culture, and has been enthusiastically received by the hundreds of participating teachers who have benefitted from this program. This program has proven to be a very successful model for increasing awareness and understanding of the Korean American culture. This year's PACE Korea will be held July 25-27.