The Latest IPSF News - December 2015

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS MAKE AN IMPACT

A little individual attention can go a long way. Culverdale Elementary School fourth grade teacher Evan Forster credits the addition of an instructional assistant funded in part by Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) for the increase in reading aptitude among his 33 students.

When the school year began, he divided his students into four small groups, each reading at their own pace. Forster says the small-group learning format, facilitated by the presence of an instructional assistant, allows him to apply a Response to Instruction model, or a way of identifying and supporting students learning needs, with great success. Since September, one of his students achieved a 54 percentile jump in reading levels - meaning she advanced from a 2.7 (second grade) to 5.1 (fifth grade) reading level in just three months.

The success of this small-group learning model shows that students who gain individual attention perform better academically. Teachers and assistants are able to encourage students' intellectual curiosity, help them overcome obstacles to learning and make them feel more comfortable in the classroom. According to Mr. Forster, the school is able to meet students where they are in terms of reading proficiency, something not possible without small-group learning and the classroom support of an instructional assistant.

IPSF depends upon individuals, families and businesses to donate to the Annual Campaign. And thanks to a challenge grant from the City of Irvine, all contributions received by Dec. 31, 2015, will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact for students.

Educators say IPSF's classroom support of instructional assistants is essential to student success. "My Instructional Assistant is such an important part of how I teach reading. I can't imagine doing it without her," says Forster. "I am hopeful that more people will donate to this amazing campaign."

Make a donation online to the IPSF Annual Campaign to help keep Instructional Assistants in our schools!

IPSF ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

LAST CHANCE FOR 2015!

Don't forget to make your gift by Dec. 31 to claim a tax deduction for 2015. A donation of just $50 can make a difference in the educational experience of each child in every school! Thank you to the hundreds of generous supporters who have already contributed to the IPSF Annual Campaign!

Click here to view our Donor Honor Roll. Think future, give now!!

HONORS CONCERT AUDITIONS COMING SOON

IPSF, in partnership with IUSD, is proud to present the 34th Annual Donald Bren Honors Concert on Apr. 19, 2016. Nearly 700 of Irvine's finest young musicians in grades 5-12 will participate in this memorable event. It's time to start practicing - auditions begin in January! If you have any questions about the audition process, please contact your student's music teacher.

WORLD CLASS SUPPORTER

Congratulations to Irvine resident and IPSF supporter Chef Amar Santana on an impressive year! In 2015, Chef Santana helped raise $9,000 for IPSF, competed on Season 13 of Bravo's Top Chef, and is now gearing up for the grand opening of his new Spanish concept restaurant, Vaca, in Costa Mesa on Dec. 26. We can't wait to see what he does in 2016!

STUDENT VIDEO CONTEST - WHAT'S YOUR BIG DREAM?

What will your future look like? Tell us your big dream! IPSF is holding a video contest for IUSD middle and high school students now through Jan. 8, 2016. Create a 15-sec video that creatively demonstrates how you see your future self and you could win! Voting opens Jan. 1.

Prizes will be awarded for the top three vote getters, and the school with the most submissions will receive a DJ and photo booth during lunchtime from Vox DJs! Online voting will be open Jan. 1 - 10, 2016 at www.ipsf.net/bigdream .

To Participate:

Create a 15 second video that creatively demonstrates how you see your future self
Upload your video to YouTube or Facebook and enter contest at ipsf.net/bigdream by Jan. 8, 2016
Invite family and friends to vote for you, and share on social media using #IPSFdreams
Must be a student in grade 7-12 attending an IUSD school. Students under 13 may have a parent submit an entry on their behalf.

Winter Bowl Flag Football School Tournament - Jan. 30, 2016
Pre-registration Now Open

Coed teams will be formed by school for each grade level between 3rd and 8th grades, with a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 players on a team. No experience is necessary to participate! Each team must have a volunteer coach (parent, teacher, PE teacher). Volunteer coaches should note their interest in coaching through the pre-registration website or contact [email protected] .

Pre-registration is free for all students who are interested in being on a team. No payment will be collected until after final teams are chosen. The fee is $25 per player, and scholarships are available for students who need financial assistance. Pre-registration will be open through Jan. 6, with tryouts the week of Jan. 11 (if needed). Please see the flyer for full details.

SPRING BREAK FAMILY TOUR - EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS DEC. 31

IPSF has teamed up with See America Travel to introduce a new program called Spring Break Family Tours! We are offering a 6-day/5-night family tour, departing from Irvine in a deluxe motor coach and traveling throughout the Southwestern United States. Participants will learn about nature, geology, animals, history and interesting anecdotes regarding the places that we will be exploring! To enhance the educational experience for our participants, at least one IUSD teacher will be on each bus.

The Spring Break Family Tour will be Mar. 28 - Apr. 2. Sign up by Dec. 31, 2015 to secure early bird pricing! Space is limited and we will be reserving seats on a first come first served basis.

For more information, visit http://seeamericatraveltours.com.