2014 WAS A SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR IPSF

Happy New Year and thank you to everyone who donated to IPSF's Annual Campaign and supported IPSF during 2014. While final numbers for the Annual Campaign are still being tabulated, IPSF is proud to announce that we met our annual goal to raise $1.3 million to receive the full amount of matching funds available from the City of Irvine for classroom support. Thanks to the generosity of businesses, parents, and the entire Irvine community, IUSD schools will continue to receive crucial funding for the next school year.

"IPSF is grateful to have such a committed partner in the City of Irvine and support throughout our community," said IPSF President and CEO Neda Eaton. "Irvine is truly a city united in its support of education and we look forward to continuing our work to ensure a world class education for all students." Funds donated to IPSF's Annual Campaign (as well as the City matching funds) will provide more teachers and instructional assistants in classrooms at every IUSD school.

While our 2014 Annual Campaign has ended, our schools need support all year long. If you did not contribute in 2014, we hope you will donate now. And the City of Irvine matches donations 365 days per year. For more information about how you can get involved, visit our website.

If you made a donation to IPSF's Annual Campaign, please check and see if your employer has a matching gift program. Thousands of companies match charitable donations by their employees. CLICK HERE to see if your company is one of them.

APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR INNOVATIVE TEACHING & COUNSELING AWARD GRANTS

This year, lucky students are enjoying a Mission to Mars at Rancho, conducting experiments via nanosatellites at Uni, and using a 3D printer at Santiago Hills, all thanks to funds their teachers received through last year's Innovative Teaching & Counseling Award Program (ITAP/ICAP). Imagine what could be next! IUSD staff members are invited to apply for this year's grant program, including the new "mega" grant, providing up to $25,000. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION. An optional grant writing workshop will be held on January 21 at 3:30 PM at the IPSF office. Please RSVP to Jennifer Dotson if you plan to attend. IPSF has allocated up to $140,000 toward ITAP/ICAP grants this year. Teachers, don't miss out on your chance to bring cool, innovative programs to your classroom.

	SO CAL HALF MARATHON & 5K SUPPORTS IRVINE SCHOOLS Register now for the 24th Annual Southern California Half Marathon & 5 K on Saturday, January 10th. The race takes place in the Woodbridge neighborhood of Irvine. Please enter "IPSF" as your team name and a portion of your registration will support Irvine schools. Come visit our table at the post-race expo! Online registration ends TODAY, but check the race website for info about in-person registration.
	IPSF WINTER ACE PROGRAMS ENROLLING SOON Watch for our new, redesigned flyers coming home mid-January with a listing of Winter ACE classes at your child's school. You can also check our registration website next week for updates. IPSF's ACE program offers affordable, high quality after school enrichment classes on IUSD campuses at the end of the school day. Scholarships are available for families with demonstrated financial need. Click here for a scholarship application form.
	JEFFREY OPEN SPACE TRAIL RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY Join IPSF as we help the City of Irvine celebrate the official opening of the Jeffrey Open Space Trail (JOST) on Saturday, January 10th at 10 AM. The event will be held at Cypress Community Park (255 Visions) and will include representatives from The Irvine Company. Bring your bike or athletic shoes to check out the trail, hear student performers and more. This is a free event sponsored by the City of Irvine.
	OPPORTUNITIES FOR STEM CAREERS SHOWN AT CONFERENCE Thanks to generous support from IPSF partner Google, a group of IUSD middle school students had the opportunity to explore possible careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) at a conference in December. Professionals conducted presentations ranging from engineering to medicine to software development designed to inspire students to explore new career paths and to identify ways they can better explore and prepare for future STEM careers.

SUPPORT IPSF & YOUR PTA ALL YEAR LONG WITH THE FREE COMMUNITIES FOR CAUSE APP

If you have a smart phone, you can support your school's PTA and IPSF at hundreds of local merchants at no cost to you! Simply download the free Communities for Cause app for Apple or Android. Choose your school's PTA or IPSF as your cause and start browsing the catalog of merchants.

When you dine out or shop, open the app on your phone, record your purchase and the participating merchant will make a donation based on your purchase. It's simple and easy, and free to you! Great local merchants such as Garbanzo Grill,

Sharky's Woodfired Mexican Grill,

and Nekter Juice Bar are supporting our schools through this great app.

Download it today and resolve to use it wherever you shop or dine in 2015!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, January 5, 2015

School resumes for all IUSD schools

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Southern California Half Marathon & 5K

Jeffrey Open Space Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 10 AM - Cypress Community Park, 255 Visions

Monday, January 19, 2015

Observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - IUSD schools & IPSF offices closed

Friday, January 23, 2015

IPSF Ambassador Meeting - 9 AM at Oak Creek Golf Club

Friday, January 30 & Monday, February 2nd, 2015

Student Holiday for grades 9-12

JANUARY SPECIAL PROMOTIONS SUPPORT IPSF

Grand Opening of Johnny's Real New York Pizza on January 10

Enjoy real New York style pizza right here in Irvine at the newest location of Johnny's Real New York Pizza in Quail Hill Village Center. To celebrate, they will be donating 20% of sales to IPSF on Saturday, January 10 from 11 AM - 11 PM. Stop by between 11 AM and 3 PM for special grand opening activities.

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