About UPC

About UPC

Mission

To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and problem-solving techniques among the parents of the various schools on education issues so that all might benefit from each other's experience.
To inform and update parents on current issues and happenings in the field, sensitizing them to areas in need of attention.
To provide leadership and representation for district parents so that they might unite and work together toward common goals more effectively and have an influential voice in the decision-making processes affecting their children.
To maintain open relationships with teachers, the school board, and school administration in order to accomplish these purposes while maintaining UPC's own autonomy.

2008-2009 Theme

The Three T's: Tools, Techniques, and Theories

2008-2009 Goals

Promote United Parent Council as an organization responsive to parent needs and attentive to educational issues facing parents

Attain representation from all schools in the District
Utilize representatives from school sites to advance the mission/purpose of UPC and provide feedback from school sites
Develop a broader use of technology to allow easy access to UPC-related programming and information to all parents in the District
Provide written information to representatives to include in school publications and web sites

Provide resources to parents across the District on educational issues

Promote established UPC programs and/or groups to assist parents in negotiating the educational process
Develop relationships with District parent groups focused on specific educational areas and establish a mutually beneficial relationship in an effort to address parent/student needs
Continue to advocate for parents and students across the District

Focus attention on areas of education important to parents and relevant to current trends in education

Provide timely programming during monthly UPC general meetings
Focus on research relevant to education and provide information to parent community via UPC web site, newsletter, and E-bulletin

Past Accomplishments

Presented monthly educational segments on topics of interest to parents
Issued regular E-bulletin updates to our network of more than 1,800 district parents
Offered parents ombudsman help in dealing with school policies
Ensured parent participation on district committees
Sat down with parents and district administration to resolve questions about new student travel guidelines
Urged the establishment of district guidelines for movie viewing in classroom
Addressed the Governing Board in support of high school parent-teacher conferences
Provided regular updates on legislative actions affecting education
Educated parents on the new teacher evaluation and performance-based pay systems
Tracked progress on the district's Long Range Plan
Recognized the efforts of school employees through Teacher/Staff Appreciation Program
Established the Geri L. Morgan Volunteer Award to spotlight the efforts of an outstanding school volunteer
Helped to close high school campuses
Promoted high school graduation night
Pushed for new middle school extracurricular sports programs
Established ombudsman help via the Parent Resource Program
Developed Special Education resources
Educated parents about issues such as school financing and teacher draft process
Facilitated parent representation on District committees

Structure

Members

School Representatives -- Each PVUSD school is allowed two voting representatives on the Council and two alternates
General Members -- Any resident of PVUSD may join UPC; however, voting privileges are not accorded

Officers

President
1st Vice President (liaison between UPC and schools)
2nd Vice President (coordinator of programs and events)
Treasurer
Secretary

Committees

Created to promote the objectives, issues, and programs of UPC

Executive Committee

Comprised of officers and committee chairs

Meetings

General meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month from August through May in the District Administration Center East/West Conference Rooms on the grounds of the PVUSD complex at 15002 North 32nd Street. Visitors are always welcome. The meetings consist of two parts. A business segment covers updates from the Superintendent and committees, announcements, and other discussion. The program portion is an opportunity to hear speakers or presentations on topics of interest to parents.

Role of UPC Representatives

The vitality of the United Parent Council comes from its membership. Representatives from across the district lend their diverse skills and experiences to our common goal -- putting children first and ensuring they thrive as PVUSD students.

Our organization's standing in the district allows us to get close to the individuals and processes that shape how education is delivered. There are many interesting people to meet and much to learn.

One of the biggest responsibilities of a UPC Representative is to share information with the wider parent population. Representatives and their alternates act as a link between UPC and their school communities.

We've developed a job description to help Representatives keep their school connected to the opportunities and information UPC provides. UPC Reps also can assist the Council by serving on UPC committees and recruiting parents for District committees.

Job Description

Attend monthly meetings or arrange for an alternate to go

Relay information from UPC to your school on a regular basis -- give reports to school's parent group and/or school newsletter

Bring to UPC information about your school or school community. Give UPC newsletter editor items of interest or news from your school

Become informed on issues so you can vote on behalf of your school when necessary

Connect your parent community to UPC resources -- E-bulletins, web site, meetings, and services -- as well as post meeting flyers, distribute E-bulletin request forms, invite guests to monthly meetings, ask that your school's web site link to UPC's site at www.pvupc.org, and invite UPC officers to a parent group meeting