Snapshots

September 2008

Tom Elliott, Asst. Superintendent for Business Services, provided factual information on the upcoming override elections. Every PVUSD school has a factual information sheet on the override; interested parents and community members must ASK for a copy at the front desk.

Due to statutory restrictions, PVUSD employees and persons on school grounds are prohibited from advocating positions on the override elections and cannot specifically hold meetings or distribute materials that would do so. However, Tom Elliott is available to speak at schools to provide factual information that will help our parent and school communities make informed decisions. To schedule Tom to speak at your school, please email Tom Elliott.

Business Meeting Highlights

Membership -- Pam Kogan

The United Parent Council directory, which will be distributed in October to schools via UPC representatives, also contains contact info for school council representatives. These parent reps are not be confused with UPC reps. Each of our PVUSD schools also has a school council, formerly called "site council." These councils are spearheaded by the school principals, and have both parent and community representation. In listing parent school council reps and UPC reps, there are increased opportunities for networking and collaboration between parents.

Programming -- Julia Zandler

Upcoming October Program: Governing Board Candidate Forum

Wednesday, October 15^th
Program begins at 10:00 a.m.
PVUSD District Administrative Center, 15002 No. 32^nd St.

Meet the candidates running for seats on the PVUSD Governing Board and find out where they stand on the issues that affect all our students.

"I'm working." "My child is home sick." "I can't ever make morning meetings!"

"The dog ate my minivan."

No problem! The B.E.S.T. group will host an evening Governing Board Forum

Tuesday, October 21^st at 7 p.m.
Sandpiper Elementary School,  6724 E. Hearn Rd.

UPC COMMITTEE REPORTS

LINC -- Tami Taylor

Mark your calendars! - Next LINC EVENT

February 4, 2009 -- SCHOOL AND VENDOR SHOWCASE

• Exemplary programs and achievements, accomplished from PTAs, PTOs, and parent groups from schools across the district will be highlighted.

• Vendors will showcase products to assist schools with fundraising, incentive programs, and special curriculum products

Special Education -- Allison Cahill

Parents, mark your calendars for the last Wednesday of each month to meet at Einstein Brothers Bagels, 64^th Street and Greenway, to connect with each other, share information, and help plan programming.

Look for future information on upcoming workshops on 504 and IEP process. Special education teachers will also have updated information for distribution.

DISTRICT COMMITTEES - CALL FOR PARENT PARTICIPATION!

There are currently three committees that have UPC representation. Serving on a district committee provides a wonderful opportunity to have a "parent" voice, be involved in decisions that affect not only our own kids, but many, and meet the various certificated, classified, and administrative staff throughout our district.

• EXTENDED DAY ELEMENTARY COMMITTEE

UPC has FIVE parent representatives on this committee. Please contact them for information on the ongoing process and efforts of this committee:

Stacey Huscher            stahuscher@cox.net

Mark Lane                   mlane19@cox.net

Melissa MeKee             knight_melissa@yahoo.com

Allison Reynolds           reynoldsaz@hotmail.com

Kate Saeli                   saelifamily@cox.net

 
• GIFTED SCOPE AND SEQUENCE COMMITTEE

 Needs ONE high school parent interested in sitting on this committee

• ENERGY CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

Needs THREE parents

For more information , contact Julia Zandler.

SPECIAL NOTE: PVUSD STUDENT ARTWORK CALENDAR SALE!

The Foundation for Public Education (TFPE) invites you to purchase the 1st volume of our "2008 PVUSD Student Winners Artwork Calendar!"

Each page of this limited edition calendar features beautifully illustrated artwork by PVUSD students and includes District and TFPE dates for the 2008-2009 school year. What a wonderful way to showcase the talent of our students!  At only $10 each, these calendars will make the perfect gift for your friends and family - and be sure to buy one for yourself!

Proceeds from the calendar sale will be used by The Foundation for programs that support students and teachers of PVUSD.   Most notably, TFPE has recently funded nearly $130,000 for the Hands On Science Center (grand opening on October 2) and the Professional Development School (PDS), an ASU partnership to be housed at Palomino. If you have questions, please email Michael Orlikoff.

Program: MARKETING OUR SCHOOLS

Guest Speaker: Jeff Muecke, VP Marketing, UTI Corp.

Jeff is a parent at Sonoran Sky Elementary School. He shared his experience starting with a voluntary one-day stint as "“Principal for a Day," which evolved into a business partnership with Sonoran Sky to develop a marketing and publicity program.  Sonoran Sky, with the collaboration of the principal, teachers, and parents, turned its future from declining enrollment to increased growth and visibility. 

MARKETING OUR SCHOOLS

What does it mean?

How it is done?

What is the first step?

MARKETING VS. PUBLIC RELATIONS

Public Relations -- connected to community perception

Comes at little to no cost, but connects the school to the community

However, the word stays at the community, not reaching out

E.g.: food drives, blood drives, etc.

Marketing -- a strategy to achieve a specific purpose

Can be costly

E.g.: brochure, direct mailing, targeting specific demographics

Strategy- every teacher invested in process, open house

Both public relations AND marketing fill schools.

HOW IS IT DONE?

1- Look at who is responsible:

Faculty

Staff

Strong leadership

Collaborative effort, buy-in from staff

2- Establish a mission and a vision and live by it

3- Generate resources:

Partner with local businesses

Community involvement

4- Create a marketing launch checklist

Establish planning committee

Identify goals

Schedule open house and begin marketing

Mailers

Posters

Local business involvement

Utilize internal resources

Hold regular meetings

Execute open house

Teachers showcase their special area

Develop customer service

Organized system for new/prospective families

Info packet, school tours, new family orientation

Closing Comment from Julia Zandler:

Jeff's presentation illustrates how one parent's observations, and subsequent involvement in Sonoran Sky led to positive changes that affected the entire school community. Every one of our PVUSD schools has something special to offer, and there is a "Jeff" at each one. The success at Sonoran Sky can be replicated, taking into consideration each school's challenges and unique gifts.