FAQ

PV Foundation - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Foundation?

  • The purpose of the Educational Foundation is to provide financial support to enhance the academic curriculum at Park Village Elementary School for all our students. Our primary objective is to provide funding for the following supplemental programs: art, music, physical education, science, and technology software. We also aim to provide funding for programs and events that foster community-building and encourage students to shine.

Are Foundation & PTA the same thing?

  • No, the Foundation and PTA are two separate entities.  The Foundation is the fundraising body for Park Village.  Any donations that parents would like to have directly support the Park Village Elementary School community, need to be made to the Foundation.  We do not have any annual membership dues, and do not provide any dues to a national body.  All Foundation funds stay within the school.
  • The Foundation funds the salary for the Special Area Teachers ("Specials") and has also taken on the responsibility of hosting the majority of the school wide events. 

Are the Foundation Board members employees of PUSD?

  • No, the entire Foundation Board and Committee Members are parent volunteers.  No one on the Foundation Board is an employee of PUSD or paid for their time.
  • The only exceptions are the Teacher representatives and the Principal who participate in monthly meetings and assist in guiding the Board in decision making to best support the school.

How can I help the Foundation?

  • VOLUNTEER! You do NOT have to serve in a board position to volunteer with the Foundation.  Any event we host, we not only welcome but NEED our parents to help us with. No time given is too small.  
  • To Volunteer, visit our Volunteer Sign Up page on Sign Up Genius and click on the event(s) you are interested in. If you're curious about events coming up that aren't ready for sign up, see our Volunteer page. In you want to be more involved, send us an email at parkvillagefoundation@gmail.com.

Why don't we always have all Special Area Teacher positions filled?

  • While our goal is to always have Science, Music, PE and Art positions filled, these positions are hired through PUSD, and financially reimbursed from the Park Village Foundation.  All positions are part-time, it can be tricky to find the perfect candidate(s) who match up with the qualifications and schedule/hours needed.
  • If you know of an interested candidate for any of our open positions, please refer them to our Principal to begin the application process.

Can I attend a Foundation Meeting?

  • Absolutely. But please know that meetings have a full agenda, and new topics should be emailed and discussed prior to the meeting, to have them approved and added to the agenda.

What is the benefit of attending a meeting?

  • Attending our monthly meetings is a great way to get insight on what is occurring within the school, any challenges we are facing and opportunities to help improve the school?

Who do I contact with a question, idea or suggestion?

  • Please contact our us at parkvillagefoundation@gmail.com

What is the best way to stay in touch and be kept current on activities and volunteer opportunities?

What is the difference between being on the Board and Volunteering for the Foundation?

  • Anyone can volunteer to be on any event planning committee, sign up for a Book Fair shift, or help at another event.  We NEED all the parent and community support we can get to ensure that all events and activities can happen each year. 

  • To serve on the Board, all members must be nominated by a current board member, and voted on at the annual elections.  Board members must attend 90% of all meetings each year, and will serve in a leadership capacity as either a VP, Director or Advisor.

How do I volunteer to be on the Board? 

  • Board members are voted in each year. Anyone interested in joining the Board can submit an application to the President at parkvillagefoundation@gmail.com.  

What are Restaurant Nights?

  • These are a monthly fundraising opportunity for our school. We have collaborated with restaurants in our area who are willing to donate a percentage of proceeds on a select date and often require mentioning the fundraiser (or using a specific code) when online ordering.
  • If you know of any local area restaurants that might want to support our school by offering a fundraising night, please let us know!

What is Picnic with Penguins?

  • Several times throughout the year, the Foundation hosts a day when parents can come during their child's lunchtime and spend lunch with them.  This is a fun activity for the kids. Parents are allowed to bring in outside food for their children, and either bring picnic blankets or sit in the lunch area. Sometimes ice cream is also for sale for a nominal fee which supports Foundation events.

What is "Friday Flag" & Can I Attend?

  • Friday Flags are held once a month, and are a school assembly hosted by our Principal, Teachers, and Student Leadership to celebrate and recognize students who have been selected for showing outstanding character or other important distinctions. Most months this is on the last Friday of the month and is from 8:45 - 9:15 AM -- we recommend checking the school events page as occasionally Friday Flag isn't on the last Friday of the month.
  • If your child has been selected to be recognized, your teacher will reach out to the week of the Friday Flag assembly, to let you know and invite you to attend.
  • Guests enter from the front gates and assemble on either side. The students sit in the lunch area with the youngest students up front. Student Leadership and Staff use microphones and are up top on the stage. 

What are Friends of the Foundation?

  • Friends of the Foundation are local businesses that directly financially support Park Village through donations or services and goods. If you own a local business and are curious how your business can make a tax-deductible donation to support Park Village Elementary while also sharing your brand with the school community, visit our Friends of the Foundation page.

Where can I find information on how money raised by the Foundation is spent?

  • On our Funding Goals page - You can learn more about the areas we fundraise for, the budgeted goals and more.