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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Westchester/Playa del Rey Education Foundation do?
The Westchester/Playa del Rey Education Foundation (WPEF) is a nonprofit group that raises money to improve our schools in Westchester/Playa del Rey. State funding for education in California is inadequate for many basic programs and insufficient to fund enrichment programs. California ranks in the bottom third in the United States for funding of K-12 education-- approximately $1,000 per student below the national average. In addition, California schools have among the highest class sizes in the US. Without local funding, many programs that parents value would simply disappear.
Both the Education Foundation and PTA are critical to the quality of education in our community. WPEF and school PTA’s work together to support quality education in Westchester and Playa del Rey. return to top
Why do we need WPEF and the PTA?
Each organization has a distinct role to play:
WPEF’s goal is to make grants to the schools that pay for programs and educators whose positions the state of California does not pay. These grants are determined by using priorities with input from administrators, teachers, classified employees, parents and students. Our grants will help increase the quality of education in Westchester and Playa del Rey. Music and arts education, physical education, libraries, technology centers, educational advisement and class size reduction are all programs WPEF is focused on.
School PTA’s bring parents and teachers together to work for the common benefit of all children. PTA’s promotes parent involvement in the school. Their primary goal is to support and enrich education. PTA funds are used to provide classroom and office supplies, instructional materials, field trips, school beautification, cultural arts and other school-specific needs. In Westchester/Playa del Rey, the PTA’s work with WPEF to raise the funds to maintain programs that we believe are crucial for our students. PTA presidents provide input from each school on WPEF decisions. return to top
Is WPEF associated with LAUSD?
No. WPEF is a group of volunteers that work with schools, students, businesses, community representatives and the district to enhance and improve the quality of education for all students in the 7 local public schools of Westchester and Playa del Rey. return to top
How do I know the money I donate will not go back to LAUSD?
The bylaws of the foundation have been written to keep our donations in our community. WPEF will not write a blank check to the District. Instead, WPEF will make a commitment to fund certain positions and programs, based on recommendations and vote of the WPEF board. return to top
What about LAUSD responsibility to the schools and Los Angeles?
LAUSD is a big machine, the largest school district in the country. WPEF is dedicated to the enhancement and advocacy of our 7 public schools in Westchester and Playa del Rey. WPEF can provide funds for all our schools where local PTA’s can’t and where government funding doesn’t. return to top
Are my donations to WPEF tax exempt?
Yes. The Westchester/Playa del Rey Education Foundation is a California charitable non-profit, corporation. It is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. The federal tax ID number for the foundation (EIN) is 20-3035179. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. return to top
How does WPEF raise money?
Currently through donations and grant writing. WPEF will conduct an annual appeal at the beginning of the school year to raise money from parents, business and the community. WPEF is planning on hosting an annual fundraising event. WPEF solicits corporate and foundation donations directly and through matching gift programs. return to top
How much should I give?
We ask you to consider starting at the Family level with a gift of $1,200 or more. This is $100/month for the entire year. The donor levels for WPEF are:
| Sponsor |
$10,000 or above |
| Donor |
$5,000 - $9,999 |
| Family |
$1,200 - $4,999 |
| Friend |
$500 - $1,199 |
| Contributor |
up to $499 |
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What can I do to help?
Give generously to WPEF. Whatever your means, we encourage all parents and community members to give what you can. You can also attend our monthly meetings, join one of our committees or give an in-kind donation to WPEF.
We also have many opportunities for volunteering:
Sign-up to be part of one of our committees
Grant-Writing In order to be able to provide enrichment activities, aides in the classrooms, and provide help where it's needed, we need to apply for as many grants as possible. Help in finding, researching, and writing grants.
E-mail: kelly@wpef.org
Family Relations Help spread the word to families of young children (up to kindergarten). Participate by being the liaison between WPEF and parenting classes, pre-schools, mommy and me classes
E-mail: marie@wpef.org
School Relations
- Volunteers as liaisons between PTA and Booster clubs of each of our seven schools and WPEF, communicating information about achievements, fundraising events, open houses, shows and plays at each school to be advertised on the WPEF website.
- Volunteers to tutor middle school students after school in Math and other subjects
- Volunteers to help in finding good programs in Art, Music, Theatre arts, and foreign languages that we could implement at our local schools.
E-mail: forouzan@wpef.org
Community Relations
- Volunteers to be part of one of our fundraisers: 1. Fall fundraiser or 2. Spring Fundraiser
- Committee volunteers for each school to coordinate recycling
- Help in fundraising from businesses
E-mail: marie@wpef.org
Public Relations
- Print and distribute the Community Meeting flyers
- Develop schedule for press releases and promotional activities with the media and local realtors.
- Research additional reporting avenues
E-mail: christine@wpef.org
Monetary contribution
- Attend the Fall and/or Spring fund-raisers
- Buy a Friends and Family Shopping pass for $10 and receive special discounts at participating stores in Westside Pavilion and Santa Monica Place on December 4th.
- Make a tax-deductible contribution to WPEF.
Sign-up as a Volunteer for School Beautification
WPEF is applying for a $10,000 grant from the Office of Community Beautification of the City of Los Angeles, to beautify the front of all of our local public elementary schools and middle school, create “learning gardens” in each, and to demolish the old decaying greenhouse on the campus of Orville Wright. Should WPEF receive the grant, we will need the help of the community to implement it. Need:
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How is all this getting done?
At this time, all efforts are voluntary, many of our members work outside of being parents, volunteer at our schools and support other causes. Strength is in our numbers – numbers of involved parents, numbers of school administrators and teachers, numbers of neighborhood “stakeholders”, numbers of dollars, numbers found through research, numbers of organized professionals on our “team”, ultimately numbers of fulfilled, nurtured and educated students. return to top
Join WPEF and your school PTA.
PTA gains strength by high levels of membership and parent involvement. Needs vary by school. Please check your PTA website to learn the volunteer and financial needs of your school.
Click on your PTA website link below:
I have further questions.
Contact kelly@wpef.org for further information.
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