A Guide To Understanding

Oak Park Education Foundation (OPEF) 

and Elementary Parent Faculty/Teacher Associations (PFA/PTA)

Why are OPEF and the PFA/PTA’s important?

OPEF and the PFA/PTA’s are all 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that provide crucial financial support to all the elementary schools, filling the gap between limited state funding and the per-pupil cost of educating our kids. While state funding pays for the basics, it does not pay for programs that ensure educational excellence. For more information as to how state education funding works, please click HERE. Significantly increasing funding through philanthropic gifts from our parents and our community helps Oak Park Schools sustain the high quality education that makes us one of California’s highest-performing school districts.  

How are OPEF and the PFA/PTA’s different?

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Oak Park Education Foundation, a district-wide, nonprofit entity is led by its own board of parents, residents, and alumni. OPEF works in collaboration with the school district PTAs, PFAs, and Booster Clubs to support multi-school programs, and ensure program equity from school to school.

Brookside, Oak Hills, and Red Oak Elementary Schools each have a Parent Teacher Organization (PFA or PTA) that supports valuable programs and materials at their site to enhance the educational experience of students while also building a sense of community and support to families. They organize fundraising, events, spirit wear, staff appreciation, and much more.

Who should I donate to?

If your family is able, we ask that you donate to both OPEF and your PFA/PTA. Working together, OPEF and the PFA/PTA of each school help to fully support a quality education for your student. Both organizations are critical to bridge the state funding gap. While the amount per pupil funding we receive is among the lowest in California and the nation, Oak Park schools are in the top 1% in California and among the best in the nation. Much of this is attributable to our engaged and supportive parents and community. If OPEF and the PFA/PTA’s do not raise enough funding each year, they are faced with having to cut innovative and extracurricular programs, supplies, and positions from the following school year’s budget. 

I have more questions, how can I contact OPEF or Elementary PFA/PTA’s?

Please always feel free to reach out to the following organizations with questions, or to learn about volunteer opportunities. We would be happy to hear from you!

Oak Park Education Foundation

info@oakparkeducationfoundation.org

http://www.oakparkeducationfoundation.org/

Red Oak Elementary PFA

redoakpfa@gmail.com

https://sites.google.com/view/redoakpfa/home

Brookside Elementary PTA

besptapresident@gmail.com

Brookside PTA (google.com) 

Oak Hills Elementary PTA

oakhillspres@gmail.com

https://sites.google.com/view/oak-hills-elementary-pta