2024
UNIVERSITY PARK ELEMENTARY
PTA OVERVIEW & FINANCIALS Fall
HOW DOES THE PTA SUPPORT UPARK?
Denver Public Schools gives us an incredible foundation, but a budgetary shortfall exists due to legislative funding constraints. That’s where the PTA efforts work to supplement a well-rounded K-5 education for all students.
During the 23-24 school year, we provided a $130,000 grant to the school which allows UPark to continue to be fully staffed with teachers and paraprofessional support. Additionally, we funded educational equipment, supported one of the few elementary school bands in DPS, led student activities in the school garden and supported our students, teachers, staff, and families with community events.
Due to the PTA’s consistently successful fundraising efforts, the annual grant will be increased to $160,000 for the 24-25 school year and beyond, in our effort to continue supporting UPark to our fullest ability.
Backpack: Procure donations and organize weekly deliveries of healthy food to our students/families in need.
UPark has a dedicated group of teachers, staff, and wonderful kids. What we need to complete the picture is YOU! Our parent volunteers help every child at UPark develop into an impactful thinker and doer!
Garden: Maintain the school garden, coordinate with teachers to incorporate the garden into learning, and work with students to harvest, package, and sell crops at the UPark Farmers’ Markets.
Green Team: The student and teacher led green team educates students about recycling, composting, climate- informed personal choices, and promotes waste free activities.
Grounds Beautification:
Facilitate beautification projects and clean-up efforts to maintain the school’s outdoor spaces.
Library:
Volunteers assist in the library operations; checking in and out books, leading story time, and maintaining inventory.
UPARK’S VISION
We are a community of mighty thinkers and doers. We value each learner as an active participant on a personal journey toward success. We seek to understand ourselves and work together to impact our families, our community, and the world.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Apple Campaign:
During the start of the school year the Apple Campaign is tasked with raising over half of the PTA’s annual grant budget through direct giving, corporate matching, and stock gifts.
Spring Auction:
The Auction committee plans the spring fundraiser and social event. Committee volunteers procure donations, coordinate sign-up parties, and plan the parent social event.
School Day Volunteers:
Regular volunteers are needed in the library, and specials classrooms. Classroom volunteer opportunities are coordinated by your room parent or teacher.
Community Events:
Organize and/or help run events such as the Field Day, Multicultural Night, Art Night, Restaurant Nights, the Fun Run and Carnival, and staff appreciation.
Advocacy Work:
Volunteers work with the CO PTA and other education groups to advocate on behalf of all students and families for better education funding and policy, as well as promoting get-out-the-vote efforts.
SUPPORT UPARK WHEN YOU DINE AND SHOP
KING SOOPERS COMMUNITY REWARDS
Simply connect your King Soopers rewards card to UPark and a portion of your purchase will be donated back to the school each time you swipe your SooperCard or enter your phone number at checkout. Connecting Your SooperCard to UPark is EASY:
1. Go to www.kingsoopers.com
2. Click “Savings” on the menu bar
3. Select King Soopers Community Rewards
4. Sign in or create an account to enroll
5. Once you’ve signed in or created an account, click “Enroll Now”
6. Search for University Park Elementary PTA or use code, CR174
7. Click Enroll
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Simply download the app and scan your receipts. A list of participating brands is available at boxtops4education.com.
MINTED
Use code FUNDRAISEUPESDENVER when you shop for holiday cards, invitations and more at minted.com. You save 20% and Minted donates 15% to UPark.
RESTAURANT NIGHTS:
Check the newsletter for additional details in advance of each dine-out night.
SEPTEMBER 9-10: CHOOK
OCTOBER 1: MODERN MARKET
OCTOBER 21-22: TAZIKI’S
NOVEMBER 5: BLACKJACK PIZZA
NOVEMBER 20: PARK BURGER
DECEMBER 4: PIONEER BAR
Last year the UPark PTA raised nearly $250,000 to support every child at our school. Thank you to everyone who donated their time and money. Here is a snapshot of where the money came from and how it was spent.
PTA INCOME 2023-2024
FUNDRAISERS
$220,659 Apple Campaign $92,608 Grocery Cards $9,837
Spring Auction $110,475
Corporate Sponsors $4,700
Restaurant Nights $3,039
OTHER
PTA EXPENSES 2023-2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we have to raise so much extra money at UPark? We raise funds to offset budget shortfalls so that UPark can continue to be fully staffed with teachers and paraprofessionals. Fundraising also helps to reduce class sizes as well as to ensure that we have five days of “specials” (PE, Drama/Music and Art).
Our family doesn’t have a lot of time to volunteer. How can we get involved? Join the PTA at our monthly meetings to make your ideas heard. PTA meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6 PM. Attend community events like the fun run and carnival, art night, field day to meet new people and support the UPark Community. Donations to the Apple Campaign are also encouraged.
What are corporate sponsors? Corporate Sponsors are community businesses that support UPark and receive recognition at school events, with fence banners, on our marquee, website, social media and/or in the school directory. If you know of a business that might be interested, please reach out to UParkpta@gmail.com for more details.
We already support the PTA. Do I need to donate to the fall Apple Campaign and bid in the Spring Auction? The short answer is - yes, please! Our PTA relies on only two major annual fundraisers - the Fall Apple Campaign and the Spring Auction - to support our budget. We rely on strong community participation in both fundraising events to reach our financial goals.
WHAT IS THE APPLE CAMPAIGN?
State funding from tax dollars only goes so far - and it’s not far enough for what we want for our community and our kids. It is not the state, but our community (you!) that allows us to provide smaller class sizes, reading intervention, additional Gifted & Talented instruction time, full- time art, and paraprofessionals in younger classrooms. It’s things like these that set our school apart and give our kids the educational experience they deserve. The Apple Campaign is a direct giving campaign that helps us raise the money to sustain these things that make UPark an exceptional school for all students. Our Apple Campaign goal is ambitious but attainable: to raise $95,000 (60% of the annual grant to UPark). Individual donations last year ranged from $25 to $5,000. We need donations of all sizes to reach our goal.
