About Friends of Playa Booster Club
Who We Are
Playa del Rey Elementary is one of the smallest LAUSD elementary schools in Los Angeles, at fewer than 300 students. Friends of Playa Booster Club (FOP) is a parent-run organization that meets on the first Tuesday of every month. All parents, teachers, staff, and community members are invited. FOP coordinates efforts to fundraise $150,000 each school year for enrichment activities offered to all students during the school day. These programs enhance and expand our students’ learning but are not funded by the district.
What We Support
Programs we fundraise to provide:
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Physical education: weekly coaching for all students with the YMCA PLAY program
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Music: weekly instruction for all students using the Orff Schulwerk learning philosophy, which includes singing, movement, and percussion instruments with Ms. Henze of Music Rhapsody, who also leads two seasonal student showcases during the school year
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Visual art: weekly curriculum and instruction for all students by Ms. Teri of Otis College of Art and Design, who leads a student showcase at the end of the year
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Drama: weekly class for Kinder-5th grade with award-winning youth theater educator Mr. Donzell
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Garden: weekly instruction including nutrition, healthy living, gardening, and environmental stewardship with Ranger TBD by Enrich LA Garden Rangers program, as well as supportive maintenance of our beautiful edible garden spaces
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STEM enrichment: weekly instructional support for Amplify Science curriculum via PS Science, and funding for STEAM Family Science Night
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Field trip transportation, teacher materials requests, and more.
How We Do It
Throughout the school year, FOP coordinates family Restaurant Nights, Spiritwear sales, as well as our tentpole family fundraising events (details are subject to change):
October: Read-A-Thon, Fall Scholastic Book Fair, Community Movie Night
November: Mrs. Field’s + Cheesecake Factory Holiday Baking Sale
December: Holiday Baskets Raffle
January: See’s Candy Valentine Sale
March: Spring Festival
April: Jog-A-Thon, Spring Scholastic Book Fair
May: Silent Auction and Casino Night
PARENTS!
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Sign up for our weekly FOP newsletter, the Dolphin Digest, and use the form to tell us about yourself and what kind of volunteer opportunities interest you. (Note: Classroom volunteer opportunities are coordinated by the school office.)
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Attend our FOP meetings on the first Tuesday of the month, to find out the latest on our efforts and let us know how you’d like to pitch in. Find the Zoom link in the weekly newsletter.
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Follow PDR’s social channels to stay up to date. Instagram @playadelreyelementary Facebook @FriendsofPlaya
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Ask your employer about company matching! Many corporations will double the impact of your donation!
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Fundraise while you shop! You can find us on Ralph’s Rewards, Smile.Amazon, Office Depot/OfficeMax and iGive.
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Questions? Contact us at [email protected].
COMMUNITY MEMBERS!
Find out how your business can be a proud Playa supporter. Along with our family fundraising events throughout the year, we offer Corporate Sponsorships that include support banners for your business along our Centinela Avenue gates as well as volunteer opportunities.
We also seek out and apply for Grant opportunities from community partners. We have recently been honored to receive support from:
LAX Coastal Education Foundation/SoCalGas STEM grant (2021)
LAX Coastal Education Foundation Arts grant (2021)
Del Rey Neighborhood Council Purpose grant (2020)
We encourage and rely on monetary contributions and volunteer hours from parents and community partners to facilitate these programs. Contact us at [email protected] for details so we can work together to create more enriching experiences for our students.