who we are
Friends of Irving Park Elementary is a volunteer, 501 c(3) nonprofit organization with the purpose of supporting initiatives for Irving Park Elementary. Established in 1923, Irving Park Elementary School is one of the oldest elementary schools in Greensboro, NC. Due to the overwhelming interest of alumnae and neighbors in Irving Park Elementary, Friends of IPE was created to raise private financial support for the school.
How is Friends of Irving Park Elementary different from the PTA?
Friends of Irving Park Elementary is an independent organization, apart from the school’s PTA. FIPE focuses and supports long-term strategic needs for the school including the promotion of STEAM learning and capital initiatives. PTA can and does at times have long-term project plans that fit their mission—To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children—but their yearly goals are typically program related and more of the day-to-day needs of the school’s families, teachers and students. Together, Friends of Irving Park Elementary and IPE PTA are a powerful voice for quality education and a nurturing environment for every child at Irving Park Elementary.
How is Friends of Irving Park Elementary funded?
The organization is funded through individual donations from families, neighbors, local businesses and community leaders.
Who decides where the money raised by Friends of Irving Park Elementary is spent?
School staff, led by Principal McKee, identifies needs within the school and shares those needs with the Friends of Irving Park Elementary Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of Irving Park Elementary parents, alumni, the school principal, the PTA president, neighbors and business leaders. 100% of fundraising benefit Irving Park Elementary and its students.
Due to the generosity of Friends of Irving Park Elementary donors we are:
How can I help?
We invite you to join both the PTA and Friends of Irving Park Elementary in many opportunities to provide your time, talent, or donation. For more information on the PTA, please visit irvingparkpta.com. For more information on Friends of Irving Park Elementary, please contact Katie Lakey at 336.370.6541 or friendsofipe@gmail.com.
How is Friends of Irving Park Elementary different from the PTA?
Friends of Irving Park Elementary is an independent organization, apart from the school’s PTA. FIPE focuses and supports long-term strategic needs for the school including the promotion of STEAM learning and capital initiatives. PTA can and does at times have long-term project plans that fit their mission—To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children—but their yearly goals are typically program related and more of the day-to-day needs of the school’s families, teachers and students. Together, Friends of Irving Park Elementary and IPE PTA are a powerful voice for quality education and a nurturing environment for every child at Irving Park Elementary.
How is Friends of Irving Park Elementary funded?
The organization is funded through individual donations from families, neighbors, local businesses and community leaders.
Who decides where the money raised by Friends of Irving Park Elementary is spent?
School staff, led by Principal McKee, identifies needs within the school and shares those needs with the Friends of Irving Park Elementary Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of Irving Park Elementary parents, alumni, the school principal, the PTA president, neighbors and business leaders. 100% of fundraising benefit Irving Park Elementary and its students.
Due to the generosity of Friends of Irving Park Elementary donors we are:
- The only teacher Certified STEAM elementary school in Guilford County
- Learning with a hands-on STEAM Lab
- Exploring with a 3D printer
- Creating with a glass and clay pottery kiln
- Teaching with Lego Robotics
- Growing with classroom gardens
- Learning interactively with wireless internet throughout the school
- Beating to our global drums in music class, which boosts mathematical skills while making music
- Innovating through special science workshops about magnets, harnessing heat, ecosystems, and weather
- Enjoying our improved campus with newly painted trim, walkways, fencing and lighting.
How can I help?
We invite you to join both the PTA and Friends of Irving Park Elementary in many opportunities to provide your time, talent, or donation. For more information on the PTA, please visit irvingparkpta.com. For more information on Friends of Irving Park Elementary, please contact Katie Lakey at 336.370.6541 or friendsofipe@gmail.com.