We are still here!!
It's been a long time and we just wanted to pop in and let you know that we are still here!! We haven't forgotten about our Topa family. Like all of you, we are focusing on getting our own families settled with distance learning. There is still so much unknown about what this school year will look like. It is hard for us to plan anything at this point. After lots of thought and discussions, we wanted to share with you our thoughts for the year and encourage all of you to join us in whatever way you can. Our little community of parents is especially important to us now, when we may feel isolated, overwhelmed, or out of the loop. Please know we are here and probably feeling similar thoughts. Joining us in some way may be just the thing you need to still feel connected to our Topa Family!!
WE WILL HAVE A MEMBERSHIP TABLE SET UP AT PICTURE DAY MONDAY SEPT 21 FROM 2-7PM AT THE TOPA CAFETERIA. STOP BY AND GET MORE INFO, SIGN UP FOR THE GENERAL MEETING AND BECOME A MEMBER.
$10 Membership paid cash or check made to Topa PTA.
WE WILL HAVE A MEMBERSHIP TABLE SET UP AT PICTURE DAY MONDAY SEPT 21 FROM 2-7PM AT THE TOPA CAFETERIA. STOP BY AND GET MORE INFO, SIGN UP FOR THE GENERAL MEETING AND BECOME A MEMBER.
$10 Membership paid cash or check made to Topa PTA.
We Do Have A Few Items of Business:
Membership: In order to maintain our non-profit status we are required to have a minimum of 15 members. We have lowered our dues to $10 which may be paid cash or a check made to Topa PTA. Membership pays for our state chapter dues and our liability insurance we are required to pay annually. Paid membership allows you to vote on our agenda items. Our agenda items are carried out ONLY if we receive a majority vote. MEMBERSHIP is the only way we operate!!! Please join us. If you are experiencing a financial hardship but would like to be a voting member, please contact us and we will work with you. topapta@gmail.com
Meetings: Our general meetings will now be held via videoconferencing until county guidelines allow us to have larger group meetings again. We are working out the best platform for these meetings and will give you the details prior to meetings. Currently our first General Meeting will be held Tuesday October 6 at 7pm. We do not have any other sessions scheduled at this time, as we will take it month by month. We have a few business items to take care of and require 15 people minimum to attend the meeting. Please consider attending so we can meet our PTA state requirements for our non profit status! You may email topapta@gmail.com to request access to the meeting. This meeting will cover last year's ending budget, proposed budget for this year, activities, fundraising, and bylaws. A full agenda will be emailed to those who sign up. Most importantly we would like to hear what people need or want from the PTA. You can even join us if you just want to see some friendly faces!
Fundraising: We have decided to put on hold all fundraising activities until we are in full session of school. Given all the possible hardships our families may have, our inability to hold in person activities, and the unclear needs of our teachers and students due to the changing guidelines out of our control, we do not feel it is the right time to ask more of our families. Thank you to all our past donations and families who have given generously to our PTA. Because of you, we have reserves that we can use to fund any upcoming needs. Thank you!!
Activities: All our normal fall activities (book fair, fall festival, ice cream social, movie night etc) will not be held at this time. We will wait for county guidelines to lift before we plan in person activities. UNTIL THEN, we would love to hear ways we can include or reach out to our students and families without adding an extra burden to anyone. Give us your thoughts. Join our meeting Tuesday October 6 at 7pm. Email us for access. Or email us your suggestions prior to the meeting and we can present them. topapta@gmail.com
Meetings: Our general meetings will now be held via videoconferencing until county guidelines allow us to have larger group meetings again. We are working out the best platform for these meetings and will give you the details prior to meetings. Currently our first General Meeting will be held Tuesday October 6 at 7pm. We do not have any other sessions scheduled at this time, as we will take it month by month. We have a few business items to take care of and require 15 people minimum to attend the meeting. Please consider attending so we can meet our PTA state requirements for our non profit status! You may email topapta@gmail.com to request access to the meeting. This meeting will cover last year's ending budget, proposed budget for this year, activities, fundraising, and bylaws. A full agenda will be emailed to those who sign up. Most importantly we would like to hear what people need or want from the PTA. You can even join us if you just want to see some friendly faces!
Fundraising: We have decided to put on hold all fundraising activities until we are in full session of school. Given all the possible hardships our families may have, our inability to hold in person activities, and the unclear needs of our teachers and students due to the changing guidelines out of our control, we do not feel it is the right time to ask more of our families. Thank you to all our past donations and families who have given generously to our PTA. Because of you, we have reserves that we can use to fund any upcoming needs. Thank you!!
Activities: All our normal fall activities (book fair, fall festival, ice cream social, movie night etc) will not be held at this time. We will wait for county guidelines to lift before we plan in person activities. UNTIL THEN, we would love to hear ways we can include or reach out to our students and families without adding an extra burden to anyone. Give us your thoughts. Join our meeting Tuesday October 6 at 7pm. Email us for access. Or email us your suggestions prior to the meeting and we can present them. topapta@gmail.com
Message from California State PTA Regarding Governor's Budget
CALIFORNIA BUDGET: BAD NEWS FOR SCHOOLS PTA PARENT ADVOCACY NEEDED NOW
Despite efforts by Governor Newsom to minimize cuts to education and children's services, the revised May California budget proposal leaves schools and other programs facing significant cuts.
The largest cut to K-12 funding is a 10 percent reduction to the Local Control Funding Formula ($6.5 billion in 2020-21).
Schools throughout the state, already bracing for cuts before the pandemic, now have to cut budgets even further. The financial hurt stretches beyond the coming school year, with even greater economic challenges in the following years.
The pandemic has overwhelmed the state's capacity to adequately support the education, health and welfare of California's children.
Time for Parent Advocacy
Before we get to details about the proposed budget, let’s address what parents must do now to cushion this blow. We need to speak up and advocate for more money: More money from the federal government, more money at the ballot box, and more revenue in the state budget.
In May, both houses of the legislature make their own budget recommendations. Then the legislature and the Governor negotiate a final budget, which must be adopted by June 15.
Efforts to Protect School Funding
The financial crisis is so big that funding schools at the minimum Proposition 98 guarantee would have decimated public education. It would have meant an almost $19 billion cut from the Governor’s January proposed budget. The chart below from the Department of Finance shows the projected drop in state revenues.
The Governor is recommending significant education investments in addition to the Prop. 98 minimum guarantee to reduce this precipitous drop.
These include:
Proposed Cuts
The budget proposes major cuts to existing programs, such as after school and career technical education totaling $353 million and the elimination/reduction of many of the new programs the governor had included in his January budget proposal. This includes increased funding for school food programs and efforts to address the teacher shortage (about $1.5 billion).
Early Education
While some early childhood education programs benefit from extra federal money, there are significant cuts to others. There is extra funding for COVID-19 related childcare activities ($350.3 million) under the federal CARES Act. But there are also $706 million in cuts to childcare and $490 million to state preschool programs.
Federal Money Helps Plug Budget Holes
California received $1.6 billion in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. Ninety percent ($1.5 billion) will be allocated to schools through Title 1 funding to help low-income students. The remaining 10 percent ($164.7 million) will support community schools, training and professional development for educators, and the state department of education for COVID-related costs.
The budget uses $4.4 billion in federal CARES funding to address learning loss and equity issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 school closures this spring. These funds will be used by districts to support summer learning and other programs that address equity gaps. These funds will also be used to make necessary modifications so that schools can reopen in the fall and help support parents' ability to work.
Budget Details:
K12 and Early Childhood education
Health and Human Services
Homelessness and Local Government
Despite efforts by Governor Newsom to minimize cuts to education and children's services, the revised May California budget proposal leaves schools and other programs facing significant cuts.
The largest cut to K-12 funding is a 10 percent reduction to the Local Control Funding Formula ($6.5 billion in 2020-21).
Schools throughout the state, already bracing for cuts before the pandemic, now have to cut budgets even further. The financial hurt stretches beyond the coming school year, with even greater economic challenges in the following years.
The pandemic has overwhelmed the state's capacity to adequately support the education, health and welfare of California's children.
Time for Parent Advocacy
Before we get to details about the proposed budget, let’s address what parents must do now to cushion this blow. We need to speak up and advocate for more money: More money from the federal government, more money at the ballot box, and more revenue in the state budget.
- Contact your state representatives: Let them know what the impact of the proposed budget will be on your school. To find your representatives click here.
- Advocate for More Federal Funding: Contact your federal representatives and ask them to support an additional $200 billion in federal funds for schools. Unless Congress acts, schools will experience major budget cuts triggered by the pandemic. Click here to send a message to your federal representatives.
- Help pass the Schools and Communities First ballot initiative which is on the November ballot: This could raise about $11.5 billion dollars each year for our schools and local communities. Click here to volunteer.
In May, both houses of the legislature make their own budget recommendations. Then the legislature and the Governor negotiate a final budget, which must be adopted by June 15.
Efforts to Protect School Funding
The financial crisis is so big that funding schools at the minimum Proposition 98 guarantee would have decimated public education. It would have meant an almost $19 billion cut from the Governor’s January proposed budget. The chart below from the Department of Finance shows the projected drop in state revenues.
The Governor is recommending significant education investments in addition to the Prop. 98 minimum guarantee to reduce this precipitous drop.
These include:
- Supplemental general fund payments for several years to avoid a permanent decline in school funding.
- Federal money to address student learning loss caused by school closures and for Title 1 schools.
- Limits on tax credits and other changes in the state tax code to generate more money
- Deferrals of state payments (late payments) to school districts.
- Increases in special education funding.
- Pension relief for school districts.
Proposed Cuts
The budget proposes major cuts to existing programs, such as after school and career technical education totaling $353 million and the elimination/reduction of many of the new programs the governor had included in his January budget proposal. This includes increased funding for school food programs and efforts to address the teacher shortage (about $1.5 billion).
Early Education
While some early childhood education programs benefit from extra federal money, there are significant cuts to others. There is extra funding for COVID-19 related childcare activities ($350.3 million) under the federal CARES Act. But there are also $706 million in cuts to childcare and $490 million to state preschool programs.
Federal Money Helps Plug Budget Holes
California received $1.6 billion in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. Ninety percent ($1.5 billion) will be allocated to schools through Title 1 funding to help low-income students. The remaining 10 percent ($164.7 million) will support community schools, training and professional development for educators, and the state department of education for COVID-related costs.
The budget uses $4.4 billion in federal CARES funding to address learning loss and equity issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 school closures this spring. These funds will be used by districts to support summer learning and other programs that address equity gaps. These funds will also be used to make necessary modifications so that schools can reopen in the fall and help support parents' ability to work.
Budget Details:
K12 and Early Childhood education
Health and Human Services
Homelessness and Local Government
PTA Executive Board Member Descriptions
Click on the links to see the CA PTA job descriptions and many other resources about the PTA!
President Vice President **not required Secretary Treasurer
President Vice President **not required Secretary Treasurer
Current Announcements
- Tomatomania- plants will be delivered to Topa the week of April 20-24 using the district social distance protocols. A specific date will be set when we get closer. Check back here our Facebook page.
- PTA Board Member Elections- Even though we are not at school, the California PTA has asked that we still run our annual Board Member elections. Due to the circumstances we will be doing all of this electronically. We are in need of all new Board Members for the upcoming school year. Please nominate yourself for a position. This is an opportunity to be involved, serve your community and make a difference to our students and teachers. Topa will have a new principal next year, so this is a great time to make new ideas happen! Required positions: President, Secretary, Treasurer. Optional position: Vice President. Nomination ballots are coming below along with additional information and links about the positions.
- Yearbook- We are sad to announce that we will not be offering a yearbook this school year. Due to the sudden closure of school, we feel it will be logistically too difficult to create, order and distribute one. Thank you to all who have submitted photos.
- All Other Remaining Events- We will be cancelling all other PTA events that were scheduled this year. We also will forego our remaining fundraising events. We would like our donors to support our community in this difficult time. A huge thank you to all who have supported and donated time, talents and money to our PTA and school.
Follow Topa Topa School art curriculum at pinterest.com/topatopaschool
Message from Ojai Unified!
4/1/20
Dear OUSD families and staff,
As you may have seen from the Governor's announcement today, all school districts in California are being urged to close through the end of the academic year to ensure the highest level of safety for our students and families. In support of the coronavirus mitigation effort, Ojai Unified School District, along with all Ventura County School Districts, has made the difficult decision to keep our schools closed through the end of the school year. Ojai Unified Schools will continue providing distance learning in lieu of in-class instruction for the remainder of the current semester.
We will continue to follow our current phased plan. Next week, April 6-10, is spring break, with no instruction. The following week, April 13-17, we will continue with our Phase 2 implementation with highly-recommended assignments, but no mandatory activities or attendance. Beginning on April 20 we will transition to Phase 3 and full implementation of distance learning. We are still working through many of the details of this, and more information will be coming to parents and students before we launch Phase 3. (please visit here for full message
Welcome to Topa Topa Elementary School PTA. We serve students from TK through 5th grade. Our commitment to excellence is exemplified by tremendous parent and community involvement and a peaceful, friendly, and safe campus environment.
Join Topa PTA and help us bring exciting programs to our students.
Topa PTA funds: Art-Music-Science Field Trips-PE-Technology-Hydration Stations-Outdoor Equipment-Enrichment Programs.
You can donate directly here to 2019-20 STEAM FUND
Click the Text Topa Office to get instructions about how to text the office Administrator to report absences or send messages.
Follow instructions to sign up to Remind 101 to receive school wide reminders and notifications!
