Letter from ISTPA

The International School of Tucson’s Parents’ Association (“ISTPA”) was formed to serve the mission of the school through a partnership with the parents, children, teachers, and administration of the International School of Tucson.  The ISTPA provides leadership and direction to parents wishing to become involved with their school community and acts as a liason between parents and the school administration.

The ISTPA’s mission is:

1. To foster relationships among parents, the school’s administration, faculty, staff, and the community;
2. To provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas among parents;
3. To organize programs and activities for the IST community;
4. To represent the views of the parents to the school; and
5. To encourage and promote active involvement by parents in their children’s school community.

All parents and legal guardians of children enrolled at IST are automatically members of the ISTPA.  Dues are $10 per semester per family.

The ISTPA Executive Committee is comprised of the following elected officials:

1. President
2. Vice President
3. Treasurer
4. Secretary

The ISTPA has voluntary members serving on the following committees (each with several sub-committees):

1. Hospitality/Social Committee
2. Fundraising Committee
3. History/Scrapbook Committee

The ISTPA sponsors the following annual events:

1. Welcome Luau
2. Hallowwen Parade
3. Rummage Sale
4. Parade of Lights
5. International Day

Meetings are held on a monthly basis at 6pm at the school. Agendas and Minutes are published in the Weekly Newsletters, usually the weeks before and afer each meeting.

If you have any questions about the ISTPA, please contact us.

ISTPA Committees

• Hospitality/Social Committees  This committee is responsible for putting on various activities throughout the year for the school community.  The Chairperson of this committee would be responsible for maintaining the calendar of events, putting together the sub-committees and sub-committee chairperson, and report updates to the ISTPA.  Chairperson of Hospitality/Social Committee can also chair any of the sub-committees.  The following is the list of sub-committees
  • Luau – organizes the new & returning parent potluck dinner, to be held the Friday prior to the first week of fall semester.  Recommended 4 – 5 sub-committee members to plan, set up, host, and break down event.
  • Exhibition – organizes potlucks for each of the Exhibition events.  Committee would post potluck sign-up sheets/emails, set-up, & breakdown.  Recommended 4 -5 sub- committee members
  • Parent Mixers – organizes Parent Night out, Parent Networking Mixers.  Committee would set up time, location and post in the Newsletter and information boards of events.  Recommended 2 sub-committee members.
  • Prize Giving – organizes the Prize giving ceremonies potluck for the Preschool and/or the Jr. School Luncheon at the end of the year. Committee would be responsible for posting potluck sign-up sheets at the preschool, set-up and breakdown for the preschool ceremonies and arranging Lunch reservations for the Jr. School.  Recommended 3 – 4 sub-committee members.
  • Book Club – organizes recommended books to be read and discussion group for parents. Recommended 1 organizer
  • Boot Camp – organizes time and days for parents to get together and exercise.  Recommended 1 organizer
  • Parent Rep – Representative from each classroom to welcome new parents, introduce them to other class parents, and go over events.  Representative arranges a class parent function so that the parents can meet each other at the beginning of the fall semester.  Representative is the liason of the parents/teacher and ISTPA.  Reports to ISTPA board directly of any concerns, wishes, etc. that the class may have in a timely manner.
  • Cultures Events Committee – finds volunteers, keeps a calendar of events and helps organize and put on the different cultural events as an after school activity.  Recommended 2 sub-committee members
  • Halloween Parade/Parade of Lights – posts event, finds donations of preferably non-sugar Halloween treats, set up parade route, and recruit parents to hand out the treats at various locations on the parade route. Recommended 2 sub-committee members.  Parade of Lights committee would need to put together the float, post event, and recruit riders/walkers for the event.  Recommended 4 sub-committee members.
  • Fundraising Committees  This committee is responsible for organizing various money generating activities throughout the year for ISTPA.  The Chairperson of this committee would be responsible for maintaining the calendar of events, putting together the sub-committees and sub-committee chairperson, and report updates to the ISTPA.  Chairperson of Fundraising Committee can also chair/participate in any of the sub-committees.  The following is the list of sub-committees
    • Rummage Sale – organizes the Rummage sale to be held in the fall semester.  Committee is responsible for posting event, gathering rummage sale items, setting up, selling items, and breaking down.  Recommended 5-7 sub-committee members
    • Social Fundraising – organizes fun events (McDonalds night, Ice Cream Socials, Pump it Up) for families to get together at the same time to raise some money for Fundraising.  Recommended 4 sub-committee members

• International Day – organizes International day event for the spring semester.  Committee is responsible for advertising, country booths, entertainment, set-up and breakdown.  Recommended core sub-committee 4 – 6 members

History/Scrapbook Committees  This committee is responsible for gathering and publishing photos, contact information throughout the year for the school community.  The Chairperson of this committee would be responsible for putting together the sub-committees and sub-committee chairperson, and report updates to the ISTPA.  Chairperson of History/Scrapbook Committee can also chair any of the sub-committees.  The following is the list of sub-committees

• Parent Directory – organizes contact information of all the parents to be issued to parents in the fall semester.  Committee would also find advertisers for the directory.  Recommended 2 sub-committee members.
• Scrapbook/DVD – organizes an end of the year DVD to be purchased by parents and the prize-giving ceremonies. Recommended 2 sub-committee members