MPAEF FOR DUMMIES

Go ahead, admit it, you see “MPAEF” mentioned in the PTO newsletter and around your child’s school, you spot our bumper stickers in Trader Joe’s parking lot, and yet you’re feeling a little lost. It’s ok—read on and you’ll be a plugged-in parent supporter of MPAEF.

Myth: MPAEF is a “think tank” headquartered at an undisclosed Silicon Valley location, with a secret handshake and everything!

Fact: Put down The Da Vinci Code! MPAEF stands for Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation.

The MPAEF is made up of parents, businesses and other supporters who work together to raise money to fund essential programs and personnel at the four schools in the Menlo Park City School District. We maintain an office at Encinal school, and you can ALWAYS find us online at www.mpaef.org.

Myth: The PTO and MPAEF do pretty much the same thing, so as long as I support one or the other, that’s enough.

Fact: NO! Each school has its own PTO (Parent Teacher Organization), comprised of many volunteer committees which run various programs.

The PTOs raise funds to support school-specific needs. The MPAEF (also led by a volunteer board) focuses on “district-wide” programs and we fund personnel including our librarians and science teachers, and long-term objectives.