SOPA Programs

Taxes pay for our amazing teachers, administration, and support staff, but many areas of education vital to a creative, cultured education are not provided for our children.

This is where we, the parents and stakeholders of Sherman Oaks Elementary, come in.
We are collectively and legally known as SOPA, and as a non-profit corporation, we donate and fundraise to fund incredible enrichment programs for each child during the regular school day.

Due to governmental cuts in the arts, athletics, technology, and support staff such as a school nurse, it is more important than ever to do all we can to keep providing the highest level of enrichment for our children, so they come out of SOES at the front of the starting line as they move on in life.

Without SOPA, and your devoted involvement, none of the following would exist at our school.


Some of the programs SOPA provides for every child:

Kinder Science Enrichment
The Kindergarten Science enrichment has been a jewel and attraction to SOES for over 20 years.  Run by Sharon Lowenstein, it presents deeper levels of grade level science curriculum to the children and incorporates art projects into the lessons.  Mrs. Lowenstein visits each kinder class twice a week. This program is provided 100% by SOPA contributions.

Art Explorers
Students in Grades 1 through 5 engage our art studio and 3 art teachers, lead by Karen Binkow, every week. Each week focusses on the art styles and techniques associated with a different master artist, from the classical artists like Rafael to modern artists like Hockney. The children learn both art history and art technique in their classes. This program is provided 100% by SOPA contributions.

Computer Lab
Beginning in 2008, SOPA is proud to present our brand new Computer Lab and Tech Teacher.  Thanks to a great deal of hard work and many generous donations, the new computer lab will provide the kids of SOES with a state of the art learning experience, using the computers, educational software, the internet, and media-arts projects to take their classroom learning to a deeper level. Each student will visit the lab weekly, becoming knowledgeable in how to accomplish projects using the latest technology. Thanks to the Friedman Charitable Foundation, the Beers family, SOPA, and several other benevolent participants, the Media Tech Lab is a shining gem of the school. The ongoing program is provided 100% by SOPA contributions.

Music Program
The music program is a source of tremendous pride for many kids and parents of SOES.  Marnie Wheeler, our music director, does an incredible job with all ages and levels of singer.  She meets with every class weekly, and also leads our upper grade Chorus.   In addition, the Winter Sing and Spring Sing will make any parent gush with joy as each child participates in singing several songs with their respective grades.  These two events are some of the most attended events by the parents of SOES and once you attend one, you’ll know why. Without SOPA, only 1/4 of our children would receive music. The school district provides Mrs. Wheeler one day per week, and SOPA contributions fund her for the remainder so she meets with every child.

Nurse
As LAUSD has cut back and reduced budgets over the years, school nurses have been slowly disappearing from our schools.  Currently, LAUSD only provides a nurse one day a week.  As a benefit to the kids and families of SOES, SOPA contributions provide a nurse for the other four days a week.  SOES is one of the only schools in the valley that has a nurse every day of the week.

P.E.
Physical education is an important component of the child's school day. SOPA funds professional p.e. teachers to work with all our children weekly. On other days, teachers and parent volunteers collaborate to take the kids through the myriad of physical skills learned and practiced in p.e. The professional p.e. teachers are funded 100% by SOPA contributions.

Campus Aesthetics/Beautification
With continued cuts to the state's education budget, an established school like SOES can suffer if not tended to. SOPA budgets every year to improve the school and campus. Our kids spend at least half their waking hours at the school -- we want them to be in a pleasant, beautiful setting. This year we will focus on several large beautification projects in an attempt to create an inspiring atmosphere on campus. Along with grants gathered by SOPA parents, these projects are funded 100% by SOPA contributions.

Stop Drop and Roll
With over 700 students arriving at SOES each morning, we need a really great system to have each student make it to their classroom in a safe and timely manner.  That’s where Stop Drop and Roll comes into play. Every day, parent volunteers staff all four entrances of the school and assist kids in getting out of their cars and onto the school grounds.


In addition to the regular school day enrichment, SOPA also offers after school programs:

Homework Club
Every day after school, those students who wish to do their homework meet in the peace and quiet of the library.  Staffed by volunteers for one hour immediately after the school day ends, the homework club is a great way for students to get their homework done before leaving the school grounds.

Kids Center
Kids Center is our after school day care, managed and run by its professional staff, and overseen by SOPA. 

Super School
Super school is our after school program of classes for those interested in additional enriching subjects.  There are 3 sessions each year, each 10 weeks long.  One class costs about $110 per session, making each class only $11 per day.  The classes range widely, from sports like basketball or tennis, to drama or cooking, to classes in science or wildlife, to name just a few.   Whatever your child's interests, there should be a class that will make them happy. The Super School program is administered and coordinated by Kids Center staff, and overseen by SOPA.