"What Does Our PTA Do/FAQ"
Why does it seem the PTA is always asking for money?
Although a lot of information does come home from the PTA, there are only three different "requests for money" that come home in backpacks: the Fall fundraiser (Yankee Candle), the Spring fundraiser (Joe Corbi), and the new Coupon Savings Book (Fall). Market Day has been discontinued until further notice.
Am I expected to participate in all or even any of the fundraisers?
Of course not! Families should feel free to participate in the events that interest them, and recycle the rest!
Are my children expected to participate in fundraisers?
No. Teachers do not speak to the children about fundraising, no announcements are made and no fundraising assemblies are held. The materials go home to the parents.
What's the story regarding Cash Back programs?
We collect "Box Tops". They are redeemed for cash. During the 2009-10 school year , we raised nearly $4,400 from the Box Tops program...this represents nearly 44,000 box tops. We also collected over 9,500 Campbell's soup labels. The points earned from these labels helped us buy/replace balls, chalk, etc... for the playground.
Where does the money go?
The money funds programs and provides equipment for all our children that would otherwise not happen.
Artist and/or Author In Residence - We fund artists and authors to work with our children to help them understand what a career in these fields would be like. In the Spring of 2010, children's author ?? came to visit the students.
Birthday Pencils - Each child receives a pencil on or close to their birthday. The principal personally gives it to your child and wishes them Happy Birthday!
Book Fair - Twice a year, we bring in a quality book vendor who offers a wide selection of children's books. The PTA sponsors book certificates to children whose families may not be able to provide funds for a book purchase.
Environmental Program - We pay for Nature Trail maintenance and a large portion of the environmental education program. The PTA does volunteer recruitment for nature trail maintenance.
Field Trips - We fund transportation for field trips and pay for entrance fees for those who need financial help.
Indoor and Outdoor Recess Equipment - We buy balls, chalk, jump ropes, etc... - all those things that kids wear out and need to be replaced frequently throughout the year. We also supply indoor recess equipment and games.
Kindergarten Supplies - Kindergarten receives additional supplies in lieu of Scholastic News.
Principal's Fund - We supply $1000 to the principal for school-wide events.
Scholastic News - During the 2010-11 school year, the PTA will supply Scholastic News to all 1st and 2nd graders with money collected from the Book Fair.
Special Projects - When fundraising exceeds our expectations, the PTA may decide to fund special projects. In the Summer of 2009, the PTA replaced the existing wood playground mulch with safer rubber mulch on two of the playgrounds.
Student Directory - We publish a combined PLE and AGIS directory of the student's names, addresses and phone numbers. Families can opt to not have their personal information printed.
Sunshine Fun - The Sunshine Fund enables the PTA to reach out to individuals and families within our school community who are facing a difficult time.
Teacher's Fund - We provide $75 to each teacher for use in their classroom.
What else does the PTA do?
The PLE PTA supports community programs and activities that directly benefit our children and their families at Penn London Elementary. Many of these programs are offered primarily to provide a sense of community.
After School Enrichment - We run a multi-class program offering activities such as languages, sports and the arts.
Country Christmas - The PLE and AGIS PTAs organize and run this community event that offers an indoor craft fair, food, and entertainment. PLE classrooms contribute by participating in the donation of theme baskets that are raffled off.
Family Night Out - Organized activities are offered so that families can have fun together and enjoy discounts on ticket admission and food. Last year we coordinated a Phantoms Hockey night and a Family Fun Night at the end of the year.
Holiday Gift Shop - We run a store so that children may buy gifts for their family and friends at holiday time.
Kindergarten Tours - We provide tours to families upon registering their child(ren) for kindergarten.
No Cook Nights - Families can have a night out for dinner and support our school. Local eateries and businesses donate a portion of their proceeds by hosting a PLE No Cook Night.
Note-To-School Notepads - We sell Note-To-School pads that make requesting a bus pass or completing a tardiness note as easy as 1-2-3, just fill in the blanks!
Reflections - This is a national PTA competition honoring the arts - musical composition, photography, visual arts, and literature. This competition is held each fall and begins locally and continues to the national level and includes awards. Children are encouraged to participate in their preferred medium.
School Products - We coordinate the sale of clothing and other spirit-wear items with the school logo or school name.
Theme Park Tickets
- Dutch Wonderland and Hershey Park tickets are sold at the reduced group rate to allow
PLE families to enjoy a fun day at a lower price. Free tickets earned were given to PTA members via drawings from the membership.
Why get involved?
Over 400 members get involved mostly because they want to show their children that PLE, and the education and sense of community it provides, is important to them. PTA volunteers feel that PLE is a great place for their children to learn, and generously donate their considerable time, energy and talents to help.
If any family decides that they want to opt out of receiving information from us, please contact us at info@plepta.org and we'd be happy to try to help facilitate the request.
The PLE PTA invites all PLE parents to become members, and encourages attendance at the meetings to become a part of the decision making process.
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