A Message From Our...
2007 - 2008 PTA President
Dear Palm Lake Parent,
Five years ago I was a kindergarten parent for the first time…five years later I am a kindergarten parent for thelast time, and your 2007-2008 PTA President. Wow!
I know that it is a bit overwhelming with all the information on "Meet the Teacher night" and papers that come home the first few weeks. Now that we've all settled in, I wanted to provide you with some information that might help you understand our PTA - what we do, some of the programs we support, and how you can be involved.
The PTA - or Parent Teacher Association, is a national organization that was created with a goal of a quality education and nurturing environment for every child. PTAs serve as a type of forum where parents, teachers, administrators, and other concerned adults discuss ways to promote quality education, strive to expand the arts, encourage community involvement, and work for a healthy environment and safe neighborhoods.
Palm Lake Elementary has always had a very strong PTA - supporting our Blue Ribbon, Grade "A" school.
What programs do we support?
The PTA provides support, and often is the sole source of funding for
several programs at Palm Lake. We support the Guidance Program - so that
our 
Guidance
Counselor, Mrs. Martin, has funds for the Primary Focus program your kindergartener
attended a few weeks ago and funds for Character Club celebrations. We
also provide money for science supplies in each classroom, additional
money for teacher supplies, technology grants to help purchase new computers
and printers for your children, Accelerated Reader funds to help promote
reading and learning, and supplemental funds to sponsor children on field
trips. Our PTA money goes a long way!
How do we raise money?
We raise money through our Fundraisers. As you may know, we are nearing
the completion of our first fundraiser - the Sally Foster fundraiser.
This important fundraiser (50% of the sales goes directly back to our
school) funds all our programs until our Spring Fundraiser - the "Family
Fun Event" - our combined Carnival/Auction.
How you can help…
Join the PTA. Volunteer during the year at PTA events. Support our fundraising
efforts.
Nurses Fund - It is absolutely critical that we keep our nurse, Nurse Jean. We must raise funds ($20 per child) to help pay her salary. How important is Nurse Jean? Spend one hour in the office around lunch time and you will see the revolving door! Between administering daily medications and tending to fevers, scratches and bumps - our children and teachers rely on her. To date, we only have 40% participation - please support our Nurses Fund!
Volunteer Opportunities…
Lunch Bunch 11:30am - 1:00pm - can you help out in the cafeteria? Once a week, once a month - whatever fits your schedule. You get to wear a blue apron and make sure that the children are eating their lunches!
Book Fair - our first book fair is coming up October 8-12. Are you available to work a two hour shift? It's a lot of fun - see the joy the children have finding new books and spending your money!
Community Outreach - this committee supports and gives back to our community. Throughout the year they do different drives (clothing, book, blood) and orchestrate the baskets for Thanksgiving donated by each classroom for families in need.
Mighty Mentors - do you have 30 minutes a week to help out a child? We have several children that could use your help with homework, playing a game, or just talking to them. This is such a rewarding program - you may find that it benefits you more than the child!
Mother/Son Picnic - on Sunday, November 11 we will be having our Mother/Son Picnic at the YMCA. Would you like to be on the planning committee, help out with ticket sales?
Father/Daughter Dance
- Friday, December 7. This is a very special event - would you like to
help with the planning, decorations, theme?
Family Fun Event - Carnival/Auction - Saturday, February 2. This is our
biggest fundraiser and helps to fund the programs and grants for the rest
of the school year. We are looking for volunteers with great ideas and
connections. Have you had a successful auction at your child's pre-school?
We want to hear your ideas! Do you have connections?
Connections…
We are ALWAYS looking for people with connections. Do you work for a hotel,
tourist, and travel or hospitality industry? Can you help with donations
for our Carnival/Auction? We have found that our parents have been wonderful
supporters of our Auctions every year - donating weekends at hotels, Disney,
Universal and Sea World passes, airline tickets, cruises, dining certificates,
etc. Or - do you have a contact that we can talk to? We are happy to do
the work - if you can make the connection.
Talents…
And yes, of course we realize that many of our parents have special talents.
Do you sing, dance, paint? Play an instrument? We want you! Every Spring
we have a talent show - we'd love your help with this committee - or perhaps
you could "donate" your talent to our Carnival/Auction. Perhaps
a week of art lessons, or voice lessons, or painting lessons? Think about
your talent, and how Palm Lake Elementary could benefit.
I have attached a Calendar of Events, and a volunteer check list form. Please take some time to look this over - and please check the areas where you can help out this year! And, don't forget to register as a volunteer on-line at volunteer.ocps.net.
Thank you for your time and for "Making a Difference" this year!
Your 2007-2008 PTA President,
Britten King
