Dear families,
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome each of you and your families to Butterfield Canyon Elementary. As Butterfield Canyon Elementary board members, it is among our responsibilities to talk with you about our organization, enroll you as a member and, very importantly, encourage you to get involved in your school. But first, since this may be the first time at Butterfield Canyon for many of you, it is important for us to explain what the PTA is all about.
What is the PTA and Who Can Be A Member?
Our PTA is part of the National Parent Teachers Association that strives to enhance children's educational experiences. Being part of a national organization, we must pay annual dues. To offset these dues, every year, we have a membership drive. Becoming a member does not mean that you automatically sign up to volunteer; it just means you support our group and believe in what we are doing.
You will see our membership tables at all the curriculum nights this year. All parents and caregivers, along with school faculty can be members, for only $5! Please enroll or renew your membership for 2011-2012 and help us achieve our membership goals. For every membership, you will receive $5 off your book purchase during our book fairs.
PTA Programs and Fundraising
Our primary objectives as a PTA is to provide our school with funds, programs, resources, and services that will enrich and maximize the education of every child. To meet this important objective, and afford services that are no longer covered by our school budgets, we must fundraise. Our school community raises money to provide our children National Red Ribbon week, Bike Rodeo, Family Week, Great Artist Program, grade and curriculum-based assemblies, and other hands-on, interactive experiences and presentations that we have had in the past.
Fundraiser
This will be the third year we will be holding our Walk-A-Thon in September for A&C tracks and October for B&D tracks.
Become a Volunteer...Why You Should Get Involved!
As you can see, we are a busy group. This is where you can come in! We need your help, and so do your children. Over 500 independent studies on parent involvement show that when parents get involved in their children's education, grades go up, tests scores improve, and children have fewer discipline problems. Get involved TODAY!!
BCE PTA is Going Green
Because of the amount of paper we use that eventually gets thrown away, we are starting an effort this year to dramatically reduce our paper usage. This will help our office and reduce office expenses. Rather than send home fliers, we will send emails and post information on our website. Please help us by sending us your email address. Please email us at butterfieldblog@me.com. If you do not have access to email, we will continue to send home fliers.
Also, we will be updating our website regularly with contact information for our PTA board, a fall calendar of events, volunteer opportunities, parenting resources, and other useful information. Check back often!
In Conclusion
Our PTA is certainly about more than fundraisers! We're about men and women working together toward a common goal. That goal, simply states, is creating a better school and a better educational experience for our children. We strive to create an atmosphere where teachers, administrators, and support staff can do their best work -- and so can our children. There is so much more that can be done and we need your help. We invite you to join us for our first PTA meeting Tuesday, August 17th at Butterfield Canyon Elementary at 9:15 in the teacher's lounge. We look forward to meeting you.
On behalf of Butterfield Canyon Elementary, we would once again like to extend a warm welcome and best wishes for a successful school year! Please contact any of us with questions or comments.
Sincerely,
The Butterfield Canyon Elementary Executive Committee
