PTAs Leverage Volunteer Power. The PTA organizes hard-working and dedicated volunteers. Parents are ready and willing to help implement school improvement programs.
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Stonegate parents and community members mentored more than a dozen students last year who needed extra help in the classroom and out.
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The PTA encourages extracurriculars in science, math, reading, math, physical ed through programs, manpower and funding.
PTAs Improve Communication. One of the PTA's responsibilities is coordinating production of a monthly school newsletter- Sharkbytes -and information fliers, keeping the entire school community informed of current events, issues, and accomplishments. In addition, monthly meetings (usually the first Tuesday of each month) are an opportunity for the community to share information.
PTAs Discover More Dollars. The Stonegate PTA is self-funding. By inviting the entire school's parent community to join, it generates membership fees to pay for programs. By organizing fundraising events, the PTA can support school-based programs, facility improvements, and educational and social events.
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The PTA underwrites the Cultural Arts assembly program. In 2005-2006, it sponsored eight programs on topics as diverse as music from the Andes; Chinese opera; a play about Satchel Paige and the Negro Leagues; and an introduction to West African culture through traditional music, storytelling and dance.
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The PTA sponsors evening family events like Bingo Night, Craft Night, International Night, the Variety Show, and the School Dance.
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The PTA coordinates (with outside vendors) afternoon academic, sports and fun programs such as FLES (Spanish and French for elementary school students), Chess Club, Group Piano, Creative Adventures in Art and Hands-On Science.
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The PTA sponsors the twice-a-year Scholastic Book Fair, which in 2005-06 put over $3,000 worth of books in the Media Center, classrooms and students' hands, and nearly twice that in cash for the PTA coffers.
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The PTA coordinates the Spring Fair and Silent Auction; Career Day; the Back-to-School Picnic; and Fifth Grade Activities and Promotion.
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The PTA assists the Stonegate staff with Jump Rope for Heart, Field Day, Math Night and Reading Night.
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The PTA organizes a staff appreciation program; the Celebrate With Books program; a school beautification program; and spirit wear, school pak and school store sales.
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The PTA produces the monthly newsletter, Sharkbytes, and the annual Yearbook, as well as its Handbook/Directory.
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The PTA provided the principal's Shark Pool program with incentive coupons from Hollywood Video in 2006-07.
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The PTA provided $20,000 seed money for the new playground to be installed in 2006-07.
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The PTA underwrote a visit by Rosalyn Schantz, an award-winning author, in April 2006.
PTAs Boost Children's Well-Being. PTAs focus on what students need to be successful in their learning, including nutrition, health, and well-being. Whether it is school safety, physical fitness, or healthy breakfasts, the PTA works with school administrators to ensure that children are prepared to succeed.
PTAs Enjoy Informed Parents. Perhaps one of the most important benefits is that involved parents understand the challenges schools face and become part of the solution. They support improving education, both locally and legislatively. By developing a closer relationship with parents, student achievement improves, and the school develops a positive reputation in the community.
Where does the Stonegate PTA get its money? Click here to find out.
Join the Stonegate Elementary School listserv (find more info here)
Send an email with your child's name and grade to
StonegateWeb-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Join the Greater Stonegate neighborhood listserv
Send an email to stonegate-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Join the neighborhood parents' listserv
Send an email to StonegateMoms-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Receive school closing information via free emails from Montgomery County Public Schools: www.schools-out.com
Get emergency weather and traffic messages (in English or Spanish) via free emails and/or cell phone/pager/Blackberry text messages from the Montgomery County government: www.alert.montgomerycountymd.gov
