Weatherstone Elementary School Welcome to Weatherstone Elementary School

Weatherstone Elementary School Welcome to Weatherstone Elementary School PTA General Meeting September 13, 2011 6 -6: 30 p. m.

Weatherstone Elementary School PTA Board Members • • Beth Satterfield – President Elizabeth Humphries – Secretary Kathy Cawley – Treasurer Nichelle Weintraub – VP of Membership Jennifer Ellerbe – VP of Parent Involvement Kira Wolfe – VP of Communications Michele Counter – VP of Academic Programs Catherine Smith – VP of Fundraising

Weatherstone Elementary School WES PTA Initiatives • 21 st Century Explorers – Making smart technology accessible for all students – 6 smart boards purchased this year – Goal: a smart board in every classroom by 2014 • Outdoor Explorers

Weatherstone Elementary School What is a Master Plan? • Comprehensive drawing which illustrates proposed uses for school site • Joint effort between stakeholders to create a dynamic educational school site for the current & future Weatherstone community. North Greensboro Elementary School, Guilford Co.

Weatherstone Elementary School Why is a Master Plan necessary? Comprehensive, Organized plan endorsed by WCPSS which reflects integration of curriculum beyond classroom walls. • Integrates outdoor learning to meet new DPI curriculum requirements • Address/prevent effects of “Nature Deficit Disorder” • Childhood Obesity Epidemic • Early-Onset Diabetes • Hypertension • ADHD/ADD • Asthma

Weatherstone Elementary School What is PTA’s role? • Support teachers to incorporate outdoor learning • Engage School Community • Funding • Master Plan • Implementing phased components

Weatherstone Elementary School How does it benefit PTA? • Legacy…to pass on for future generations • Goals for fundraising • Weatherstone PTA gains recognition as role model for district • PTA has a tool to connect/engage local community

Weatherstone Elementary School How is a Master Plan Developed? • Form a Committee • Weatherstone Staff • PTA members • WCPSS Facilities • CLH Design • Identify needs • Evaluate outdoor opportunities available on existing campus • Develop a theme based on teachers/students interests • gardens (edible/habitat) • world traveler • birds • Dinosaurs • • North Carolina pets science sports • Designer produces first draft of Master Plan, which will be revised as needed

Weatherstone Elementary School Harris Creek Elementary School… …Is for the Birds ! Environmental Education Day, 2008

Weatherstone Elementary School Sterling Montessori Academy & Charter School

Weatherstone Elementary School Partnership Elementary School

Weatherstone Elementary School Goal: to create great outdoor environments that engage children in learning and imaginative play

Weatherstone Elementary School PTA Membership Drive Update Thank you! – We have over 165 members representing over 35% of WES families – Members include: teachers, parents, staff, and family – Our goal is to represent at least 50% of the families attending WES Why Join? – Your membership dollars help fund school programs and activities – Your ideas help change and improve our school. You can help make the decisions! – Your leadership within the PTA requires membership. There is no pressure to do anything more than just join, the rest is up to you!

Weatherstone Elementary School Membership Levels & Gifts 4 levels of Membership – – Admiral’s Club: $50 Captain’s Club: $25 Navigator: $15 Shipmate: $7 Gifts • • • Student Directory, membership card and valuable coupons Admiral’s Club: WES car magnet / new Round. Ware and PTA coupons. (and a drawing for a $50 gift card!) Kindergarten families: WES Kindergarten Rocks bracelet Thank you for joining, ANY level is greatly appreciated! Join Us – It is never too late! www. weatherstonepta. com

Weatherstone Elementary School Budget 2011 -2012 2010 -11 Carry Over Balance $31 k + Projected Revenue $79 k – Projected Expenses $100 k = 2012 End of Year Balance $10 k We began the year with a large surplus intentionally, to pay for some big ticket improvement items that were in the works…

Weatherstone Elementary School Volunteer Registration • The volunteer registration system at Weatherstone Elementary School is open on Mondays from 8: 00 AM-4: 00 PM through May 21, 2012. However, during this period, the volunteer registration system will be closed on the following Mondays: December 19, 2011, December 26, 2011, January 2, 2012 and January 16, 2012. • If you were approved as a volunteer during the 2010 -2011 school year, you must reactivate your volunteer status no later than October 31, 2011 to avoid the need for a new criminal background check. This will in turn avoid unnecessary costs to the school system. • All new volunteers must register and have an approved criminal background check prior to engaging in volunteer work. Volunteers may go to any WCPSS site and register through the internet.

Weatherstone Elementary School Volunteer Opportunities • • • Accelerated Reader Chess Club - New Classroom Volunteers Boosterthon Book Fair International Festival KITs Program Media Center Helpers School Store Science Night Spring Carnival Talent Show If you need more information about PTA committees, please visit our PTA website or contact me, Jennifer Ellerbe, VP of Parent Involvement.

Weatherstone Elementary School PTA Communications • New website – www. weatherstonepta. com – Sharing more information - Calendar of Events , news posts, last minute changes via twitter – Many forms available online – student directory, membership, volunteer sign up – Pay for fundraisers and membership via Paypal • New e-newsletter format – – sign up at www. weatherstonepta. com Released Sunday at noon – plan your week! Translate into another language – over 20 different languages supported We save thousands of dollars and lots of trees!

Weatherstone Elementary School How Does the PTA Raise Funds? • • • Family Nights (BINGO on Friday, 9/23) Boosterthon (COMING SOON!) Citipass Books (COMING SOON!) Spring Carnival Membership dues Passive, No-Fuss Fundraising – Store Rewards (Food Lion, Kroger, Harris Teeter, Target) – Box Tops and Labels

Weatherstone Elementary School What Do PTA Funds Go Towards? All programs not covered by Wake County Schools, including: – – – – – Accelerated Reader Program Cultural Arts Assemblies Supplies for Teachers Student Agendas/Assignment books Classroom Technology (i. e. , Smart Boards) Playground Revitalization Teacher Mini-Grants PTA Website Teacher/Staff Hospitality

Weatherstone Elementary School No-Fuss Fundraising • Re-link grocery store reward cards • CLIP and SAVE LABELS

Weatherstone Elementary School B-I-N-G-O Family Fun Night September 23 – FRIDAY, 6: 30 -8 PM All are welcome! Dinner at 6: 30 PM, Games at 7 PM Family Special (order by 9/16)- Dinner and BINGO cards • Or come and PLAY - purchase BINGO cards at the door that night • Great PRIZES and RAFFLE • •

Weatherstone Elementary School • National cultural arts contest with entries in: - Visual Arts Literature Film Production Photography Musical Composition - Dance Choreography • Begins September 27 th • Open to all students – PTA pays entry fees and honors student winners

Weatherstone Elementary School Thank you parents and caregivers for all your support!