TOGETHER WE CAN ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS FOR OUR KIDS!

The Montclair PTA welcomes both new and returning families to the 2010/11 school year!

I get a lot of questions from parents about the school’s Education Fund—what does the money pay for? Who decides how the money is spent? Who does the Education Fund benefit? Thankfully, these questions are easy to answer and always worth repeating.

Simply put, the Education Fund represents all programs funded by the PTA. Through our active fundraising programs and activities, the PTA funds Montclair’s excellent classroom enrichment programs: art, music, computer science, drama, kindergarten infused motor skills, and the library. Tied to the state curriculum standards in each area, all PTA sponsored programs are selected in consultation with Montclair’s teachers and administrators. This diverse combination of programs—all designed to help your child thrive and address the fact that each child learns differently—could not be possible without the generous support of families and friends of Montclair Elementary.

In addition to enrichment for our kids, our PTA also funds a variety of community building events and programs such as: parent outreach activities, MES community events, and the efforts of important sub-committees such as the Green Team and FOCUS. In order to sustain these high quality programs for our children and our community, we need your help.

PTA FUNDRAISING
Montclair Elementary has an incredibly dedicated and active group of community volunteers and supporters that goes way beyond the PTA Board. Parents from all grade levels, teachers, and school staff participate in the various fundraising committees that build community and raise funds for our school.

Participating in fundraising events and activities is a great way to get to know the school and families that make up the Montclair community. As you will see on our Fundraisers-At-a-Glance page, there are a variety of ways in which to participate, not all of which require writing your own check!

This year, we are asking every family to consider giving or raising $590 per child to support the wonderful PTA programs and activities I’ve described above. Any donations above and beyond that are of course welcome, but it is critical that we raise a total of $250,000 to fund our PTA’s programs for the 2010-2011 school year.

As many of you know, the annual efforts to raise these funds encompass a variety of events and activities that take place throughout the year. This year, in an effort to help all of us plan our participation in ways that are best suited to our strengths, capacity and availability, we would like to ask each Montclair family to commit to three things:

1. Participate in at least one fundraising event or activity by donating your time and talent, click here for detailed list of opportunities;

2. Consider making a financial contribution at a level that is personally meaningful for your family;

3. Work to raise a minimum of $590 per child by the end of the school year.

This can be accomplished by any combination of:
• Making a tax-deductible contribution to the Back-to-School Donation driveat any point during the year. This year you can donate online and/or set up an installment plan for your pledge;

• Getting your or your partner’s employer to match your gift;

• Helping your child enlist sponsors for his or her participation in the Metrathon;

• Donating or signing up for “Bid Board” events and parties at the Metrathon;

• Buying tickets to the new Spring Dinner & Auction; and shopping at the Auction that night or online;

• Donating auction items, parties, or packages;

• Signing up for eScrip, Lucky SHARES, or the many other rewards programs that direct cash to our school and cost you nothing!

I look forward to getting to know all of you this year and welcome any questions, comments, and input you might have regarding our PTA’s fundraising efforts. So, please don’t hesitate to be in touch!

THANKS!
Jennifer Whitney
Parent of 2nd Grader; Montclair PTA, 2010/11 VP Fundraising