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Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

Submitted by admin on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 13:01.

 

Studies show that parental involvement plays a significant role in student achievement and performance. A strong parent group can make a tremendous difference in how a school functions. At Shepherd, we encourage all our families to join the Shepherd Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (SES PTA). It is a wonderful way to get to know the other great families in our school community. In addition, it serves as vehicle for you to voice your opinion on important issues affecting your child’s learning environment. 
 
Our Vision: To be a self-sustaining organization capable of providing resources needed to help Shepherd Elementary School achieve its social, cultural and academic goals.
 
PTA Mission : To ensure that Shepherd Elementary becomes a top 5 school within DCPS by providing programs, resources and activities that will enhance the instructional experience and promote academic excellence
 
The role of the PTA is to:
  1. Encourage membership and participation by all families, teachers and other interested community members
  2. Provide timely communications throughout the school community
  3. Support the standard school curriculum, and assist in the implementation of the International Baccalaureate and Dual Language programs
  4. Raise funding support for:
a.      Academic enrichment (test preparation, tutoring, etc.)
b.      Classroom Instructional aides
c.      Foreign language instruction
d.      Lunch room monitors
e.      Information technology support
f.       Teacher stipends
g.      Student activities
h.      Classroom supplies, curriculum materials and supplies for extracurricular activities (i.e. Lego robotics program, science fair, school dances, movie nights etc)
i.       Friday morning coffee and food, babysitting and janitorial expenses for PTA meetings
j.       Teacher Appreciation activities
k.      Music program instruments and maintenance
l.       Insurance
5.      Advocate for DCPS support for Shepherd programs
6.      Continuously improve the school appearance
7.      Recruit and retain volunteers to support the academic and programmatic activities
 
All Shepherd families are strongly encouraged to join the PTA. For only $50 per family, parents, teachers and students receive an incredible return on their investment. In addition to the membership fee, Shepherd families contribute generously to fund the family enrichment and language program support provided through the PTA budget. Contributions have historically ranged from $250 to more than $500 and may be made on a monthly, semester or annual basis so that the PTA can provide greater value to the SES family.
 
The SES PTA is a non-profit corporation in the District of Columbia and is designated by the IRS as a 501(c) (3) charitable organization. This means that any donation to the PTA is tax deductible! Since 2003, the PTA has used its charitable organization status to encourage individuals, members, organizations and businesses to provide in-kind or financial support to the school in order to enhance Shepherd’s academic and enrichment offerings.
 


SY 2008-2009 PTA Officers:SY 2008-2009 PTA Officers:
 

President Earl Yates, yates.sespta@yahoo.com

 

1st  Vice President Jaye Muhammad, jrjones_2704@yahoo.com

 

2nd Vice President Jason Keene, jokeene@icmarc.org

 

Treasurer Doug Noble, taylorfarm@kddmgroup.com

 

Recording Secretary Mark Pattison, pattison_mark@hotmail.com

 

Corresponding Secretary Caroline Vaughn-Cooke, caroline_barrow@hotmail.com

 
Many of the PTA’s activities are coordinated by the PTA committees. These committees include the following:
 
  1. Building and Grounds: To supplement the effortsof DCPS and Shepherd Elementary staffby assisting with projects that will improve the physical appearance of both the interior and exterior of the building, while promoting the importance of safety/security.
  2. Communications: To manage the communication activities of the PTA, which include publishing the newsletter; managing the content of the website; and promotional materials for PTA events.
  3. Community Outreach: To develop and implement initiatives that encourages the community to support Shepherd Elementary.
  4. Academic Enrichment: To research, evaluate and recommend programs, partnerships and activities that will reinforce and/or enrich the academic experiences of Shepherd Students
  5. Fundraising: To coordinate and manage fundraising activities to raise sufficient money to fully fund the programs and activities of the PTA.  .
  6. Health and Recreation: To promote healthy eating and behaviors of our children at school. 
  7. Membership: To promote the value of PTA membership to teachers, staff, parents and the community and provide programs/activities that will keep potential and existing members engaged and committed.
  8. PTA Classroom Representatives: To provide the PTA with information on what is happening in the classroom/grade level and help with disseminating information.
  9. Technology: To promote the value of technology in the classroom and to introduce technical solutions that will improve teaching and learning as well as general operations of the school and PTA.
  10. Upper Grade Activities: To evaluate and support the needs of the upper grades (3-6) such as test preparation and extracurricular activities.
 
The Shepherd Elementary PTA meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month (unless otherwise noted). The meetings are held from 6:45 pm to 8:00 pm. Parent workshops and special event activities are scheduled for the PTA meetings. We encourage all parents to attend. Babysitting and refreshments are available during PTA meetings.

 

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