Sycamore Canyon School K-8
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PTSA
| PTSA CONTACTS |
| Julie Nerland president@scsptsa.org |
| Kim Huber evp@scsptsa.org |
| Naomi Fontes finsec@scsptsa.org |
| Brian Buck publicity@scsptsa.org |
| General Info/Feedback info@scsptsa.org |
|
California PTA News: May 18, 2012 04:19PM Analyst questions Administration's deficit, school funding assumptions May 17, 2012 01:35PM May 17, 2012 11:04AM May 17, 2012 10:56AM May 16, 2012 01:51PM Persuade, not threaten, me to vote for your initiative, Governor May 15, 2012 10:59AM May 11, 2012 12:13PM Bullying Prevention Takes Center Stage at Day Two of Convention May 10, 2012 02:53PM May 07, 2012 09:03PM 800,000-plus signatures submitted for PTA-backed education initiative (pdf) May 07, 2012 03:51PM 3,000 parent leaders converge on Anaheim for state PTA convention May 04, 2012 06:29PM May 02, 2012 11:16AM |
We are NOT your mom’s PTA!
We all know the stereotypes that are conjured up when we think of the PTA… this is not Harper Valley, or a knitting club, or a secret clique… our PTSA at Sycamore Canyon School is an open and transparent organization of parents, teachers, school administrators, and middle grade students who are dedicated to creating the best possible education experience for ALL of our students.
Sycamore Canyon School does everything it can to provide an educational setting that encourages students to reach their full potential academically, socially, physically, and emotionally. Our community, as well as the faculty and staff of Sycamore Canyon, has a high belief that our children have limitless potential and we expect our school to reflect our high standards. However, the resources provided by the state to meet our high standards are not enough.
The PTSA at Sycamore Canyon was organized to bring together parents, students, and faculty in a coordinated manner to help meet our high standards. (Note: PTA and PTSA are both part of the National PTA – a PTSA includes the ability for middle grade students to get involved and we felt this was an important factor for Sycamore Canyon).
Our PTSA provides:
- An organized structure for bringing together parents, school faculty, and students
- Organized fundraising on behalf of the school in order to fund the needed and necessary resources and programs to create the best possible educational experience
- Support for national programs and educational information (and is supported by a regional and national infrastructure advocating for all children)
- Centralized mechanism to allow parents to get directly involved with the child’s educational experience
The only way the PTSA works is by the involvement of as many student families and faculty as possible. This should not be an organization of few but an organization of many. It doesn’t take much to get involved. Here are three simple ways:
- Join the PTSA (only $10 for parents and $5 for middle grade students)
- You’ll be able to participate in the general association meetings throughout the year
- 25% off an single item in the student store
- You’ll receive the National PTA benefits card which provides discounts on more than 250,000 retail offers including over 400 of the world’s most recognizable brand names
- Volunteer
- We are a volunteer organization - nothing happens without volunteers
- We have many opportunities that fit your schedule and lifestyle including at-home, weekday nights, and weekend opportunities – perfect for working parents
- Donate
- All donations are tax deductible
- Many employers will match employee donations
- Our goal for 2011/2012 school year is $157,000 ($200 for your first student, $100 for each additional student)
We encourage you to do whatever you are comfortable with doing and whatever makes the most sense for your family. Just keep in mind that we are all in this together, so please get involved – we need you!
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about the PTSA:
Q. Where does the money go that the PTSA raises?
A. 93% of all the funds raised by the PTSA go directly to benefit our school! There's a misconception that the money raised goes to the national PTA - that's just not true. It stays here at Sycamore Canyon. More importantly, because our budget is approved and scrutinized by our membership, you can rest assured that there is accountability and transparency to all transactions.
Q. What happens if we don't meet our budget, will our kids really lose anything?
A. Yes, if we do not raise the necessary funds (for 2011/2012 our goal is $157,000) to run programs at Sycamore we will have to make cuts. We know these times may be lean but our children will have a brighter future the more we give now.
Q. How does the PTSA raise funds to help the school?
A. We raise funds in a variety of ways with our primary fundraiser being the Direct Donation Drive which which runs the entire year. According to numerous parent surveys in past years, the majority of parents (two-thirds) have said they would rather have a onetime tax-deductible donation than deal with the numerous other fundraisers it would take to raise the same amount of money. However, the PTSA also plans to hold a Spring Fun Run (jog-a-thon) to help meet any budget shortfalls.
Sycamore Canyon PTSA will continue to encourage parents to use available Community Partner Cards, join in family restaurant nights, and send in Box Tops for Education™ to help fundraise – however these are passive programs designed to allow you to fundraise while shopping and patronizing your normal stores and restaurants.
In addition, ASB at the middle grades, will also run their own fund raisers (e.g., magazine drive) to fund their social events.
Q. What if 100% of families do not contribute the $200 for the first child and $100 for each additional child?
A. Although we are asking for certain donations based the number of children you have at Sycamore, if you can give more - please do, because not all of our families are in a position to give. If you can’t give the minimum, please donate what you can. All donations are greatly appreciated and will allow Sycamore Canyon to continue to lead the pack. However, if we do not meet our budget, we will have to make some difficult decisions.
Q. Shouldn't our tax dollars pay for these programs?
A. You have one shot at raising your children, and right now our tax dollars do NOT provide these programs. While many parents and advocacy groups, like the PTSA, are working diligently to approach their legislators to change this we are faced with the realities of providing the best possible educational experience while state funding continues to be cut.
Q. Does the Sycamore Canyon PTSA Direct Donations benefit the Middle Grades?
A. Yes. The Sycamore Canyon School PTSA is organized for the benefit of all students at Sycamore Canyon. Therefore all donations will benefit the whole school. Year over year, Middle Grades have received considerable support including PE equipment, student computers, library books and educational resources, Smart Boards, and document cameras in many of the Middle Grade classrooms. The Sycamore Canyon School PTSA donations enable the purchases of art supplies for art electives, teacher instructional materials, and add significantly to the technology program as well provide campus safety.
Q. How was the budget for the Sycamore Canyon School PTSA created?
A. The PTSA goes through a very public and transparent development of the PTSA budget. The planning process begins in the spring. It starts with a budget committee made up of teachers and the PTSA executive board. Through a series of public meetings and online surveys, we take input from parents, teachers, administrators, and students to determine the priorities for the following year. The draft budget is posted on the website followed by a vote.
A. 93% of all the funds raised by the PTSA go directly to benefit our school! There's a misconception that the money raised goes to the national PTA - that's just not true. It stays here at Sycamore Canyon. More importantly, because our budget is approved and scrutinized by our membership, you can rest assured that there is accountability and transparency to all transactions.
Q. What happens if we don't meet our budget, will our kids really lose anything?
A. Yes, if we do not raise the necessary funds (for 2011/2012 our goal is $157,000) to run programs at Sycamore we will have to make cuts. We know these times may be lean but our children will have a brighter future the more we give now.
Q. How does the PTSA raise funds to help the school?
A. We raise funds in a variety of ways with our primary fundraiser being the Direct Donation Drive which which runs the entire year. According to numerous parent surveys in past years, the majority of parents (two-thirds) have said they would rather have a onetime tax-deductible donation than deal with the numerous other fundraisers it would take to raise the same amount of money. However, the PTSA also plans to hold a Spring Fun Run (jog-a-thon) to help meet any budget shortfalls.
Sycamore Canyon PTSA will continue to encourage parents to use available Community Partner Cards, join in family restaurant nights, and send in Box Tops for Education™ to help fundraise – however these are passive programs designed to allow you to fundraise while shopping and patronizing your normal stores and restaurants.
In addition, ASB at the middle grades, will also run their own fund raisers (e.g., magazine drive) to fund their social events.
Q. What if 100% of families do not contribute the $200 for the first child and $100 for each additional child?
A. Although we are asking for certain donations based the number of children you have at Sycamore, if you can give more - please do, because not all of our families are in a position to give. If you can’t give the minimum, please donate what you can. All donations are greatly appreciated and will allow Sycamore Canyon to continue to lead the pack. However, if we do not meet our budget, we will have to make some difficult decisions.
Q. Shouldn't our tax dollars pay for these programs?
A. You have one shot at raising your children, and right now our tax dollars do NOT provide these programs. While many parents and advocacy groups, like the PTSA, are working diligently to approach their legislators to change this we are faced with the realities of providing the best possible educational experience while state funding continues to be cut.
Q. Does the Sycamore Canyon PTSA Direct Donations benefit the Middle Grades?
A. Yes. The Sycamore Canyon School PTSA is organized for the benefit of all students at Sycamore Canyon. Therefore all donations will benefit the whole school. Year over year, Middle Grades have received considerable support including PE equipment, student computers, library books and educational resources, Smart Boards, and document cameras in many of the Middle Grade classrooms. The Sycamore Canyon School PTSA donations enable the purchases of art supplies for art electives, teacher instructional materials, and add significantly to the technology program as well provide campus safety.
Q. How was the budget for the Sycamore Canyon School PTSA created?
A. The PTSA goes through a very public and transparent development of the PTSA budget. The planning process begins in the spring. It starts with a budget committee made up of teachers and the PTSA executive board. Through a series of public meetings and online surveys, we take input from parents, teachers, administrators, and students to determine the priorities for the following year. The draft budget is posted on the website followed by a vote.
Click here to view this year's budget.
Q. What about employer matching?
A. Employer matching is significant. Most employers have two accounts for our school; please make sure the verification is sent to the Sycamore Canyon PTSA.
Q. What about employer matching?
A. Employer matching is significant. Most employers have two accounts for our school; please make sure the verification is sent to the Sycamore Canyon PTSA.
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