Welcome!

Each year the PTA works endlessly to raise money for the school through various fundraisers. The money goes back into the school in various categories to enhance the educational lives of all our students. Our school provides a "hands on" learning and teaching approach to the curriculum objectives. Hands on/inquiry based learning is expensive. Text book only education is not inquiry based or project based. If we just used State Adopted Textbooks, state funding would be sufficient; however, the list of available textbooks is short and very often the list of books does not provide a "rich" curriculum in which to teach. The state of California is one of the lowest in the nation in providing funds for public education. This is why our fundraising efforts are so incredibly important. The students and teachers benefit so much from your generosity.

Here are just a few of the items that your PTA Dollars provide for our students and staff.

• Library Books - Each year the PTA donates 8,000 dollars to the library to buy new books and research materials.  Our library is loved by all our students and we want them to have a variety of books from which to choose.


• Library Aide - The PTA pays $5,000 a year for a library aide to assist students.


• Principal's Fund - This is the fund that is used to pay for new initiatives that do not have a separate budgeted line item.  Two years ago, it helped pay for the homework club, Dr. Seuss's Café, etc... Last year, it helped pay for the Lawrence Hall of Science Family Math Night.  In addition, it funds teachers' lunches for staff development day and various initiatives for the students.


• Teacher Wish List - This fund is for initiatives that are tied directly to the School Site Plan.    Teachers work on the Site Plan with the Principal and Site Council at the beginning of the year.  The "wish list" is the priority list of things that the teachers need for their curriculum, parent involvement, communication and technology.  Last school, year the teachers welcomed the garden revitalization project for integration into the core curriculum. $7,500 went to the garden.  $11,848 went to classroom digital cameras, TV's for new classrooms, new printers, memory drives for laptops, 3 digital video cameras, 4 LCD projectors that work with the teacher laptops, a new laminator, a portable microphone system for plays and events, and Earth Day activities.


• Grade Level Funds - $22,400 is divided up for each grade level K-5 to use with events such as Sutter's Fort, visiting experts from such places as Camp Edventure more, Barry Scientific, Slide Ranch, Explode the Code Books, Ellis Island Project, National Geographic, Scholastic, Lola Brown Writing, Nutcracker Ballet, Wax Museum Project, Student Planners, Classroom Maps, Weekly Readers and Letter books to name just a few!  Each grade level meets on Wednesday Early Release Days to plan curriculum and use of these funds.  It is extremely appreciated by the staff and students.


• Classroom Funds - $14, 700 is divided up between each teacher to purchase items like inkjet cartridges, science supplies, computer supplies, drawing paper, craft supplies, classroom library books, photo paper, colored pencils, pencil grips, erasers, markers, hand sanitizer, notebooks, etc....  These basic classroom supplies are funded so that teachers don't spend as much of their own money.  Teachers very often purchase things for their classroom from their own pockets.


• Art Show - Each year, our art department, with Jackie Lalanne, Amy Faulkner and other art teachers present an "interactive art" show presentation that includes parents and children creating art together, culminating with a an evening art show.  This school-wide event is budgeted at $2,129 for supplies and set up. 


• Healthy Snacks - This program is organized by Schuylar Harvey, our P.E teacher.  The seasonally varied fruit is ordered from September through June and delivered every two weeks for the students.  The fruit is prepared by Schuylar and put out on the tables for students to enjoy before school, at recess and on breaks.  The cost of this program is $2,000.


• Various Other Activities - Additional dollars fund student assemblies, Kindergarten playground improvements, family socials, landscaping, conflict manager materials, Muffins with Mom and Donuts with Dad, First Day coffee, the Mill Valley Student Directory, Dr. Seuss Reading Café, Pony Express costs, etc.... 
  

Hopefully this is helpful in understanding our PTA fundraising efforts. Our largest fundraiser of the year is Steeplechase in October. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! The PTA would love to have all families join for this year.  Please feel welcome to attend the meetings and be part of the decision making process. We appreciate all of you and everything you bring to our school.

Sincerely,
Principal Lisa Zimmer and Co-Presidents Mari Allen and Katrina Kehl