Your PTA Fundraising Dollars At Work 2008-09!

California ranks among the lowest in the nation for funding public education. This is why Edna Maguire PTA's fundraising efforts are so incredibly important!

Each year our PTA works tirelessly to raise money that directly supports educational programs at Edna Maguire. Our school prides itself in offering a "hands on," project and inquiry-based learning and teaching environment. Our curriculum is rich and varied. The state of California, however, only provides funding for "state adopted textbooks." The list of available books is short and often does not support the depth and breadth of education which makes our school so outstanding. To continue our wonderful academic program, we need your support!

Here are just a few of the programs that are funded by your PTA Dollars:

• Library Books - Each year the PTA donates $8,000 to the library for new books and research materials.



• Principal's Fund - This fund pays for initiatives that are not in the general budget. Two years ago, it funded Homework Club and Dr. Seuss' Café. Last year, it supported the Lawrence Hall of Science Family Math Night. In 2008-09, $2,500 will fund Next Generation, a non-profit that organizes eco-friendly programs for schools. Next Generation will help our Green Team teach students to reduce, reuse and recycle. They will also present assemblies, organize field trips, conduct Earth Week activities and provide garden curriculum. Eco lessons will include sustainability, global warming, green energy, healthy food, civic engagement, and waste reduction.



• Teacher Wish List - This fund is for initiatives from the School Site Plan, created by teachers, the principal and the Site Council. LCD projectors were purchased for $4,900, so now every class - in conjunction with our laptop carts - can project their lessons, projects and presentations. The K-5 TERC (Investigations) Math Program was also purchased for $5,500. TERC strengthens achievement in mathematical thinking, computation and content. The Life Lab Science Curriculum, which integrates science and garden lessons for grades K-5 cost $856. And Rigby Benchmark Assessment Kits, which assist in assessing reading comprehension and fluency for grades 1 & 2, cost $1,473.



• Grade Level Funds - $34,000 goes to grades K-5 in support of special events and programs such as Sutter's Fort, Camp EdventureMore, Barry Scientific, Slide Ranch, Nutcracker Ballet, Lawrence Hall of Science, Marin Theatre Company, Ellis Island projects, National Geographic, Scholastic, Writing Workshops, wax museum projects, student planners, maps, Explode the Code books, Weekly Readers, letter books and more.



• Classroom Funds - $20,250 is divided between teachers to purchase items such as inkjet cartridges, science and computer supplies, drawing paper and art supplies, classroom library books, photo paper, colored pencils, pencil grips, erasers, markers, hand sanitizer, and notebooks. Even so, teachers very often purchase items for their classrooms from their own pockets!



• Art Show - Each year, our art department presents an amazing "interactive art show" for parents and children. This school-wide event is budgeted at $2,129.



• Organic Healthy Snacks - Schuylar Harvey organizes this incredible program which delivers seasonal, organic fruit for all students to enjoy before school, at recess and on breaks. Cost: $5,000.



• Technology - Currently, we only have ONE computer cart that holds 30 laptops for 413 students! We need to purchase, at minimum, two more computer carts. Each cart costs approximately $35,000.



• Other - Additional dollars fund items such as 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, and more.

Our largest fundraiser is Steeplechase in October. PLEASE consider giving generously!!

If you have any questions, please ask. The PTA would love to have every family involved; we welcome everyone to attend the meetings and be part of the decision making process. We so appreciate all of you, and everything you bring to our school!

Sincerely,

Lisa Zimmer, Principal
Katrina Kehl and Leslie Lewczyk, PTA Co-Presidents