Clayton PTA - General PTA Information

What is the PTA?
What are the goals of the Clayton PTA?
What does the PTA do/where does the money go?
PTA FAQs
How do I join the Clayton PTA?
General Membership Meeting Dates
General Membership Meeting Minutes
Executive PTA Board Meeting Dates
Treasurer Reports

WHAT IS THE PTA?
"PTA" stands for Parent-Teacher Association, a non-profit organization made up of parents and teachers that exists on the school, local, state and national levels. The purpose of PTA is to partner educators and families together with the unified goal of raising socially and academically strong students. PTA is an arena to discuss school and student needs and then set out together with staff how to address those needs. A PTA's success is based on the strength and dedication of its volunteers and members.

WHAT ARE THIS YEAR'S GOALS OF THE CLAYTON PTA?
The Clayton PTA operates under the general goals and purposes of the National PTA (see above). Specifically at Clayton though, for the 2009-2010 year:

The Clayton Elementary PTA will expand opportunities for parents and children to enrich the education and experiences and continue to foster a sense of community:

Provide programs of substance to parents
Offer programs/events that support the art, music and physical fitness
Provide funding to identified needs areas that focus on education
Provide timely information with google groups and e-newsletter
Set up a volunteer base for programs and school needs to assist teachers and students

If you have a question regarding what the PTA does or is doing, please don't hesitate to contact Vicki Muras, the 09-10 PTA President, at president@claytoncardinals.org.

WHAT DOES THE PTA DO/WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
The Pro Forma budget reflects exactly what programs and projects the Clayton PTA supports each year. School needs must be reassessed each year and the budget depend on income coming in (from fundraisers, membership, etc.). Though the budget changes a little here and there during the year, usually the current year numbers are "final" by October or November. Look for updates throughout the year on what the Clayton PTA has done.

Here are the fabulous things the Clayton PTA and its volunteers accomplished in 2008-2009:

Funded curriculum support programs: SOAR Reading Program, the Science lab, Reflections Art Program
Helped Special Areas (Art, Music, P.E.) increase academic opportunities by funding: rock wall for the gym, portable amplification system; music student software, more drums, keyboards, xylophones and metallophones; art department tech needs and consumables
Donated $5,500 to help stock the Library inventory and support the Literacy Library
Funded the Clayton Summer 2009 Library Program
Funded the requested campus technology needs: replacement LCD projector bulbs, digital cameras, digital microscopes and more
Paid $2,500 of the Accelerated Reader subscription for student body
Provided equipment and supplies for Math Pentathlon & the VIP Room
Paid $2,000 of the cost of classroom subscriptions (Time For Kids, etc.)
Supported teachers by providing reimbursement allowance for curriculum-based supplies
Contributed to professional development costs for teachers
Helped fellow Cardinals who needed field trip scholarships
Paid $1,500 of the lease of the school’s RISO copy machine
Supported landscaping, property development and play area projects (Eagle Scout projects, storage shed, landscaping, etc.)
Gave start-up funding for new student television station (KCARD) and new Lego Robotics club
Showed our thanks to our teachers and staff by funding appreciation events
Increased parent education and built community with special programs and activities (Movie Nights, Book Exchange, speakers, Family Game Night, etc.)
Filled and managed the many, many volunteer positions at Clayton
Provided services of school supply and school spiritwear sales
Provided a school directory to all families for free
Planned and implemented our largest family and community event of the year, the Clayton Fun Run & Celebration, for over 1,200 attendees
Kept our families informed via the the PTA web site, the Clayton Weekly calendar and the PTA newsletter
Sought community feedback by compiling a survey
And more!

CLAYTON PTA FAQs

Why does the PTA have fundraisers? Believe it or not, the PTA’s purpose is not to fundraise or bake cookies. The PTA’s primary objectives are parent education and child advocacy. You saw the Clayton PTA participate in these objectives this year with some of our programs as well as in the efforts to get relief from overcrowding. Despite these causes, due to limited state and district funding, parent organizations now must step up to supplement monies to improve educational opportunities for our children. At Clayton, the PTA holds 2 main fundraisers (Donation Drive, Fun Run & Celebration) while administration holds the Magazine Sale and the library, Art Department and P.E. Department have their own fundraisers.

Why do you talk about the PTA budget at each meeting? Though budgets are hardly the most exciting thing, they are one of the most important things for the PTA and its members. The budget reflects what programs and items the PTA supports with its money. Also, we are not allowed to spend any funds on a line item that are not yet approved by general membership. The Pro Forma budget changes frequently during the year depending on need and requests, and it must be presented and voted on before spending revised amounts.

Why do you have a PTA meeting with kids’ programs? Not only do we want our families to be informed of what the Clayton PTA is doing for the school, but we need members to vote on the budget and several other things. We would love to count on meeting the required quorum by holding a meeting without a program, but realistically many would not come. In fact, this year’s survey indicated over 60% of respondents would only attend a PTA meeting if their child was benefiting or involved in a direct way. Also, please keep in mind the PTA meeting itself is only about 15 minutes. However, we will continue to assess how we do things each year.

Why don’t you do ___ or do it the way our old school does it? If something’s not happening, it’s usually because we don’t have enough people to help, there are limitations you may not be aware of, or we want to try something new. Each year, we hope every single program and event at Clayton improves with experience. If you have suggestions and are willing to help, please let us know!

If you have more questions about the PTA, please contact info@claytoncardinals.org.

HOW DO I JOIN THE CLAYTON PTA?
Please go to the Membership page for more information, benefits of membership and the membership form you can download.

TREASURER REPORTS
The most recent Treasurer's Reports are posted on the PTA bulletin board in the main hallway.