Officers:  

Co-presidents: Tonya Strong (381-3580) and Toni Greenwalt (381-1966)

Co-vice presidents: Chris Shaw (381-1826) and Sarah Bann (332-5448)

Secretary: Maureen Dolan (381-4197)

Treasurer: Tammy Chalupa (381-4262)

The members of the Blue Grass P.T.A. work very hard to provide equipment and materials for the students of Blue Grass School that the Davenport School District cannot provide.  The main fund-raisers are the sale of Entertainment coupon books in September and Fun Night in March.  Besides raising funds to purchase things, the members also volunteer in many other ways, such as constructing the new playgrounds, assembling information packets for students to take home on Thursdays, and helping the teachers in numerous ways.  

COMMITTEES – Reminder that we are still in desperate need of chairperson(s) for several committees:  Conference Dinner, Hospitality, Market Day & Fun Night Kitchen (co-chairs needed), Yearbook – coordinator for group pictures and sales.  How about doing it with a friend or two to make it easier for both of you.  We’re attaching descriptions of each of the committees to give you a better understanding of what is involved.

Even if you do not wish to chair a committee, there are still many opportunities for both parents to help out in your child’s school.  If you missed the sign up sheets at Unpack Your Backpack, please fill out and return the volunteer sheet which was also in your Thursday folder packet.  The volunteer numbers are way down, we’re sure due to the new registration process.  The District streamlined the whole process quite well, but a little too well for PTA… 

Donation Request of $30 per child – Envelopes with your donation may be turned in at any time.  Just send the envelope (which was in your Thursday folder packet) to school with your child.  If the envelope has been lost, please make a note with the donation of the child’s name and teacher.  We are requesting that donations be received by October 31.  $30 per child is the suggested amount.  Participation this year forecasts the fall fundraiser for 2008.

YEARBOOK – If you missed signing up for PTA at Unpack Your Backpack, attached is a form you may use to sign up.  You DO NOT have to be a member to volunteer!  The membership dues are paid to the Davenport PTA council and Iowa PTA for each member signed up.

You can purchase yearbooks as well now.  You can include membership, yearbook and spirit wear in one check if you would like.  Spirit wear forms WILL NOT be sent home.  You must have your child request one, or stop by the office to pick one up.  This will be the last opportunity to purchase the 50^th anniversary design.  Forms must be turned in by September 28.

Committees for 2007/2008:  There is something for everyone!  We have quite a few openings for committee chairpersons for next fall—for those of you who are returning parents.

Binding—Coordinating volunteers to bind the children’s journals, etc. at the beginning of the year—even before school actually starts, if the materials have arrived.  This can be done at your own convenience, and even from home.

Conference Dinner—Coordinate preparation for a teacher dinner during fall conferences, usually the first part of October.  The chairs typically prepare the main course (sometimes with Market Day items) and volunteers supply the rest of the meal.  Previous chairpersons kept great notes!

Dance—Organizing, decorating, etc.  Usually mid February.  You get to pick the theme!

Fun Night—General Store—there are enough leftovers from this year so we shouldn’t need to order; putting displays up on the boards for viewing in the store; running the store.

Fun Night -Kitchen— We need a co-chair.

Fall Fundraiser—We will decide in the next few months what we will be doing for our fundraiser.  Previously it has been the Entertainment coupon books and Fannie May candy.

Hospitality—Calling volunteers to bake/cook for teacher’s birthdays. Can do each birthday or all birthdays for that month in one day.  How is this important to your child?  Lets teachers know they’re appreciated, which carries over into the classroom with your child.  This is all school year. 

Market Day—We are looking for one or more chairpersons to join Chandra Zwierzynski, who is currently a co-chair.  And of course we need volunteers to make reminder phone calls and work the night of delivery,sorting the orders. 

Membership—Typing the roster of the membership for mailing into the state PTA with dues and any other things you might like to do to promote membership/volunteering; typically busy during registration and first month or two of school starting.

No TV Tuesday— Filled.  Thank You.

Teacher Appreciation— Filled.  Thank You.

Boxtops/Soup labels/Swiss Valley milk caps—Collecting, counting and mailing into the companies.  Anything you can do to promote clipping and saving!  We receive about $1,300 in cash every year from Boxtops, plus all the supplies through Campbell’s.

Yearbook—Kristy Seamer & Sarah Bann.  If you are interested in helping with sales or picture day or contributing photos throughout the year, please contact one of us.

And remember, there are volunteers to help the committee chairperson(s).  You’re NOT alone and you won’t have to do it all by yourself!!!

Even if you are unable to volunteer to chair a committee, we hope you read the descriptions to get a better understanding of the committees.

We’d like to close out this school year with all the committees filled.  Please call Tonya Strong (381-3580) or Toni Greenwalt (381-1966) with questions or TO VOLUNTEER! OR contact the current chairperson for details. 

Volunteers in Blue Grass always come through when needed!!  And we appreciate any way you can help.