PTA Newsletter

Fall 2014

Vol. 1 ISSUE 1

Edison Globe Edison Language Academy PTA Newsletter

Stay Informed at Edison!

A Message From Our PTA President

Find us on the web: www.EdisonAmigos.com

As the newly elected PTA Executive President, I would like to welcome all of you to the 2014-2015 www.facebook.com/EdisonLanguageAcademy school year!

The purpose of the PTA is to support our faculty, staff, parents, and most importantly, our students. Your new PTA Committee has been busy exploring programs, events and opportunities aimed at enhancing the educational environment for our students this year. Your membership and Direct Donations to Edison allows PTA to provide many extra-curricular programs at Edison that, without your support, would not be possible, such as:          

Assemblies, Field trips, Extra instructional supplies for teachers, Kid Biz, Art Reflections, Student gardens, Campus beautification, Hospitality and Parent Education, School Smarts, and Wonderful cultural and community building events that enrich our campus (Día de los Muertos / Festival del Otoño, Valentine’s Dance, and Noche de Cesar Chavez).

At the age of 17, I left Colombia to study Drama in England and I could not speak English fluently. It took me a long time to be able to fully communicate, though I never lost my very charming Colombian accent. Today, our children have an extraordinary opportunity to learn a second language in an academic setting, while their brains are still maturing.

But a second language is not the only gift we give our children at Edison. They may get a wonderful education, with high academic standards, but with the financial support of SMMUSD’s Vision for Student Success, our children also get a chance to participate in theater, music, and, most importantly, be part of a diverse community that cares.

Research shows that children do much better in school if their parents volunteer and are active participants in their child's education. That's why I decided to become the PTA president and also why I encourage you to make time to volunteer throughout the year, so that we can continue providing our children the best education possible – fathers, mothers, faculty, staff, friends and community business leaders are all welcome.

Here are other ways for you to help maintain our quality education at Edison: Please show your commitment to our school by pledging to Edison’s Direct Donation. Every dollar you give will remain at our school, allowing us to continue providing many of the amazing programs that enrich our children’s educations. This year we are asking for a donation of $365 per child.

And please become a new or renewing member of our PTA for only $7 per membership.

Please note that $4.50 go toward the district, state and national PTA for the resources and support they provide to local PTA’s. The balance stays with Edison PTA. As an incentive, you will receive Legoland and Baskin Robbins coupons for signing up!

Our first PTA meeting of the year will be Wednesday, August 27th from 8:30-9:30 am in the Cafetorium. Please come to meet us, learn about programs and events the PTA will be offering. We will also need members to review and approve the 2014-2015 PTA budget.

We have a calendar packed full of great events for this year. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you’d like to share an idea. I can be contacted at ptapresidentedison@gmail.com.

Remember, one of the greatest gifts we are giving our children is the ability to learn a second language. I look forward to seeing all of you at our PTA meeting. Until then, stay well and enjoy the new school year!

Juanita Devis Edison PTA President

Calling all PTA Dads!!

Have fun, get exercise, and show your support for Edison PTA by joining the Men’s monthly pickup basketball/soccer night at Virginia Park. All PTA dads are invited!

Games will take place from September to May. Exact dates and times TBD. Please contact Eric Burke at 562-251-7488 or eburke1994@gmail.com for more details and to sign up.

Become a PTA Room Parent This Year!

Responsibilities include (teacher specifics will vary)…  Attending a Room Parent orientation (Date TBD)  Act as a point person for school-wide activities in your child’s class  Provide information! Answer classroom parents’ questions all things related to PTA, Site council, ELAC, School Smarts, website, etc  Stay informed about PTA meetings, read minutes and weekly packets  Follow up with families to ensure they are receiving information  Maintain classroom bulletin  Communicating to parents needs for classroom donations, assistance, PTA programs, events, etc  New families – ensure they receive an email, phone call, or in-person welcome *We encourage at least 2 volunteers for this position *Spanish / bilingual speakers are a huge plus for our community Contact our Room Parent Coordinators for more information or to sign up: Gina de Baca Maria Reynoso

ginadebacapna@yahoo.com drmariareynoso@yahoo.com

10 Reasons to Get Involved at Edison

1 3

Volunteering makes a big difference. Research consistently shows that kids whose parents are involved in their schools perform better.

2

You get to be a part of something positive. Being a part of PTA gives us concrete ways to get involved, whether at events, in the classroom or on a committee, regardless of our busy schedules.

4 5

It feels good to participate! Your child spends a lot of time in school. It’s great to share meaningful experiences with him.

Get to know other parents. It’s powerful to create a circle of friends around your kids and school. It will help foster connections between families in our community.

Your help is always needed. Whether it’s helping in the classroom, or building a project, there are always ways to pitch in.

6 7

It’s fun! Festivals, movie nights, dinners out are exciting ways to show your support for Edison.

Make a manageable commitment. The thought of volunteering may seem overwhelming, but it shouldn’t be.

Spend a couple of hours playing a pickup game, or at one of our events, and your efforts will be rewarded.

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Have an idea? Volunteering gives you opportunities to share those ideas with parents and teachers to improve our school.

Show off your strengths! At Edison, there are many ways to contribute, many which are sure to complement your strengths, interests or professional skills.

Volunteering gives you another way to get to know our new campus, teachers and staff. You’ll be proud at what Edison has to offer!

Parent/Child Name______________________________

Teacher/Grade__________________________

WE NEED YOUR HELP! PLEASE RETURN THIS SHEET TO YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER ASAP

DATE Aug/ May Sept/ May SeptNov SeptNov Mar

EVENT Teacher & Staff Luncheons Book Fairs Art Reflections Program Fall Festival Jog-a-Thon

Mar April/ May May/ June All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year

Cesar Chavez Night Volunteer/Student Appreciation 5th grade Commencement Volunteers

DESCRIPTION

TIME

A teacher welcome before school starts and the staff appreciation lunch during teacher appreciation week Fundraiser and literacy promotion to benefit our school library and PTA National PTA arts recognition program supporting our wonderful artists at Edison Signature cultural event featuring music, dance, art, booths, food sales, permits and planning Fundraising event – duties range from sponsor sheets, set up, tallying and take down of event Student led presentations featuring food, art, singing, music, and theater Luncheon where we honor all who’ve volunteered throughout the year Assist with planning and prepping of year end 5th grade events Shelve books

As Needed As Needed 1x a week As Needed As Needed As Needed As Needed As Needed As Needed As Needed As Needed As Needed As Needed As Needed As Needed As Needed As Needed As Needed As Needed As Needed Wed AM/As Needed

Library Assistant Annual Giving Campaign

Solicit donations that go directly to Edison PTA and SMMUSD’s Vision for Student Success Recycle batteries and ink cartridges for Staples credit

Cartridge Recycling Translate newsletters, forms, flyers and social media Spanish Translators Edison Family Restaurant Nights Grant Writing/Community Outreach Corporate/Business Outreach Incentive Programs Raffles School Spirit Clothing Sales Friday Nights at Edison Teacher Appreciation Room Parent

Dining out events at local restaurants that donate a % back to our school Write grants for various school related needs Programs to build relationships with people and businesses from our local community Box Tops, Ralphs Supermarket, and Target offer incentive programs that give a % back to our school Fundraiser for PTA – sell tickets for various items before and after school, and school events Sell Edison apparel at school-wide events and ideally, at Wednesday Cafecito From performances, guest speakers to movie nights, food and refreshments are offered Organized by grade level to honor our wonderful teachers at Edison Emails/reminders to class, organize class gifts, Wed. packets, etc. 2 parents recommended-bilingual skills a plus!

If Interested (X)

Edison Language Academy Community Volunteer Opportunities 2014-2015

FUNdraiser in Support of Edison PTA on Thursday, September

4th 2014 (All Day)

Traiga este volante, preséntalo a su mesero, y donaremos 20% de su cuenta a Edison PTA. Recaudación de Fondos Para Edison PTA el jueves, 4 de septiembre, 2014 (Todo el Día)

California Pizza Kitchen- Santa Monica 210 Wilshire Blvd.

Santa Monica, Ca. 90401

Phone- 310-393-9335 Fax- 310-393-9434 E-mail- r_sam@cpk.com