Westowne PTA Year in Review 2014-15
Did we meet our goals outlined at the beginning of the year?
How can we improve for next year?
* Membership:
goal 200, actual 187
15 minute welcome session prior to PTA meeting – good for first meeting of the year
recruit community members – not successful
increase teacher membership – undetermined
memberships always on sale at events, meetings, etc – achieved
overall increase in membership
* Communication:
weekly email newsletter promoting PTA and school events/news - achieved
Facebook page increased users and information - achieved
monthly update to marquee - achieved
website redesign - achieved
monthly blog entries on specific topics - not achieved
*Grade Parents:
Helpful tool at beginning of the year
* Finances & Budgets:
balanced budget – on track for a surplus
increase direct support – on track to meet goal of $10,200
shift away from corporate fundraisers – 2014-15 Claire’s, Market Day and O’s night; corporate fundraisers were reduced by one
discontinue Claire’s for next year unless 5th grade needs it
Events & Programs
* Sneak a Peek & Back to School Night
improve Back to School Night power point presentation
improve budget vote procedure
include a Special Education meeting that helps parents with the IEP process
* Fall Fest
increase budget in order to afford more entertainment
bring on face painter (need more than 2 people to accommodate the crowd); no balloon animals
develop a plan for Fall Fest to accommodate construction changes
* Silent Auction & Raffle at Fall Fest
more promotion, fewer items in the silent auction
better communication for the process of the raffle and silent auction and announcing winners
* Catonsville’s Christmas tree ornaments
contact organizer after Halloween for theme; have materials ready two weeks in advance of Thanksgiving
add it as a budget line under School Support
* Holiday Shoppe
schedule the shop so that we have three weeks to recruit volunteers after Thanksgiving
need more display cases
* Book Fair
consider scheduling so it ends on a Friday
* Literature Night
more publicity
consider moving to a Friday night so kids can stay out later
schedule room sessions to accommodate pizza and Book Fair shopping first
fewer rooms, more parent tables
* Craft Fair
decide prior to August when we will hold the fair- with Holiday Shoppe or in spring with AH yard sale
* Teacher Appreciation Week
consider celebrating on the national week to avoid confusion
* Pajama Day
monthly event, profitable fundraiser
* Assemblies
increase to three per year, suggestions for next year
* After-school enrichment clubs
start planning in summer in order to fit in two seasons of Lego Robotics
Running club – not offered next year
Chess club – probably
Lego Robotics – definitely
Spanish – wish list, if we could find a teacher
* 5th grade committee
work with incoming committee in summer to set a budget, plan of work and fundraisers
* Restaurant Nights
fun social outing, profitable fundraisers
skip fundraiser in December, May and June
* Market Day
monthly revenue has increased in 2015
* Corporate Donations
keep with help identifying willing companies
* Rewards programs
adjust promo material to remove Amazon, Kellogs, MyCoke rewards as options
downgrade attention to Escrips
focus attention on Box Tops
rework budget to reflect the programs that go directly to the school
* Plant Sale
cancelled for this year; discontinue next year as well
* Skate Night
no dates organized this year; Hope Riley offered to organize
* Teacher reimbursement campaign
a small percentage of teachers have claimed reimbursements; leftover amount will be used next year in an equitable way
* Claire’s
exceeded budget but exhausted volunteers; discontinue next year unless 5th grade needs it
* Schoolkidz
approximately 20 orders placed after paper due date; discontinue next year
Suggestions for new events/fundraisers
Complete all fundraising prior to spring break.
Art to Remember – PTA to take on responsibility, try to coordinate with Christmas, if possible. Otherwise plan for Mother’s Day.
Grandparents Day – Because we have many different kinds of families, the school would prefer not to focus on one type of family member so as to not exclude those kids who can’t participate. Programs promoting family involvement will be as inclusive as possible.
Drama Club – Coming next year with funding from the PTA
Ideas for the surplus – Funds for a learning garden, additional assemblies