Association Meeting 09/13/11

A BIG Thank You to all who were able to attend our first (and longest) association meeting of the year!! We're all still getting into the swing of the year and appreciate your support and patience. To be a little more GREEN, this year, reports are being presented on a big screen instead of 60 copies of each report being printed, glanced at and then thrown away!

In case you missed it, here's a few highlights of what we went over tonight:

Treasurer, Mrs. Cynthia Antoinette explained that there are many checks and balances in place to keep our finances in order. A motion was passed to approve the treasurers report.

Auditor, Mrs. Michelle Worden let us know that everything was matched up and that the proper taxes and forms had been filed. A motion was passed to approve the auditors report for March 2011-June 2011.

Teacher Liaison, Mrs. Nicole Halvorson explained some of the things that we as a PTA do for our teachers throughout the year to show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication. The library was transformed into an Italian Bistro for a welcome back luncheon. Two archaic microwaves have been replaced in the teacher's lounge. We purchased 8gig flash drives for each teacher to help with backing up data and material. We also furnish Teachers with a $100 gift card to their choice of Target or Teacher Supply store. They do so much for our children, we are so grateful for their knowledge, skills and patience!

VP of Membership, Mrs. Kris Williamson shared that in the first 3 days of school we collected 120 new membership dues! Thank you Emerson for your support! If you haven't had the chance to join, please do! Membership is only $5.50. Should you choose to join at some of our higher levels, look forward to all the goodies that will be coming your way in the coming weeks as your memberships are processed.

VP of Fundraising, Mrs. Wendy Cuellar outlined some of our upcoming FUNdraising opportunities. Family Dinner Night at Red Robin (Lakewood Center Mall) on Thursday, 09/22, from 5pm - 9pm! What a great way to take a night off of cooking and enjoy a night out with your fellow Eagles! Your flier must be present, look for it in your Wednesday Packet.

Also coming up is the 2nd Annual Back to School Bash! Good times for the whole family and more! Look forward to seeing you there! Games, Music, Fun and a movie after it gets dark!

PTA President, Mrs. Paula Nathan covered a lot in the first of her monthly President's Report. We ratified the appointments of new Board Members as well as Delegates. The budget was gone over line by line and a motion to pass the budget for 2011-2012 was passed.

ANY current member of the Emerson PTA is welcome to see the budget at any time. To request please email :
EMERSONPTA at VERIZON dot NET

Principal, Mrs. Maggie Kerns delighted us with news that Emerson is indeed SPECIAL! One of the only schools to still boast a 1:25 student/teacher ratio, a 34 point gain in our API score to put us at 886! We don't wasn't to stop there, we're on the way to joining the elite "900 Club". We are excited to get teachers trained on School Loop with is an internet based communication program. Mrs. Kerns also wanted to encourage fulfillment of those donation hours, yet one more something special that sets Emerson apart!

Mrs. Corrine Garthoff covered the Meet the Masters Program that will be beginning this fall. Another parent volunteer based program sponsored by the PTA, we're ALWAYS glad to have YOUR help!

Mrs. Michelle Worden, Auditor and also Book Fair Chair, shared that Book Fair will be held 10/10-10/14. Lots of new exciting options to purchase books for your child, their classroom, even our library! The theme this year is SPACE... Your time, help, support and ideas are always welcome!! Look for more info in your Wednesday Packet!

Mrs. Michelle Arslan, reminded us that we raised $1500 last year in box top collection! Keep 'em coming. Please avoid stapling your box tops, tape or glue is preferred if you utilize the provided fun sheets. Otherwise, bundles of 10 are perfect! Don't forget to include your child's name and classroom when turning in box tops so that they can be eligible to receive prizes!

Mrs. Kris Williamson wants you to know that School Cents is starting! Look for more info in your Wednesday Packets! We were awarded $600 last year for turning in Restaurant/Retail receipts from stores at and surrounding the Center Malls (Lakewood, Cerritos, Downey/Stonewood)! Costco counts!
also
Fresh and Easy receipt collection begins next week! Turn in your receipts that are at least $20 and Emerson will get $1 for EVERY $20 spent! This counts for ANY Fresh and Easy too!
Receipt collection boxes are at the office. If you need your receipts returned, please include your name and child's name on the envelope and they WILL be returned (I speak from experience!)

Recycling began today! Mrs. Karen Faulkner leads this program. Every Tuesday from 8:30a-9:00a bring your plastic bottles, aluminum cans and foil juice packets to the front of the school. Doing good for the Earth, doing good for Emerson! ANY and ALL help is welcome and extremely appreciated!

DIVERSITY MEANS...
This is the theme for the Nation Wide PTA sponsored Reflections competition. Co-Chaired by Mrs. Rose Jackman and Mrs. Nicole Halvorson. A FREE after school art workshop will be held on 09/22 and 09/23 from 3p-4p after school. Representatives from Art Innovators will be on hand with supplies and ideas to help students of all grades and skill levels to explore the theme and perhaps begin, work on and even complete a Reflections Project to be submitted. Entries are due by 10/12 and can be done in the following categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Musical Composition, Photography and Visual Arts. Click HERE to be directed to ptareflections.org. Look for more information in your Wednesday Packet, coming home with your youngest child at Emerson!

If we didn't get a chance to see you at the meeting tonight, we hope to see you at the next one on Tuesday October 11, 2011 at 6pm in the auditorium!