Text Box: The Cottonwood PTA is an organization of Cottonwood Parents, Teachers, and Staff with a purpose to bring closer the relationship between home and school so that students will benefit. You can be a member of the PTA...just ask! Text Box: 2008-2009 Executive Board: Stephanie Paustian, President Tina Kucera, Co-Treasurer Shawna King, Pres. Elect Sandy Micanek, Co-Treasurer Melissa Powers, Co. Secretary Robin Wilson, Co-Secretary Nancy Nelson, Principal

MPS Board Members

 

     Dave Anderson           Linda Poole   

     Brad R. Burwell          Jean Stothert

     Mike Kennedy             Mike Pate

Keith W. Lutz, Superintendent

            

 

Hello Cottonwood Parents,

 

             I wanted to give you an update on Fall PTA activities for those of you not able to attend our last PTA meeting.  We have been very busy for the past few months getting out T-shirt     orders, cookie dough sales, PTA and volunteer signup. My thanks go out to the many parents that donate their time and   energy into getting all of this done.  

             That said, it has become apparent that we still have some work to do in getting our message out to the parents at Cottonwood.  In a nutshell, cookie dough sales are down about 22% (about $7,000), PTA memberships are extremely low and the room party funds for Fall Festival and Valentine parties are half of what they normally are.

             PTA membership numbers have gone from 222 in 2005 to 200 (2206) to 186 last year and 110 this year.  We’ve gone from having support from two thirds of the Cottonwood households to less than a third.  Needless to say, a reversal in this trend is desired.

             Part of the problem is trying to communicate with over 600 parents.  I will be working harder this year to get out communication in the Friday Folder.  I can’t state strongly enough how helpful it is to attend PTA meetings.  It is the best type of communication and one that is very much worth the investment of one hour a month.

             Another thing that I need to impress upon parents is the need to be involved,  even in a small way, with the PTA.  As parents, we all realize the need to get our children to school on time, attend teacher conferences and make sure our children do their homework.  But I would like to stress that there is one more thing to add to this list.  Every parent should realize that their duties include involvement with the PTA.  Our school is  great not only because of the staff, teachers and children, but also because of the parents.  Being involved in the PTA is one way we can make sure that each child’s education is a wonderful experience.

             With that said, I would like to start by announcing a Bring-A-Friend to the PTA meeting night.  Our next meeting is Monday, November 3 at 6:30.  Talk with other parents you know and carpool or walk to the meeting together.  We all need to take on the challenge of bringing more parents to the meeting.  You won’t be required to volunteer for anything, although you will get information on what is happening at the school.  Please try to make it if you can.  We would love to see you there!

                                                                                                                                                    —Stephanie Paustian

                                                                                                                                                       PTA President

 

 
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