FISHKILL PLAINS PTA     2007/2008 FISHKILL PLAINS PTA FUNCTIONS AND EVENTS Descriptions PTA e-mail: FPPTA@optonline.net

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child(ren) to Fishkill Plains Elementary School. This brochure was compiled to familiarize you with the PTA events that take place throughout the school year. If any of these events interest you and you can offer your time, suggestions, and/or expertise, please contact any of our PTA officers. We encourage you to become a member of the PTA and help support our school. We hope you will find our PTA a warm, friendly, and enjoyable environment.

We look forward to hearing from you!
--Click here for more chair person information on each event

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS:

BAKERS:
Volunteers are needed to supply baked goods at various PTA events and meetings

BOOK FAIR:
Responsible for contacting book companies, distributing information to teachers and parents, setting up for the event, and contacting volunteers to work the event.  This event usually occurs twice a year: during teacher conferences and the last month of school.

BOXTOPS:

BREAKFAST WITH THE PRINCIPAL:
Volunteers will be asked to help plan and serve the breakfast when the Principal meets with the children before the school day begins.

BRICK COORDINATOR:
Purchase and placement of engraved bricks around the school flagpole.

D.A.R.E. GRADUATION:
This is an hour-long program for fifth grade students completing this Drug Resistance program. Volunteers will be asked to serve refreshments.

ELECTION DAY BAKE SALES:
Each year Fishkill Plains PTA gives a $500 scholarship to a John Jay student who graduated from FP. Volunteers will be asked to organize bake sale events.

FAMILY FUN NIGHT:
Volunteers will be asked to help plan and coordinate the different activities (dessert night, bingo, etc.), and the refreshments.  Usually held on Friday evenings.  Www.ptotoday.com has some great new ideas.  There are notes from past Bingo night to help!

FIELD DAY:
This is a end of year event for the entire school, fun day full of games, food, and music. MANY volunteers needed to plan and run this event.

FIFTH GRADE MOVING UP DAY:
Held in June, this event is usually run by fourth grade parents. A graduation ceremony is held for our 5th graders. The chairperson arranges for a reception for students and parents to be held after the graduation ceremony.

FLAG DAY CELEBRATION:
Held during school hours, this event includes the whole school in celebrating the meaning of our flag. Special guests and lots of red, white and blue!
 

FUNDRAISERS:
Volunteers will be asked to coordinate the Fall and/or Spring fundraiser.  We hold various other fundraisers throughout the year and we are always open to hear of new ones that you may want to run.  Read the notes available from prior years for more ideas.

HERITAGE DAY:
This multi-cultural event includes international games, food tasting, talent shows, and the “World Showcase”- displaying costumes and artifacts from around the world. This project is a hit with the children and parents alike! Usually held in the Spring.

HOLIDAY SHOP:
A fun filled shopping experience held in early December.  A variety of low priced items are set up and displayed for young shoppers to buy for their holiday gift-giving list. The chairperson purchases all the items and sets up shop in the All Purpose Room (Cafeteria).  There are notes available from prior year's experiences.

HOSPITALITY COORDINATOR:
Using a list of volunteer bakers, the coordinator contacts people to supply baked goods for PTA meetings. This person arranges the setting up and taking down of the hospitality table.

NEW PARENT TEA:
This gives parents that are new to the school an opportunity to meet one another. Volunteers will be asked to help plan and serve a breakfast.

NEWSLETTER EDITOR/VOLUNTEERS:
Editor collects and publishes various articles for a PTA newsletter, can be monthly or quarterly.

P.A.R.P.:
Parents as Reading Partners is a 3-week reading program usually held in early spring.  Coordinator develops a theme along with the incentives, which reward the children for hitting their reading goals for the 3 weeks.

PTA SPEAKERS:
Chairperson would arrange for different educational/informational speakers. Would probably occur in the evenings.

PARENT/STUDENT DEVELOPMENT:
Chairperson and committee would coordinate an educational speaker, class, project, etc.  May take place after school, in the evening, or on the children’s own time.

RED RIBBON WEEK:
A nationally recognized week to promote anti-drug education. Volunteers plan a week of small activities to generate school spirit against drugs.  Usually in October.

REFLECTIONS:
The national PTA supplies a theme for this program, based on bringing the arts into school. Children submit entries in visual arts, literature, photography and/or music. Volunteers distribute the information to the school, collect the entries, and submit them for possible national awards.  Late fall.

ROOM PARENT COORDINATOR:
Responsible for obtaining list of room parents from the teachers for the current school year. A late September/early October get together is then planned for room parents to meet and plan the year activities.

SCHOOL GARDENS:
Volunteers are needed to plant flowers and maintain gardens throughout the year.

SCHOOL PICTURES:
Volunteers assist photographers on School picture day.  Distribute the information to the school, and coordinate the collection of money, and distributes the pictures. Contact between the photographers and the school.  Pictures are taken in early fall and spring.

SCHOOL SPIRIT COORDINATOR:
Manages inventory of school T-shirts, sweatshirts, etc. Arranges to have these items sold. Early Fall/ late winter.

SCHOOL STORE:
Volunteers are responsible for ordering and maintaining inventory for a school supply store usually held once a month during lunch hours.

SCIENCE FAIR:
Volunteers to work the event and act as judges for the science projects. The event is held during school hours and in some cases has been open one night for parent viewing.

SENIOR CITIZEN BREAKFAST:
Volunteers will plan the events between a local senior citizens group and the school.

SHARING TREE:
Coordinator and volunteers arrange for the collection of items to be given to families in need around the holiday season. These families are anonymous; so the committee works with the school nurse to arrange for these donations to be delivered to the families.

SHINING STARS:
This is a recognition program aimed at honoring different grade levels each month.  Volunteers would coordinate an ice cream party w/ the teachers and decorate the SHINING STARS bulletin board each month.

TALENT NIGHT:
Volunteers organize and plan the show. Usually held in the  spring.  Can be winter.

TEACHER APPRECIATION:
Held in May, the volunteers, with input from the PTA Board, plan the event. Volunteers are asked to donate baked goods and time.

VETERANS EVENTS:
Volunteers would coordinate different activities between the Vets and the school children to help raise the children’s awareness of our American history.

YEARBOOK:
Volunteers coordinate the development and distribution of the Fishkill Plains yearbook. Volunteers are asked to take pictures, do page layouts, and take orders for the book. A yearlong commitment, it culminates with the distribution of the book in June.