Central PTA News

As you may know, for the past year the PTA/PTO Committee* has been studying the practicality of converting our Parent Teacher Association chapter to a parent teacher organization (PTO). Over the next two months, we’ll be presenting our findings to you. At the May 2008 PTA meeting, members will be invited to vote on whether Central should proceed with this form of organization. An informational series of articles will be distributed to parents, intended to be a concise description of the relevant issues, with references to websites for more in-depth reading. These articles will cover such topics as:

• The difference between a PTA and a PTO;
• History of Central PTA;
• The PTA’s legislative agenda; and
• Advantages and Disadvantages of PTA and PTO

PTA stands for Parent Teacher Association. A PTO is a Parent Teacher Organization. The simple difference between a PTA and a PTO is affiliation versus independence.

Central PTA is a member group of the state and national PTA. The PTA is a national non-profit organization whose main purpose is to advocate for children. Central’s PTA must abide by the rules set forth at the PTA’s national and state levels. In return, Central receives access to member benefits. To belong to the PTA in Illinois, we pay $3.25 per member (approximately $750 per year). Part of your PTA dues is used to support state and national lobbying efforts. Membership in the PTA is individual, not family-based. Currently, less than 25% of school parent groups nationwide are affiliated with the PTA; in Illinois, that number is even smaller.

Conversely, a Parent Teacher Organization is an independently run parent group. PTOs are most often single-school groups that operate under their own bylaws and are focused on their home school and surrounding community. PTOs have discretion to collect annual membership dues. Many PTOs eliminate annual dues, thereby effectively including every parent of the school as a member of the PTO group. However, in order to access membership benefits to PTO resources, including reduced insurance rates, an annual fee of $199.00 is required to be paid to an organization by the name of PTO Today. The trend toward PTOs, and away from PTA’s, has been steadily increasing in recent years.

For more information, log on to http://www.pta.org and http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/480-pto-vs-pta-faqs#3

* Central PTA convened a committee to investigate the trend of parent groups converting to PTOs. Members include: Anne Kodama, MaryJo Robling, Jane Wilhelm, Mary Ellen Meindl, Nancy Hopkins, and Eva Lazzara. Questions about this article can be directed to any of these committee members.

Central families;

Reminder; the next Central School PTA meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 at 9:00 am.  The meeting location has been changed from the Central Library to the Hauser Cafeteria.  Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.  There is a full agenda of great topics;

• The 5th grade band & orchestra students will perform for the PTA
• The Nominating Commitee will present the slate of PTA officers for the 08/09 school year
• Mrs. Mathis will be in attendance to review the art curriculum
• Dr. Limperis and Dr. Lamberson will provide an update on Central School and District 96
• Committee updates on exciting programs scheduled over the next few months

PTA meetings are an easy way to find out about the wonderful programs being planned for the Central students.  Please plan to attend and provide extra support to the 5th grade students that have been working hard during Band and Orchestra classes this year. 

I look forward to seeing you at the meeting.  Any questions, please let me know.

Linda LaBelle

The date is fast approaching for the PTA Spring Family Fun Night.  Mark your calendars and save the date for the next Family Fun Night, “Dinner and a Movie” on Friday, March 7th.  All Central families and Central School Staff are welcome.  Reservations are due by Friday February 29, 2008. 

Dinner/Movie #1:

• Pizza & salad dinner, 5:30 - 6:00 pm
• Toy Story (G) movie begins at 6:20 pm

Dinner/Movie #2:

• Pizza & salad dinner, 6:30 - 7:00 pm
• Night at the Museum Movie (PG) begins at 7:20 pm

General Information:

• Pizza slices/whole pizzas need to be pre-ordered and pre-paid
• Free popcorn, cand and water will be supplied at the movies
• All children must be accompanied by an adult
• Bring your pillows, blankets, chairs and come enjoy some Central School Family Fun!

Volunteers for the movie night are needed (1/2 hr to 1 hour only)

Volunteers are still needed to help with pizza/soda distribution, popcorn, candy and water distribution and hall monitors to ensure the safety of our children.  Most of the volunteer options have a “short” timeframe and will still let you enjoy the evening with your family and friends.

Please click on the following link for a copy of the event flyer, Family Fun Night Flyer

Please click on the following link for a volunteer schedule, Family Fun Night Volunteer Schedule

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact Mary Ellen Meindl at marrymelon@sbcglobal.net or for pizza questions, please contact Tiffany McManus at tiffmcmanus@hotmail.com

See you at the movies on Friday March 7th.

Do you have the winter blues? Are you looking for a reson to get out of the house?  Come to the Central Library where there is plenty of warmth and light.  The library always has a lot of books that need shelving, especially after class library times on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

• Parent and Grandparent volunteers are welcome to stop in whenever you have time, whether it is right after drop off or while you are waiting to pick up your children
• Shelving books is easy to do and no training is required
• Even 10 - 15 minutes of your time would help the students, librarians and would lighten the load of books which accumulates on the cart
• Shelving books is a tremendous help to the students who are trying to locate specific books and makes all books available for selection
• As an added bonus, you get to relieve  those winter blues

Thank you in advance for your help.  If you have any questions, please contact Jeannine Glavas

Show your school spirit on Wednesday, February 20!  This months theme is Roadrunner attire.  Wear your new spirit wear, your Land’s End shirt with the roadrunner logo or your favorite t-shirt from years ago.  You can also wear the school colors of red or gray.  Get in the spirit and join the fun!

Central Families,

Mark your calendars & look in the backpacks for the information flyer about the Annual All-School Ice Skating Party sponsored by the PTA.  The Ice Skating Party is scheduled for this Friday, February 15 from 1:00 - 2:30. 

• Admission is free for Central Students and families 
• Skate rental is available for $2.00
• Location = Ridgeland Commons Ice Rink, 415 Lake Street, Oak Park
• An adult must accompany all students
• Click the following link for a copy of the flyer Central Ice Skating Party
• Come out and enjoy the fun!

Questions, please contact Audrey Korslund

Quite a few sections of the website have been updated recently and you might not have noticed the changes.

• The Job Description reference section of the website was updated with two new descriptions (Corresponding Secretary and 2nd VP Fundraising) and updates were made to the PTA President job description as well.
• Meeting Minutes have been posted for all of 2007 and January 2008. You will find them in the Minutes reference section of the website.
• Two of the three Central School newsletters for the 2007/2008 school year have been posted as well. You will find them in the Newsletters reference section as well.

More job descriptions will be posted soon. Any questions, comments or suggestions, please send them to Chris Hajer.