Wednesday, December 8, 2010 PTA meeting/Winter Program

by grades 3-5 at Goochland High School:7pm (K-2 will have a program in the Spring this year)

Thursday, Nov. 11 PTA Meeting Agenda

6-7 GES Media Center's Scholastic Book Fair extended hours. Please come out and support GES Media Center and pick out some books for your child and check out the teachers' wish lists.

7-7:10 PTA business meeting - The PTA Board members will also ask for a vote to approve the revised budget and bylaws.

7:10-7:25 Dr. Underwood, superintendent of Goochland County Public Schools, will be the feature speaker for the meeting.  She will lead a discussion on the upcoming budget process.  The session will include the opportunities to ask specific questions regarding the challenges that may be involved with the creation of the fiscal year 2010-11 school system budget. If additional time is needed for Q&A, this group will relocate to another room in the school.

7:30-8:15 We also have a family friendly and entertaining program READING IS MAGIC by Magician Rob Westcott!

Our Community Outreach Committee will have a collection box for the GFCFS Food Pantry and ask that you please consider bringing a donation if you can. Many items are needed. A full list can be found a their website: HERE. There is a special need right now for Breakfast Items like Boxed cereal and Drink Items.

Greetings from your PTA President!

We are so excited about what the 2010-11 school year is going to bring! People are asking "WHY should I join the PTA if I already volunteer in my child's classroom?" Good Question. . .

What the PTA allows is the opportunity for the adults in the community to show their commitment to ALL children who attend GES. We are an association that is an advocate for all children. Our focus is to promote a positive relationship between students, parents and school staff.  When we all work together, it will then provide the best educational experience for all. Then how do we do that?

YES that means we do have to sponsor fundraising events.  When we are successful with our fundraising events that allows us as an association to support our school and community in so many different ways.  One way we use our funds is to provide school staff the opportunity to purchase educational materials to use in the classroom. Another way is to help teachers have the opportunity to attend educational conferences.  It is our goal to provide teachers different ways to develop professionally which in turns strengthens student achievement. In addition, we us PTA funds to sponsor educational performances in our school.  That way school budget money is not used to transport students to the venue.  We also use funds to provide fun-filled events for families to attend together.

But the BEST WAY to really know what the PTA means is for people to join, get involved and on the way have the opportunity to get to know the adults and children that are in your child's school and community. We have a great school and we need to support it in anyway possible!

If you have joined already--THANK YOU!! If you haven't, MAKE YOUR MARK and join! Put your handprint on a child's future today!!!

Thanks,
Leah Hopkins
GES PTA President

GES Teachers and Parents -- Made Their Mark!

WOW! What a fantastic Back to School Night! 

It was so exciting to see so many GES families out supporting their school. We started the PTA meeting out by recognizing that 100% of the GES staff joined the PTA. What a challenge for our parents to meet! Many families followed the staff's lead and joined. The numbers were so good that we haven't had a chance to get a final total but will get it out as soon as possible.

Thank you again for your support and hope everyone enjoyed their time in their children's classrooms!   We need to thank our Short Pump Town Center's Chick-Fil-A for the very generous donation of a chicken platter that helped provide an appreciation meal our teachers before the meeting.

Hope to see many of you at the volunteer training next Friday at 9am in the GES cafeteria!

Congratulations to the Street Family who were the winners of the iPod shuffle raffle held for all families who had signed up for a PTA membership to date.

Also, we had a separate raffle for GES teachers who joined the PTA and our winner was...
Mrs. Andrea Cachina!

We are overwhelmed with the teacher response this year We have 100% membership from the GES teachers. Incredible! Thank-you!

Come on families, let's match that! 

Many Volunteer Opportunities at the school and with the PTA

An informal Volunteer Training was held today at Goochland elementary where volunteer opportunities within the school as well as PTA committee volunteer opportunities were presented and discussed.

If you were unable to attend but are interested in volunteering for the school please contact Linda Davidson, guidance counselor at GES.  Many volunteer opportunities exist with the PTA,  please contact any PTA board member through the general PTA mailbox gesptavoice@aol.com. If you haven't yet signed up for the PTA, please do so and you can select your committee interest there as well. Forms can be found HERE.

Thanks for being a part of Goochland’s PTA- We appreciate your support!

2010 PTA Membership Form

If you haven't had the chance to send in your membership form and dues, please take a moment to do it now.  Send in the following information and check made payable to GES PTA to the school so we can get you signed up right away!

MEMBERSHIP FORM

New this year! Flat rate membership fee of $5 (cash or check payable to GES PTA). Parent support is vital to our success! Please help us reach our goal of 100% parent participation and return your form today!
NAME:_______________________________________________________

CHILD(REN) & GRADE (S):_______________________________________

EMAIL:_______________________________________________________

PHONE:______________________________________________________

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES(Please check any/all you would like to help with. See attachment for details.)

Standing Committees (Ongoing throughout school year.)

__Cafeteria Volunteering Committee           __Hospitality Committee
__Landscape/Beautification Committee        __Community Outreach
__Fundraising Committee                          __Audit Committee
__Box Top for Education Committee           __PTA Membership Committee
__General Committee

Event Committees (Volunteer to work on one-time events.)
__Valentines Dance
__PTA Reflections Program- happening this fall
__Spaghetti Dinner Night & Silent Auction
__Field Day
__Trunk or Treat

Other School Events and Ongoing Activities (Some activities may require a Volunteer Background check.)
__Picture Day                         __Book fair, Fall & Spring
__Curriculum Activities            __Tutor/Mentor
__Fifth Grade Graduation         __Clinic Support
__Office Support
__Check here if you are unable to commit to any of the above activities,
but would like to be contacted for volunteering opportunities.

Thanks for being a part of Goochland’s PTA- We appreciate your support!

2010/2011 proposed budget for your review

Here is the 2010/2011 proposed budget for your review to be approved at Thursday's PTA meeting at Back To School Night.  

Yes it may be small but you can click the box with the 4 arrows in it to view it full screen or print it out by selecting the menu tab to the left of the document and selecting print or click on the download button and it will open in your pdf reader .

GES_2011_Budget.2010.08.26

Thank-you!

MAKE YOUR MARK!

Join and participate in the GES PTA this year! It is a great way to be involved in your child's educational experience. With every paid membership, your name will be written on a paper hand and placed on the PTA board as showing that "We've Made Our Mark" for our children to see that we support their efforts while at school.

All membership dues this year are $5 (individual or family). The $5 for membership goes to pay state ($1) and national ($1.75) dues.  The rest of the money ($2.25) goes into our general fund to support student activities and supplies used at the school.

We encourage everyone to join the PTA so you can have a "hand" in supporting such a great organization.

Please stop by the GES PTA table on Business Day to learn how you can "Make your Mark" this year.

Kindergarten Orientation is Thursday, August 19 from 1-2:30 where your child rides the bus with you for the first time. Letters were mailed out this past week. Teacher and room assignments were also mailed . This is also Business Day from 3-7 for all families to attend.

PTA Events planned for 2010/2011 School Year:

see the PTA Calendar HERE.

~ Leah Hopkins, GES PTA President 
====================================================

We ask you all to welcome our new GES principal, Mr. Stacy Austin and a new PTA executive board this year!

Our new PTA executive board members are: 

• President                Leah Hopkins
• 1st Vice Pres.          Dennine Michel
• 2nd Vice Pres.         Colleen Williams
• Secretary                Angela Carter
• Treasurer                Robert McLemore

Any comments or issues with this blog, please contact the blog administrator, Colleen Williams: GesScPtaBlogAdmin@comcast.net or the general PTA mailbox for all board members is: gesptavoice@aol.com

The PTA needs YOU to be effective. PLEASE carve out some time to volunteer whether it be an hour, an event, a committee chairperson or member, or a card carrying member. It all matters and makes a difference.

Thank you and let's all have a great year!

REMINDER! Thursday, April 22, 2010 GES Student Talent Show & Brief PTA mtg

REMINDER!

Thursday, April 22, 2010
GES Student Talent Show & Election of PTA Officers for 2010 – 2011: 7pm

We plan to have our Spirit Wear tee and sweat shirts available for sale with this year's logo.  Please consider supporting us with a purchase. Most shirts are $12 and most sweatshirts are $18. Plus sizes may run a little more.  If you decide you want to purchase and are not attending, feel free to send this order form in through school. Form  and additional information can be found HERE. 

The Operation Free money committee is also looking for one last push to get Campbell Labels, Box Tops, Amerigas Receipts and Tyson Labels in soon so we can make our final submissions for this school year. Check the committee's section for all ways you can help.

We will have sign up sheets available at the meeting for the Campbell's School vs. School challenge sponsored by Campbells and Food Lion. Deadline is April 30. Or you can sign up yourself at: www.foodlion.com/LFEchallenge 

Every signup gets us 100 bonus points posted directly to our account!

Family Night Follow-up

THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support the PTA at last Thursday's Family Night!

The Spaghetti Dinner and Auction were a success and we truly appreciate all the generous donations made by GES parents and the Goochland and surrounding business community.  The proceeds from Family Night will be used to purchase much needed supplies and equipment for the school.

Also, thank you for the copy paper donations!  It was like Christmas morning on Friday when the teachers each found a ream of paper waiting for them in their mailbox!  We are truly blessed with a giving community of caring parents and dedicated teachers!  

Many thanks, 
Elizabeth Dowdy

Report from the Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee has been hard at work creating a slate of officers to recommend for GES PTA to serve for the 2010 - 2011 school year!    

The following nominations have been proposed by the committee:
President                Leah Hopkins
1st Vice Pres.          Dennine Michael
2nd Vice Pres.         Stephanie Rosier
Secretary                Angela Carter
Treasurer                Robert McLemore

Thank you to these parents for stepping up to serve as PTA officers for next year! The election of officers will be held at our PTA meeting immediately preceding the Talent Show on Thursday, April 22nd. Nominations for officers will also be accepted from the floor at that time.

Please plan to join us for THE TALENT SHOW!  It's always a very entertaining evening with an amazing showcase of talent from our very own GES students!

Warm regards, 
Elizabeth Dowdy  

We have some exciting events in the near future at GES!

Thursday, March 11 Family Night - Spaghetti Dinner & Auction 5pm

We are currently searching for items to include in the silent and live auction! Do you own your own business or work for a company that would consider making a donation?
Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated! Please contact a PTA board member by the end of February if you can help out!  Thanks!

Sat. March 13th GES PTA Night at Goochland Drive-In Theatre 5p 
** RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER **
new date Saturday March 20
Featuring the original "Charlotte's Web" movie - come early for delicious and affordable concessions!

Look for information to be sent home from school soon about our  
Valentine Silver Angels!
We have "adopted" 28 Goochland County senior citizens and plan to shower them with Valentine cheer for the next couple weeks. Each class will have their very own angel to make them feel special and loved :-). Please encourage your child to make a card to show they care about the needy and elderly in our community!

And...don't forget to nominate your favorite teacher for VA Lottery's "Super Teacher Award" before the March 5th deadline.
More information and on-line nominating forms can be found here:http://www.valottery.com/promotion/teacher/

Your Nominating Committee and Budget Update

At last night's PTA meeting, Dr. Underwood announced a special School Board meeting that has been scheduled for 7pm on Tuesday, January 19th at GES. Ivan Mattox, our district's School Board representative, and Dr. Underwood provided an update on the school budget and answered questions from the audience. On behalf of the PTA, thank you both for attending!

The most recent copy of the Superintendent's budget that was proposed to the School Board this past Tuesday evening, can be downloaded from the first page of the GCPS website: www.glnd.k12.va.us

As parents, one of the most impactful ways we can get involved is to communicate with our elected decision makers in Goochland county. The recommendation was made to parents to establish and/or maintain communication with the appropriate supervisor in your district as well as the appropriate School Board Representative to ensure they he is aware of your wishes/concerns as the budget is in deliberation. The following web addresses provide information on who to contact in your district:

http://www.glnd.k12.va.us/index/schoolboard/

http://www.co.goochland.va.us/Departments/DepartmentsAF/BoardofSupervisors/tabid/59/Default.aspx

The School Board is expected to vote on the budget January 26th in order to present their adopted budget to the BOS January 28th.

In other news, your Nominating Committee was elected to recommend PTA officers for next year. Those members elected to serve on the Committee are Angela Carter (441-1439), Dianna Gordon (556-5321) and Elizabeth Nelson-Lyda (439-4591). Their nominations for next year's officers will be announced at Family Night on March 11th and the election of officers will be held on April 22nd just prior to the Talent Show. Please contact any of the three Nominating Committee members if you wish to recommend an individual to serve as a PTA officer for next year. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the time of election. Thanks to these three folks for serving in this important capacity!

Also, a HUGE thank you goes out to Jennifer Hite, BINGO Committee Chair, for coordinating a great evening of fun for the kids! Jennifer ~ we greatly appreciate all of your hard work before and during BINGO Night!

Thank you for your continued support of the GES PTA and have a wonderful extended weekend!

Best regards,

Elizabeth Dowdy

		Goochland Elementary/Specialty Center Parent-Teacher Assoc
Jan 13, 2010		Profit and Loss Budget vs. Actual
		July 1, 2009 through January 13, 2010
Ordinary Income/Expense		Jul 1, '09 - Jan 13, '10	Budget	$ Over Budget	% of Budget	32.7%
Income
Fundraising Events
Parents Night Out		0.00	500.00	(500.00)	0.0%
Spring Musical		0.00	3,860.00	(3,860.00)	0.0%
Drive In Movie Night		0.00	1,000.00	(1,000.00)	0.0%	10.8%
Chuck E Cheese Event		330.78	500.00	(169.22)	66.2%	271.7%
Ice Cream Social		161.00	200.00	(39.00)	80.5%
Santa Shop		0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0%
Scrapbook Sales		0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0%	212.1%
Spaghetti Dinner		0.00	4,150.00	(4,150.00)	0.0%	38.4%
Auction		0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0%
Bake Sale		0.00	1,300.00	(1,300.00)	0.0%
Spaghetti Dinner - Other		0.00	5,450.00	(5,450.00)	0.0%
Total Spaghetti Dinner		0.00	7,300.00	(7,300.00)	0.0%
Spring Fundraiser		1,400.61	1,400.00	0.61	100.0%	0.0%
Trunk or Treat		0.00	550.00	(550.00)	0.0%
Valentine's Dance		0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0%
Gertrude Hawk Fundraiser		7,440.00	7,800.00	(360.00)	95.4%
Gertrude Hawk Internet Sales		7,440.00	7,800.00	(360.00)	95.4%
Gertrude Hawk Fundraiser - ...		9,332.39	28,560.00	(19,227.61)
Total Gertrude Hawk Fundraiser
Total Fundraising Events		0.00	900.00	(900.00)	0.0%
Fundraising Programs		0.00	75.00	(75.00)	0.0%
Operation Free Money		105.40
Tyson Labels		105.40	975.00	(869.60)		22.3%
Ukrops Golden Gift		815.00	300.00	515.00
Total Fundraising Programs		55.00	0.00	55.00
Local Membership Dues		1,429.50	700.00	729.50	100.0%
Other Types of Income		1,484.50	700.00	784.50	204.2%
Donations		11,737.29	30,535.00	(18,797.71)
Spirit Wear Sales
Total Other Types of Income
Total Income		0.00	225.00	(225.00)
Expense		0.00	0.00	0.00
Leadership Education		0.00	225.00	(225.00)	0.0%
Conferences					0.0%
Publications/Brouchures		0.00	3,000.00	(3,000.00)
Total Leadership Education		0.00	500.00	(500.00)
Programs		0.00	200.00	(200.00)	0.0%
Teacher Professional Develop...		0.00	200.00	(200.00)	0.0%
5th Grade Graduation exp		695.00	1,450.00	(755.00)	0.0%
Beautification & Landscaping		221.32	1,000.00	(778.68)	0.0%
Community Outreach		1,640.87	1,780.00	(139.13)	47.9%
Concerts/ Theater Arts		0.00	200.00	(200.00)	22.1%
Field Days		0.00	150.00	(150.00)	92.2%
Hospitality		0.00	3,000.00	(3,000.00)	0.0%
Incentive Prizes		2,557.19	11,480.00	(8,922.81)	0.0%
Reflections					0.0%
SOL Tutoring		0.00	1,000.00	(1,000.00)
Total Programs		0.00	0.00	0.00
Projects		86.40	150.00	(63.60)	0.0%
Spring Musical		0.00	30.00	(30.00)	0.0%
Bingo Night		0.00	0.00	0.00	57.6%
Operation Free Money		516.45	7,000.00	(6,483.55)	0.0%
BTS Night /Ice Cream Social		0.00	175.00	(175.00)	0.0%
Business Day/Open house		3,563.17	3,900.00	(336.83)	7.4%
Equipment & Materials for GES		0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0%
Fundraiser Prizes		0.00	800.00	(800.00)	91.4%
Gertrude Hawk		1,390.70	450.00	940.70	0.0%
Santa Shop					0.0%
Spaghetti Dinner					309.0%
Spirit Wear Expense
		Goochland Elementary/Specialty Center Parent-Teacher Assoc
Jan 13, 2010		Profit and Loss Budget vs. Actual
		July 1, 2009 through January 13, 2010
		Jul 1, '09 - Jan 13, '10	Budget	$ Over Budget	% of Budget
Spring Fundraiser %		0.00	3,500.00	(3,500.00)	0.0%	34.0%
Trunk or Treat		481.54	450.00	31.54	107.0%
Valentine's Dance		0.00	300.00	(300.00)	0.0%
Total Projects		6,038.26	17,755.00	(11,716.74)
PTA Expenditures
Bank Service Charges		0.00	150.00	(150.00)	0.0%
Contract Services			0.00	0.00
Accounting Fees			0.00	0.00
Legal Fees			0.00	0.00
Outside Contract Services		0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0%
Total Contract Services		0.00	350.00	(350.00)	0.0%
County PTA Council Dues		0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0%
Depreciation Expense		377.00	300.00	77.00	125.7%
Liability & Bonding Insurance		8.80	50.00	(41.20)	17.6%	44.2%
Postage		73.90	75.00	(1.10)	98.5%	0.0%
Printing and Copying		15.61	150.00	(134.39)	10.4%	29.7%
Supplies		475.31	1,075.00	(599.69)		100.0%
Total PTA Expenditures		0.00	0.00	0.00
Teacher Enrichment		9,070.76	30,535.00	(21,464.24)
Total Expense		2,666.53	0.00	2,666.53
Net Ordinary Income
Other Income/Expense
Other Expense		467.50
Dues sent to State PTA office		467.50				100.0%
Total Other Expense		(467.50)
Net Other Income		2,199.03
Net Income			0.00	2,199.03

School Board meeting this Tues, Jan.12

E-mail sent out via gesptavoice:
A School Board meeting will be held this Tuesday evening, January 12th, at Goochland High School in the Auditorium starting at 7pm. The School Board is expected to vote on a finalized budget January 26th and present it to the Board of Supervisors on January 28th.

The latest published version of the 2010 -2011 proposed budget, which was presented at the School Board meeting on Dec. 15, can be downloaded from the GCPS website: www.glnd.k12.va.us and it is also provided as an attachment to this email.
Direct Link to .pdf document: http://www.glnd.k12.va.us/budget/budget_proposed_dec142009.pdf

Questions about the proposed budget can be sent to Dr. Underwood at budget@glnd.k12.va.us or reach her by phone at 556-5601.

Dr. Underwood will also be addressing the GES PTA on Thursday, 1/14 at 7pm in the GES cafeteria.

As the School Board looks to finalize their recommended budget for next year, make sure you stay informed of the upcoming proposed changes. As concerned parents, teachers, staff and residents of Goochland County, our time is running out to voice our option on how the proposed changes to the budget will affect current and future students in our county.

Come and join us for some fun at

GES/PTA
Bingo Night

Thursday, January 14, 2010
7:00 pm @ GES

Featuring guest speaker:
Dr. Linda Underwood,
GCPS Superintendent

While the kids play Bingo in the art room, Dr. Underwood will address parents in the cafeteria with up to date information regarding Goochland County School budget cuts. Bring your questions and/or suggestions!
Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Sponsored by the GES/PTA.