Can you believe it is almost time for school again? The first day of school is Monday, August 24th!

Your elected officers for 2009 – 2010’s PTA are already hard at work. The Executive Committee has met to plan the PTA Event calendar and they are looking forward to working together with parents and teachers for a great year!

Thank you to the parents who provided feedback on the survey at the end of last year. Your suggestions have been incorporated into the current year’s planning! Please know that your comments and recommendations are always welcome and very much appreciated. At any time, your suggestions can be forwarded to officers and/or committee chairs. You may also send an email to gesptavoice@aol.com

He Said, She Said
in the Volunteer world
by Joan Perry, CAVS
Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital

"How can I be of help?" she asked,
"I have a good idea," he said,
"Here, hold my hand," she suggested,
"We'll do it together," they offered.

"We'll be right here until it's done."
"Let's do it this way, its more fun!"
"It's what we're here for it's no fuss."
"Call us back if you should need us."

"She needs our help, God bless her heart."
"Oh, I'm just glad to do my part."
"Walk with me, I'll show the way."
"Goodness no, I don't want pay."

"You can do it, I'll show you how."
"You need it when? I'll do it now."
"If you need anything I'm right here."
"Who am I? A volunteer."

Interested in getting involved now?

We are looking for volunteers to assist with the planning of our Back to School Night/Ice Cream Social scheduled on Thursday, September 17th at 6pm.

Based on member feedback, some exciting changes are in the works so mark your calendar to attend! Meet the teachers, enjoy ice cream and see what’s new this year for PTA! Please contact an officer or email the above address if you would like to be a part of planning this exciting event.

Watch for upcoming PTA news here at the GES/SC PTA blog!

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Elizabeth Dowdy,
GES/SC 2009/2010 PTA President

PTA Feedback Request

Thank you for your support of the PTA! As newly elected officers and committee chairs work together to plan for next year, we would like to provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to make recommendations and provide feedback. Please let us know what you liked and/or disliked about PTA and what suggestions you would like to provide. Your input is extremely valuable and appreciated.

Also, the Fundraising Committee will be meeting in the near future to decide upon which fundraisers best suit GES/SC for the 2009-2010 school year. Many volunteers will be needed to serve on this committee and input at the initial planning stages would be very helpful. Please submit your recommendations for fundraising and consider joining this vital committee.

Recommendations may be sent via email to gesptavoice@aol.com or feel free to call:
Elizabeth Dowdy, President: 556-3035
Lisa Hobbs, Vice President: 556-3056
Karen Stapleton, Vice President: 457-2711
Robert McLemore, Treasurer
Avis Waston,Secretary

Thank you for your involvement and we look forward to working together next year!

Vote for 2009/10 PTA Treasurer due 6/11 5pm

Dear PTA members,

This serves as Step 2 of procedures* noted below. If you have a family membership (i.e. paid $7 in dues) then you and your spouse each have a vote. If you have a single membership (i.e. paid $4 in dues) then you may submit only one vote. Please note in your email response how many votes you are submitting.

The two nominees for the 2009-2010 GES/SC PTA Treasurer are :

Kristina Heidel or Robert McLemore

Please submit your vote for one of the PTA members noted above to gesptavoice@aol.com by 5:00 PM on or before Thursday June 11, 2009.

*The 2008-2009 PTA Board will proceed with filling the office of Treasurer as prescribed by the bylaws in the following manner:

1. Seek out those interested in serving on the Board as Treasurer. This task will be accomplished via this e-mail notification with a response deadline to a 2008-2009 Board member by June 4, 2009.
2. Send out a Ballot to PTA members. This task will be accomplished via e-mail by June 5, 2009 with a response deadline of June 11, 2009. All votes will be keep confidential. Fifteen responses will constitute a valid election.
3. The PTA Board will concur on the results and send out a notice of the 2009-2010 elected Treasurer on June 12, 2009 via e-mail.
   

If you have any questions, please contact a board member
Board Members:
Karen Stapleton - President
Les & Pam Bradshaw - V. Presidents
Rachel Pudwill - Treasurer
Avis Watson - Secretary

FAMILY READING NIGHT!

The proceeds from our fall fundraiser will enable us to purchase a promethean board for the school. The cost is considerably less than we had budgeted, so the PTA Executive Board has decided to participate in a great program - FAMILY READING NIGHT! To kick things off, we are very interested in organizing a whole school reading activity, One School, One Book. This program began in Richmond and people across the country have participated. The idea is to create a bond between all students in a learning community. Each child is given a copy of the same book and together as a school, the book is read, questions are asked and conversations take place between students at different age levels.

More information will be coming home soon!

Thank you.

Karen Stapleton
PTA President

Thursday, January 8, 2009 6:30pm PTA Meeting / Bingo Night

As parents, grandparents, and guardians, we want to protect our children from any and all dangers that threaten them in the world. However, the question is: How do we defend children from the virtual world? What precautions should we take to secure the safety of our children on the Internet?

Please plan on attending the PTA meeting, January 8, 2009 at 6:30pm.
Operation Blue Ridge Thunder will be giving a brief presentation on Internet Safety that will educate all of us on this growing problem!!
Dr. Linda Underwood will address us about the 2009-2010 School Budget.
Students who took part in the Reflections program will be recognized.

There will be Bingo for the kids and refreshments!!

Wednesday, December 10 - Winter Program and brief PTA General Membership Mtg

Don't forget, Wednesday, December 10 is the Winter program and a brief PTA general membership meeting at the Goochland High School starting at 7pm.

The teachers should have sent home information as to what time your child needs to be at the school and where they are to meet.