Request Granted

Have you ever wondered, “What exactly does PTSA do with the money they bring in?”  “Does the money just sit in their bank account?”  “Why should I support them?”

Here’s the answer:

Every year we work on a budget and have it voted on by our members.  This budget includes family nights, school assemblies, high school scholarships, t-shirts, prizes, middle school activities, staff appreciation, and the list goes on.

Outside of our yearly budget, staff members are able to submit grant requests, asking for money to be used toward an activity they would like to bring into our schools.  Sometimes they ask for the full amount, other times they ask if we would split the amount with another source such as the BTA or the student council of their school.

Once they fill out their request, they send it to us and we discuss it with our members at one of our meetings.  We ask the submitting staff member to come to our meeting to present, and to be there in case questions arise.  If there are no more questions we take a vote (we are only able to vote if we have 10 or more members present).  Staff who submit a request take the time to research the activity or product they would like to have, and more often than not are granted their request.

Here are the grant requests we have approved this school year:

1.  Artist in Residence: Nick Page
                This request was “to bring in Nick Page, composer, song leader as an artist in residence for K-12
                workshops and masterclasses in early spring.  Supporting the repertoire for district wide choral
                concert in March.”

                Benefits: Students grades K – 12                                                               Amount: $1000
               
                *Information about Nick Page can be found at nickmusic.com

2. Ginther Library Bags
                This request was “to purchase bags for students to carry library books back and forth to home
                and school.”
   
                Benefits: Ginther students                                                          Amount: $210
 
               *This has now become part of our yearly budget.

3. Spaghetti Dinner and Social Media Presentation
                This request was “to provide a free dinner, social media presentation, and kids’ night event to
                students, teachers, parents, and community members.”

Benefits: Students grade UPK – 12, parents, community members, and staff      Amount: Up to $300

4. Ginther & Barclay Author Visits: David FitzSimmons
                This request was “to bring in David FitzSimmons for an author visit at Ginther School in
                conjunction with Barclay School.  He will do a 1 day visit with Kindergarten & 1st graders at
                Ginther and 1 day with 2nd & 3rd graders at Barclay.  He will also participate in an evening family
                night to include both schools.  This grant money will pay for his visit and visit expenses.”

                Benefits: Students in grades K – 3.                                           Amount: Not to exceed $4100

                *David FitzSimmons is the author (and photographer) of “Curious Creatures.”

5. Electrify Your Strings: Mark Wood
                This request was “to fund workshops and a concert through the Electrify Your Strings program.
                This program is led by Mark Wood of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and works with students on
                both ensemble and solo skills while introducing them to electric string instruments. Mark Wood
                forms a rock orchestra with them playing contemporary and well-know rock pieces which
                culminates in a final rock concert with Wood and the students.”

                Benefits: Orchestra students in grades 4 – 12                             Amount: $1000
 
Without your generous support we would not have been able to approve these requests.  Thank you for helping us say, “Yes!”