PTA funds and coordinates many of the events and programs that make your child’s experience at North Oaks not only an educational one but a memorable one.
· Curriculum Enrichment in each class- This includes the entrance fees and bus transportation for field trips, creative games, classroom materials such as candle making supplies, chick eggs for nature study, butterfly gardens, materials for fish tanks, speakers, and more.
· Programs for the school – Including A Magic Show entitled “Yes, I Can” that entertained with magic tricks while teaching kids about self-esteem and being your own person.
· Teacher Gift Certificates - $50 is given to each teacher to buy something to enhance the learning experience in the classroom.
· Cafeteria Lunch Monitors – Volunteers help in the lunchroom and on the playground so students can have the extra recess at lunch.
· Clothes Closet – This is a district-wide effort that provides clothing to needy RRISD school aged children. There is collection bin outside the school office for gently used clothing and new items such as socks and underwear. Last school year, the Clothes Closet helped over 1700 students.
· Field Day – Every Spring PTA works in conjunction with the PTA teachers to organize efforts for a half day of extra fun physical contests and activities.
· Red Ribbon Week – A weeklong effort to promote education to students on drug abuse and prevention.
· Reflections – A Program that provides students an opportunity to express themselves through the arts by entering in any of the 4 art areas: literature, visual arts, photography, and music. Awards are given at the local, council, district, state and national levels. Students participating in Reflections at North Oaks are recognized by a very special reception.
· Science Fair – Every student is offered a chance to venture into the world of scientific research that goes beyond lessons in the classroom or chapters in the book. Students develop science fair projects that allow them to gain first-hand appreciation of the work of scientists and the value of their discoveries.
· Talent Show – Every student has the chance to be star in one of the two talent shows held each school year. The fall show is for 3rd – 5th grades and held at the RRISD Performing Arts Center. The spring show is for kindergarten – 2nd grade and held at North Oaks.
· Carnival- An event that brings together the families at North Oaks to have fun.
· Skate Night – An almost monthly social event for the students and families that gives them a night to skate together and have the rink to themselves.
· School Supply Sale – A service to parents to provide all the school supplies required for the classroom without the shopping hassle. Supplies are delivered directly to the student’s classroom for the first day of school.
· Family Fiesta – A dinner that promotes fellowship at the school.
· Ice Cream Sales – Every Friday, students can buy a special treat for the low price of $.25.
· Directory and Yearbook – Volunteers produce and distribute the directory and yearbook.
· Homeroom Coordination – Volunteers plan and coordinate classrooms parties as well as assist teachers in various projects throughout the school year.
· Bicycle Rodeo – An event to promote bicycle safety.
· North Oaks Scholarship – 2 scholarships are awarded to Westwood Graduating Seniors that attended North Oaks Elementary
· Soup Labels – By collecting labels from a variety of food products, merchandise is “purchased” from the points to benefit the school. Last year, that was 181 items that included basketballs, a balance beam, books, a microscope, educational videos as well as other items.
· After School Activities – PTA provides funds for Chess Club, Choir, and Future Scientists & Engineers of America.
· D.A.R.E. – Funds are provided for the presentation of this Drug Abuse Prevention Program to students.
· ROPES – PTA funds a ROPES course for the 5th grade to help them develop as a group to set goals, solve problems, gain trust, build confidence, and to give and receive support.
The above items are ways North Oaks PTA impacts the school.
National PTA conducted a telephone survey in 2003 of PTA leaders and members and found the following top 3 reasons why members join PTA:
· To be involved in my child’s education
· Working with teachers
· To be a positive volunteer role model for kids