Frequently Asked Questions about our Cypress Woods PTA:
- What is the purpose of the PTA at Cypress Woods Elementary?
- How do I become involved in a committee or with the PTA?
- What happens to the dues we pay for PTA?
- Do I have to come to school to volunteer?
- Can I only volunteer once in a while?
- How often does the PTA meet?
- Where and when are the PTA board meetings held? What time do they start?
- How long are the meetings?
- Who comes to the PTA board meetings?
- What happens at the PTA meetings?
- Can I volunteer even if I am unable to come to the meetings?
- How does the PTA raise money at Cypress Woods?
- What does the PTA do with the funds raised?
- Can I volunteer for more than one committee?
- Do I need to fill out an application form to volunteer at the school?
- Do I need to keep track of the time I spend volunteering?
- Why do I need to log my volunteer hours?
- Who do I contact to volunteer?
- What is a General PTA Meeting?
What is the purpose of the PTA at Cypress Woods Elementary?
To promote the welfare of children.
To raise the standards of home life.
To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children
and youth.
To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that
parents and
teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children
and youth.
To develop between educators and the general public such united
efforts as
will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in
physical,
mental, social, and spiritual education.
How do I become involved in a committee or with the PTA?
We welcome you to contact any of our Cypress Woods PTA Executive
Officers, Committee Chairpersons, or Executive Board members to
join a committee or just to offer some of your time! Sign up
sheets are available in the school office or PTA back-to-school
packet.
What happens to the dues we pay for PTA?
PTA dues at Cypress Woods Elementary are $6.00 Single Membership
or $10.00 Family Membership.
$1.75 from single and $3.50 from family dues go to National PTA
for them to provide materials and publications, underwrite the
national convention, support workshops that address the welfare
of children, keep a volunteer legislative committee in
Washington, D.C. to advocate for children and youth, and maintain
a website.
$1.25 from single and $2.50 from family dues goes to the Florida
State PTA to provide materials and publications to the local
units, maintain a state office that serves local units, publishes
a Florida PTA Bulletin, finance special projects, and provide
leadership training.
$3.00 from single membership and $4.00 from family membership of
your dues stay with Cypress Woods PTA to support various programs
and activities in our school community.
Do I have to come to school to volunteer?
No! There are many activities that can be done away from the
school that would be of great benefit to our programs and events.
Some of these include making phone calls, stapling or stuffing
envelopes.
Can I only volunteer once in a while?
Most definitely! Any volunteer assistance at the school is
appreciated. It is all vital to achieving the goals of the PTA
and the school community. Even one hour a school year is of
benefit to a committee!
How often does the PTA meet?
The PTA Executive Officers and Committee chairpersons meet
monthly. We also communicate via email between monthly meetings.
Where and when are the PTA board meetings held? What time do they start?
The dates/times of the PTA board meetings for the 2010 school
year can be found on the 'calendar' of this website. They are
typically held in the Media Center at Cypress Woods at 2:00pm and
child care is provided. You do not have to be a board
member to come to the meetings. We welcome all PTA members to
attend!
How long are the meetings?
The board meetings are usually an hour to an hour.
Who comes to the PTA board meetings?
Executive Board members (executive officers and committee
chairpersons), our Principal and/or Asst. Principal, and our
Teacher Representative. If you are a PTA member (parents,
grandparents, teachers) and would like to attend a
meeting we welcome you!
We also have General PTA Meetings at least 3 times a year which
all parents are asked to attend. General PTA meetings are usually
followed by a free parent education seminar or family program.
What happens at the PTA meetings?
Minutes from previous meetings are approved then various reports
are given from the Principal, Teacher Rep., PTA president,
Treasurer, Committee Chairs, and anyone else who is on the
agenda. New business and unfinished business are discussed.
Various announcements are also made.
PTA meetings provide an excellent opportunity to be involved in
what is happening at our school!
Can I volunteer even if I am unable to come to the meetings?
Yes! Volunteer contributions are necessary for a lot of different
events/programs.
How does the PTA raise money at Cypress Woods?
The PTA holds fundraising events which are the primary source of
income for the association. It is this income that allows PTA to
sponser so many things that you see and do at CWE. Another
sources of income is your pta membership dues. Programs are not
fundraisers - they are events that your PTA provides, made
possible by the sale of tickets ie: parent-child dances.
What does the PTA do with the funds raised?
The money raised by the PTA goes to fund enrichment
programs/services at our school.
Can I volunteer for more than one committee?
Yes! All help is welcome! Many PTA members find they are
interested in more than one committee.
Do I need to fill out an application form to volunteer at the school?
Yes. This form is available at the front office. Return the
completed form and a copy of your drivers licence to your child's
teacher or to the front office.
Do I need to keep track of the time I spend volunteering?
Yes. By entering your volunteer time on the computer in the front
office your volunteer hours will be logged. If you are
volunteering away from the school, and are unable to log your
hours by coming into the school, please contact the front office
and they will forward your hours to the appropriate person.
Why do I need to log my volunteer hours?
Schools can get two awards that signify excellence. These are the
Five Star School Award and the Golden School Award. Our volunteer
hours contribute towards the school's qualification.
Who do I contact to volunteer?
Any Executive Board officer or Committee chairperson will be
happy to assist you! Go to Who We Are on this website to contact
any of the executive board members by email/phone.
What is a General PTA Meeting?
General PTA Meetings occur at least 3 times per year and all PTA
members are asked to attend. These meetings typically include a
free parent education seminar or fun family program. We look
forward to seeing you there!