Administrator August 20th, 2008

Union Township School PTA Committee Descriptions 2009-2010

This list briefly outlines our PTA sponsored activities. All of our committees need volunteers to run successfully. The PTA can run activities with the help of teachers, parents and students. We have well over 700 students and NEED your help and input. Please consider how you can assist us this school year. Remember our children benefit from your efforts.

AD HOC- to be determined - formed as needed

AWARDS - Coordinate various awards presented by the PTA to acknowledge students, PTA Volunteers, and teachers.

BOE/ PTA LIAISON - Serves to keep the PTA up-to-date on school board activities. Attendance at board meetings is essential. All parents are encouraged to attend as many board meetings as possible.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION - Community action group to gather information regarding the North Hunterdon/Voorhees Regional High School.

CULTURAL ARTS/ ASSEMBLIES - Several times throughout the year assemblies are presented to our students by outside professionals. New ideas are always welcome.

GALLERY TIME - This is an innovative art appreciation program designed to acquaint the children with famous artists and their work. Volunteers would be expected to spend 30 minutes in the classroom once a month (October through May except December). This schedule is based on one volunteer per classroom. If multiple volunteers sign up in a single classroom, presentation commitments would rotate between the volunteers. Each volunteer receives a well-designed manual, which includes information about each artist, their works, and some suggested activities. It is the decision of the volunteer how to present the material to the classroom. Examples include hands-on art activities, books, songs, and games to name a few. Gallery time is set up monthly, with the classroom teacher, on a mutually agreed upon date and time. It is a wonderfully rewarding program for our children, teachers, and volunteers alike.

GOODWILL - This committee brings good cheer to our UTS school families in times of celebration or need, via cards, cheer baskets of goodies, or an occasional meal.

HOMEROOM VOLUNTEERS- This committee runs the fall lottery to choose the homeroom volunteers.

HOSPITALITY - This committee provides refreshments and coordinates childcare for meetings.

IDENT-A-KID - Program run with the County Sheriff for ID cards for township children

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE - This committee will deal with issues on behalf of children on the local level. It will provide PTA members with both sides of every issue presented to Union Township voters at election time.

MEMBERSHIP - During the first weeks of school dues are collected and PTA membership cards are distributed.

MINI-GRANTS- A program that offers funds for our teachers with original, innovative ideas for classroom enrichment.

NEW FAMILY WELCOME - Organizes and coordinates welcome packet, mentor program, and school tour breakfast for families new to UTS.

NEWSLETTER - Produce bimonthly newsletter of PTA events and programs.

NOMINATING - Designed to identify potential candidates for the upcoming year to the executive board positions.

NUTRITION & WELLNESS - A new task force to examine the school lunch program, the food options available and the accessibility, pricing and placement of healthy foods. Identify ways to promote wellness.

PHONE DIRECTORY - This involves the assembly and distribution, and collection of names and addresses of school classmates and their families in the fall.

READ ACROSS AMERICA - A weeklong celebration of reading inside and outside the classroom.

REFLECTIONS/ART FAIR - A national PTA program to enhance a quality arts education. It provides opportunities for students to express themselves and to receive positive recognition for their artistic efforts. Students create and submit works of art in four areas: literature, musical composition, photography and the visual arts. At the end of the year, Reflections finalists and art from every child in school is displayed at an art fair.

SCHOOLYARD HABITAT (combined with Outdoor Classroom) - Help turn our school grounds into a National Wildlife Federation certified Schoolyard Habitats site and incorporate environment-based education into our school curriculum. The site would not only provide inspiration for learning among students, educators and the community, but will become an important part of our local ecosystem providing essential habitat for wildlife.

STAFF / TEACHER APPRECIATION - This committee sponsors events to express appreciation of teachers and support staff. This includes food preparation, set-up and clean up.

WEBSITE - Accept and update content to our website.

FUNDRAISING: BOOK DRIVE - Collect gently used books, games, CDs, videos and DVDs for a sale at the Holiday Bazaar. Proceeds to benefit UTS library.

BOOK FAIR - We need volunteers to help the children select books during sale. Day and evening time slots are available.

BOOKPLATES - Maintain teacher/librarian wish lists for books so that parents may purchase books through school. Coordinate purchases and book plate dedications.

BOXTOPS For EDUCATION - Involves the collecting, trimming, and saving of box tops for redemption for cash

LABELS FOR EDUCATION - Involves the collecting, trimming, and saving of labels for redemption for school software, computers, and video equipment, etc.

HOLIDAY BAZAAR - A vendor fair just in time for purchasing holiday gifts. Solicit vendors and coordinate table space rentals. Coordinate PTA refreshment sale and any PTA sponsored tables.

MARKET DAY - A monthly food co-op; we need volunteers to staff the sale/pick-up date for 2 hours, once a month. Easy and fun, meet lots of new people! Volunteers are also needed to make promotional and reminder phone calls.

ORIGINAL WORKS - Your child’s artwork is transformed into product ready for Christmas.

RAFFLES - Coordinate and file any necessary paperwork for raffles at PTA events.

RECYCLING - Organizes the collection of recyclables to be redeemed for compensation.

SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS - Collect school supply lists, by grade, in spring and take orders at the end of the year. Distribute kits first day of school.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES: GAME NIGHT(S) - Coordinate a family friendly night out with board games and refreshments. MOVIE NIGHT(S) - Coordinate a family friendly night out with a movie and popcorn.

K-3 HALLOWEEN PARTY - Volunteers needed to assist with set-up, games, and clean-up.

K-3 BREAKFAST WITH SANTA - Volunteers are needed to set-up, clean-up, bake etc.

K-4 SNOWFLAKE DANCE - Mother/Son and Father/Daughter winter mixer.

GRADE ACTIVITY/COORDINATOR (K-8) Individual to be the main contact person for teachers when needs arise in a particular grade not covered by any other area. Liaise with homeroom volunteers to coordinate activities. Liaise between teachers and homeroom volunteers for curriculum based activities. Parent and teacher volunteers may be needed for additional coordination and as chaperones. Volunteers will be contacted via homeroom volunteers and/or grade coordinator.

GRADES 7&8 Dances - Teacher and parent volunteers are needed to help set-up, clean-up and chaperone each of several dances.