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Welcome to Laurelhurst's PTA About Our PTA PTA General Meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. with the exception of December and March (when no meetings are held). All PTA Meetings take place in the Media Center. Our agenda includes a short business meeting of 30-45 minutes, followed by an interesting program on current issues and/or subjects relating to children. Please join us to have a voice in this year's programs and activities. Not only will your membership assure you of being 'on top' of what's happening at school, but it will provide you with an instant networking capability to other parents, legislative concerns and other community issues that deal specifically with caring about our kids and their futures. We look forward to seeing you at our next Laurelhurst PTA Meeting. Each year the school district provides the PTA with a list of parent addresses and phone numbers (except those that are unlisted). These are printed in a student directory which is provided to all PTA members. Should you wish more than one copy, they are available for $5.00, which helps offset the PTA's cost to print them. Founded in 1921, the Laurelhurst PTA is committed to improving the educational opportunities and quality of life for our children. Laurelhurst PTA strives to strengthen the family-school-community partnership by providing opportunities for parents, teachers, students, business professionals, senior citizens, and neighboring residents to get involved in the education, health, and well-being of the children in our local community. Membership in our PTA also networks individuals with a strong state and national organization that is nearly 7 million members strong, who solely support child advocacy efforts through educational programs and legislation. Studies prove that parent and public involvement are essential to the successful education of our children. Joining PTA is a first step. Make a positive difference in your child's future and the future of all children, by filling out the Laurelhurst PTA Membership Form, found in the Laurelhurst School Main Office. You will be joining one of the largest and most recognized PTA groups in the state of Oregon...it's a great place to share your ideas and enthusiasm. Where Does the $5.00 Membership Dues Go? Well... $1.00 stays right at Laurelhurst School and helps to: produce the student directory provide trip scholarships provide teacher/classroom support coordinate our outstanding volunteer program of parents and neighbors support local PTA clothing centers Then... $.50 goes to the Portland Council PTA to: distribute local newsletters provide local unit leaders provide local training sessions communicate regularly with local unit officers assist with areas of concern and special needs After that... $2.50 goes to the State Level: maintain a State PTA office host summer leadership training throughout the state provide state bulletins to all units, free of charge hosts yearly state PTA Convention publishes the Oregon PTA Handbook & Officers Manual provide tracking of child advocacy/educational issues Provides the Reflections program (cultural arts)for kids to participate at local, state & national levels of PTA Co-sponsor regional Parenting Conferences Provide general liability insurance and treasurer's bond And finally... $1.00 goes to the national level: Provide publications such as PTA Today and What's happening in Washington Provide testimony on all federal legislation concerning children and youth Provide representation in Washington, DC for 7 million members of the world's largest advocacy group dedicated to providing for children Provide grants to State PTA's, Councils and Units for special projects Provide a National PTA Convention for the purpose of educating its members Provide each unit with a copy of the national PTA Handbook and PTA Money Matters Volunteering at Laurelhurst Elementary Our volunteers, known as Volunteers in Portland Schools (VIPS), give whatever time they can to help out at school.  Volunteer support comes in a variety of ways. Help can be on a regular weekly basis to assist individual students with basic skills. Shorter commitments might include lending expertise on a particular subject or providing extra hands so that a special project can be accomplished. This direct help is priceless and appreciated by students and staff alike. Our VIPS Coordinators have also established a special program that allows volunteers to appear on a given day, where staff from all different grade levels have submitted projects that need to be accomplished. We also have many volunteers who prefer to do odds and ends at home, around their professional schedules, which also helps out teachers and students. We have established an outstanding Teacher Appreciation Program that runs year-round, and allows our volunteers to participate from home or after hours. It's a great way to say thank you to our Laurelhurst staff. If you have some time to spare, we'll find the right match for you. There's always a place for you in Laurelhurst's PTA! Please contact the VIPS Chairpersons or the Teacher Appreciation Chairpersons, if you are interested and/or have questions. List of 2000-2001 PTA Officers and Committee Chairs View the PTA Standing Rules To find out information about the Portland Public Schools, please visit the Web site at www.pps.k12.or.us To comment or ask questions about Laurelhurst Elementary School or this Web site, please send Email to Suzanne Jaynes. Return to Laurelhurst Elementary School's Home Page