General PTA Information

Stuart R. Paddock PTA

Stuart R. Paddock School, Palatine, IL

General PTA Information

Mission of PTA:

· Support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children.

· To assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children.

· To encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.

Objectives:

· To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community and place of worship. 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.

Stuart R Paddock FOCUS areas:

· Education and Civic Awareness

· Environmental

· Family/Social

· Health and Fitness

· Membership

· Multi-Cultural Awareness

· Safety

· School Pride

· Communications

· Fundraising

· Volunteering

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What does the Paddock PTA do?

The Paddock PTA works with teachers and the principal to sponsor many activities and programs at our school each year, including Family Reading Night, Multicultural Night, Valentine's Dance, Fun Fair, arts programming, school pride, staff assistance, school assemblies on music, respect and science and Author visits to name a few. Check out all of our calendar for more information on these and other PTA activities.

How do I join PTA?

At the start of every school year, the PTA sponsors a Membership drive to encourage Paddock families to join or renew their membership in the PTA. This year, we are offering a new way to join the PTA. We will be accepting membership enrollment online via BIG TENT. This will now allow members to pay their dues via Credit Card in addition to immediately having access to all PTA information via email. Once again we will offer varying levels of Membership Packages. All Paddock PTA members receive a Paddock Family Directory as part of their membership dues.

By joining the Paddock PTA, you become a member of both the State and National PTAs as well, and are entitled to many benefits, including voting at General Membership meetings.

Simply click here to join the Paddock PTA. A membership card will be sent home in your childs backpack within 30 days. The deadline to join the PTA to ensure that you are inlcuded in the PTA directory is September 15th.

Benefits of Joining PTA

· Speak Up. Because the PTA is a forum for exchanging ideas, you are encouraged to make suggestions. PTA can be a way for you to more effectively suggest changes at Paddock school.

· Get Connected. There is no better way to know what’s happening at Paddock School.

· Be a Role Model. By becoming a PTA member, you’ll be demonstrating to your child the importance you place on education.

· Watch Yourself Grow. By volunteering with your PTA, you gain valuable experience. It is an opportunity to put your skills and hobbies to good use for a good cause – your child and all children in the community.

In addition to the benefits that you and your children receive through the Paddock PTA, you can enjoy the following exclusive benefits sponsored by the National PTA including:

Online parenting resources, including select articles from Our Children magazine.

· E-newsletters on parenting and legislative issues.

· Exclusive National PTA Member Benefits and sponsor offers from companies such as Office Depot and Barnes and Noble

· Leadership training opportunities in-person and online.

Discounted member rate for PTA’s annual national convention, magazine subscriptions, and more. The Member-to-Member Network, connecting you to Congress when help is needed on issues important to children, schools, and families.

How Can I Get Involved?

We value new new involvement and fresh ideas! Please join us at our monthly meetings or contact Melanie Hopper, Volunteer Coordinator at melaniehopper@comcast.net

PTA Board Meetings

The Stuart R. Paddock PTA Board meets in the school Resource Center. The Board is comprised of elected officers as well as one chairperson from each PTA committee.

Meeting content varies, but generally includes:

· Review of Treasurer’s Report and Minutes from the previous board meeting

· An update from Mr. Herrmann

· Highlights from recent Board of Education meetings

· Updates from National and State PTA, including advocacy

· Review of the upcoming Panther Press issue and items for inclusion

· Discussion of upcoming or recently held PTA/school events

(See Northwest Suburban Council PTA)

All PTA general members are invited to attend these meetings to see firsthand how the Board conducts PTA business. Refer to calendar for specific meeting dates and times.Please enter the school at the Kindergarten entrance.

PTA General Membership Meetings

The PTA hosts General Membership meetings three times each school year and all PTA members are encouraged to attend. Meetings last approximately 30 minutes and are usually held in the evenings, during another school event. PTA Board members will provide an update about recent PTA activities and answer questions members have concerning PTA business. PTA members are then called upon to vote and approve specific PTA matters including:

· Treasurer’s Report and minutes from the previous General Membership meeting

· Annual PTA budget (August)

· Nominating Committee that select the proposed slate of PTA Officers for the following school year (January)

· Election of new PTA Officers, following a recommendation from the Nominating Committee (May)

· Approval of PTA programs and activities for next school year (May)

The agenda and materials for each Board and General Membership meeting are posted on the Paddock PTA Web site one week prior to the scheduled meeting.

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Stuart R. Paddock PTA
225 W Washington Street
Palatine, IL 60067
847/963-5800

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