Letter From PTA President

September 6, 2011

Dear Sleepy Hollow families,

Welcome back to all returning families and a special greeting to the new kindergarten parents and new families to the community! We truly have an amazing school, administration and teachers!  Are you ready for a fabulous year?!

Back to school can be an overwhelming transition.  While the kids get back into the swing of things quickly, I hope the following welcome packet makes the transition for families a little smoother and provides an overview of the PTA and the exciting enrichment programs, social events and fundraisers we coordinate.

Dedicated parents and members of the PTA have been working hard this summer!  I’m happy to report that the Dolphin Academy (DA), our wildly popular after school program is back for 2011-2012, and is planning fall, winter and spring sessions!  We are working on nailing down a rival school for our exciting March Madness event of staff basketball; we are scheduling Cultural Arts Assemblies, working on making the PTA website www.shespta.org even more user friendly, and so much more. Everywhere you look you can see evidence of the hard work from our PTA volunteers. 

Again this year, we will be doing Dollars for Dolphins.   Based on last year’s successful initial year, as well as membership feedback to discontinue product-based sales to raise money, we hope to raise money for the programs and events that the PTA sponsors through a direct donation. 100% of any amount you (or your business or family members) donate will benefit the students and school!  The PTA only received 50% of sales from previous fundraisers, so we hope you’ll help us make Dollars for Dolphins a huge success again this year!

We have compiled all your PTA forms and fliers and included them in this PTA manila envelope.   There are forms to return as well as some informative sheets for you to keep.  You will receive only one welcome packet per family via your oldest child.  Thank you in advance for completing these!  Enclosed you will find:

1. PTA Membership form:  We hope you will join and support the PTA by becoming a member and by participating in our events and fundraisers.  It’s only through our members and their support that we are so successful in our mission to enrich the experience of all students at Sleepy Hollow.  Please return in the PTA envelope by Sept. 23rd.
2. Volunteer Form:  Take a look to see what interests you and volunteer for what works for you- an hour or two…or take charge of an event!  Return this with the other forms by Sept. 23rd.
3. Directory flier and form:  The student directory is something you will reference again and again throughout the year.  Please complete the form and return in the envelope by Sept. 23rd.
4. Dollars for Dolphins Form:  This fundraiser will continue through the early fall, but why not fill it out with your other forms?!  No amount is too small, and please know that the whole school will benefit from your generosity.
5. PTA Calendar:  This is a calendar of events occurring throughout the year-mark your calendars now so you don’t miss anything!  Dates are subject to change, but we will let you know in advance of the event.
6. Dolphin Academy: Program at a glance with information on the early fall after school enrichment programs.
7. SHES FAQ:  This will give you answers to all kinds of questions that seem to pop up over the course of the school year.  Keep this as a reference!
8. Back-to-School Picnic: Coming up this weekend!

I look forward to seeing you all at the Back to School Picnic on September 10h, where SHES families and teachers all come together for a cookout- at no charge to the attendees!  It’s a great way to see and catch up with old friends and to meet new families and friends that your child has made during the first week of school.  We will also be approving the SHES PTA Budget for the school year. Please stop by the PTA table an introduce yourself- we look forward to seeing you!

Best regards,

Alison Oleson
President, SHES PTA 2011-12
president@shespta.org