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PTA 2008-2009

Welcome to the Miller Middle School PTA





  1. 50 Year Welcome Back Celebration!
  2. Help! Volunteers Needed! Sign Up Now!
  3. Need Your Help for Graduation!
  4. PTA 2009 Service Award Recipients
  5. THANK YOU!
  6. 2008-2009 Miller PTA Year-end Report
  7. Volunteers Needed for 2009-2010
  8. Elected 2009-2010 PTA Executive Board
  9. DONATIONS NEEDED...Staff/Student Needs
  10. PTA Reflections - Final 2008-09 Update
  11. Translation Services Available
  12. eScrip
  13. MILLER PTA 2008-09 BUDGET



50 Year Welcome Back Celebration!

                           MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

           Miller’s 50th Year Welcome Back Celebration

   Friday, August 21st, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Miller Campus

Joaquin Miller Middle School and its PTA celebrate their 50th year anniversary!  Please join us as we 
kick off the 2009-2010 school year with a fun-filled and memorable event.  Come enjoy the music, 
food, and fun activities for all!  Reconnect with current and alumni students, staff, special guests, 
and neighbors.  Watch for more information in your back-to-school mailing in early August.  Don’t 
miss this special event!




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Help! Volunteers Needed! Sign Up Now!

We need parent volunteers for two upcoming Miller events:

•  Parent Orientation Night, Monday, August 17th, 6:40 - 8:30 p.m.  This evening is designed to give 
parents new to Miller (mostly incoming 6th grade parents) an overview of the Miller campus and 
various classes.  We need willing "guides" who will take groups of about 40 people (2 guides per 
group) around a designated route to various "stops" around the campus (e.g., the locker room, library, 
cafeteria, office, etc.).  Being a guide is easy....you’ll be provided with the route map and answers to 
commonly asked questions.  There will be teachers or staff at each of the stops to speak to the 
parents and answer their questions.  Contact Lori Stafford (lori.s@sbcglobal.net) if you can help out!

•  Miller’s 50th Year Welcome Back Celebration, Friday, August 21st, 4 – 8 p.m.  We will need 
volunteers to help sell food tickets, staff food areas, help monitor fun activities, set up and clean up.  
Please contact Jayashree Dorairaj (jayashree_dorairaj@yahoo.com) to help.  Thanks!




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Need Your Help for Graduation!

6th and 7th Grade parents, we need YOU to help make our 8th grade graduation possible.  We 
need 6th and 7th grade parents to work during the graduation ceremony on June 12th from 4 to 6 PM 
so that the 8th grade parents can take a moment to enjoy this very special event with their children.  
If those hours do not work for you, please consider chaperoning our 8th grade students during the 
the Graduation Party from 7 PM - 11 PM.  Without the help of our 6th and 7th Grade parents these 
two very important events would not be possible.  To volunteer, please contact Sharmilla Surkund at 
(408)253-3476 or ssharmila@yahoo.com.
 
8th Grade Graduation needs soda, juice, and bottled water. Please consider donating one or two 
cases,  If you can donate drinks, please bring them to the front office starting Wednesday, May 6th.  If 
you have questions, please contact Kathy Chang at (408)257-5590 or changmbox@yahoo.com.

We are still looking for parents who are interested in Photography and would be willing to use 
their digital camera to take pictures of our 8th graders during Graduation.  We just need two parents!  
Please contact TIffany Hsiao thsiao@cadence.com or (408)768-7067.
 
Thank you for your support!







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PTA 2009 Service Award Recipients

Every year the PTA proudly recognizes those individuals who have made significant contributions 
to our Miller Community by generously volunteering their time in many different capacities.  We 
would like to congratulate the following people who have been nominated by fellow parents, 
teachers and staff to receive recognition awards:

Continuing Service Award:  In special recognition for continued service to children and youth 
within the Miller Community.

Presented to:  Fran Williams, Lisa Peterson, Cathy Yu, Mary Eicher Lori Stafford and Sandra 
Signore

Honorary Service Award:  In special recognition of outstanding service to children and youth 
within the Miller Community.

Presented to:  Brian Yoshikawa, Gary Dunlap, Sergio Gonzales and Robert Jezyk

Above and Beyond Award:  In special recognition of those who have gone “above and beyond” in 
their service to children and youth within the Miller Community.

Presented to:  Anjali Kausar, Wanda Schenck, Praveen Narayan, June Duan, Tiffany Hsiao,  
Shannon Breuckman, Denise Goldberg,  Subha Rajana, Anshu Bhatnagar, Connie Lo, Gabriella 
Truckai, Susie Fong,  Marsha Dyslin,  Miko Pennington, Diana Malone,  Jean Fujiki,  Wei Huang,  
Michelle Jackson,  Mary, Buckmaster,  Savitha Hiriyannaiah, Teresa Huang,  Supriya Makineni, Uma 
Challa, Ernie Cortez, Katie Alexander, Tom Soukup, Archana Kulkarni, and Sunita Shrotri

Congratulations and thank you to all of our 2009 award recipients!







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THANK YOU!

There are many activities that have happened at our school throughout the year that make Miller 
an incredible place for our children to learn, grow and have fun.  I was honored to be your PTA 
President and work with so many dedicated people in our community.  

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the PTA Board members and committee chairs 
for their leadership and many hours of hard work.  I would also like to recognize and thank all the 
many, many other volunteers who stepped up to assist on various committees or when asked to 
help at Miller.  It is people like you who make our community so special!

Warm regards,
Lori Stafford, PTA President


A very special thanks to….

2008-2009 PTA Board Members

Vice-President		Anjali Kausar
Treasurer	          	Wanda Schenck
Secretary	   		Praveen Narayan
Auditor	     		        June Duan
Historian	    		Tiffany Hsiao
Parliamentarian     	Mary Eicher
Richard Taylor, Principal
Steve Burrell, Assistant Principal
Jacob Headley, Teacher Representative


2008-2009 PTA Committee Chairs

Fall Family Picnic:  Shannon Breuckman
Directory:   Denise Goldberg
eScrip:   Lisa Peterson
CEEF Liaison:   Subha Rajana
Reflections Program:   Anshu Bhatnagar
Birthday Book Club:   Cathy Yu & Connie Lo
Lunch/Brunch Helpers:   Gabriella Truckai
Magazine Drive:   Connie Lo & Lisa Peterson
Membership:   Cathy Yu, Susie Fong & Sandra Signore
Office Help:   Marsha Dyslin
Project Green Liaison:   Supriya Makineni
Parent Partners Coordinator:   Teresa Huang
Staff Appreciation:   Diana Malone & Jean Fujiki
Volunteer Coordinator:   Wei Huang
WEB Week-Aug 08:   Michelle Jackson & Marsha Dyslin
Mustang Corral:   Savitha Hiriyannaiah
Graduation '09:   Mary Eicher & Mary Buckmaster




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2008-2009 Miller PTA Year-end Report

Membership: 1,010 PTA members (including 58 staff members); total students at Miller = 1,221

Mission Statement
The mission of the Miller PTA is to positively impact the lives of the children and families in our 
community by representing our members and “connecting” them to the school by empowering 
them with information, education, programs, tools, and recognition.

Objectives
➢	Encourage a “connection” between parents, teachers, staff and administration.
➢	Provide effective communications and access to resources.
➢	Support school-wide and classroom needs.
➢	Coordinate and support school events and activities.
➢	Advocate with “one voice” to the State for needed resources and support for a 
        quality education for our students.
➢	Show appreciation and support to Miller staff.
➢	Honor students, parents and staff.

Priorities & Accomplishments

➢	PTA Membership Drive & School Directory:  see above total members.  Membership and direct 
donations drive brought in approximately $40K to PTA annual budget.

➢	New Parent Orientation:  approximately 500 parents attended on August 18, 2008.

➢	W.E.B. Support:  week of August 18th.

➢	Staff Appreciation:  monthly 

➢	Staff Wish List & Classroom Start-up:  approximately $12K allocated to priority departmental 
and classroom needs.

➢	Parent Education Seminars:  “Understanding & Strengthening the Parent-Teen Connection” 
held on February 12, 2009.

➢	PTA Website & Resources:  updated regularly, also added Translation Services for parents and 
staff.

➢	Graduation & Grad Night:  Ceremony & Party, June 12, 2009

➢	Community Events:  Fall Family Picnic, October 2, 2008

➢	Honorary Service Awards:  several HSAs, CSAs, and Above & Beyond awards to parents, staff, 
and community members.

➢	Reflections Program:  Receive 50 Miller student entries in the PTA Reflections Contest this 
year.  Seventeen of those entries were submitted to the PTA Council level.  Eleven of those entries 
continued on to the PTA Sixth District level.  Out of 1,460 total entries representing elementary schools, 
middle schools, and high schools in all of Santa Clara County (PTA Sixth District), 116 entries received 
awards, 8 of those being Miller entries.  Miller students won in the categories of Dance Choreography, 
Film/Video Production, Musical Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.

➢	eScrip for Technology:  targeted purchases of Document Cameras for classrooms.

➢	School Beautification & Preservation:  new quad remodel, additional picnic tables and 
umbrellas, and window blinds for the Library.

➢	Birthday Book Club:  hundreds of books, in the name of our students, donated to the Miller 
Library.

➢	Support other Miller Activities & Events (e.g., magazine drive, dances, Corrals, etc.):  over 
9,000 total volunteer hours of Miller parents and community members.




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Volunteers Needed for 2009-2010

There are lots of ways to get involved at Miller!  We will be looking for several volunteers to help 
lead or co-lead various “committees” in the next school year.  Examples include Staff Appreciation, 
Birthday Book Club, Mustang Corral, eScrip, CEEF, and Membership.  If you are interested in learning 
more about these and other volunteer opportunities, please contact Lori Stafford 
(lori.s@sbcglobal.net or 255-1445).  Thank you!
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Elected 2009-2010 PTA Executive Board

The following officers were elected at the PTA Meeting on April 9th to represent you as the 2009-
2010 PTA Executive Board:

President:  Lori Stafford
Vice President:  Subha Rajana
Treasurer:  Wanda Schenck
Secretary:  Shannon Breuckman
Auditor:  Gabriella Truckai
Historian:  Tiffany Hsiao

We thank these dedicated volunteers for being willing to serve the Miller community.
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DONATIONS NEEDED...Staff/Student Needs

Below is a list of needs the Miller staff has sent to the PTA to post for parents.  If you can help, 
please notify the contact listed.  
THANK YOU!
===================

NEED:  Board Games and Legos
CONTACT:  Amorette Lueck (school counselor), lueck_amorette@cupertino.k12.ca.us
DATE POSTED:  02/04/09

The Miller Game Crew is a social skills group facilitated by the counselors
in order to encourage positive interactions and develop friendships. We meet
weekly during lunchtime to play games and allow students the opportunity to
express themselves in a safe and welcoming environment.

We would like to add to our supply of games and would appreciate any
donations of age appropriate board games in good condition that don't
require a lot of set up and can be used by a small groups of children rather
than only 1 to 2 players. We would also love the addition of Legos to our
activity box. Please drop off your donations in the school office.
Any donations we receive would be greatly appreciated!
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PTA Reflections - Final 2008-09 Update

PTA Reflections is pleased to announce the student entries that received "Awards of 
Merit" at the PTA District level of the contest.  Out of 1,460 total entries submitted at this level 
representing elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools in all of Santa Clara County, 
116 entries received awards, 8 of those being Miller entries.  This is a tremendous 
accomplishment!  

Congratulations to the following students:

Category: Dance Choreography
Rachel Tu - 6th Grade
Tvisha Josyula - 6th Grade

Category: Film/Video Production
Blake Stafford - 7th Grade

Category: Musical composition
Jenny Y. Hu - 7th Grade
Kyle J. Williams - 8th Grade

Category: Photography
Kelsey Hurwitz - 7th Grade
Rachel Tu - 6th Grade

Category: Visual arts
Sneha Annamaneni - 7th Grade

Unfortunately, none of the Miller entries moved onto the final level of the contest, the State level 
(in fact, only 24 of the 1,460 entries moved on to State).  

We are so proud of all our Miller participants.  We hope they continue to participate in Reflections 
in the coming years.  They are all so talented!

QUESTIONS?  Please contact Anshu Bhatnagar (anshu00@yahoo.com) or Lori Stafford 
(lori.s@sbcglobal.net).
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Translation Services Available

The Parent Partner Program is a new initiative of the Miller PTA whose charge is to obtain 
increased bilingual parent participation in school life.  This program works to inform bilingual 
parents about school culture, procedures, activities, as well as to facilitate communication between 
the school and bilingual families.
 
Miller teachers or staff can request support in reaching out to bilingual families of various 
languages in our community.  Parents can ask for support in navigating school procedures or 
communicating their concerns with the school or teachers.

If you would like to request translation support, please contact Teresa Huang at 
huangtlc@gmail.com
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eScrip

Please take time to register your grocery cards with eScrip.  Miller Middle 
School will get a percentage of your purchase total!  This costs you nothing 
and it is VERY easy.  Just go to www.escrip.com and register.  The Miller 
Group ID# is 1432747.  You can also register your credit cards for purchases 
at other stores that sponsor eScrip.  Then whenever you use those grocery 
cards or use your credit cards at certain stores, money will automatically 
go to Miller.  Easy as pie!  

And it is FREE!

Everyone Read This!!!  Safeway Reminder:  Please renew your Safeway card 
with eScrip by November 1st.  This needs to be done EVERY YEAR or your Safeway card will 
NOT produce donations for Miller.  Go to the eScrip web site and click 
on Yes! Renew" to make sure that your purchases are being counted.  Also, 
make sure that Miller is your designated School.  Use Group ID#1432747.  

Go to www.escrip.com and register or renew today!

Thank you for supporting our great middle school!
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MILLER PTA 2008-09 BUDGET

           Miller Middle School PTA	
              2008-2009 Budget	
             (7/1/08  6/30/09)	
              Approved 9/11/08

	
                  INCOME	
Membership (est. 950 members) ----- $14,250.00 
Staff Wish List ----- $8,000.00 
Extra Directory -----	$360.00 
Staff Appreciation ----- $3,000.00 
Graduation Direct Donation ----- $5,000.00 
Graduation (Student Council) ----- $3,000.00 
e-Scrip (for Technology) ----- $2,000.00 
Fall Family Picnic ----- $250.00 
Miller Special Projects ----- $5,250.00 
Birthday Book Club ----- $2,750.00 
Spring Family Night ----- $250.00 
Company Matching Funds ----- $200.00 
Interest Income ----- $13.00 
Misc. ----- $200.00 
Estimated 2007-08 Carryover ----- $24,912.00 
    TOTAL INCOME     $69,435.00 
	

                  EXPENSES	
Admin:	
St/Natl Membership dues ----- $3,658.00 
Welcome package ----- $1,900.00 
PTA Convention ----- $1,500.00 
Administrative ----- $500.00 
Income Tax Preparation ----- $1,000.00 
President's Discretionary ----- $500.00 
Directory ----- $1,500.00 
Insurance ----- $200.00 
	 SUB TOTAL:  $10,758.00 

Events:	
Spring Family Night ----- $2,500.00 
Grad Night/Graduation ----- $8,000.00 
Fall Family Picnic  ----- $1,000.00 
	 SUB TOTAL:  $11,500.00 

On-Going Programs:	
Staff Wish List ----- $8,000.00 
Staff Appreciation ----- $3,000.00 
Classroom "Start Up" ----- $3,040.00 
Birthday Book Donation ----- $2,750.00 
Educational Programs ----- $1,000.00 
Technology (e-Scrip) ----- $2,000.00 
Project Green ----- $500.00 
e-Scrip Promotion ----- $250.00 
Honorary Service Awards ----- $1,000.00 
Reflections Program ----- $325.00 
CEEF ----- $350.00 
1st year staff ----- $300.00 
Hospitality ----- $200.00 
Miller Special Projects ----- $12,000.00 
	 SUB TOTAL:  $34,715.00 
	
Prior Year Carryover Expenses*	
Miller Special Projects ----- $6,500.00 
Grad Night/Graduation ----- $637.23 
Honorary Service Awards ----- $12.87 
President's Discretionary ----- $34.00 
	 SUB TOTAL:  $7,184.10 
	
Non-dedicated Funds ----- $5,277.90 
    (expected carryover to next year)	
	
    TOTAL EXPENSES	 $69,435.00 
	
*Prior Year Carryover Expenses have all been budgeted and approved in 2007-2008.
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