Frequently Asked Questions about our Cypress Woods PTA:
- What is the purpose of the PTA at Cypress Woods Elementary?
- How do I become involved in a committee or with the PTA?
- What happens to the dues we pay for PTA?
- Do I have to come to school to volunteer?
- Can I only volunteer once in a while?
- How often does the PTA meet?
- Where and when are the PTA board meetings held? What time do they start?
- How long are the meetings?
- Who comes to the PTA board meetings?
- What happens at the PTA meetings?
- Can I volunteer even if I am unable to come to the meetings?
- How does the PTA raise money at Cypress Woods?
- What does the PTA do with the funds raised?
- Can I volunteer for more than one committee?
- Do I need to fill out an application form to volunteer at the school?
- Do I need to keep track of the time I spend volunteering?
- Why do I need to log my volunteer hours?
- Who do I contact to volunteer?
- What is a General PTA Meeting?
What is the purpose of the PTA at Cypress Woods Elementary?
To promote the welfare of children.
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.
How do I become involved in a committee or with the PTA?
We welcome you to contact any of our Cypress Woods PTA Executive Officers,
Committee Chairpersons, or Executive Board members to join a committee or
just to offer some of your time! Go to "Who We Are" on this website to
email an executive officer or committee chairperson. Sign up sheets are
also available in the PTA back-to-school packet.
What happens to the dues we pay for PTA?
PTA dues at Cypress Woods Elementary are $6.00 Single Membership or $10.00
Family Membership.
$1.75 from single and $3.50 from family dues go to National PTA for them to
provide materials and publications, underwrite the national convention,
support workshops that address the welfare of children, keep a volunteer
legislative committee in Washington, D.C. to advocate for children and
youth, and maintain a website.
$1.25 from single and $2.50 from family dues goes to the Florida State PTA
to provide materials and publications to the local units, maintain a state
office that serves local units, publishes a Florida PTA Bulletin, finance
special projects, and provide leadership training.
$3.00 from single membership and $4.00 from family membership of your dues
stay with Cypress Woods PTA to support various programs and activities in
our school community.
Go to "Join PTA!" on this website to download the membership form.
Do I have to come to school to volunteer?
No! There are many activities that can be done away from the school that
would be of great benefit to our programs and events. Some of these
include making phone calls, stapling or stuffing envelopes.
Can I only volunteer once in a while?
Most definitely! Any volunteer assistance at the school is appreciated. It
is all vital to achieving the goals of the PTA and the school community.
Even one hour a school year is of benefit to a committee!
How often does the PTA meet?
The PTA Executive Officers and Committee chairpersons meet monthly. We
also communicate via email between monthly meetings.
Where and when are the PTA board meetings held? What time do they start?
The dates/times of the PTA board meetings for the 2008/09 school year can be
found on the 'calendar' of this website. They are typically held in the
Multi-purpose room at Cypress Woods @ 9:30am. You do not have to be a board
member to come to the meetings. We welcome all pta members to attend!
How long are the meetings?
The board meetings are usually an hour to an hour and a half.
Who comes to the PTA board meetings?
Executive Board members (executive officers and committee chairpersons), our
Principal and/or Asst. Principal, and our Teacher Representative. If you are
a PTA member (parents, grandparents, teachers)and would like to attend a
meeting we welcome you!
We also have General PTA Meetings 2-3 times a year which all parents are
asked to attend. General PTA meetings are usually followed by a free parent
education seminar or family program.
What happens at the PTA meetings?
Minutes from previous meetings are approved then various reports are given
from the Principal, Teacher Rep., PTA president, Treasurer, Committee
Chairs, and anyone else that is on the agenda. New business and unfinished
business are discussed. Various announcements are also made.
PTA meetings provide an excellent opportunity to be involved in what is
happening at our school!
Can I volunteer even if I am unable to come to the meetings?
Yes! Volunteer contributions are necessary for a lot of different
events/programs.
How does the PTA raise money at Cypress Woods?
The PTA holds fundraising events which are the primary source of income for
the association. It is this income that allows PTA to sponser so many things
that you see and do at CWE. Another sources of income is your
pta membership dues. Programs are not fundraisers - they are events that
your PTA provides, made possible by the sale of tickets ie: parent-child
dances.
What does the PTA do with the funds raised?
The money raised by the PTA goes to fund enrichment programs/services at our
school. Go to "What We Do" on this website for a more detailed list.
Can I volunteer for more than one committee?
Yes! All help is welcome! Many pta members find they are interested in more
than one committee.
Do I need to fill out an application form to volunteer at the school?
Yes. This form is available for download on the "volunteer opportunities"
page of this website or at the front office. Return the completed form and
a copy of your drivers licence to your child's teacher or to the front
office.
Do I need to keep track of the time I spend volunteering?
Yes. By entering your volunteer time on the computer in the front office
your volunteer hours will be logged. If you are volunteering away from the
school, and are unable to log your hours by coming into the school, please
contact the front office and they will forward your hours to the appropriate
person.
Why do I need to log my volunteer hours?
Schools can get two awards that signify excellence. These are the Five Star
School Award and the Golden School Award. Our volunteer hours contribute
towards the school�s qualification.
Who do I contact to volunteer?
Any Executive Board officer or Committee chairperson will be happy to assist
you! Go to "Who We Are" on this website to contact any of the executive
board members by email/phone.
What is a General PTA Meeting?
General PTA Meetings occur 2-3 times per year and all pta members are asked
to attend. These meetings typically include a free parent education seminar
or fun family program. We look forward to seeing you there!