The PTA Board consists of the members of the Executive Board, PTA chairpersons and the Principal. Current issues and future development of school policies and curriculum are discussed at Board meetings, as well as plans for upcoming PTA functions and events. The General PTA Meetings are open to all Morris Brandon parents. These meetings are the best forums for PTA members to give their input in PTA matters. We encourage all parents to attend and participate in these meetings. In addition, the PTA Executive Board meets on a monthly basis. The Foundation Board meets regularly as well. In the February of each year, the Executive Board forms a nominating committee, which fills PTA committee positions for the following school year. At this time, parents can nominate themselves for a specific job or a general interest to help support the PTA’s activities. There are positions for all who are interested.
PTA COMMITTEE CHAIR DESCRIPTIONS 2013 - 2014
EXECUTIVE
Co-President Elect/VP of Fundraising and Community: Assist the Co-Presidents at school-wide events; participate in the Executive Board and PTA Meetings to familiarize yourself with the backbone of the school, the budgeting process and other school-related needs. You will also help oversee the following committees: Bee Fund, Auction (every other year – next one is in 2015), Bingo Night, Book Fair, Family Dinner Nights, Fun Run, Jamboree, Read-a-Thon, Tree Sale, Bee Green, Food Pantry, Business Partnerships, Community Enrichment, Father Daughter Dance, Jump Rope for Heart, Junior Achievement, Prospective Parents, Public Relations, Roots & Shoots, Sutton Liaison.
Co-President Elect/VP of In-House Communications/Events: Assist the Co-Presidents at school-wide events; participate in the Executive Board and PTA Meetings to familiarize yourself with the backbone of the school, the budgeting process and other school-related needs. You will also help oversee the following committees: Big Bee Envelope, Brandon Bee Editor, Celebration of Learning, Dads Breakfast Committee, Directory, Field Day, Logo Items, Social Media, Walk to School Day, Watchdog Dads, Yearbook/Historian.
Secretary/VP of Operations: Attends Executive and PTA Board Meetings, takes minutes for board approval and will also help oversee the following committees: Art Liaison, Attendance Recognition, Bus Liaison, Carpool Coordinator, Challege Liaison, The Grade Level Coordinators, Grounds, Health/Safety, Hospitality, Interiors, IB Coordinator, Lost & Found, Media Center Coordinator, Morning Parent Coordinator, PE Liaison, Room Parent Coordinator, School Supplies, Teacher Appreciation, Teacher Workroom, Wellness.
Treasurer: Handles the accounting of the PTA funds and the annual PTA budget. This is a 3-year commitment. You will be Treasurer for the PTA for 2 years and Treasurer for the Foundation for 1 year.
FUNDRAISING
Bee Fund (Elect): assist the Bee Fund co-chairs in rolling out the school’s annual fund. Responsible for a membership drive held at the beginning of the school year. Our goal is to reach 100% participation of families and faculty members. This committee is responsible for designing and executing the campaign, receiving funds, coordinating the corporate matching gifts process with The Foundation, writing thank you notes and distributing decals to all contributors. Chair-elects will then accept the responsibility of chairing the Bee Fund the following year.
Bingo Night: organize and run two bingo night fundraisers, one in the fall and one in the spring. This will involve communicating the dates of the events, handling registration, serving as emcees, and securing equipment, refreshments and prizes.
Book Fair (Elect): assist the Book Fair co-chairs in coordinating the fall and spring book fairs. Chair-elects will then accept the responsibility of chairing the Book Fair the following year.
Brandon Bee Jamboree (Elect): assist the Jamboree co-chairs in planning this family day in the fall, which offers games, food, fun and entertainment for the entire Brandon community. Chair-elects will then accept the responsibility of chairing the Jamboree the following year.
Foundation: The Morris Brandon Elementary School Foundation (MBESF) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote and enrich the education and development of the students of Morris Brandon by providing financial support for curriculum, programs, teacher development and facilities at Brandon, not paid for by Atlanta Public Schools. MBESF currently has 11 voting directors (parent representatives) and 5 non-voting directors (faculty and staff), who meet monthly to oversee the Foundation’s annual budget, to evaluate new funding requests, and to help manage the Foundation’s operations. Directors must adhere to the Foundation’s By-Laws, Conflicts of Interest Policy and other requirements designed to promote MBESF’s purpose and protect its IRS-authorized status. All Directors are elected for a two-year term, but Directors can be re-elected for subsequent additional one-year terms.
Fun Run (Elect): assist the Fun Run co-chairs in coordinating this one-mile fun run in the spring. Chair-elects then accept the responsibility of chairing the Fun Run the following year.
Read-A-Thon (Elect): assist the Read-A-Thon co-chairs in organizing and implementing Brandon’s newest fundraiser. This job involves promoting the event, recruiting and managing parent volunteers, preparing and distributing student packets, securing prizes, creating incentives, developing partnerships and implementing theme days. Chair-elects will then accept the responsibility of chairing the Read-a-Thon the following year
Tree Sale (Elect): assist the Tree Sale co-chairs in coordinating the sale of trees, wreaths and other holiday items in early December. Chair-elects will then accept the responsibility of chairing the Tree Sale the following year.
COMMUNITY
Bee Green: works with the teachers and administration to coordinate and implement our school’s environmental-friendly efforts, such as the recycling and no idling programs.
Brandon Food Pantry: responsible for conducting food drives throughout the year, and organizing and promoting the food pantry.
Business Partnership: develop and maintain business partnerships with local establishments. Includes coordinating all committee requests for in-kind donations from partners.
Corporate Rewards: responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships between neighborhood businesses and Morris Brandon (Publix, Box Tops, etc.).
Community Enrichment: responsible for arranging a speaker series, which is open to the Brandon community and relevant to the issues children and parents face daily
Family Dinner Nights: responsible for scheduling Spirit Nights with restaurants that are business partners. Promote each Spirit Night to the families and faculty of our school.
Father Daughter Dance: this committee works with Book Fair committee to organize and host a dance for Fathers and Daughters to have a special night together around the February time frame (Spring book fair and Valentine’s Day).
Jump Rope for Heart: works with the Brandon P.E. teacher and P.E. Liaisons to plan this February fundraiser for the American Heart Association.
Junior Achievement Committee: coordinates a parent for each classroom to teach Junior Achievement and distribute Junior Achievement materials.
Prospective Parents: This committee is responsible for planning and hosting two events (spring and fall) for prospective Kindergarten students and parents (our Ice Cream Social and our Kindergarten Coffee), coordinating and directing tours of the school for parents of prospective Brandon students, and providing prospective parents with packets of information regarding various school policies, procedures and PTA information. This committee will work closely with the administration to make certain the needs of our prospective parents/students are met.
Public Relations: coordinates publicity in local media and updates promotional brochures and flyers.
Roots and Shoots / Community Service Club: selects and coordinates school-wide community projects throughout the year. This is Brandon’s opportunity to reach out and give back to our community. This committee will also be responsible for recognizing student achievements both inside and outside of the school.
Sutton Liaison: responsible for publicity of Sutton Middle School events and programs to Brandon students and parents
IN-HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS/EVENTS
Brandon Bee Editor: responsible for accepting articles for the weekly school e-newsletter. The Editor will work closely with the Principal anCo-Presidents to edit the newsletter before publishing. The Editor will also work closely with the Newsletter Distributor to coordinate the distribution of hard copies of the Bee to those who require hard copies. Computer skills are a must.
Back-to-School Celebration of Learning: This committee organizes the Back-to-School Celebration of Learning, when parents come with their students to pick up school supplies (ordered and organized by the School Supply Committee), sign up for volunteer jobs, meet their teacher and see the classroom before school starts. Typically, the “Celebration of Learning” is held the Friday before school begins.
Big Bee Envelope (BBE): prepare, organize and distribute all communication regarding PTA events, fundraisers and required school forms in one medium at the beginning of the school year through our Room Parent coordinators and Room Parents.
Dads Breakfast Committee: organize the annual Dads Breakfast.
Directory: prepare, publish and distribute the school directory, which is issued in September. We will be moving to an online directory next year so computer skills are necessary.
Field Day: work with the P.E. teacher and P.E. Liaison to coordinate the opening ceremonies and field day activities, which are held in May.
Logo Items: coordinate the sale of Morris Brandon logo items and cookbook.
NEW! Social Media: responsible for updating our Facebook page and Twitter account on a regular and on-going basis, and possible updates to our website, if needed. Important to be proficient in the “online world”.
Walk to School Day: work with the PE teacher and PE Liaison to coordinate Walk to School Days in the fall and spring.
Watchdog Dads: responsible for organizing and implementing the Watchdog Dad program throughout the school year, and planning the Dads Pizza Night.
Yearbook / Historian: assist with school picture days (fall & spring) and with the fund raising for and publishing of the annual yearbook; photograph and document all school events by compiling a scrapbook for the year.
OPERATIONS
Art Committee: work with the art teachers to display students’ artwork and assist the art teacher as needed. Every other year (next will be Spring 2014) responsibilities include coordinating the “Night of the Arts” event.
Attendance Recognition Committee: work closely with the Principal to coordinate attendance recognition awards.
Caring Bees: This committee sends cards and/or flowers or special treats to any Morris Brandon family in need or crisis.
Challenge Liaison: responsible for communicating with the Challenge teachers and distributing information to the Challenge room parents (these room parents are separate from the regular classroom room parent) on an as needed basis.
Grade Level Coordinators: these coordinators work closely with the grade level teachers and room parents to plan and organize special activities, events and fundraisers throughout the year.
Kindergarten Coordinator
1st Grade Coordinator
2nd Grade Coordinator
3rd Grade Coordinator
4th Grade Coordinator
5th Grade Coordinator
Grounds/Field Committee: coordinate the maintenance of the school grounds throughout the year for all areas, including the track and field and outdoor classroom.
Health / Safety: This committee works with the school nurses and assists them as needed. Also, this committee will address and resolve any issues that effect the safety of our children when entering/leaving school (may include street safety, crosswalks and working with the school policemen).
Hospitality: host the Holiday Coffee and end of the year luncheon for PTA Committee Chairs and coordinate and organize refreshments for all general PTA meetings and other school events as needed.
IB Coordinator: Works with Morris Brandon's Elementary School's IB coordinator to plan funding for the year for IB as well as educational marketing, seminars, etc for the MB community on IB. In addition, this individual works with Morris Brandon's IB coordinator to plan grade level activities through the year specifically assisting with the fifth grade IB exhibition in May.
Interiors: oversee the maintenance and appearance of the interior of the school throughout the year.
Lost and Found: oversee the lost and found closets and distribute labeled found items to the teachers.
Media Center Committee: coordinate volunteers in the school’s media centers.
Morning Parent Committee: These volunteers man the front reception desk (at both campuses); responsibilities including tracking changes in student transportation, recording tardy arrivals and monitoring the front lobby in the morning.
PE / Jump Rope Team Committee: work with the P.E. teacher to help coordinate Jump Rope team practices and work with the chairs of Field Day, Jump Rope for Heart and Walk to School Day.
Room Parent Coordinator: coordinate the distribution of information to the Grade level coordinators regarding school events and grade level events and activities.
School Supplies: responsible for ordering school supplies for the upcoming year and coordinating the sale of school supplies at the Celebration of Learning.
Special Needs: provides a venue for parents and the school to work together, share information and resources, and create an on-going dialogue about issues relating to students with learning differences and disabilities. Its goal is to address the needs of a broad range of students, not just those with an IEP, and to increase acceptance and inclusion of students with learning differences in our school community.
Teacher/Staff Appreciation Committee: recognize teachers and staff throughout the year by planning teacher luncheons and recognizing birthdays. The first luncheon is during pre-planning the week before school (usually catered sandwiches).
Teacher Workroom/Teacher Supplies Committee: keep the teacher workrooms organized and keep the teachers supplied with basic necessities throughout the school year.
Transportation committee: This committee is comprised of the chairs for the Bus and Carpool committees along with members.
Bus Liaison: to be responsible for coordinating and distributing bus route lists (once published by APS). The bus chairperson will serve as a liaison between Brandon parents and APS to resolve any bus issues that arise during the year.
Carpool Liaison: to be responsible with coordinating and distributing carpool numbers. Attend Back to School Celebration of Learning to distribute carpool numbers to families and answer questions related to carpool. This committee will work closely with the Safety Committee, and assists parents and faculty to ensure the first few weeks of carpool run smoothly.
Wellness Committee: work closely with the PE teacher and others to help promote wellness issues.