Greetings for the 2009-2010 School Year!
If you are the parent of a returning student, a returning student or staff member welcome back! If you are a new student or the parent of a new student, welcome! We would like to offer a warm welcome from the John F. Kennedy Parent/Teacher/Student Association.
We can guess what you’re thinking…you want me to join the PTSA. And why should you? Let us try to convince you. Here’s why:
1. The #1 reason to join the Parent Teacher Student Association is to benefit your child. In doing so, you also help our school. More than 30 years of research has proven that children do better when their parents are involved both at home and in school. Parents get information about changes in the school…new courses, new programs, security issues, and other school activities. Better communication with teachers and administrators helps everyone know what’s going on. Grades are higher. Test scores rise. Self-esteem grows. Schools improve. Let’s show that we care about our children and our school!
2. PTSA membership helps you connect with the school, the staff, and other parents and gives you a voice in deciding the direction of the Kennedy PTSA. The principal attends all PTSA meetings and gives us information about changes and issues affecting the school. You learn about what’s going on directly, not third or fourth hand.
3. PTSA plans and carries out activities that keep our children safe and helps them to learn more effectively. The post-prom provides a fun alternative to other things our kids could be doing after prom, in a safe environment. If we raise money we can support after-school programs, or sponsor other school activities. We plan on having interesting speakers during the PTSA meetings this year, including talks on college preparation, student financial aid, and internet and school security and safety. We hope to have a family fun night as well.
Every membership counts! When you join the John F. Kennedy PTSA, you also join the Maryland state and national PTSA and become part of a national effort to improve the education, health, and welfare of every child. Membership numbers count in a significant way when our representatives are lobbying for funding for education in the Maryland legislature or in Congress.
Joining the PTA does not obligate you to volunteer at school or attend PTSA meetings—although we hope you will!
It’s easy to join. Simply include your membership dues on the PTSA membership and volunteer form. You can also indicate on the form whether you want to volunteer in any way. You don’t have to come to every meeting, but it would be great if you could come to at least one. We hope you will find our speakers interesting, but we also need just a little bit of your time. If everyone volunteered for one activity or came to one meeting, think what the PTSA could accomplish! If you have questions, please contact Elyse Bernstein at JeffElyse@comcast.net, or Amy Bernstein (no relation to Elyse) at AmybandDan@aol.com, or Anestine LaFond at 301-946-2298 or e-mail: anestinel@hotmail.com.
Thank you for supporting the John F. Kennedy PTSA! We need you!