PTA Summer Reminders/Opportunities/Recognitions/Best wishes for a great August!

[Kathleen Donovan, MEHMS PTA President]

Dear PTA - Happy August! I hope that you are all enjoying the summer
thus far, and finding time to relax and have fun with your families.

A few quick reminders - all families need to update their child's
online registration (Infosnap) information - you should have received
a notice in the mail with your child's Infosnap code. If you need
more information, please go to: https://secure.infosnap.com/family/message.aspx?code=actionprivate

MEHMS School Supply lists are on the website at www.fccps.org/meh

For those of us with new 8th graders, the school supply list is at:
http://www.fccps.org/gm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=107&Itemid=305
To sign up for the GMHS PTSA emails, go to:
https://app.expressemailmarketing.com/Survey.aspx?SFID=22639

One of the final responsibilities on the PTA President's "To Do" list
is to provide a report to the FCCPS School Board. In preparing this
report in June, it was gratifying to reflect on what our PTA community
accomplished this year. Following a framework developed by the
National Middle School Association, I attempted to describe our year
based on a model of various parent engagement activities -
communicating, volunteering, parenting, learning at home, decision-
making and collaborating activities.

Please take a look at our report to the School Board at:
http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/fccpsva/Board.nsf/files/86MP9G632DD0/$file/MEHMS+PTA+Annual+Report+09-10.pdf

With the support of Dr. McCarty and the staff at MEHMS, I believe we
made significant gains this year in home/school communications, parent
education programs, and collaborating to share the energy present at
our school with families. Many thanks to Dr. McCarty, for her
leadership and willingness to collaborate on our parent involvement
initiatives this year.

We are grateful to the staff members who served as PEPP (Parents as
Educational Partners Program) Liaisons, and to all staff members who
work so hard with our students all year.

Of course, none of the work we accomplished this year would have been
possible without the scores of parent volunteers - so, many thanks to
all of you for your time and willingness to stay involved at the
middle school level. A special thanks to our PEPP Parents, and all of
our committee chairs - too many to list here, but, it was a terrific
year, and I am most grateful for your time, dedication and
creativity.

As those of you who have taken on any significant volunteer
commitments know, it's often a whole family commitment. So, I'd like
to acknowledge the support of my wonderful husband, Rob Donovan, who
picked up the slack at home, and was on hand with his sleeves rolled
up at every event we did this year at MEH; and my children, Daniel and
Mary Catherine, for helping out and helping me see each day how
meaningful it is for parents to stay connected to their children
during the middle school years.

Finally, none of the initiatives we undertook this year would have
been possible without the leadership, dedication, and vision of my
fellow executive committee members - Annette Hennessey, Jill Martin
and Catherine Beddow. I am delighted that all three of these amazing
and talented women will continue to serve on the Executive Committee
for the upcoming school year, and know that they are already working
throughout the summer to build on our accomplishments during the
2010-11 School Year. Our PTA is in wonderful hands, and I look
forward to supporting Annette moving forward and hope you will, too!
Below is a note from Annette that includes many opportunities for the
upcoming school year - jump in!



Did you know that parental involvement in schools is a research-based
indicator of school success? The MEHMS PTA provides volunteer
opportunities for parents and guardians throughout the school year.
As the Executive Committee begins to plan for the coming school year,
please let us know if you are interested in chairing any of the
following activities or events for 2010-2011. If you chaired a
committee last year and are a) willing to continue and/or b)
interested in having a partner join you, that would be great - just
let us know.

Art Show
Barnes & Noble Night (December 3)
Bingo Night
Cultural Arts
Directory
Field Day
Grocery Program Coordinator
Hospitality/Socials
Library Volunteer Coordinator
March Madness Liaison (March 25)
Membership
Newcomers
Reflections
Seventh Grade Moving Up Coordinator
Special Projects (Vision-Hearing Screening, Mock Election, SOL
Breakfasts)
Teacher Appreciation
Volunteer Coordinator
Welcome Desk Coordinator

Please contact Annette Hennessey at annetteh...@yahoo.com to
indicate your interest or ask any additional questions.



Sorry for the long email, but wanted to squeeze everything in as...
I'm done!!!

THANKS for a wonderful and gratifying year - it has truly been a
privilege to serve as your PTA President this year, and I hope you all
have a joyful and safe August. See you in September! :)

Fondly,

Kathleen