With an enrollment of 452 students, this year, the PTA will spend approximately $663 per child on enrichment programs, school activities and committees, new technology equipment, and supplies for our teachers and our school. (Our enrollment numbers have shifted a bit since school started, so the number has shifted slightly too.)

We know that this is a big number and that many families cannot simply write a check for that amount per child. But we thought it was important that the entire school community know what we are spending over the year to provide these programs that benefit our kids.

Enrollment at our school has increased by over 100 students in the last several years, and our current enrollment of 449 students has led to additional costs for the enrichment programs. As our fundraising capacity has increased with new events like the Otter Ball, we have added new programs like Hero Inc. Playground Leadership and we have expanded existing programs like the Library.

The Montclair PTA pays for the teachers and supplies for the following enrichment classes:
* Kinder Motor Skills * Library * Art * Music * Drama * Computers

In addition, the PTA also pays for the following Montclair School employees:
* Irene Thompson – Office Assistant (part-time) * Dr. Susan DeMersseman, Psychologist – School Climate Consultant (part-time) * Four Playground Supervisors during recess and lunch * Salad Bar Manager * Hero, Inc. – Mentoring, Leadership and Social Skills Through Physical Activity Learning

Finally, the PTA funds the following school committees and annual events:
* Green Team * Diversity Committee for United Nations Day Celebration * Health & Safety Committee * Dad's Club * EarthLab School Garden Committee * Founder's Day Luncheon – an 85 year old Montclair tradition to celebrate our volunteers * 5th Grade Promotion Celebration & 5th Grade Gold Country Trip Scholarships

The PTA also provides a supplemental supply budget for all classroom teachers and an Otter Account for Mrs. Bloom for special school projects.

In 2011, the Inaugural Otter Ball raised $10,600 that was specifically directed to be used on Classroom Technology Improvements – many of our computers were older than our children. In June of 2011, the PTA approved a one-time investment of an additional $54,000 to purchase and install 50 new desktop computers for grades K - 4 and 16 new laptops for the 5th grade classes. These new computers will be arriving in the coming months.
We need every family's support to keep our school community thriving.

We welcome all donations. You can donate online here – http://www.montclairelementaryschool.org/funding/edufund. And there are so many ways to help out besides financial donations – though we really do appreciate them. Everyone can help by:
* Asking friends, families and neighbors to support your child at the Otter Walk on October 15.
* Hosting a Bid Board event for the Otter Walk or the Otter Ball.
* Securing a donation for the Silent Auction at the Otter Ball.
* Using your SHARES card at Lucky’s and E-Scrip for all of your on-line purchases.
* Donating your time to make our fundraising events, the Otter Walk and the Otter Ball, giant successes.

Wendy Campbell, PTA President and Ann Sinclair, PTA Executive Vice President of External Affairs

If you would like additional information regarding how PTA budgets, feel free to contact any PTA Board member.