Hello Jessup Elementary Parents, Students and Teachers!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  My name is Ruth Lurz and I'm proud to serve as your current PTA President.  I know many parents are hesitant to join our PTA because they feel as if they don't have the time.  But, here's the thing, it's not about time-it's about support and the school needs our support now more than ever.  With county budget cuts on the rise our PTA works to pick up the slack and supports every grade level here at our school.  For instance, every year we budget...

• $700 per grade level for classroom enrichment, field trips, and supplies
• $2,000 for teacher development and training
• $1,150 for fifth grade promotion and legacy gift to the school
• $400 for snacks during MSA testing (the county only provides enough snacks for two days for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades during MSA testing)
• $1,500 for Destination Imagination, this year we have 7 teams!
• $600 for Chessie Book Clubs, kindergarten through third grade

These are just a few of the things our PTA does for the students and staff at Jessup Elementary.  How do we get the funds for all this?  With fundraising, donations, and your PTA membership dues.  I promise that you will not have to commit your time only your $8 dues.  But I would LOVE to work with each of you and volunteer together if you ever have the time.  Who can join the PTA?  Everyone, from parents and guardians to grandparents.  Did you know even a few local business owners are PTA members?

Please consider joining our PTA and if you are already a member encourage someone else to become a member.  We have 470 students at JES and only have 152 PTA members (32 of those, or 21%, are teachers and/or staff), therefore our membership is still low.  My goal as your PTA President is to reach 208 members by January 31, 2012.  Please help me reach that goal by joining and supporting the mission of our PTA.  Every child, one voice!

If you have any questions my cell number is 443-791-7077 and my personal email is lurzgirl @ verizon.net.  Thank you for your time and support!

Best Regards!
Ruth Lurz, PTA President

Current Volunteer Opportunities!

For the PTA to be effective and truly representative of our school, everyone's participation is essential.  Many parents feel they can't participate in the PTA because they cannot come to meetings or be at school during the day.  We want everyone to feel that they are part of the Jessup community.  Whether you have 30 minutes or a couple of hours, your ideas, your time, and your talents are truly needed.  We can match your time constraints and interests to needed tasks.  There are endless possibilities in ways you can help.

1.  CHESSIE Reading Program:  We have several volunteers returning from last year, but we also need additional help.  The CHESSIE program started Oct. 13 and occurs weekly on Thursdays and Fridays.  Thursdays for second and third graders, and Fridays for first graders.  The time we need you to be at the school is from 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.  With this opportunity you get to spend time with the children encouraging them to read and helping with their reading comprehension.  If you are interested in this opportunity please contact Ms. Anderson in the library at 410-222-6490.

2.  Faculty/Classroom - Our teachers have a lot to do to prepare for their classes every day and can often use assistance in preparing for their day.  If you have time on a regular, or even occasional basis, please feel free to contact your child's teacher or contact Lori Caplinger, JES PTA Volunteer Coordinator, at LCappie1 @ verizon.net or 443-204-7934 to hook you up with another teacher.

3.  Art Club - Volunteers are needed on Tuesday mornings from 8:05 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to assist students with completion of various art projects.  If you are available to volunteer, please contact Ms. Schmidt at artteacherkat @ gmail.com or 410-222-6490.

4.  Art Preparation - Volunteers are needed to assist with preparing materials for Art classes.  The schedule is flexible and can be coordinated with Ms. Schmidt.

5.  Jessup's Got Talent Show - Four to five volunteers are needed to help with behind-the-scenes activities, as well as during the day-time assembly on January 18.  Contact Mr. Shebel (jshebel @ aacps.org), Ms. Schmidt (artteacherkat @ gmail.com), or Mr. Hoffman (khoffman @ aacps.org) or call 410-222-6490.

6.  Spring Scholastic Book Fair - The Scholastic Book Fair will be at Jessup Elementary Media Center from April 16-20.  The theme of the fair this spring is "To the Book Fair and Beyond - Reading is Out of This World!  We have lots of fun things planned and as always, need volunteers to make it a success!  This year we are using VolunteerSpot.com to help us organize and ask for volunteers for the upcoming fair.  Please click the button to learn more and sign up to help.  Contact Kathy DellaRocco (jkdellarocco @ verizon.net) with questions about the Book Fair.   Click HERE (not yet available) to visit Jessup's Scholastic Book Fair website.  You will find more information about hours for the Book Fair and Family Night as well as preview the books that will be at the Fair.  Thanks for making a difference!