Welcome to the 2010-2011 School Year! I hope your family enjoyed a relaxing, fun summer!

This past June, the Long Beach Council PTA presented the Fremont PTA with a certificate of recognition for over 100 years of service to Fremont Elementary School. What an impressive achievement! Our school has such a rich history of excellence, and the PTA has had a large part in that. From creating enrichment programs for the students & families, to offering countless volunteer hours, to funding staff and labs that the district can no longer afford, the PTA has been a constant, proactive support for the school. We have a great deal to be proud of as a community!

To celebrate and acknowledge that 100 years of service to the school, I ask each one of you to join the PTA!  Let's achieve 100% participation by having at least one person from each family and every staff member in the Fremont community join. There is power in numbers! In this time of continued financial crisis for both the State of California and the Long Beach Unified School District, 100% membership will show a unified force of advocacy and commitment to our kids.  In addition, you will help fund the numerous programs sponsored by the PTA and secure yourself a vote at all PTA meetings.

Joining is easy! Simply link to www.fremont-pta.org and follow the prompts for membership. If you register on-line by September 15, it is only $7! After the 15th, or by joining through the envelopes being sent home today in your child's backpack, it's just $10 per member. A small price to pay to show your support for Fremont!

Speaking of www.fremont-pta.org, have you had a chance to check out our new PTA website? Thank you to Susan Tanaka (former PTA president) and Jennifer Scharnikow (PTA Communications Director) for the numerous hours they have spent creating this user-friendly and informative site.  There are many resources on the site, including the school calendar, PTA program information, a list of community partners, and much more. Check it out regularly to see what's new.

Your PTA Executive Board and Program Chairpersons have already been hard at work, planning for the year ahead.  Please join us at our 1st PTA meeting of the year next Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 6:30pm in the auditorium.  We will be discussing upcoming programs/events and voting on our budget for the school year.

Throughout the school year, there are numerous events or activities that enable the PTA to raise funds to support all of the wonderful student, staff, and family programs that it does. Here is a guideline to let you know what types of things may come up and what you may wish to budget for them. Participation in any of these events or activities is completely optional! This is strictly for informational purposes, only! 
 
Event/Program Name:                     Amount to budget:                     Timing of Event/Program:

PTA Membership Drive                   $10                                            September

Spirit wear                                      @ $10-$20                                  Year round

Classroom Expenses                        $20-$50                                     Throughout year
(teacher gifts, silent auction, etc.) 
 
Tanaka Farms                                  $30/wk for 4 wk cycle                Year round

Drama Program Sign-ups                 $30                                            September
(if your child participates)

Book Fair                                          Books start at $3.99                   September & April

Jog-a-thon                                         $100/child                                  October
(Main PTA fundraiser that supports ALL student/family/staff programs for entire year.
Seek sponsorships from neighbors, relatives, coaches, etc.)

Family Fun Events                           Cost of meal, movie, skating       4 throughout year
                                                        (% comes back to school)

Popsicles                                         $0.50 (popsicles)                           Every Thursday 
                                                        $0.75 (fudgsicles & Big Sticks)          afterschool

Carnival                                           inexpensive family day                May 
                                                        games @ $0.50/ food @ $5/pp 
                                                        t-shirt @ $10
 
S.O.S. Check Drive                           $1-$2 / school day (180)                February
(Main fundraiser for Save Our School Campaign, which funds the salaries of the Technology Lab and Science Lab Instructors. Average of $300/family is needed to reach this goal.) 
 
Other events are often created to support SOS, such as a Community Market (like a flea market), Casino Night/Poker Night , and Silent Auction. Those events typically take place in the spring.