We would like to take this opportunity to welcome each of you and your families to Orvis Risner Elementary.  As the ORPTA, it is among our responsibilities to talk with you about our organization, enroll you as a member, and very importantly, encourage you to get involved in our school.  Since this may be your first time at Orvis Risner, it is important for us to explain what the ORPTA is all about.

ORPTA is part of the National Parent/Teacher Association that strives to enhance children’s educational experiences.  Being part of a national organization, we must pay annual dues.  To offset these dues, every year we ask that all parents, caregivers, and faculty consider becoming a member of ORPTA. Please remember, simply becoming a member does not automatically sign you up to volunteer- it just means you support our group and believe in what we’re doing! Please enroll or renew your membership for 2016-17 and help us achieve our membership goal!

Our primary objective as the PTA is to provide our school with funds, programs, resources and services that will enrich and maximize the education of every child.  To meet this important objective, and to afford services that are no longer covered by our school’s budget, we must conduct fundraisers.  Although it may not be our favorite responsibility, it is a necessary one.

We are a busy group.  This is where you can come in!  We need your help, and so do your children.  Over 500 independent studies on parent involvement show that when parents get involved in their children’s education grades go up, test scores improve, children are more likely to attend better schools after high school, they have fewer discipline problems and they’re less likely to use drugs and alcohol.  Get involved TODAY!

Because of the amount of paper we use that eventually gets thrown away, we are continuing our effort this year to dramatically reduce our paper usage.  This will help our environment AND reduce our expenses.  Rather than send home a newsletter, we will send emails and post information on the Orvis Risner Elementary  Facebook page, and occasionally send GREEN flyers in Thursday folders with upcoming events.   Please give us your child’s name and teacher when you join the PTA, and any PTA information will go home with your child.  And don’t forget Facebook-“Like” us at Orvis Risner Elementary and receive instant information and updates…it’s the best way to stay in touch with school and PTA activities!!

Our parent/teacher group is certainly about more than fundraisers!  We’re about men and women working together toward a common goal.  That goal, simply stated, is creating a better school and a better educational experience for our children. Whether it’s through providing school supplies, being an Eagle Eye Dad, free monthly popcorn, birthday gift bags, or working in the teachers’ copy room we strive to create an atmosphere where teachers, administrators, and support staff can do their best work – and so can our children.  There is so much more that can be done, and we need your help.   We look forward to meeting you!

On behalf of the Orvis Risner PTA we would once again like to extend a warm welcome and best wishes for a successful school year!  Please contact us with any questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Kera Webb, ORPTA President