What we do and why!
Who We Are
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
(Excerpts from the National PTA website)
PTA Vision
Making every child's potential a reality.

PTA Mission
PTA is:
  • A powerful voice for all children,
  • A relevant resource for families and communities, and
  • A strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child.
  • PTA Values
Commitment:
We are dedicated to promoting children’s health, well-being, and
educational success through strong parent, family, and community
involvement.
What it the PTA
Alberta Smith Elementary
School PTA
Purposes of the PTA  
  • To promote the welfare of the children and youth in
    home, school, community, and place of worship.
  • To raise the standards of home life.
  • To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of
    children and youth.
  • To bring into closer relation the home and the school,
    that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in
    the education of children and youth.
  • To develop between educators and the general public
    such united efforts as will secure for all children and
    youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social,
    and spiritual education.
  • The PTA serves as a type of forum where parents,
    teachers, administrators, and other concerned adults
    discuss ways to promote quality education, strive to
    expand the arts, encourage community involvement, and
    work for a healthy environment and safe neighborhoods.
Letter continued:
to tell you exactly what the money from the fund raising is spent on.
Each month, there are 4 chances to help PTA earn money. We have Inflation Nation Spirit night on the 1st Thursday, Papa John’s days are the
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the 2nd week, Skate Away Spirit night is the 3rd Tuesday and Chik-Fil-A night is the 4th Monday. You
are invited to each of these, but certainly not required to attend any or all of them. Check the PTA website for any date changes due to
holidays.  PTA sponsors a fall catalog sale fund raiser which this year will incorporate the selling of cookie dough! Think how easy your
holiday baking will be with pre-made cookie dough. As always, we do not want children selling door-to-door and we realize that corporate
America is very sensitive to these kinds of sales in the workplace. Therefore, if you choose not to sell any items from the catalog, we want you
to know that your cash donations are very happily accepted and appreciated.
You may not realize, but not all fund raising at Alberta Smith is sponsored by the PTA. The Square One Art projects are to raise money for Mr.
Mercer to pay the artist that has painted the cafeteria murals.  Jump for Heart monies go to the American Heart Association.  A few years ago,
2 teachers did fund raising for the March of Dimes which helps premature babies. All of these causes are good ones, but the money did not
go to the PTA. Any money the PTA raises has a very specific purpose-to benefit as many children as possible. The National PTA sets laws
about how PTA money can be spent that your PTA has to abide by. Our books are audited once a year and are subject to external audit at any
given time.
Here is an example of what the ASE PTA spent your money on last school year:
  • Each teacher, classroom and resource, is given $50 to spend on classroom items. This totals $4,000.
  • $500 paid for an assembly with Mr. Tipanko to share the culture of the Masai people of Africa
  • $1600 was spent on the agendas for 2nd-5th grades
  • The Fall Festival “Free” meal cost the PTA $1200
  • Almost $1400 was spent by the Reading Specialists for “Words Your Way” books, PALS tutoring items, Reading Room check-out
    books, reading incentives and storage for the reading room
  • The “Hugs & Kisses” program was presented by Theatre IV at a cost of $100
  • PTA helped 3rd grade with a service project. For $53, they made Christmas cards for local nursing home residents.
  • $750 was given for Professional Staff Development.
  • PTA gives $1,000 to support the Olweus Anti-Bully Program
  • $100 for Reflection prizes
  • $385 for the 5th grade celebration
  • $225 for a Revolutionary War re-enactment assembly for 4th grade
  • $200 for frames for the Black History Month posters
  • $400 for the Health & Safety fair
This year looks to hold even more exciting programs for our kids~the Virginia Opera will perform in December; Prismatic Magic is coming in
February; Theatre IV returns for a performance in April. There will be 4 Movie Nights, the Fall Festival and the Spring Carnival. All of these
programs cost money and that money comes from the PTA which in turn comes from the fund raising we sponsor!
One of our long-term goals is to raise enough money to have a track installed at Alberta Smith! This is so exciting for our school as well as for
our community-imagine being able to come and get some exercise while your child is at football practice, or inviting your friends to meet you
at the track for a run. This is a costly item, usually over $20,000, so 10% of ALL fund raising will be put toward this project for the next several
years.
When you become a member of the PTA, there is no obligation of time on your part. However, there are many opportunities for volunteers at
various PTA functions as well as in the classrooms, library, and cafeteria, so please be sure to fill out the volunteer information form. As a PTA
member, you have access to discounts and, more importantly, you help our children have a voice. If you have not done so already, please take
time tonight to join-$10 for 2 parents and $6 for one.
Again, we thank you for all of your support-both monetarily and with your time. You & your children are what makes our school a family!

PTA President,
Margaret Childs