PTA Executive Board and Chair Positions and Nominees for 2020-2021
4/19/2020 11:55 am
It is time for PTA Board nominations and elections again! All positions are open to receive nominations and elected at the annual elections meeting on May 19 at 5 p.m. Please RSVP to receive the online meeting link and join the meeting.
Positions that have received nominations have the names listed alongside in the list below. Any Foothill PTA member can apply for any of these positions by emailing the nominating committee at nominatingcommittee@saratogafoothillpta.org. All nominations are due by May 15. If there are multiple candidates for a position, an election will be held by ballot.
With the current restrictions on group gatherings, it's unclear at this time what activities will or will not happen in the coming school year. We're hoping for the best and making sure we have leadership lined up for our PTA-supported activities, though.
Nominations of Foothill PTA Executive Board and Positions
and Nominees for 2020-2021:
President: Margery Tonna
Executive Vice President: Vaishali Chandraraju
Secretary: Vidya Andleigh
Treasurer: Lavanya Nutakki
Teacher Representatives: To be determined at the beginning of next year
VP For Classroom Activities: Erin Gavin
VP For Student Programs: Misty Davies
VP Communications: Ami Sheth
VP for Infrastructure: Seema Shembekar
VP for Membership: OPEN
VP for Outreach and Family Programs: OPEN
Financial Secretary: OPEN
Auditor: Rebecca Yu
Historian: OPEN
Webmaster: Nagashree Murthy
Parliamentarian: To be appointed by the incoming president
SEF Representative: OPEN
Nominations of Foothill PTA Chair Positions for 2020-2021:
Hospitality Chair and Garden Docent: Donnette Teeple
Project Cornerstone Committee: Ekta Karanam and June Wang—open for additional leads, as well
Musical Coordinators: Misty Davies, Connie Weber, and Erin Gavin
PPBS Chair: Grace Liu
Book Fair Chair: Vaishali Chandraraju, Vidya Andleigh, and Rebecca You
Fall Family Fun Night Chair: OPEN
Family Dance Chair: Sarah Kwong
Geography Bee Chair: OPEN
International Night Chair: Vidya Andleigh and Harleen Sahni
Math team Chair: Misty Davies and Rose Cox
Science Day & Night Chair: Jessica Natarajan and Misty Davies
Spelling Bee Chair: OPEN
Variety Show Chair: OPEN
PTA Executive Board Members -- Job Descriptions
President
Work closely with the Principal, Executive Board, Committee Chairs and other parents to lead the PTA organization’s activities during the school year. Lead the association’s meetings. Sign all contracts entered into on behalf of PTA. Maintain contact with district, state and national PTA.
Executive Vice President
Assist the President, as needed. Attend and run meetings on President’s behalf, if needed.
1st VP-Classroom Activities
Recruit, train and coordinate classroom Room Parents. Serve as primary communication point from PTA Board & Committees to classroom parents.
2nd VP-Student Programs
Oversee programs that involve student participation, and enrich their learning experience directly. Recruit and supervise Chairpersons to coordinate these programs. Oversee budgeting for, scheduling of, and execution of the PTA sponsored programs. Review program plans to ensure that they do not take up too much class time. Seek approval from PTA President and Principal for any changes to PTA program.
3rd VP-Communications
Communicate PTA and School programs in the most effective way possible through banners, first day packets, slideshows, marquis, enews, website, Thursday folders etc. Work closely with School Staff, Principal, and PTA Board & Committee Chairs to help them formulate marketing plans for events and programs. Oversee Hospitality Committee events.
4th VP-Membership
Develop campaigns to recruit PTA members and raise funds to support PTA programs. Oversee process to create the Foothill Directory.
5th VP-Infrastructure
Oversee PTA supported school facility programs and projects including parking lot drop-off program, multi-purpose room sound system, education/demonstration gardens, & capital improvement projects. Participate as a standing member of the PTA capital improvements committee. Coordinate with the Sheriff, School and SUSD emergency preparedness committees.
6th VP-Family Programs
Help build a strong close-knit school and local community so that we may partner in raising our children to become responsible citizens. Oversee committees for Family Cultural Events, Activity Nights, Parent Education, and Community Outreach events. Enlist the participation of parents, students and community members in the education process and establish collaborative relationships focused on positive impacts. Facilitate communication with other local community groups including but not limited to SUSD, District Schools, and the City of Saratoga.
Secretary
Record minutes of PTA Executive Board and General Association meetings and present minutes for approval at the following Executive Board or General Association meeting. Record and distribute action-items at monthly Executive Board meetings. Create and moderate web group for Executive Board electronic communication. Prepare and update Executive Board Roster. Track attendance at Board and General Association meetings. Maintain up-to-date hard copy records of agendas, minutes & financial reports and provide materials when requested to the auditor. Maintain a public record of all General Association Meetings.
Treasurer
Act as custodian of all PTA funds. Participate on Budget Committee. Receive and disperse monies. Pay authorized bills promptly, provide financial report for each PTA meeting.
Financial Secretary
Works with the Treasurer to accurately account for deposits and to provide receipts. Attend events at which there is an exchange of money. Assist the unit to handle money according to recommended financial controls.
Auditor
Perform semiannual audits of PTA Treasurer’s records and prepares written report for the PTA Executive Board and the PTA Sixth District. Present findings of each audit at subsequent PTA meetings.
Parliamentarian (Appointed by President)
Ensure that the PTA Meeting Management and Rules of Order are followed at all meetings. Review the meeting structure at start of each meeting. Ensure PTA meetings flow and do not get bogged down. Review and update By Laws every 2 years. Assist the President in preparing for meetings if requested.
Historian
Oversee the maintenance of the records of the PTA. Maintain on-line program plans for each PTA Board Position and Committee. Help ensure that chairpersons do not have to “recreate the wheel” each year. Ensure that programs are documented in a timely fashion. Track Volunteer Hours and Prepare Annual Historian Report to submit to the Sixth District PTA.
Web Master
Maintain school website, ensure information posted is relevant, valid and complete. Coordinate with VP-Marketing, “Foothill Reminders” Chairperson, Secretary and office staff. Participate on Communications Committee.
SEF Representative
Act as Liaison between SEF and school. Attend SEF and school PTA meetings. Speak about SEF at New Parent Orientation and Welcome meetings. Deliver SEF materials, hang banners, deliver school donation checks, and support SEF school activities, such as the annual art show.
Principal
Speak on behalf of staff and the district at PTA meetings. Bring issues or suggestions for creating a better school learning experience from staff and the district to the PTA Board. Take feedback from meetings and circulate to the district and staff.
Teacher Representative(s) (Appointed by Principal)
Speak on behalf of staff at PTA meetings. Bring issues or suggestions for creating a better school learning experience from staff to the PTA Board. Take feedback from meetings and circulate to other teachers and staff.
Hospitality
Arrange refreshments served at Back-to-School events, PTA meetings, Foothill-hosted parent education nights, and scheduled visitation days. Participate in Kinder Splash, Welcome Back Coffee, Staff Holiday Party, Staff Appreciation Week, Open House & the End of Year Party.
Project Cornerstone Committee
Organize the Project Cornerstone and ABC Reader volunteers and curriculum. Organize Project Cornerstone-themed events throughout the year such as Kindness Week.
Playground Pals / Bus Stop
Playground Pals provides a wide variety of games and activities for the students to participate in with a focus on health, fitness, and positive socialization. The PPBS program encourages all children to participate in activities regardless of their gender, size, or ability. The Playground Pals Chair works with parent and student volunteers to organize the program. There are four objectives of the program:
- To provide a safe place for students to go if they feel alone and cannot find anyone to play with.
- Increase physical activity
- Provide a leadership opportunity for students.
- Decrease conflict and reduce the incidence of playground bullying
PTA Programs & Descriptions
Note that not all programs/committees exist every year. PTA programs and events are highly dependent on volunteer resources.
Year Round Programs/Committees
Assembly Liaison - Year-Round
Coordinate school-wide assemblies in line with the school curriculum. Work with other Saratoga schools to plan and execute assemblies, to share costs throughout the District.
FabLab Nights - Year-Round
Plan approximately one community night per month. Arrange classes to teach the community new Maker skills. Arrange for volunteers.
Garden /Landscape - Year-Round
Assist teachers and students in maintaining the school garden boxes. Execute the semi-annual sprucing up of the Foothill campus by pulling weeds and trimming plantings before school begins and before visitation days. Help to organize monthly ‘Community Garden’ days. Work with teachers to develop gardens and projects for the students.
Hospitality - Year-Round
Arrange refreshments served at Back-to-School events, PTA meetings, Foothill-hosted parent education nights, and scheduled visitation days. Participate in Kinder Splash, Welcome Back Coffee, Staff Holiday Party, Staff Appreciation Week, Open House & the End of Year Party.
Marquee Updates - Year-Round
Update marquee message boards weekly with pertinent school information with information provided by school office & PTA calendar. Coordinate with VP of Communications.
Parent Education Nights - Year-Round
Work with representatives from other local schools to locate speakers and share venues and costs. Publicize, produce and host parent education events.
Parking Lot Coordinator/Assistant - Year-Round
Arrange for appropriate parent helpers in the morning to assist with opening doors and ensuring parking lot safety. Help review and update traffic safety guidelines.
School Events Photography - Year-Round
Take photographs at school-wide special events. Submit photos for yearbook, school slideshow, and VP of Marketing.
Spirit Gear - Year-Round
Work with outside vendors to design and produce Foothill merchandise, such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, car magnets, and commemorative bricks. Plan promotions and sell the items at various Foothill events. Collect payment, fulfill orders and distribute merchandise.
School Slideshow - Year-Round
Work with School Events Photographer to ensure that all key school events are photographed. Using these photos, create a slideshow for the New Parent Reception in August and at PTA events throughout the school year.
Welcome Committee – Year-Round
Meet parents who are new to Foothill, welcome them to the Foothill family, provide them with key information, and remain available to answer questions. Representatives of many different ethnic backgrounds are needed.
Yearbook – Year-Round
Work with the publishing company to design, price, sell and distribute yearbooks. Collect photos and create page layouts with the help of the Room Parent Photographers.
One Time or Short Term Programs/Committees:
School Supplies - August
Work with teachers to provide school supplies for all classrooms and students.
Family Directory - August-October
Work with publishing company to layout and print handbook directories for all PTA members. Work with Principal and Presidents in editing the PTA information and school procedures.
Kindergarten Splash- August
Host a play date at the Kindergarten playground to give new students and parents a chance to meet fellow students, teachers and PTA members.
First Day Packets - August
Work with the administration staff, SUSD, SEF, Saratoga Music Boosters, and PTA board to receive, copy and arrange for the collation of the packets that go home on the first day of school.
Welcome Back Picnic - August
Organize an informal picnic at the beginning of the school year.
School Photo Day - Fall & Spring
Assist photographers with preparing children for pictures. Manage class lines.
Musical – Fall
Work with artistic directors to produce a children’s musical starring Foothill 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students.
Fall Family Fun Night – September - October
Coordinate all aspects of this October evening family festival including food, games, entertainment and music.
Math Team - October – April
Stimulate enthusiasm for Mathematics through worldwide math competition programs. Form a Foothill “Math Team” that will be competes in national and international competitions. Recruit volunteers to teach lessons and administer exams on the Foothill campus.
Variety Show - Spring
Coordinate an annual school-wide student talent show. Pick a theme, recruit a committee, hold auditions, and one practice run-through. Produce two shows, one school wide production in the morning and one family evening production. Work with a videography company to make DVD for parents to purchase.
Book Fair – December 4th-8th
Publicize Book Fair, recruit and schedule volunteers to work the fair. Coordinate with Scholastic Inc. to receive materials, books and cases. Set up displays and cash register. Coordinate with librarian & teachers to receive teacher “wish lists” for books. Manage cash flow between PTA Treasurer and Scholastic.
Robotics Team - October – April (Paused—not enough parent volunteer support in 2019-2020)
Stimulate enthusiasm for engineering through robotic ‘missions’. Coordinate with local and national robotics competitions. Create activities that help students understand sensors, actuators, motors, circuitry, controls, and programming.
Staff Holiday Luncheon - December
Plan and execute all aspects of a holiday luncheon, which takes place in our staff lounge, including decorations, food provided by our Foothill families and small gifts.
Spelling Bee - January
Help to organize our annual Spelling Bee and practices. The goals of the Spelling Bee are to promote a love of spelling, to give students practice speaking in front of their peers and an audience, and to teach resiliency (e.g. what happens when you make a mistake).
Science Day/Science Fair – Winter
Plan the annual Science Day including a Science Fair. Recruit and/or hire science station presenters and volunteers. Prepare & Distribute Science Fair Proposal Guidelines. Form a committee to review and respond to proposals and judge final projects. Prepare kids to present their hypothesis to a wider audience.
Bike/Walk-to-School Week – Spring
Help to organize a whole week of activities to encourage biking and walking (safely!) to school.
Staff Appreciation Luncheon / Week - May
Recognize and thank Teachers, Staff and Administrators by organizing a luncheon. Help students and parents recognize staff throughout the week with small tokens of appreciation (i.e. flowers, candy, cards, posters).
International Night - Spring
Present lessons, share food, and create displays or provide music and dancing that celebrates your culture and/or special holidays.
Open House - May
Plan for the annual Foothill Open House and Art Show.
