La Cañada Elementary PTA

A GUIDE TO GETTING INVOLVED AT LCE

Presented by LCE PTA

Whether you are new to our school, or have been here for a while, this guide is designed to help you become involved at LCE. The 600+ parent, teacher, staff, and community members of LCE PTA have a singular goal: to support and to enrich our children’s public school education in LCUSD.

PTA is the largest child advocacy association in the nation. We need your help to continue to provide our students the support they need to grow and thrive. Get to know us and all that we do at LCE!

FACTS ABOUT LCE PTA:

Members serve over 40,000 volunteer hours annually.
Every dollar raised by LCE PTA funds LCE.
LCE PTA funds are used each school year to support the needs of LCE's teachers, students, staff, and school facilities.
Just a few of the activities/programs wholly or partially funded by LCE’s PTA:

Online Programs for Students
Site Enhancement
Enrichment Funds to the District
Assemblies
World Fair
Summer Reading Program
Teacher Appreciation Events
Library Funds
Science Olympiad
Art Appreciation Week
STEAM Week
Spelling Bee
Earth Week
Classroom Supplies
Emergency Supplies

In order to lend your input to PTA programs and serve on committees, you must be a PTA member. Membership is offered at the start of school on the Online Order Form, or can be purchased through the year by contacting membership@lcepta.org.
The PTA Executive Board is elected each spring. The all-volunteer Board organizes and facilitates PTA activities, working closely with school administration and teachers. If interested in serving on the Executive Board, contact president@lcepta.org or a member of the Nominating Committee, which is announced each year.

THE 6 AREAS OF PTA EMPHASIS ARE:

Programs: 15+ student enrichment programs spanning science, fitness and health, reading and cultural awareness, student assemblies, Spelling Bee, Red Ribbon Week & Reflections.
Room Representatives: Key teacher contact. Coordinates classroom volunteers and provides important communications to parents.
Membership: Oversees annual membership drive and events such as Back to School Picnic, New Family Social, Kindergarten Orientation, Kindergarten Welcome, New Family Social and more.
Volunteers: Coordinates parent volunteers who assist with library, campus events, campus beautification, class preparation jobs, and so much more.
Communication: Produces electronic newsletter, annual school directory, order forms, yearbook and the website.
Ways & Means: Organizes fundraising events and product sales including Halloween Haunt, Book Fair, Lion Wear, Talent Show, BINGO and more.

HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT SCHOOL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES?

Lion Times Email and PTA website: Create an account at www.lcepta.org, and receive your weekly Lion Times newsletter in your inbox on Sunday evenings. This newsletter is PTA's best way to contact you.
PTA Meetings: 3rd Wednesday monthly at 9:15 in Cafeteria. First meeting of the year is on the first day of school. Check our site or weekly Lion TImes newsletter for specific details.
Room Representatives: Keep parents informed via email or ParentSquare about class and school activities.
Thursday Folders: Often placed in student backpacks, containing important school and class information.
Order Forms: Online forms used for ordering items and to sign up to volunteer.
Directory: Accessed via the PTA website (lcepta.org), contains school-wide contact information.
Outreach Committee: This committee assists our Korean families with translation and other support. It typically meets the first Thursday of the month. Contact outreach@lcepta.org.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED WITH LCE PTA?

First PTA Meeting: Held on the first day of school, parents can sign up to volunteer for programs.
Back to School Nights: Held in August, parents will hear classroom specifics from teachers and can sign up for various classroom volunteer assignments such as field trips, parties, and more.
Last Minute Helpers: Sign up on Online Form to help on various projects.
VP of Volunteers: Contact volunteers@lcepta.org. The Volunteer VP will assist you to identify ways you can volunteer that work with your schedule. Also, please contact the VP of Volunteers for more information about our Dad’s Committee.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT VOLUNTEER ROLES WILL WORK BEST FOR ME?

Below is a list of activities, grouped by estimated time of involvement. Most volunteer committees are perfect for working parents. For more details on any of these volunteer roles, contact volunteers@lcepta.org.

If you have time before or during school hours throughout the year, consider: Library, Picture Day, Last Minute Helpers, Workroom, Lost & Found, Yearbook.
If you have time during school hours but not through the whole year, consider: Art Appreciation Week, World Fair, Earth & Red Ribbon Weeks, Last Minute Helpers, Halloween Haunt, Picture Day, Staff Appreciation committees, Disaster Prep, Campus Beautification, and various fundraising committees.
If you have time evenings or weekends only, consider: Back to School Picnic, Halloween Haunt, various fundraising committees, various communications committees such as Lion Times and website, Membership Nights events and the Dad’s Committee.

HOW CAN I SUPPORT LCE PTA’S MISSION?

In addition to your time and talent, your generous financial support is most appreciated. LCE PTA is a 501(C)(3) tax exempt organization. Below is a partial list of ways you can support your child’s education at LCE:

Halloween Haunt: The event raises approximately 60% of our annual proceeds. Families support the Haunt with Sponsorships & Auction donations, contributions to Class Auction Baskets, purchasing Haunt wristbands and tickets, and by donating food items. Families are requested to volunteer for class booth shifts, set up and clean up.
Passive Fundraising: With no “out of pocket” expense, families can support LCE PTA by registering in merchant sponsored programs such as grocery store rebates, dine outs, online shopping and local merchant donation programs. Details on these programs are available at www.lcepta.org.
Product Sales PTA runs a select number of product sales, usually one time each fall and spring. We strive to offer quality products that our school community will enjoy and use.
Book Fair: Families may purchase books for home, and for classroom and library.
Lion Wear: School “spirit” wear for kids and adults, available in the fall. Students wear Lion Wear at Spirit Rallies and on Fridays.
Order Form/Pledge Donations: Consider making a donation on Online Order Form to the PTA General Fund.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING PTA MEETINGS?

A typical PTA meeting includes updates from LCE’s Principal, the PTA President, and the PTA Executive Board. We review and approve prior meeting minutes, upcoming programs, past programs, and budgetary items. We review and approve checks issued by the PTA to pay expenses or reimbursements, and approve the annual PTA budget. If necessary, we also adopt changes to our by-laws, and vote in Board members. Only PTA members who have paid their dues are entitled to vote during these meetings. Oftentimes, we have guest speakers on topics relevant to our school community. Your attendance at PTA meetings will give you a great opportunity to stay informed and ask questions about events impacting our school.