General:
The Wayne Thomas PTA is an organization that serves as a bridge between home and school. It provides programs and services for all children at Wayne Thomas and offers support to teachers and staff. Volunteering for the PTA is an excellent way for parents to become involved in their school and their children's education. Everyone is encouraged to say "yes" when asked to serve on one of our committees. Volunteering not only sets an example for our children, but also gives parents an opportunity to meet new friends and neighbors.

PTA Membership:
All families are encouraged to join the PTA. Membership dues are only $10.00, which covers the cost to print the buzz book, mandatory insurance policy fees, and the annual dues to the state and national PTAs. Members will receive a complimentary copy of the buzz book, which is normally $5 per copy. Those who join by September 30th will also receive a "mini buzz book". The easiest way to join is to pay through the summer mailer. If you miss the mailer, families can also join at Curriculum Night or through the school office. Any additional donations are also appreciated and can be made by filling out the appropriate line on the membership form.

PTA Meetings:
There will be eight PTA meetings throughout the year. We encourage you to attend and take advantage of this opportunity to share your concerns and ideas. We will also update you on current school board and district issues. Meetings will be held on the first or second Tuesday of most months at 7:15 PM. PLEASE CHECK YOUR PTA CALENDAR, LOCATED IN YOUR WAYNE THOMAS HANDBOOK, TO SAVE THE DATES. Free babysitting is available at PTA meeting.

Bake Sale:
Our annual bake sale will be held in May during our Art Walk. Every household is asked to bake or buy treats and drop them off at school the afternoon of the sale. The committee organizes and prices the goodies. During the evening, volunteers work shifts. Expenses are minimal and profits are high!

Bingo:
We play bingo, sell snacks and kids win lots of great prizes. This event will be held on a Sunday in February.

Box Tops for Education:
This committee promotes collection of General Mills Boxtops by the students. Several times during the year they count and submit to appropriate companies for funds to support our PTA.

Brick Engraving Program:
This committee helps to coordinate the sale and engraving of bricks in the Wayne Thomas Courtyard. Any individual, family or other group can have their own brick engraved.

Cultural Arts:
This committee plans and hosts cultural arts assemblies throughout the year.

Fifth Grade Picnic:
This committee helps to coordinate and plan the in-school end of the year picnic on Records Day as well as the purchase of T-shirts for the fifth grade students.

Food Days:
The PTA hosts food days every Tuesday and Thursday, and two ice cream day monthly. Please check your calendar and newsletters for these dates.

Fun Fair:
Our school is transformed into a carnival, offering games, a children's auction, and yummy treats. There are attractions for pre-school through fifth grade children. No one will go home empty handed but every family is expected to donate some time to this event.

Gift Wrap:
The gift wrap sale occurs in September. Samples and pictures of these high quality papers, ribbons, and gift bags are brought home by each student. We suggest that you show these samples to your friends and family. All orders will be filled by Thanksgiving.

Great Books:
This is a program for all students in grades K-4 who love books and love to read. Small groups meet with volunteer parents on a weekly basis during lunch recess to discuss assigned reading materials.

Health & Drug Awareness:
Volunteers work with each classroom teacher and/or room parent during drug awareness week in the fall to implement appropriate program. Also works with the school nurse to schedule lice checks when necessary.

June Discovery:
June Discovery is a program of alternative learning that enriches the educational experiences of our fifth graders. Students are able to choose from a wide variety of classes such as computers, art, cooking, child care, CPR, pom pons, and sports.

Memory Book:
Coordinating with our school photographer, this committee takes candid photos, produces the layout for the montage pages, and oversees ordering and distribution of our Wayne Thomas Wildcat Yearbook.

New Book Sale:
The sale is held during school hours and in the evening. The entire community is welcome. Parents are encouraged to attend the sale during their child's scheduled time to help with their selections. Teachers will be given a gift certificate from the PTA to purchase books for their classroom.

Newsletter:
Our newsletter, Wayne's World, keeps you informed about activities and events throughout the year. Our newsletter staff plans, writes, edits, types, and distributes the newsletter. All copy must be submitted to the newsletter mailbox (located in the office) by noon on the Friday prior to the Friday it is published, for publication in the next week's newsletter. Please label all copy and include your name and phone number.

Publicity:
There are a lot of wonderful things going on at Wayne Thomas throughout the year, and this committee works with the Pioneer Press to publish articles and pictures about events and happenings. It also arranges publicity of events on local bank marquis.

Room Parents:
In each class there are both head room parents (1-2) and additional room parents. These parents work on the three scheduled parties, Halloween, holiday, and Valentine's Day. They are also responsible to implement phone trees to notify parents of emergencies and fundraisers.

School Store:
The school store is a once a year activity that provides students and parents the opportunity to purchase most items and supplies requested by the teachers. Pre-packaged supplies are pre-ordered by grade level in the spring and delivered in the fall. We coordinate with the teachers to select items for the packages.

Social Action:
These volunteers work with room parents to coordinate age appropriate projects to promote social consciousness (i.e., visit and entertain at nursing home, create stories on tape for sick children).

Teacher Appreciation:
The PTA would like to show our appreciation to the entire Wayne Thomas staff by hosting parties in their honor. If you love to plan and cook, this committee is for you.

Used Book & Tape Sale:
Each spring we ask that all families do a little spring cleaning and donate used books and tapes to our sale. Prices are rarely above a dollar. Parents are always welcome to attend the sale.

Volunteer Pool:
Our PTA representative works in conjunction with the volunteer pool of Highland Park to obtain authors, storytellers, and people with special crafts and talents to enhance our curriculum and share their experiences.

Wayne Thomas Wearables:
We offer t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, lunch bags, backpacks, and more. All are emblazoned with our mascot, the Wildcat, in our school colors of blue and white. Show your school pride through the purchase of these items. The wearables will be available to view and order on Curriculum Night.