September 2008

WELCOME FROM THE BRIDGE SCHOOL PTA

We hope you had a great start to the 2008-2009 school year! Members of the PTA are already busily working to bring you a wonderful year Bridge School, but we need your help and support!

Bridge families join the PTA because they care deeply about their children’s educations and choose to get involved. Let’s make it 100% participation this year!

Last year together we:

• Hosted community events, including Back to School Night, the annual Bridge School Community Dinner, and International Night
• Sponsored parent education seminars, including a presentation on children and resiliency by the nationally recognized speaker, clinical psychologist and author, Dr. Robert Brooks
• Supported children’s educational programs such as Walk for the Arts, Science, Math and Word Nights, and the Big Backyard environmental education program
• Continued the EPA award-winning Safe Routes to School program, along with other established community outreach programs, including UNICEF, Pennies for Peace, and over a half-dozen other projects
• Funded equipment and supplies for the school’s classrooms, library and playground, along with specialized items, such as art and music supplies and physical education equipment, including Bridge’s new climbing wall
• Provided a weekly newsletter, a school directory, Bridge’s website and email notification service

Your membership dues and donations fund these programs. Please sign up today!

About half of the PTA budget comes from dues and donations. The remainder is attained from fundraisers throughout the year. We encourage every Bridge family to become a member of Bridge PTA so that we can continue delivering programs and services that the Bridge community enjoys. And please, as you sign up, consider adding a tax-free donation. This donation will help us fund special PTA projects.

Bridge School needs every family to become a member of the PTA. As a member, you will receive:

• A free copy of the Bridge Directory, published each fall – class lists with contact information, important Bridge telephone numbers, staff contact information, calendar of events – an indispensable reference guide. (You can order extra directories for $5 each. Non-members can purchase a directory for $10.)
• Online access to Our Children, the national PTA magazine, as well as exclusive discounts and offers from PTA sponsors and member benefits providers - visit the national PTA website to learn more about member benefits.

To join the PTA, simply complete the membership form on the next page, and return it with your check. If you have questions, please contact our membership chair, Joan Zhong, at 781.862.1156 or joan_zhong@yahoo.com.

We also encourage you to get involved with a PTA committee.

Look for committee announcements and invitations at Back to School Night and in the Bridge to Home newsletter. It’s a great way to meet other Bridge families and to give back to the school!

We thank you for supporting Bridge PTA and wish you a wonderful school year.

Sincerely,

Ann Boese and Amy Muntz, Co-Presidents and The Bridge School PTA Executive Board