Bates PTA OFFICERS Lisa Pline – PTA President Lisa Pline – PTA President lisa@teampline.org Laura Stomski – PTA VP ljstomski@aol.com David Shepard – PTA Secretary d_m_shepard@live.com Deirdre Ralph – PTA Treasurer   ralphjd@verizon.net     Click here to be added to the Bates PTA email distribution list  <=+"If you do not already have a Yahoo user ID, you may be asked to set up a free Yahoo account to access this page" Other important calendar dates upcoming are: * September 7th , 6:30pm: Music Program Orientation - update 8/30: WILL BE RESCHEDULED due to scheduling conflict with feeder elementaries * September 16th, 7-9pm: Back to School Night * September 22nd, 6:30pm: Volunteer Orientation * September 24th, 8:30am: Coffee with the Principal Please click on the Calendar tab of our new website (www.batespta.org) to view the PTA Calendar. This is a shared Google Calendar, so if you are a Google Calendar user, you can add this to your calendars. For PVA dates, there is a separate calendar ("PVA Calendar") on a separate tab of the website. AACPS also has a shared Google Calendar for county-wide dates such as school closure and test dates at www.aacps.org . Bates PTA - "Representing every family, Supporting every teacher" Our goal this year is to increase parent involvement, to improve communication, and most importantly, enhance academic performance at Bates.  We have an energetic group of new officers - Lisa Pline, President,; Laura Stomski, VP; David Shepard, Secretary; and Deidre Ralph, Treasurer -  who have brought a wealth of new ideas and expertise to the Executive Committee. This year we plan to initiate Classroom Funds to help individual teachers or Departments meet their unique needs, parent volunteer Coordinators for each grade, and even start regular Coffees with Principal Bragdon.  In addition, the PTA plans to continue  many of the programs and activities that have become a tradition at Bates such as the Star Reader programs, Honor Roll celebrations, Bates Bargain Basement, the annual Bates 5K and Staff Appreciation luncheons. Middle school is a great time for parents to volunteer.   Any amount of time, large or small is welcome, appreciated and very important to our school.  If you never volunteered before, now is the time and the benefits are great, both for your and your child.  As your child transitions to Middle School with multiple teachers and becomes friends with kids from all over Annapolis, volunteering is a way to get the real scoop on their environment, meet their teachers, the kids  they talk about at the dinner table, and even meet other parents.  Contact Jeannie Bullen and Missy Good, this year's Volunteer Coordinators and let them help you identify a volunteer opportunity that fits your skills and availability!  jandcbull3@verizon.net.  As in previous years, the PTA will kick off our biggest annual fundraiser of the year after the kids return to school in August with the sale of Otis Spunkmeyer Cookies.  CC Hays and Sarah Williamson are heading this up again, so look for the forms to come home at the beginning of the school year.  The quality of the Otis Spunkmeyer products are fantastic and include reduced fat and whole grain options.  New this year, we are also including a donation option for those who don't want to be tempted by the actual product. Look for us at Back to School night on September 16th.  We also hope you will join us at the first General Meeting on October 11th.  Mark your calendars for the second, Monday of every month at 6:30.  Best, Lisa Pline - lisa@teampline.org, 443-994-7203