The Decatur PTA (Parent Teacher Association) is a member of the National PTA. Our annual Membership Drive Kickoff starts with the “Welcome Back Donuts & Coffee” on the first day of school. A family membership is $15.00 for the entire year. Your dues help the PTA fund many of the events, clubs and opportunities available at Decatur. Plus, enjoy your free admission to the “Round Up” on September 11th with every paid membership.

Join by October 2nd and your name will be entered into a drawing to win two FREE tickets to the Spring Fundraiser on April 24, 2010! The winner will be drawn at our October 15, 2009 meeting.

Use your membership privileges to:

• Elect PTA Officers
• Request funding for special school projects
• Give input on programming/funding/budgeting
• Complimentary STUDENT DIRECTORY with every paid membership

We encourage all families to join the Decatur PTA. For the past several years, we have enjoyed nearly 100% participation from families, teachers and staff. We were recognized by the Illinois PTA as a 2009 Convention Award Winner for Membership. Congratulations Decatur!

See below for our exciting 2009-2010 Calendar of Events and Meetings

Please join us at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Village Crossing Plaza on November 21st from 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. for a fundraiser and student talent show. A percentage of all purchases made - in store or called in to any B&N - will go to Decatur. Decatur teachers, staff and children in all grades are invited to sing a song, perform a dance, play an instrument, read a poem, read a selection from a book or dazzle us with other talents. The talent show is a must-see! Get an early start on your holiday shopping and support your school in the process.

Any questions regarding this event, please contact Aimee — Aimee Burr

Barnes & Noble Fundraiser VOUCHER

Reflections is a multi-art project sponsored by the National PTA. All Decatur students are invited to participate in the 2009-10 Reflections program. This year’s theme is: “Beauty is….” Students are invited to express themselves through literature, musical composition, photography or visual arts. Additional information will be sent home soon. All entries are due by November 24, 2009. Any questions regarding the contest, please contact Shannan — Shannan Bunting

09-10_reflections_student_entry_form-1.doc

JOG-A-THON SAVE THE DATE! The Decatur Classical PTA will host the JOG-A-THON this year on Monday, October 19th. The JOG-A-THON has grown into a fundraising powerhouse for our school , raising over $22,000 last year! The JOG-A-THON is one of Decatur’s major fundraising events of the year. This event encourages all students to take an active role in raising funds for their own school. It teaches students of all ages that exercising is fun and healthy. And most importantly, students of all ages enjoy participating in the JOG-A-THON. It makes them feel important and successful.

How it works; Students ask family members, neighbors and friends to sponsor them for each lap they jog in ½ hour. They may ask for a specific amount per lap OR a set amount. The JOG-A-THON is held on the school grounds on a 1/8 mile course. Students may run and/or walk during the 30 minute period completing as many laps as they can. Each year our children, families, and community make an outstanding effort in support of this event and our school.

Monies raised by JOG-A-THON pay for “extras” not otherwise possible with regular school funds. Listed are just “some” of the things Decatur PTA financially supports with money from the JOG-A-THON : the Field Trip bus, Tap Dance, Art Enrichment, Girls on the Run, Founders Day, Halloween Party, Spring Fling, Dance Night, Science Night, the Children’s Choir, Latin Exams, Graduation Events, Roman Banquet, Student Awards , Book- it Pizza, Chess Club, Chicago Area Problem Solvers, Reflections, supplemental instructional materials and books, assemblies, school enhancements, , teacher funds and even animal up keep! We depend on the JOG-A-THON to raise the “Dolphin’s” share of our PTA funds. You are encouraged to come out and cheer on our runners and even jog a few laps with them if you like. It is truly a wonderful day of Decatur Spirit!

Thanks for your continued support!

Jacquelyn Hathaway PTA, VP Special Events

****Volunteers needed for: Set Up, Clean Up, Lap Counting, Refreshment Table, Water Table, Classroom Help and Counting Pledge money****

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jacquelyn — JOG-A-THON Chair

PRIZE AND INCENTIVE DONATIONS NEEDED As we approach our Annual Decatur Classical PTA Jog-A-Thon, we are looking for donations that will help make the event a huge success. We are looking for incentive prize donations. If you have gift cards you have not used, toys bought for birthday parties you did not go to please consider donating them to the Jog-A-Thon. This year all students raising pledges over $100 will be entered in a raffle to win a prize.

Some suggestions for Prize/Incentive Donations: $10 Target gift cards, $10 Wal-Mart gift cards, $10 Toys R Us gift cards, Barnes & Noble Gift cards, Movie Tickets Gift cards, Restaurant vouchers or gift cards, Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt certificates, Fast Food vouchers/gift cards, and other small items kids would love. Any big ticket item we may offer as a prize for example: I Pod, MP3 player, Game System (Nintendo, Gameboy, etc), Tickets to local Sporting Events, Tickets to Legoland, Miniature Golf, CD player, Digital Camera, Leapster, V-Smile or other items kids would love.

Supply Donations: 300 large manila envelopes for money collection, cases of bottled water, Fresh fruit (bananas & apples), Granola bars (boxed), Balloons, Safety Pins for pinning the numbers. A large banner or display thanking sponsors (volunteer your time and make it if you are artistic!).

If your donation is valued at $125 or higher, you will be considered a Jog-A-Thon sponsor. As a sponsor, your family name or business name will be printed on our Jog-A-Thon T-shirt, in our Decatur Classical newsletter, on a banner displayed at the school and on our website. No donation is too small! All donations are 100% tax deductible and you will be given a receipt for your donation. Please turn in donation sheets no later than Sept 25, 2009 . Actual prize and supply donations should be in the school office by October 2, 2009.

If you have questions email jogathon@comcast.net

JOG-A-THON (JAT) Important Documents

• consent_form_jat_2009.doc Each student must turn this consent form in to be eligible to participate in the Jog-a-thon.
• jogathon_tshirt_2009_2_.docEach student receives a FREE Jog-a-thon t-shirt. Please mark your desired size and return to the school.
• parent_volunteer_sheet.docGet involved in this fantastic fundraiser. See form for volunteering opportunities!
• jog_a_thon_pledge_sheet_b.xlsRaise money by collecting pledges from family, friends and neighbors.
• jat_donations.docCan you donate water, apples, bananas, giftcards and more? Check form for a complete list of needs.
• jog_a_thon_family_sponsor_form.docBecome a sponsor and see your family name/business name on the back of every t-shirt!

The PTA sponsors many events school wide. For details and volunteer opportunities, please see one of our upcoming flyers!

• Welcome Back Donuts & Coffee September 8, 2009- Annual Membership Drive Kick-off
• Round Up September 11, 2009 5:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
• Scholastic Book Fair September 14-18, 2009
• Jog-A-Thon October 19, 2009 - “Running Around the World” Student Fundraiser
• Halloween Party October 29, 2009 - 6:00p.m. - 7:30p.m.
• Barnes & Noble Event November 21, 2009
• Reflections Contest "Beauty is..." Entries Due November 24, 2009
• Founder's Day February 10, 2010
• Spring Fundraiser April 24, 2010 - Holiday Inn Northshore
• Spring Fling June 11, 2010
• 6th Grade Graduation Luncheon June 15, 2010

Please join us each month at 6:30p.m. It's a great way to meet new people, share ideas, and hear the latest PTA news!

• TOPICS: Summer Improvements, Budget, and Jog-a-thon September 17, 2009
• TOPICS: Halloween Party and Barnes & Noble Event October 15, 2009
• TOPICS: Barnes & Noble Event, Reflections Contest and a Special Presentation on the Spring Fundraiser "Playground Renovation Proposal" November 18, 2009
• NO DECEMBER MEETING
• TOPICS: Founder's Day and Spring Fundraiser January 21, 2010
• TOPICS: Spring Fundraiser February 18, 2010
• TOPICS: PTA Slate 2010-2011:Nominating Committee March 18, 2010
• TOPICS: PTA Slate, Spring Fundraiser, Budget/Audit Committees and Spring Fling April 15, 2010
• TOPICS: Election of PTA Officers 2010-2011 and Spring Fundraiser Financial Recap May 20, 2010
• NO JUNE MEETING

T.H.A.N.K.S. - To Honor And Notice Kindness and Service. This award began in 2009 by the Parent Teacher Association. It is given out monthly to individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty with their exemplary volunteerism. Do you know someone who deserves a “T.H.A.N.K.S.”? If the answer is yes and you'd like to nominate a parent, teacher or staff member for the T.H.A.N.K.S award, please attend one of our upcoming meetings to do so. The PTA board will select the award recipient(s) from the pool of nominees. The award recipient(s) will be announced at the following meeting. In addition, they are featured in the Decatur Communique each month.

Coming soon!

Check out the Decatur sportswear page for the latest styles and ordering information. We offer something for everyone! From sweatpants to tie-dye t-shirts, shorts to ringer tee's, you are sure to find your style for the whole family. Decatur-wear is recommended on gym days and field trip days, so be sure to stock up. If you have further questions, please contact our sportswear coordinator – Sportswear Coordinator

Click the following link to access the Decatur's Sports Wear site:www.freewebs.com/decatursportswear

With the success of past fundraisers (Jog-A-Thon and the Spring Fundraiser), the PTA has been able to fund some outstanding projects for the school and our children. We'd like to thank the Decatur community for their support. Together, we made a difference!

• 2009 Classroom Smartboards
• 2008 Technology Upgrade - purchased 30 new computers
• 2008 Fresh Paint and Solar Shades School-wide
• 2006/2007 ROOM 111 Science Lab/New Microscopes and Lab Equipment

• Halloween Party
• Primary Dance Night
• Spring Fling (year end carnival)
• Science Night
• Children's Choir
• 6th Grade Celebration Luncheon
• Roman Banquet
• Student Awards (Book It Pizza)
• Chess Club
• Chicago Area Problem Solvers (CAPS-5th & 6th Grade)

• Communique/Directory
• Welcome Picnic for incoming students
• Round Up Membership Drive
• Founder's Day Luncheon
• Reflections Contest
• Garden Club
• Hospitality for staff/meetings
• Girl's on the Run Program
• Coordinate Volunteers for Picture Day

• Curriculum Support (special interest assemblies)
• Teacher/Staff Appreciation Day
• Field trip buses
• Primary Grade Rug Cleaning
• Custodian Fund
• Educational Materials Support for Classrooms/Auxillary Staff
• Animal Upkeep and Vet Care (Science)
• Library Expenses (Birthday Club and Prizes)
• Annual Library Software Support Agreement
• Copier Maintenance Contracts

Officers:

• President - Beth Wangman — Beth Wangman
• 1st VPs – Department of Education & Arts - Shannan Bunting and Aimee Burr — Shannan Bunting Aimee Burr
• 2nd VP – Department of Home & Community - Patti Benaissa — Patti Benaissa
• 3rd VP – Department of Special Events - Jacquelyn Hathaway — Jacquelyn Hathaway
• 4th VP – Department of Communication - Irais Ibarra — Irais Ibarra
• 5th VP - Department of Public/Media Relations- Carmen Finch — Carmen Finch
• 6th VP – Faculty Representative - Erin Cole
• Secretary - Megan Janovsky — Megan Janovsky
• Treasurer - Joanne Botten — Joanne Botten
• Principal - Susan J. Kukielka

• 91709agenda.doc
• 101509agenda.doc
• 111809agenda.doc

• Bylaws: 2008-2009
• Changes: 2008-2009