PTC HIGHLIGHTS

Fundraising
The PTC sponsors just two fundraisers each year: "Wine Tasting & Silent Auction" in November and "Viva Las Vegas" Casino Night in February. These two events raise enough money to cover our PTC financial responsibility to the school and are a lot of fun! By sponsoring only two events, it alleviates the need for several smaller fundraisers (i.e. cookie dough, wrapping paper, magazine sales), which can be time-consuming and with minimal financial benefit. Parents are encouraged to participate in both events by volunteering, donating, sponsoring and/or attending. Remember, your participation and involvement DIRECTLY BENEFITS our children.

Volunteering/Hospitality
Every family is required to donate thirty (30) hours of their time or pay an additional fee. In addition to earning your hours, your participation is a vital part of our school community it is vital glue that holds many of our programs together. Our school needs your time and talent, and below are just a few ways to meet these volunteer hours and support the school:
1. Working at a Bake Sale.
2. Hot lunches - helping serve, prepare or coordinate.
3. Supervise morning drop-off on the playground.
4. Transportation to athletic games, chaperoning on field trips.
5. Library help with reading stories to the children, shelving books, etc.
6. Park Duty (Kindergarten only).
7. Sharing services or talents you possess with a class (i.e. do an art project, give a class a lecture on your profession, teach a language or cultural tradition).
8. Assist the After-School Enrichment Program by walking children to their class.
9. Volunteer at Wine Tasting & Silent Auction, Viva Las Vegas Casino Night, or S.M.A.S.H. (St. Monica Academic & Spiritual Heritage). Each family is required to volunteer for one of these three events or pay a $50 in lieu of fee.
10. Join the Fundraising Committee!
11. Help at the annual Jog-a-thon event.
12. Assist school office with parent envelopes, mailings, and other administrative needs.

Health & Safety
The PTC Health & Safety program was designed to promote a safe school environment for our children. The Health & Safety Coordinator oversees the morning drop-off procedures for the school day. Because we share the morning drop-off space with the high school, it's important that each parent follow the safety guidelines: Enter through the Washington gate, prepare your children for disembarking (get backpacks ready, etc.), proceed in the lane as far forward as possible, allow a safety volunteer to assist your child out of the car (or have your child safely exit from the car), be mindful of pedestrians in the lane, exit through the Lincoln gate only turning RIGHT onto Lincoln Blvd. Additionally, this program offers complimentary health screenings for our school families (dental, vision, hearing, scoliosis, etc.) You will be alerted during the school year regarding screening dates. Finally, we hold an extensive earthquake preparedness program which includes earthquake drills and emergency equipment and supplies.

Room Parents
The Room Parent Coordinator is the liaison between the homeroom parents, teachers, and the PTC. Each grade has a set of room parents, who are responsible for scheduling various classroom activities, including class parties, class masses, hot lunches, special class projects, etc.

Enrichment Program
After-school Enrichment is a special program St. Monica, and is run completely by the Enrichment Coordinator and parent volunteers. Enrichment program offerings include a variety of classes, including karate, art, dance, science, yoga, and many unique courses usually 2-3 times a year. See your parent envelope for registration information. This program relies heavily on parent volunteers to safely accompany children to their classes, so if you're available after school, please be generous with your time.

Athletics
The Athletic Coordinator works closely with school the Athletic Director to coordinate all after-school CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) athletic activities. Students in grades
4-8, in good academic standing, may participate in CYO. After-school sports offerings at St. Monica Elementary School include: FALL: Flag Football (co-ed) and Girls Volleyball; WINTER: Boys & Girls Basketball; SPRING: Track (co-ed) and Boys Volleyball.

Public Relations
Throughout the school year, the Public Relations Coordinator schedules special community dinner nights at local restaurants. These Community Nights provide a chance to meet-up with fellow school families, show school support and spirit, while enjoying a delicious dinner out. The dates of scheduled Community Dinner nights will be included in the parent packet or weekly newsletter.

Hot Lunch
Our daily hot lunch program is sponsored by "Lunches with Love." This program provides a healthy, nutritional alternative to parents and students. Orders are placed online at: www.luncheswithlove.com and the school code is "St. MES." In addition to our daily program, the PTC also sponsors special hot lunches usually 2 per month - which are catered by local restaurants (Pizza Hut, El Pollo Loco, Carl's Jr., etc.), and are mini-fundraisers for the school.