… to the entire Fun Fair Committee – from the Co-Chairs, Tamara Lowe and Yvette Duffy, to every member of the committee who worked tirelessly for months to make the Allenby Fun Fair a spectacular event. Their leadership, enthusiasm, organization and dedication are nothing short of amazing. For a full report, please read Tamara and Yvette’s post in this newsletter. You would be amazed how many hot dogs this school can eat.
Definitely Allenby at its best! We are so lucky to have the community we do. Let’s remember this event as we close out the year and look towards next year – more events to plan, more opportunities to work together, get to know each other and make Allenby the best that it can be for our children.
Wondering where all of the funds raised at the Fun Fair go? Well, the Fun Fair is just one of our fundraising events (Big Night Out, Pizza Lunch and After 4 are the other major revenue sources) that support APA-funded programs at Allenby. Some of the programs your children enjoy include:
- Classroom Grants that go to each teacher to use as they would like to enhance their individual classroom (i.e. maps, math tools, books, etc.)
- Artists and Scientists in the Classroom (experts brought into individual classrooms)
- Lice Checks (3 times a year, a professional comes in and checks every Allenby child)
- Technology: By the fall Allenby will have 17 Smartboards and laptops (purchased in partnership with the school), 4 additional Macbooks to enhance the 6th grade TDSB MacBook program, and 15 new Netbooks for wider use.
- Environment: Stones in the yard to prevent erosion of our hills
- School-wide performances on a variety of topics as decided by our Principal
- Character Education
- Graduation in Grade 6
- Milk and extra supervision at Lunch
- Inter- and intramural sports
Please let us know if you would like to be involved with any of the APA events, programs, or serve as a member of the APA Executive Committee next year.
We love meeting and working with all parents! New parents, parents that have been at Allenby for years but now have more time, parents who weren’t sure how to get involved? All parents! The best way to represent Allenby is to have as many voices heard and at the meetings, productively discussing issues, giving perspectives and voting.
Just a reminder that all positions are open and are voted on at the first meeting in September.
What Are the Positions?
The APA focuses its efforts on five main areas:
An elected Director heads each area of focus. This person oversees the activities pertaining to their area. The Directors ensure that all activities follow APA policies such as EcoSchools, allergy awareness, financial assistance and lice awareness. There is also an APA Secretary that takes minutes at the general APA meeting and posts them on our website.
In addition to the Directors of each of the above there are also the following positions:
Co-Chairs: The Chair’s role is to oversee the operation of the APA, to liaise with the Principal on a regular basis and to act as a starting point for parents to direct them to the correct person or support system for their particular needs.
Treasurer: The Treasurer’s role is to work with the APA executive to draft an annual budget and to perform the bookkeeping required by the APA, such as depositing cheques, writing cheques and keeping track of the cash balances. The Treasurer is responsible for preparing income tax receipts for all eligible donations. The Treasurer also provides a monthly financial report for presentation at the APA meetings.
Secretaries: The secretary is responsible for taking the minutes at the monthly APA meeting and finalizing these minutes for publication on the Allenby Parents Web site.
In addition to having a Director, who serves on the Executive Committee, each area of focus is comprised of various APA committees too, like Pizza Lunch, Graduation, Lip Sync, and the school directory. These committees, either as a chair or member are great ways to participate in school activities and meet new parents. APE events and activities are always planned with the needs and wishes of the majority in mind, while supporting the inclusion of all Allenby students. The APA’s approach will encourage cost effective and efficient use of all available funds and resources. Did you know that there is an APA Handbook on the Allenby Parent Website? Check it out!
Always feel free to email Lori Miller at lori.miller@rogers.com if you are interested in any of these positions or just being involved and I can help get you started. Next year will be another exciting year and we look forward to keeping the amazing spirit demonstrated at the Allenby Fun Fair going!