Smoke Rise Charter School PTA

The success of our school depends entirely upon volunteers like you!  Please review the list of committees below and pick your favorite way to get involved!  We have many great committees that are in need of a chair person so please check out the list below and come have a great time with our volunteers!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The following Committees are eager for you to join the fun...  Simply contact the chairperson listed under the committee description and ask how you can get started!

Accelerated Reader

Accelerated Reader is a voluntary reading incentive program. The library provides many books that are linked with short (5-10 question) computer quizzes to test a child's reading comprehension for that particular book. Children are awarded with things like recognition on "Smoke Rise Live", Chick-Fil-A coupons, name on AR bulletin board and special luncheons if they pass a required number of tests at their reading level. Volunteers are needed to help children take tests in the computer lab before school (7:20 a.m. to 7:50 a.m.), running reports, and assistance at luncheons.

The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)  

Teacher Appreciation

Teacher appreciation is shown in many ways around Smoke Rise. On registration day an orientation luncheon is provided for teachers and volunteers. The month of May brings Teacher Appreciation Week for all the Smoke Rise teachers. It is a time to bring flowers, candy, notes, and lots of hugs to our favorite teachers to show how much the teachers are appreciated. In addition, a wonderful luncheon is prepared for the teachers, and drinks and morning and afternoon snacks are provided each day of this extraordinary week.

The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)   

Book Fair

The Book Fair chairperson works with our Vice Principal and Scholastic representative to determine school needs and schedule the book fair dates, is responsible for setting up and taking down the book fair, and recruits volunteers to work at the book fair.

In addition, the chair organizes teachers’ wish lists, creates and sends out flyers to teachers and parents, and provides decorations for the book fair. Volunteers are needed to assist the chairperson with the duties above, and to work 3-4 hour shifts at the fair. Shift work includes taking in money, helping kids find books that match their reading skills and the amount of money they brought with them. Volunteers also help keep books straightened and keep the area clean.

The 2011-12 Chairperson is Ilona Armstrong ilona_armstrong@hotmail.com 770-496-5859.

Scholastic Books

The goal of the Scholastic Books Committee is to assist the teachers with ordering scholastic books and getting them delivered to the students. The chairperson distributes a schedule of orders for the year, prepares a materials packet for each volunteer every month and sends out reminder e-mails when it is time to order the next cycle of books.

Ideally, there should be a volunteer for each grade level (pre-K through 5th grade). The grade level volunteer prepares the student magazines (from the materials packet) and gets them to the classrooms, Collects the orders the following week, Places the orders for the students and delivers the books to the classroom when they arrive 1-2 weeks later. There is an order placed each month with the exception of December and May.

The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)   

Room Representatives

Being a room parent (or grandparent :-)) is one of the most gratifying volunteer positions. Everyone is always happy to see you. The room parents are responsible for planning and coordinating activities and refreshments for the 3 official parties: Holiday, Valentine and year-end. Also, the room parent distributes volunteer sheets at the open house in Aug. in their class. Finally, the room parent plans a small celebration (class card, flowers, treat) for your teacher's birthday. A modest budget is provided by the PTA and all refreshments are provided by the parents.

The 2011-12 Chairperson: Lisa Stone   

Fall Gift Wrap Fundraiser

The fall gift wrap program is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year.  Volunteers are needed to collect and distribute orders.

The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)   

Spirit Wear

The Spirit Wear Committee organizes the sale of SRE spirit wear to parents and students, in addition to keeping track of inventory, and ordering spirit wear. Volunteers are needed to help one day per month with sales, and also to track inventory and place orders as necessary.

The 2011-12 Chairperson: Amysta Harlan

School Beautification

The PTA undertakes beautification of both the building and the campus. The Grounds Committee enhances the work of the county and school custodians, insuring that the ten acre school property is maintained at a level appropriate to the neighborhood standards. A special school park maintenance crew maintains the school park. Attractive school grounds along with a find building facility provide a high-quality setting for our children's educational experience. The PTA is also involved in painting scenes on the walls and decorating for holidays.

 The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)  

Sip’n Nibble

All Holiday in Smoke Rise shoppers have to take at least five minutes out of their busy shopping and eat! Sip-N-Nibble is the place to stop and get sandwiches, drinks, and snacks. Volunteers sign up to work an hour or two to help sell food to the hungry shoppers. All proceeds to go the Smoke Rise PTA.

The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)   

Night in Smoke Rise

Our annual fall event is a time to get together to renew old friendships, make new ones, and to just have fun! The festival hosts an array of activities for students and parents. Bring a picnic dinner, spread out your blanket, relax, and enjoy a Night at Smoke Rise.  Volunteers are needed to publicize, set up, serve, and break down the event.

The 2011-12 Chairperson is Karen Weitzel dishatlanta@gmail.com 678-325-3781.

Spirit Nights

The Spirit Nights Committee schedules spirit night fundraisers with local restaurants and publicizes these events to parents, teachers, and the Smoke Rise community.  Volunteers are needed to promote events and attend spirit nights and collect receipts from parents.

The 2011-12 Chairperson: April Blount 

Box Tops for Education

The Box Tops for Education Committee publicizes this FREE and exciting way for our school to earn money.  In addition, the committee creates and oversees student incentives for bringing in Box Tops, collects and tallies Box Tops, and mails Box Tops to the national collection center.

The 2011-12 Chairpersons are Leslie Hoyer leslie.hoyer@bellsouth.net 770-939-0630 and Robin Philpot rphilpot03@yahoo.com 770-938-6447.

Honors

The honors committee works closely with the Assistant Principal to organize the awards given to students at the end of each semester. An honors award program/assembly is produced in January and at the end of the school year to recognize outstanding student achievement in many areas.

 The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)  

 Newsletter

The information committee is in charge of preparing and distributing the PTA newsletter and the Student Newsletter, the newsletters contain valuable information about upcoming events and student accomplishments. The newsletters are one of the main avenues of communication from the school to the Smoke Rise families.

The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)   

School/Business Directory

The Smoke Rise directory is a current list of student addresses and telephone numbers. It lists students, teachers, and administrators, and other school employees, and provides a calendar of events for the Smoke Rise School, which helps students and parents plan acitivities and vacations.

The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)   

Yearbook

The Yearbook volunteers put together a wonderful keepsake that highlights the year at Smoke Rise. All parents who take great pictures of their kids and their friends at school automatically become volunteers for the yearbook committee! We encourage you to share your "doubles" when you attend a field trip, Olympics, Night at Smoke Rise, or one of those classroom parties.

The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)   

PTA Membership

The Parent/Teacher Association (PTA) is the largest volunteer advocacy group for children in the United States. The PTA's mission is to support and speak for all children and youth in the schools, in the community, and before our governmental bodies. Smoke Rise Elementary strives for 100% (number of students enrolled plus number of teachers) PTA membership. Everyone can join - moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, and community members. Remember, only PTA members can vote at PTA board and general meetings.

The 2011-12 Chairpersons are Celena and Curtis Evans cle665@hotmail.com .

Career Week

Students have the opportunity to learn about the many careers/professions in our communities. Parents and community volunteers come into the classrooms to talk about their jobs and share real life experiences with eager learners.

The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)   

Holiday In Smoke Rise

Smoke Rise is well known around the southeast (and believe it or not, the southwest!) for its fantastic holiday craft show, now in its 28th year. For one day, Smoke Rise is transformed into a crafter's delight! Qualified crafters rent space from Smoke Rise and display their works of art. The show is held on the first Saturday in December from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Don't miss it! Mark your calendars now!

Holiday in Smoke Rise is now sponsored by the Smoke Rise Elementary Foundation.   Please visit their website at www.holidayinsmokerise.com, or contact them at holidayinsmokerise@gmail.com

Publicity/Public Relations

This committee is charged with keeping the community informed about events and successes at Smoke Rise. Members handle public service announcements and press releases, coordinate contributions to the Smoke Signal, the neighborhood newspaper, maintain the school sign, and recognize the "Volunteer of the Month".

The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)   

Fifth Grade Events

Throughout the year, the graduating classes at Smoke Rise participate in several events designed especially for them. These events, coordinated by a parent committee, include a Valentine's Day Dance, Promotion and Recognition Ceremonies, and a Promotion and Recognition Dinner.

 The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)   

Science Fair/Science Club

The mission of this PTA committee is to make science come alive. Students participate in county and state-wide science enrichment programs such as the Science Fair. Students research, plan, and carry out scientific experiments on a topic of their choice and prepare the results of their findings on presentation boards that are mounted in the cafeteria. Students learn the scientific method and presentation skills, and gain an enormous sense of accomplishment. PTA volunteers are needed to staff the science fair and provide guidance for science projects.

The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)   

Reflections

This National PTA cultural arts program features competition in the Arts. Students in grades Pre-K through fifth grade may submit entries in four categories: visual arts, photography, music, and literature. Entries are judged at the school level and the winners are entered into the regional and state competitions. Smoke Rise students have been quite successful over the years, having won several state competitions. Volunteers are needed to collect and judge the entries and to coordinate the regional and state entries

The 2011-12 Chairperson: (open)   

Spanish Club

Mr. Garcia 678-874-3644 william_D_garcia@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Olympic Day

Coach Kearney 678-874-3663 kathy_I_kearney@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us