Dear Families of Mt. Washington Elementary School,
It’s hard to believe the school year is almost
over! So much has been
accomplished this year that should be celebrated. Our children have exceeded academic expectations, achieving
a record 908 API score, in spite of a tough economic environment, placing us
among the top 10% of schools in the State. Our school was recently honored as a California
Distinguished School, a four-year honor that recognizes consistent signature
practices including dedication to the arts, advanced and gifted studies, parent
involvement, and the list goes on.
Dedicated teachers, staff, and parents have supported the many programs
that enrich our students to excel and make our school the wonderful, diverse
and unique PUBLIC SCHOOL that it is.
We are facing the toughest times ahead. Mt. Washington Elementary School will
undergo a devastating budget cut next year. Our operating budget (excluding teacher salaries) will be cut
from $114,000 to $9,400 for 2012-2013 school year. The state and district have abandoned
our school and students by eliminating fundamental services, programs and basic
school needs that we all depend on.
The responsibility to keep our
school successful and a safe learning environment has (sadly) fallen upon us. Therefore, the Mt. Washington Elementary School PTA is
making the strongest of pleas to our community to get involved and help meet
our fundraising goals in order to support our school and children.
Next year’s programs, which make our school amazing and elevate our students to high achievements, will be eliminated unless we
find funding. Although we achieved nearly $35,000 in PTA fundraising
for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, and another $30,000 via FOMWS, we are nowhere near the extreme deficit to fund
the programs and resources currently in place. To make this more real, we stand to lose: all Teacher’s
Aides ($49,668), Library Aides ($11,605), Computer Aides ($8,278),
Recess/Lunch Supervision ($12,307),
all VAPA programs - vocal, drama, dance ($29,289),
Orchestra ($19,525), Accelerated Reader
& Math ($7,083), Focus Fish P.E. ($12,083),
LAUSD P.E. ($9,763), “Beyond the Bell” afterschool program ($12,192), Intervention ($6,720), Family Learning Nights
($4,600), field trip buses ($5,250), technology supplies and services -
copiers, duplo, printers, projectors, ink, etc. – ($10,000), even BASIC
instructional supplies ($16,000), not to mention any of the “nice-to-haves” –
all things considered would total nearly
$220,000 in funding needed.
Last month, parents and teachers were invited to participate in a survey in order to prioritize the needs of our diverse
community. The results of this
survey will be the main consideration for prioritization of funding. The harsh reality is most programs will
be eliminated. Our fundraising
efforts, although admirable and applauded, will only go so far. Thank you for entrusting your PTA, in
partnership with the administration, to ensure your money is put to the best
use.
Our mountain has always come through for our children and your donations have driven the educational standards and
environment our children enjoy today.
We need your commitment now more than ever. Our children came up with the slogan, “Dreaming the
impossible…and making it happen!”
Let’s help them dream bigger and achieve higher. They deserve nothing less and we ALL need to help make it happen.
To donate, please write a check payable to Mt. Washington Elementary PTA by June 8th, drop
it off or mail it to the office with this downloadable form, or donate via
credit card online at www.mwpta.org/donate. All donations are greatly appreciated
and 100% tax deductible. This is an investment that will last a
lifetime.
Thank you for support and partnership.
Sincerely,
Ariella
Roberts, PTA President and
Sharen
Steele Herran, PTA VP
Ways & Means
