PTA SPONSORED PROGRAMS |
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| In each grade, every child is expected to achieve proficiency in all of the areas described in the State Content Standards. At least one benchmark project will be assigned in each grade that will provide an opportunity for each child to demonstrate his/her level of competence in several areas. | |
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CLASSROOM INSTRUCTIONAL AIDES The Webster PTA provides each teacher with the opportunity to hire an instructional aide to assist in the classroom. The ability to delegate some classroom duties enables the teacher to focus on teaching, to the advantage of the entire class. The number of hours per week funded varies by class size. This use of PTA funds has been strongly supported by the Webster parents and staff. PARENT VOLUNTEERS The enthusiastic involvement of parents at school is a vital and vibrant tradition at Webster. Parent volunteers assist with many classroom activities, as well as with PTA programs. Time commitments begin at a few hours each month. Choose your own area of interest or expertise, and contact your child’s classroom teacher or a PTA representative. The rewards for your child, yourself, and your school are great! CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, MATERIALS AND FIELD TRIPS Our teachers receive PTA funds to purchase curriculum-related supplies and materials for the classroom. This financial supplement enables them to obtain instructional kits, speakers, and other enhancements for projects that go beyond the traditional course of study. The PTA also supplements the cost of field trips related to classroom study. Scholarships are available to ensure that no student is denied participation due to financial need. TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM Every classroom at Webster is equipped with several computers that are woven into many facets of the teacher’s curriculum on a daily basis. All have CD ROM and Internet capabilities. Our Computer Lab is equipped with 25 iBooks, and the library includes a six-computer on-line and CD ROM research center. PTA funds new hardware and software, and provides each class with computer training in the lab. Planet Bravo provides our computer lab instructor and curriculum. ART STUDIO This program exposes each Webster student to the fine arts, including instruction in technique, discussion of related artists, and hands-on art production. Our PTA-funded teacher, with a background in both art and education, presents a series of projects that integrate art and other curricular areas, with each class participating in every project. In the spring, the students’ work will be displayed in a school-wide art show. GARDENING ANGELS PROGRAM Taking place in gardens scattered all over the Webster campus, this program provides hands-on gardening experiences for students and parent volunteers. Our PTA-funded instructor has added structured lesson plans to the bi-weekly sessions made available to each Kindergarten – 3rd grade class. This program incorporates math, science, recycling and responsibility. LIBRARY ENRICHMENT Funds for new book purchases, including reference materials and software, are made available through the PTA’s Direct Contribution Drive, the Book Fair, and the Adopt-A-Book program featured at Open House and every year on your child’s birthday! (See librarian for details.) SAFETY There are several committees dedicated to improving the health and safety of Webster students. One group of parent volunteers directs morning traffic daily to expedite drop-offs and to keep our kids safe. Others volunteer to help supervise the cafeteria and playground during lunch. Disaster preparedness, nutrition and pesticide use have also been addressed by the PTA. New issues and concerns will receive attention as needed. For example, we are designating the drop-off area as a “No Cell Phone” zone! MULTICULTURAL DINNER AND ART SHOW Each year the PTA organizes a grand international pot luck dinner, with a dish reflecting the cultural heritage of your family as the only price of admission. The annual art show takes place the same evening, making it one of the most popular events of the year. PARENT EDUCATION The PTA sponsors lectures and discussions on topics related to parenting and education. Assistance to parents with childrearing issues is a top priority of the Webster PTA and the California State PTA. SITE GOVERNANCE COUNCIL The Webster Site Governance Council is a shared decision making body created by the Board of Education to maintain a formal and effective procedure for forming and implementing policies which promote the vision of the school and reflect the District’s goals. The council is comprised of a mandated ratio of parents, teachers and other staff, all of whom have been elected to serve a 2 year term. CHARACTER COUNTS The CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition is a nonpartisan alliance of educational and nonprofit organizations that work together to strengthen the character of young people by advocating consensus ethical values that transcend political, religious, class and ethnic divisions. These values, called the “Six Pillars of Character” are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. The Webster Site Governance Council joined this alliance in 1999. The result is an ongoing effort by Webster parents and staff to integrate character education into programs at school and into family life at home. COMMUNITY SERVICE In-class and after school projects organized and implemented by parents and teachers put the Character Counts values into action. Last year Webster all Webster students wrote holiday cards and letters to American soldiers serving overseas. This year, they will clean beaches, rescue animals, collect and donate books and feed the poor, interact with special needs children through Shane’s Inspiration among other projects. |