Blogs

January 19, 2014

LCJSMS Changes Student Directory to Online Format with MobileArq

The new web-based and mobile tool, developed by a local mom, changes district communication How are parents at Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School taking advantage of the new PTO-provided web-based and mobile student directory since it was made available to them last September? MobileArq, the brainchild of Summit resident Niru Mallavarupu, a parent at LCJSMS, has changed the way parents contact each other. MobileArq allows parents to be better organized, and helps them become more engaged in the school community, Mallavarupu said.The mobile and online apps allow parents to communicate more easily with each other and with the school.   Gone are the days, she said, where parents have trouble locating the elusive directory that never is where it should be, and having to purchase extra copies for the car.   In September 2013, instead of receiving a traditional directory, parents were told to sign up for the online […]
November 7, 2013

Top Ten Fundraisers for PTAs and PTOs

10. Offer your PTA Members year-round activities for a membership fee that will help them come together as a community. 9. A Silent auction is a great way to raise funds through items donated by the families in the school community. 8. Find a cause that is relevant to your community and have members rally around it. 7. Having a fun walk or 5K run for a cause will help raise funds for the PTA and the school. 6. A Family Fair that is held on a weekend is a great fund raiser during the winter months. 5. A Bingo night with basket raffles is a a great fund raiser 4. Holiday gift sales with a markup on gifts bought in bulk with online discounts. 3. Bake Sales and Cake walks with cakes donated by families in the school is a great targeted fund raiser. 2. Partnering with food companies, […]
August 25, 2013

Westport Little Leaguers make it to the World-Series Final

Congratulations to the Westport Little Leaguers who have made it to the World Series Final!!! http://www.westportnow.com/index.php?/v2_5/comments/44963/ http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/llws/2013/08/24/chula-vista-california-westport-connecticut-little-league-world-series-llws-williamsport/2695957/ MobileArq will be released to all of the parents in Westport, CT this September.¬† The Westport District wide MobileArq Directory will be a very useful tool for parents of the Little Leaguers for connecting easily with other parents and arranging carpools anytime anywhere.  
August 18, 2013

PTA/PTO Directory Chair’s critical role

You care deeply about your child’s school and PTA/PTO activities. You are dedicated, have organizational skills and you want to make a difference. That is why you volunteered to become Directory Chair, taking on the responsibility of compiling this year’s school directory. Now, you have a headache, because the process is tedious, wrought with inefficiencies, and demanding. Here are a few sources of headaches for any parent involved in the directory creation process.   1. Collecting Information from Families Some parents never send in their forms. You can’t blame them, though, considering the multitude of forms they are asked to fill out every year by the school. The Directory Chair goes after each parent/family to collect the forms. 2. Typing, Formatting, Editing, Checking all the Information The pile of filled-out address forms is sitting on your desk. Now it’s time for you and your team of dedicated volunteers to type […]