Blogs

January 25, 2014

Arne Duncan Calls for Involved Parents

Arne Duncan’s message and the involved parents who change children’s lives The Education Secretary Arne Duncan has called for involved and demanding parents in schools for our children to get a better education. That is easier said than done. In the more socio-economically advantaged communities, with more educated and well-to-do parents, children thrive due to the atmosphere at home and an active school community. Let me give you an example of an inspiring and involved PTA parent I have got to know personally. This Mom of three, from an upper middle class town in New Jersey is involved in almost every PTA fundraiser, whether it is the ‘Turkey Trot’ or the massive printed directory effort for 1,500 families at her son’s middle school.  However, this Mom goes above and beyond the usual fundraising. When Ruby learned how children with disabilities were teased or bullied by others at schools, she recognized that […]
January 24, 2014

Clear The Clutter, A New Year Resolution!

The first month of the new year is almost ending. I am trying hard to get a start on one of my new year resolutions -  to organize all of our book shelves. One of the books that always gets lost in there is our school directory. Do you have the same problem in finding the school directory in your book shelf?
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, […]