Pathfinder K-8 PTSA

Find information about fundraisers at the PTSA Fundraising Page

Congratulations to This Year’s New Officers! 

PTSA Leadership for 2007-08 School Year:

Co-Presidents:  Eric Baer & Heidi Jindrich

Vice President:  Jennifer Giomi

Secretary:  Jean Hamilton      

Treasurer:  Wendy Nathan

Members-at-Large:  Michael Harris, Akemi Hart, Joey Harvey, Sarah Kelly, Laurie Reinhardt, Scott Rose, Elliott Toler-Scott 

Welcome to Pathfinder K-8 PTSA!  

Our goals for the 2006-07 year were: 

Priority Goals: (this is what we worked to achieve)

• Enhanced student achievement
• Increased parent/family involvement and participation
• Advocacy for Pathfinder facilities within the community and the School Board/District

Focus Areas:  (this is how we will achieve our goals and create a positive environment)

We will accomplish these goals through community building efforts and raising funds for key programs that support these goals.  Ultimately, we will be successful by continuing to focus on: 

• Inclusion (proactive and welcoming culture to encourage ALL families, staff, students to participate)
• Involvement (increased number of volunteer hours and number of volunteers and participants in children’s learning)
• Communication (enhanced one- and two-way communication channels for information flow & input gathering)
• School Presence (good “PR” in the community for Pathfinder, active voice with the School Board and School District)  

Volunteer!
We invite and encourage all families to be involved.  Research indicates that parent involvement increases student achievement and success.  There are many opportunities for all families to build our school community through active participation in PTSA and school activities.  There is financial support available to cover PTSA membership.  Download the Membership Form and join today!  Please feel free to contact your PTSA Board any time. 

Pathfinder K-8 PTSA BOARD MEMBERS 2007-2008

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Pathfinder K-8 PTSA has a substantial financial commitment this year to fund or support a variety of programs and activities, including:

• All-School Vocal and Instrumental Music Programs
• Programs to increase student achievement (math tutoring, literacy)
• Professional Development for Staff
• Library, Art, PE, Music
• Camping Trips
• Family Support
• School Publications
• Teacher/Staff Appreciation
• Rita Buback Scholarship Fund  
• School Community Events (refreshments, materials, childcare)

Our financial commitment for 2006-07 was $94,451.  This includes a contingency fund to help cover the school budget should an enrollment shortfall occur.  (Update November 2006:  contingency fund was not needed by the school.)  There are many ways to help us reach our financial goals.  The eagerly-anticipated and very fun Pathfunder Auction is held in the spring and is our primary fundraiser.  We raised over $44,000 last year!  You can begin thinking NOW about how to help with procurement, attending, selling tickets, behind-the-scenes preparations, etc.  

Our back-to-school fundraiser, the Innisbrook Gift Wrap sales drive, raised over $6,300 last year!  That was our best year yet!  You can continue to purchase wrapping paper, ribbons, and gifts throughout the year by going to www.innisbrook.com and entering Pathfinder’s school code (104892).  Our school gets 50% of each sale!   Thanks to Ondine Toler-Scott and Joey Harvey for managing this project.

A Pathfinder tradition is our annual Wreath Making fundraiser.  Students, teachers, and lots of parents help to make and sell beautiful live wreaths, with all proceeds supporting Pathfinder’s renowned camping trips and other adventures.  Last year we raised over $7,000 for our outdoor education programs.  Many thanks to Laurie & Eric Reinhardt for leading this huge effort. 

We always welcome direct donations, of any amount, which are fully tax-deductible.  

Additionally, here are some other ways you can support Pathfinder throughout the year and in the normal course of your day-to-day life: 

Box Tops for Education:  remove the little pink “Box Tops for Education” label on hundreds of General Mills products and drop them in the box in the front lobby.  Pathfinder gets 10 cents per label.  You’ll be surprised how quickly those dimes turn into dollars! 

1% for Education:  Morgan St. Thriftway participates in this program.  All you have to do is save your receipts and bring them to school.  Drop them in the box in the front lobby, Pathfinder receives 1% of the total of all receipts!  Thank you to Maria Melendez for managing the Box Tops and 1% for Education programs!! 

Safeway eScrip:  Register your Safeway card number online and Pathfinder receives from 1-4% of all of your Safeway purchases automatically!  Go to www.escrip.com to learn more and to register!  Pathfinder is already enrolled as a registered group. 

Schoolpop:  This is an online shopping portal.  Register at www.schoolpop.com and launch the site before starting any of your online shopping.  Hundreds of major retailers and merchants participate in this program, where a percentage (up to 18%!) of your purchase goes directly to Pathfinder.  You can also participate “offline” by registering certain credit cards with Schoolpop or buying gift certificates or scrip; when you shop at their participating merchants your purchase is credited to Pathfinder. 

Target Visa:  Target’s Take Charge of Education Program provides a percentage of all purchases charged to the Target Visa card directly to Pathfinder.  The card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. 

Washington Mutual “Wa-Moola” Program:  Enroll in the program, use your Visa Check Card, and earn a point with every purchase you make.  At the end of the year, WaMu donates cash to Pathfinder!  It’s free, fast, and easy.  Look for brochures about this program in the front lobby of the school.  

Support Pathfinder Culture Studies Program!

Each year, the live auction features a segment where we raise our paddles to help “Fund-an-Item”.  This year, we focused on the enhancement of our Culture Studies program, honoring Native Cultures, at Pathfinder.  Our goal is to raise $12,000 (or more!) to enable more Artists-in-Residence and other hands-on experiences and opportunities for Pathfinder students (such as inviting Native Elders to meet with Clans, bringing in storytellers, crafts, dance, and other cultural experiences).   As of March 12, nearly $6,000 has been raised!  Thank you so much to our generous donors.  The PTSA is committed to funding this program and would like to be able to do so without cutting back on other funding requests.  If you would like to contribute, send your fully tax-deductible contribution to Pathfinder PTSA (5012 SW Genesee St.  Seattle 98116) and note on your check that your donation is to support Culture Studies.  Thank you!

PTSA Meeting Minutes 2007 - 2008 School Year

PTSA Board Meeting Minutes 8/14/2007

PTSA Board Meeting Minutes 9/10/2007

PTSA General Meeting Minutes 09/25/2007

PTSA Board Meeting Minutes 11/05/2007

PTSA Board Meeting Minutes 12/18/2007

PTSA Board Meeting Minutes 01/14/2007

PTSA General Meeting Minutes 01/29/2008

PTSA Board Meeting Minutes 02/11/2008

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