WHAT IS DENALI PTA AND MAC?

Denali PTA and Denali MAC are two separate organizations that each share a mutual goal of enriching the school community through their many and varied programs. All those who are interested in and involved with Denali School may participate in the activities of either or both organizations.

MAC, in keeping with its main mission, specifically works to provide the necessary Montessori materials and trainings that make our school unique in the Anchorage School District.”

 

WHO IS DENALI PTA?

The Denali PTA consists of involved adult family members and school personnel, governed by an elected volunteer Board and appointed volunteer committee chairs, all working together for the benefit of the school and our students.  All those adults involved in the Denali School community are encouraged to join PTA and attend the monthly meetings. Membership is required for voting purposes but everyone is welcome at the meetings. The Denali Principal also is actively involved with PTA and presents an updated school report at the monthly meetings as well as providing relevant input regarding pertinent issues at other PTA discussions involving any faculty/staff/student topics as they relate to the PTA programs at the school.

The purposes of the PTA are to promote the welfare of the children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship, to raise the standards of home life, to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth, to bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth, and to develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education.

The mission of the PTA is to support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community, and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children, to assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children, and to encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.

WHO IS MAC?

The Montessori Advisory Committee (MAC) consists of all parents, step-parents and guardians of the students enrolled at Denali Montessori Elementary School as well as Denali’s teachers and principal. Membership is automatic and there is no membership fee. Each member has one vote at meetings of the committee and at elections.

WHEN DOES PTA/MAC MEET?

All parents and guardians are welcome and encouraged to attend PTA/MAC meetings which are held monthly, the second Wednesday, 6:30-8:00 PM except in December and March.  See the Denali Calendar for specific dates and times.

WHO ARE THE 2010-2011 PTA OFFICERS?

President:  John Tichotsky, phone:  440-4701 email:   jtichotsky@alaska.com
Vice-President:  Cindy Ljubicich
Secretary:   Janice Banta
Treasurer:  Marissa Cason

WHO ARE THE MAC OFFICERS?

Chair:  Cindy Franklin
Vice-Chairs:  Dione White
Secretaries:  Susie Dosik
Treasurers:  Stephanie Lyken

WHAT DOES PTA DO?

PTA: Denali Montessori PTA sponsors a variety of annual extracurricular programs, activities and events aimed at enriching the K-6 experience for students. Some of these programs include Denali Community Schools, The Back-to-School Picnic, the Fall and Spring Book Fairs, the Spelling Bee, Battle of the Books, The Geography Bee, our annual Fall Carnival, Cross Country Running, Artist in Residence and the Science Fair. All proceeds from fundraisers and the annual PTA memberships (dues) are put back into the school for the benefit of all of the Denali students. PTA works closely with staff to determine how funds need to be spent. We welcome input from parents at our monthly meetings. Check the Denali Calendar for dates and times.

PTA is always looking for volunteers! For this year, we are in great need of interested people (parents, middle and high school aged siblings, grandparents, friends) who have time during the school day to come in and read one-on-one with our school children.

WHAT DOES MAC DO:

FUNDRAISE
MAC’s primary function is to organize and sponsor fundraisers in order to purchase Montessori materials, supplies and books for the classrooms. The Montessori materials necessary for a Montessori education are not paid for by the Anchorage School District. In addition, funds are used to partially reimburse teachers for Montessori certification training as well as other teacher training and development.

MAC fundraisers/community events are held throughout the year and include: Innisbrook , the Denali Directory (released first quarter), the Fall and Spring Fund Drive, the Barnes and Noble Book Fair (the Saturday after Thanksgiving), Holiday Night and Gift Basket Auction (December), eScrip and Movie Nights. Remember to check the “PAW PRINTS” Newsletter for upcoming events. If you have a suggestion for a MAC sponsored fundraiser or community event, or know of a possible corporate sponsor, please let us know!

eScript is an easy way to raise funds for Denali. Register your Carrs/Safeway card and the store will automatically contribute a percentage of your purchase to Denali’s account. Click here and designate “Denali Montessori Elementary” as your Group. Our Group ID is 500005901.

ORDER AND DISTRIBUTE MONTESSORI MATERIALS FOR THE CLASSROOMS
MAC orders and distributes classroom materials based upon classroom needs as determined by the teachers.

COORDINATE VOLUNTEERS
Parents/Guardians play an important role in the success of the Denali Montessori program. Families are encouraged to volunteer throughout the year. MAC works closely with the PTA, teachers and administration to expand volunteerism and to match school needs with individual parents/guardian skills and availability. There are many different ways to volunteer your Time, Talent or Treasure. For example:

• Volunteer in the Classroom. Your child’s teacher will let you know how and when you can help.  Listening to students read, stuffing Thursday folders, giving spelling tests, chaperoning field trips, and making copies and materials in the workroom are some of the ways you might be able to help.
• Volunteer from Home: Often there are projects, such as gluing, stapling, and cutting, that can be done at home in the evenings.
• Volunteer at an Event or Fundraiser.
• Volunteer in the Library. If you arrive to pick your child up from school 20 or 30 minutes early (to get that coveted parking space), consider shelving books instead of waiting in your car.
• Make financial contributions or directly purchase materials and supplies.
• Attend MAC/PTA meetings.

OTHER MAC ACTIVITIES include coordinating the Alternative School Fair; assisting the administration with school promotion; coordinating the Spring Lottery Tours; tracking, ordering and distributing classroom materials; coordinating parent education nights; updating the school handbook; and organizing the year-end picnic. MAC’s Purpose and By-laws are set forth in the Denali Montessori Handbook.

The MAC officers are looking forward to working with you this year to further enhance our already wonderful Montessori program. If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact us by email, MAC@denalischool.org, or drop a note in our box located in the work room next to the office.

DENALI WEBSITE
Don’t forget to register your email on the school website, denalischool.org, to receive automatic emails when new information is posted on the website.  The Denali website has lots of information and is maintained by volunteers.

See also MAC Bylaws and Denali PTA Bylaws

Forward to Library Resources

Back to Montessori Handbook index