That’s what we need to hear from Middle School Parents. Sure there’s less to do in terms of helping in class as our kids get older (although many teachers still need occasional help in class and on field trips). But help is still needed to chaperone Playday and evening dances, assist with a variety of fundraisers – car washes, rummage sale, pizza and tee shirt sales, plan events like the science fair and the eighth grade class trip and commencement activities. Help is needed on weekdays, evening and weekends. If everyone donates just a few hours of their time, we can achieve so much for you kids. Contact your child’s grade level representative and ask what you can do to help.

The Sierra Madre School PTA Board and Middle School Advocates are both dedicated to enhancing the experience of students on our campuses and encouraging parent/student/teacher interaction. These groups meet on the first Monday of most months in the Upper Campus Library: The MSA meets at 5:30 pm, and the PTA meets at 6:30 pm.

The Middle School Advocates consists of parents who serve as Grade Level Representatives for sixth, seventh and eighth grade as well as other interested parents. It is lead by Ruth Richardson and it focuses on events, interactions and experiences at the Middle School. This group identifies needs, plans dances and rummage sales, and finds ways to involve Middle School students, such as those in the Service Club, in the life of our community.

The Sierra Madre PTA Board consists of an Executive Committee and a number of Board chairpeople responsible for particular functions on both the Lower and Upper campuses such as book fairs, community programs, newsletter, membership, website, etc. The full board consists of nearly 30 people.

The meetings of both groups are regular business meetings with specific agendas, business and next steps identified. This year, we have added a brief, program portion to our PTA Board meetings.

Already this year at different meetings, Ms. Wamboldt told us about the Art Docents program; Mr. Newsome shared information about the Middle School; Mrs. Snow helped us understand the Sierra Madre Environmental Action Committee, and Ms. Bickel outlined the science requirements at the elementary school.

Parents and community members are welcome to attend either MSA or PTA Board meetings to watch, to listen or to become more involved.