If our budget goals are met, PTA plans to provide/fund several fun and educational programs for our students this year.
Programs include:
Big Thinkers Science Exploration - PTA is bringing in Big Thinkers Science Exploration to host 2 assemblies (first grade and kindergarten). Big Thinkers offers a variety of different age appropriate programs, and right now we are leaning towards the "Air Up There" show. During the assembly the students will learn about the properties of air and air pressure through experiments such as The Smoke Ring Cannon, Rocket Balloons, Floating Beach Balls, and the Hovercraft. Our goal with this program is to not only teach the kids about air but also to encourage them to think about science in a fun and exciting way. UPDATE: The show was a big hit! The kids had a blast and learned a lot!
Cultural Arts Day - During Cultural Arts Day the school and PTA bring in different members of the community to share their artistic talents with the children. A few of the goals of Cultural Arts day are : * Integrate art into the teaching and learning process, enhancing the educational climate of the school. *Develop an appreciation of the visual and performing arts in all students. * Demonstrate how specific art forms have impacted our cultural heritage.* Increase the awareness of careers in art * Foster quality art education in the school. *Implement the GA Curriculum Standards for teaching: 1. Artistic skills and knowledge. 2. Historical and cultural context. 3. Critical analysis and aesthetic understanding. 4 Connections
Doughnuts For Dads - Studies show that positive male involvement has a tremendous impact on a child's education. In an effort to increase male involvement at the school, PTA plans to host Doughnuts for Dads. On the designated day, fathers (and any other men in the child's life i.e., grandfathers, brothers, uncles, etc.) are asked to bring their children to school a little early and have breakfast with them in the cafeteria. PTA will be providing the coffee and doughnuts. This is a free program designed to encourage men to take an active role in the education of their little ones.
Family Movie Night - This is another program that PTA plans to offer free of charge to all of our families. Families would bring blankets, chairs, picnics etc. to the school where we will show an age appropriate movie outside on the lawn. Kind of like "Movies Under the Stars" that many area parks and rec. centers offer during the summer. The goal is promote family togetherness and to do so in a school setting.
Field Day - Field Day promotes and celebrates physical fittness in all children by encouraging them to stay active and be healthy.
Math and Technology Night - UPDATE: Due to several generous donations, PTA funds were not requested to sponsor this event. Thank you to those who donated items and to those who attended. Your support helped ensure that the Math and Technology Department's evening was a success.
Million Words - The Million Words Campaign is a school wide, year long, event that promotes reading skills, and a love of reading in the entire student body. Parents are encouraged to read to their children often and every time a student reads a book or has a book read to them
they document that book in their reading log. Books read in the classroom are counted also. Any book counts! The goal for 1st grade is to read 720 books and for kindergarten the goal is 540. At the end of the school year, there is a giant celebration to congratulate all of the million word readers for reaching such a lofty goal.
Newsletter - The McCall Primary newsletter, The Flutter, is PTA sponsored. The newsletter is published online the first Friday of every month with a paper/take home version going out 4 times a year. The newsletter serves as an important way for parents to stay informed about upcoming events at the school and also serves as a way for teachers to recognize student achievement on a school wide level.
Party Animals Atlanta - Party Animals Atlanta provides a hands-on, fun, and educational animal encounter for the children. The owner of Party Animals Atlanta has a degree in Zoology, worked as a Fisheries Biologist for the National Park Service, and has worked for Zoo Atlanta. PTA is currently working with him to provide 2 one hour assemblies at McCall where he will bring 12-15 animals ( reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, and mammals). During the programs every child will get a hands on experience with at least 2 animals and learn important facts about the animals and where they come from. For example: children will learn the difference between nocturnal and diurnal animals. Some of the information taught during the program is information on the CRCT for higher grade levels.
P.O.C.A Day - McCall is a highly diversified school, we have students from all around the world! This year PTA will host our first ever P.O.C.A DAY! P.O.C.A stands for Peers for Ongoing Cultural Awareness. During the week of P.O.C.A Day, PTA will provide each child with take- home materials to make a "sign" about their own cultural heritage. This will be a family project to help each child learn about their own families culture. The 'signs' can be decorated with pictures, drawings, etc. that represent the child's personal culture. On P.O.C.A Day the children will have a mini parade around the school where they can share and display their signs. P.O.C.A Day is designed to help children understand their own family history as well as learn about that of their peers.
Spring and Winter Musicals - The Spring and Winter Musicals are designed to showcase the musical talents of all of the students at McCall. We have a wonderful music department and the Musicals provide a way for the children to share what they have learned throughout the year with families and friends.
The programs that PTA has planned for this year involve math, science, technology, art, music, reading, history, and physical fitness. Each program is designed to reach every child in the school.
If we meet our budget goals we will be able to provide all of these programs this year.
PTA is an all volunteer organization and would love your help! If you would like to volunteer to be on any of our committees, or would like to help with any of the programs this year, please email us at mccallpta@gmail.com, subject: Volunteer.
