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Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTA plays an active role in building the community at Withers through fundraising, planning events and countless hours of volunteer work both on and off campus. General meetings are typically held on the fourth Tuesday of each month (check the calendar for specific dates). These meetings consist of a brief overview of upcoming PTA activities, followed by a speaker presentation or student group performance. The LAC sells pizza at the school before all general PTA meetings, and the whole family is encouraged to attend. Executive Board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of most months at 7:00 p.m. in the library. These meetings are a time when information is shared and decisions are made regarding PTA programs. Everyone is invited to attend these meetings.
The cost to join the PTA supports efforts at the school such as the school directory, newsletter, the PTA website and other overhead costs to support PTA sponsored programs. These programs include TakeYour Family to School Week, the Boo Hoo Breakfast for Kindergarten parents, the Kindergarten Step Up Program, the Variety Show, Paw Paw Palooza, Little Bookworms, Art Day and Field Day.
Dads’ Club (Club de Papas)The Dads’ Club at Withers literally does the heavy lifting in the volunteer department. They sponsor a Back to School picnic, the Fall Carnival and help organize the Spring Auction. They also work with PTA and LAC on several other school events and activities. The Dads’ Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. There is no cost to join the Dads’ Club.
Latin Advisory Council (LAC)
This organization consists of Spanish speaking family members who want to volunteer at the school. Working in conjunction with the PTA, the LAC helps to raise funds and provide volunteers at school functions. The LAC plays a vital role in communicating the needs of the Spanish speaking families and their students. Each month, the LAC runs the pizza sales before the PTA meetings at 6:00 p.m. They also sponsor the Cinco de Mayo luncheon during Teacher Appreciation Week, organize the Holiday Basket Raffle, sell tamales, and volunteer at school events such as Field Day in the spring. The LAC meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 8:15 a.m. in the auditorium.
Site Based Decision Making Committee (SBDM)
This committee includes the principal, parents, teachers, community members and campus staff. There are no dues. This committee is required by the state of Texas, and all minutes and agendas are posted in the front office. The objective of the committee is to improve student performance and to enhance accountability. The committee works together to assess the educational outcomes of all students, determine goals and strategies and ensure that strategies are implemented and adjusted to improve student achievement. This is a great place for volunteers who want to help make decisions that will improve the campus. This group meets on the last Tuesday of every month in the Library from 4:30-5:30. Everyone is welcome; including community members that do not have children at the school. This group promises to have fun while working.
Classroom and Grade Level Volunteers
Each classroom needs a room parent. Typically, people have signed up for those spots during Meet the Teacher. However, there are still plenty of opportunities to help with the students including holiday parties, field trips, Field Day and Variety Show. The lower grades may also need more hands-on assistance during the regular day, ie: cafeteria assistance. If you are interested in helping the classroom please make sure you have completed and submitted the DISD Volunteer Form (via Withers PTA website). Then send a note with your contact information and the type of help you would like to provide to your homeroom teacher. It will be forwarded to the room parent so that when needs arise, you will be “in the loop.”