Dear 2011-2012 New and Returning Butler Families,

The Butler PTA welcomes you to a new school year! We want to introduce you to the invaluable role that we play in supporting Butler and your child’s education, and strongly encourage you to become a member.

Just as an example here are some highlights from last year:

Top 10 Reasons to join the Butler PTA:

1. Help your child. Research shows that children whose parents are involved in their school perform better academically and have fewer disciplinary problems.
2. Improve the school. Last year, the Butler PTA provided more than $4000 worth of books and materials for classrooms, reimbursed $3500 of teacher educational expenses, and $3200 for principal priorities. We also provided a teacher/staff appreciation lunch.
3. Get connected. At PTA meetings, you’ll hear all about important school and student issues from Principal McAllister, teachers, PTA officers, as well as community leaders.
4. Make friends. The PTA is a diverse group of parents unified by strong interest in enriching their child’s education. We make great friends!
5. Improve your school IQ. Do you know the Principal, the School Nurse, School Psychologist or the Guidance Counselor? Each made presentations at PTA meetings last year.
6. Be heard. The PTA is a great forum for exchanging ideas to improve our school. Last year, the PTA voted to allocate $8000 for interactive white boards to bring state of the art technology to our classrooms.
7. It’s Fun! You’ll be a big hit with the kids when you are the PTA representative handing out popsicles, a scoop of ice cream, or a free book.
8. Be a role model. You'll show your child the value (and fun) of giving back to the community at events like the school yard clean up and electronics recycling day.
9. It’s Flexible. There are many ways to contribute. Joining does not obligate you to volunteer or attend meetings, although we hope you will!
10. We need you! Without you and your financial support, there will be no Library Night, Game Night, Movie Night, Color Day, or field trips. Last year, the PTA spent more than $8500 on in-school enrichment activities for our students, including Habitat presentations, Tanglewood Marrionettes, Blue Hills Observatory kite making, David Coffin’s musical workshop as well as field trips to Davis Farmland, the Zoo, the Nutcracker, Plimoth Plantation, the State Capitol, Museum of Science, Harvard Museum of Natural History, and more.

Just as importantly, Butler is known for its great sense of community. The PTA helps create that spirit with the events it sponsors. As Principle, Mike McAllister stated:

"Some of the highlights of our year are the direct result of the PTA: the Art Show where our students are able to showcase their creativity, the Talent Show where we see a display of incredible abilities, and the International Fair where the entire community comes together to celebrate the diversity of this small school. We are appreciative of the opportunities the PTA provides to celebrate what is special about the Butler School community."

This year, it is important to know that the school budget that was passed is well below what the Superintendent says is needed for the system to run at maximum capacity. For Butler that means cuts in supplies (textbook and classroom materials) and programs (specifically the library). This year, the PTA is more crucial than ever to maintain the standards we expect for our student’s quality of education. Join us to help communicate YOUR needs to the school administration and to learn directly from the Principle and teachers what THEY need to do the best job they can for our children.