Next school year the Pathfinder PTSA is planning new family fun events, more parent education and better communications with families. And to make this all happen, we need YOU!

We are currently seeking volunteers for a number of PTSA board positions and events. They range in scope, focus area, and time commitment, so you really can find something that fits your schedule and interests. If you are ready to take the next step and help us launch some exciting new initiatives, please email PTSA President Susan Elderkin at president@pathfinderk8ptsa.org. She can send you additional information and talk with you about each of these positions and events.

Open PTSA Board Positions:

• Co-Treasurer: Do you have accounting, budget or other financial experience? We have one returning Treasurer, but need a second to share the duties. This is an elected Executive Board position.
• Vice President Communications & Fundraising: This is one of two new VP positions on the Executive Board, and one that we expect will help us communicate better with you next year. This VP will allow us to develop and manage communications and fundraising plans that will meet the PTSA’s goals and budget.
• Vice President Events & Education: This VP position will help us create and carry out our new events and family education work next year. They will work closely with the chairs of each program and develop a plan to better connect families with each other, the school and important resources.
• Secretary: This position is a great way to get involved at Pathfinder and perfect for a newer parent. The Secretary position is mandatory for all non-profits and is an elected member of the Executive Committee – so we have to have one. Is it you?
• After School Program Coordinator: Do you value the after-school classes and want to see this kid-centered enrichment program thrive? Consider taking on this critical role next year, as we MUST have a coordinator to have the program. Maureen Clark in the front office can tell you all about it!
• Community Events Chair: We’ve heard from you that you would love the PTSA to host more family fun events, and we’ve put together a schedule of new and improved events every month or two, starting with a revamped Back-to-School event. And you don’t have to do them all! This position helps with the development, recruitment, and oversight of the events.
• Communications Chair: We know we can communicate better with families, especially people who are new to Pathfinder. The Chair will lead a team that will help the PTSA with communicating streamlined, transparent, accurate and welcoming information to the Pathfinder community, utilizing a variety of communications tools.
• Family Education Chair: This is a new position that will revolve around providing information and scheduling speakers on a number of issues that impact our kids and families. It is a perfect position for a working parent.
• Race & Equity Liaison: The school has developed a Race & Equity Team, and we are looking for a parent volunteer to sit on both the school team and the PTSA board, acting as a liaison between the two and helping to bring forth new initiatives and activities that will make Pathfinder a more inclusive and welcoming school.
• Hospitality Chair: Put smiles on people’s faces, from the staff to new Pathfinder families. Manage the PTSA volunteer list, lead a new Pathfinder 101 night in September, oversee Staff Appreciation Week and help PTSA events with volunteers and treats.
• Membership Chair: Help promote PTSA membership and manage our database of members. It has the highest profile in the fall, where we will have tables at our events, and then it is mostly behind the scenes management.

We Need a Lead for These Fall 2019 Events:

• Direct Give Lead: This is a very straight-forward fundraiser that brings in $25,000 – $30,000 over 2½ weeks in October. It comes with an excellent template, guidance from past leads, and needs less than a month of solid attention… then you’re done! No past fundraising experience necessary.
• Revamped Back-to-School Event Lead: We’d like to freshen up Pathfinder’s Back-to-School event and try something new. Do you have ideas and would like to help lead this annual tradition?

It takes a village to make the magic happen, and as you can see from this list of needs, we absolutely and totally welcome and encourage new folks to join the Pathfinder PTSA Board or help lead our events. You are the future of our school. Please contact Pathfinder President Susan Elderkin (president@pathfinderk8ptsa.org) for any additional information. We have job descriptions for all of these positions that spell out the duties more fully. THANK YOU!!!

Our Pathfinder K-8 library is hosting an author visit with Kate T. Parker on Wednesday, April 3rd from 1:10-2:10 pm. Strong is the New Pretty was phenomenal and her new book, Heart of a Boy is just as powerful. Parents and community members are welcome! Look for a book pre-order form from your child’s teacher.

About the book:
The Heart of a Boy is a deeply felt celebration of boyhood as it’s etched in the faces and bodies of dozens of boys, ages 5 to 18. There’s the pensive look of a skateboarder caught in a moment between rides. The years of dedication in a ballet dancer’s poise. The love of a younger brother hugging his older brother. The unself-conscious joy of a goofy grin with a missing tooth. The casual intimacy of two friends at a lemonade stand. The shyness of a lone boy and his model boat. The intensity in a football huddle. There are guitarists, fencers, wrestlers, star-gazers, a pilot—it’s the world of our sons, in all their amazing variety and difference.

Reviews:
“Kate T. Parker’s incredible Strong Is the New Pretty helped us reimagine girlhood as silly, messy, spirited, an d fun. Now she turns her perceptive lens on the other sex to expand our definition of what it means to be a boy . . . and presents so mething desperately needed in our well-meaning cultural convers ation about boys—she shows us their enormous, wonderful hearts.”—Michael Ian Black

“Silly, serious, nerdy, athletic, creative, bold—the adjectives describing boys could go on for pages. But if boys are to grow up to be admirable men, the one thing they must be is kind. Kate T. Parker’s book helps clear the way for a time when everyone understands that.” — R. J. Palacio

“Every parent who picks up t his book will be grateful for the impact it will have on their family.” —Gary Vaynerchuk

Please join the Pathfinder PTSA at a BeSmart Gun Safety presentation on Tuesday, March 19 at 6:30pm in the Pathfinder library.

Led by Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, the BeSmart campaign focuses on the importance of conversation, responsible gun storage and community awareness. The local BeSmart coordinator is none other than Freddie Campbell, a Pathfinder parent. And Tuesday’s presentation will be led by Pathfinder’s own Heidi Jaye.

The presentation and discussion should take about an hour. Because of the sensitive topic, we ask that no children attend.

Moms Demand Action encourages parents and all adults to “Be SMART” and take these simple steps to help prevent shootings by children:

• Secure all guns in your home and vehicles
• Model responsible behavior around guns
• Ask about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes
• Recognize the signs of suicide and depression
• Tell your peers to be SMART

We look forward to your participation in this important topic!

We’re counting the days until the 2019 Auction!!  Class art is being finalized, prom dresses are waiting for corsages….ready for a night of fun??!!

If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, there are still a few left and we hope you’ll join us!  The Pathfinder Auction is always a great party — and this year, there’s even more as the festivities continue with dancing after the live auction!  Last day to purchase a ticket is this Friday, March 1st so that we can give a final number to the caterers.  BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!

We can always use more volunteers!  Volunteers are needed day & evening on auction day.  Evening volunteers will receive a volunteer meal and bidder number to join in the silent & live auctions (help out at the auction and you don’t need to buy a ticket!). SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER!

And we’ve extended the deadline to submit that fabulous someone for the Pathfinder “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way” award.  Each year the Pathfinder community honors a teacher, staff member or adult volunteer from the Pathfinder community who does an outstanding job of helping our children learn and develop, and does so in the spirit of Pathfinder.  Pathfinder is full of great candidates! To nominate someone deserving, please submit their name and a brief explanation of why you think they should be honored using the APPLICATION HERE.  Deadline for application is Monday, March 4th.