Communications & Outreach

This could also be called Parkside’s PR Committee, working to better communicate and connect our parents and families with PTA, as well as with the community Parkside serves. This includes publishing Panda Press, the monthly PTA newsletter, and writing articles for neighborhood publications spotlighting great things happening at the school.  Another extension of this committee has been making sure Parkside has a presence at community events like the Grant Park Farmer’s Market.  

Events

The Events Committee will help plan and put on at least three events PTA will sponsor this year. They include a new Screen on the Parkside Green this fall, our Fall Festival, and Spring Family Dance. The committee conducts all aspects of event planning including activity and vendor management and volunteer recruitment. Designated members work with the Communications & Outreach Committee for promotions of the events and the Fundraising Committee for sponsorship.

Fundraising

This committee will develop a fundraising plan and oversee its implementation. The plan will include any and all parent-led programs and initiatives that generate money for the school, including event sponsorship. Currently, fundraising is done through our Bake Sale (3rd Friday of the month), Book Fair (typically held in the fall), and Corporate Sponsor Programs (Box Tops, Target RedCard, and TrueBlue Schools). 

Teacher Appreciation

The Teacher Appreciation Committee supports and celebrates our teachers and administration by hosting the Teacher Appreciation Week in May, as well as at least one other breakfast during the year, such as just before the winter holidays. Another way to appreciate our teachers is the monthly PTA coffee/tea cart that makes deliveries to the classrooms on Panda Pride Wednesdays (the last Wednesday of the month). This committee also coordinates Room Parents for each of the teachers.  

Wellness & Garden

This committee supports initiatives that are staff-led, including the Healthier Generation Program, the Parkside Wellness Ambassadors, educational events related to Earth Day and the Captain Planet Foundation Learning Garden, which ties the garden and plants to curriculum. The committee also maintains the garden and conducts vegetable and fruit tastings from it to not only encourage the consumption of fresh, healthy food, but also to educate the students about where food comes from.