The Waples Mill Elementary School PTA mission, overarching strategic goals, objectives, and actions for 2022-23 are detailed below. It should be noted several of the PTA goals are derived from survey feedback received from our WMES parent/teacher community. The survey questions sent out were based on the National Standards for Family-School Partnerships. The framework used for developing effective goals is based on Roadmap to Excellence standards: education, health & safety or arts. Additionally, by working with the school administration the goals set forth were crossmatched with WMES Continuous Improvement Plan Goals to ensure they align and fully support the school.
The overall mission of this PTA is to create an active partnership of parents, educators, and the local community in order to support the needs of our school and foster the success of our students. While WMES PTA will set in motion plans to meet our goals this school year, many will be carried onto the following school years. Our goals will continue to be refined as we make progress and build on the foundation needed for sustainable results and success.
Below includes short and long term year goals. Please note: action items included represent some examples that we hope to achieve but does not reflect an exhaustive list of all the PTA hopes to accomplish.
Overarching Goal: Improve Education
Objective 1: To increase family engagement supporting student success (ie literacy, math, science) and enable families to learn new strategies to engage children to promote the spark of learning.
Action: Plan educational family events during the school year that support the focus areas recognized within the school’s administration’s Smarter Goals and curriculum (language arts, math/science).
Objective 2: To grow volunteer opportunities and volunteer participation among family members (working parents, middle/high schoolers)
Action: Strengthen ways in which to communicate volunteer opportunities and hold events during different timeframes that allow all family members to engage (evening events, school hour events, etc.)
Objective 3: To assist parents/students for transitioning into or out of Waples Mill (pre-school, middle/ high school, future careers etc)
Action: Plan informative sessions with school pyramid, Q&A, or other resources to assist parents and/or students that will experience transitions.
Objective 4: To support classroom needs or initiatives and enhance teacher collaboration in PTA.
Action: Promote educational needs by providing either financial, tangible support, or services to meet classroom and other school needs.
Action: Increase the number of teachers joining the PTA and encourage participation of teachers at meetings by holding them during timeframes that allow teachers to attend.
Objective 5: To support school administration, bus drivers, custodians, cafe as well as other school personnel by recognizing their efforts.
Action: Identify date(s) for WMES to show appreciation for school staff.
Objective 6: Enrich the learning environment for all students by supporting relevant programs and encouraging interactive educational/social experiences for students.
Action: Continue to build out or improve WMES learning experiences that students would benefit from.
Action: Provide financial support for desired student field trips transportation needs.
Objective 7: Develop a strong network with businesses to invest in our school (by donating, fundraising or providing tangible goods) to help support the school, educational initiatives, and events.
Action: Create a sponsor package to send to businesses to provide opportunities to partner with the school.
Action: Encourage other activities /events to help fundraise for the school.
Overarching Goal: Health & Safety
Objective 1: To provide support to both parents and students to help with mental or emotional well- being.
Action: Promote family workshops or speakers to parents on relevant topics through various social media platforms.
Action: Plan fun, safe, community events for parents and children that help foster opportunities to network.
Objective 2: Support students' sense of responsibility, citizenship, self-care and compassion.
Action: Work with Student Council to develop shared school initiatives.
Objective 3: Ensure proper school security, communication in case of emergency, and safety of our children's environment and health are in place.
Action: Assist the school by posting school's procedures to visit or any changes to it.
Action: Request additional testing of the school's water.