OK - here's the one I sent out when I did this job:

Dear Future PTA Members,

Welcome to the 1997/98 school year at Bear Creek Elementary. I want to extend to both newcomers and returning families a personal invitation to join our PTA. Being a part of the PTA is a great way to become involved in your child’s education -- you will be in touch with what's going on in the classroom and in the school.

We have prepared this PTA packet to help you make this school year one of the best. I suggest you get comfortable and take a few minutes to review the material. We hope this packet is informative (and provides you with opportunities to become involved -- regardless of the amount of time you can give). Get a pen, fill in a form or two and let us know how you wish to become a PTA volunteer at Bear Creek.

PTA has so many fun activities throughout the year. Our carnival known as Fun Fair is held in the fall followed by Grandparent's Day right before Thanksgiving and our Breakfast with Santa in December. Our annual Family Dinner is held in the Spring, then we join the PE department for a day outside during Field Day in May.

Our regular PTA activities include the Friday After School Treats and Market Day shopping. On Fridays, be sure to send a quarter with your child so they can enjoy a treat. When your monthly Market Day order form comes home, take advantage of this convenient opportunity to grocery shop from home and pick up the order at school.

The PTA will once again be participating in the "YO" program this year. In an effort to reduce the duplicate paper coming home from school, your Youngest or Only child here at Bear Creek, will be the only one who receives the PTA newsletters, flyers, and other forms of communication in their backpack.

For those of you who are not familiar with my family, my husband Rick and I have two children. Our son Mitchell is in sixth grade, and our daughter Mindy is in third grade. Three years ago I became a stay-at-home mom so I could become more involved in our children's lives. It soon became apparent how much more involved I was in their lives, their school and with their friends. Today I am excited to be the president of your PTA, volunteering my time for the many children who attend this super school.

We are always looking for volunteers who are enthusiastic about making Bear Creek the best school it can be for our children. Please feel welcome to become a part of the wonderful community of involved parents who enjoy helping here at your children's school, Bear Creek Elementary.

Here's to a year of fun in the PTA.

Diane Dunlap
PTA President
(my phone #)

The letter to welcome new students is one of the first things I instituted when I became President 2 years ago. I hope it gets us off on the right foot with the new parents. Although, it is more of a flyer than a letter. Here is a copy...

JACKSON HOME SCHOOL ASSOCIATION says...
WELCOME!!
JHSA is the Jackson School family-teacher-student organization. We are the PTA of old. Our list of functions is seemingly endless, but here is a brief overview...

FIELD TRIPS-JHSA funds all school field trips and pays for bussing. Your student will never be asked to pay for a trip. Jackson is the only school in the district that can say that.

BREAKFAST W/SANTA-All Jackson students are invited to attend, free of charge.

OPEN HOUSE-Refreshments and volunteers are supplied , for this evening, by JHSA.

BOOK FAIRS-One in the fall and one in the spring, both sponsored and run by JHSA.(Affordable way to stock up on terrific titles.)

SCHOOL PICTURES-JHSA establishes the date an times, as well as supplying the volunteers to help the teachers and children.

YEARBOOKS-A year long project in which JHSA volunteers work closely with the teacher rep. and yearbook company rep.

JINGLE BELL SHOP-Offers affordable holiday shopping for all of the students.

KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION-Provides a special ceremony for these students, and their families, to cherish for years to come.

5TH GRADE PICNIC-Another end of the year tradition to honor these terrific kids as they move on from our school. Fifth graders also receive free yearbooks and class t-shirts, all compliments of JHSA.

The list of JHSA functions goes on and on. As a parent/guardian of a Jackson School student, you are already a member of JHSA. Consider being an active member. Monthly meetings are held and are open to all. We look forward to seing another new face at the next meeting. Have a wonderful year ahead!

Enthusiastically,
Julie Dioguardi
President/JHSA

JHB,

GREAT LETTER!

Jo

This will be long, but I'm just going to copy ours in. We're still tweaking it, but maybe you can use some of the language. It takes up a full page and is printed on our PTO letterhead. It's basically a one-page flyer type letter, so does not need to be addressed or signed.

***********************
Welcome! Northwest Elementary is an excellent school with talented, caring staff, enthusiastic students, and involved parents. The Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is volunteer group dedicated to supporting the school and enhancing the quality of the educational experience at Northwest for all students. Key goals include:

· Coordinating volunteer participation to support school programs
· Hosting extra-curricular activities that encourage family involvement
· Sponsoring activities that increase school spirit
· Raising funds for supplemental services, equipment, and supplies
· Supporting the school administration in its goals

Your involvement is important and will contribute greatly to your child’s success. We are excited that your child will be part of this school, and we look forward to getting to know your family.

We invite you to become involved and to make this school an even better place for all the children. Whether you choose to lead a committee, assist in the classroom, or simply send supplies for a class activity, your help is important and appreciated.

The PTO’s number one priority is coordinating volunteers and school events. However, fundraising is also necessary. The PTO has one large fundraiser in the fall (usually a catalog sale) and small, ongoing fundraisers throughout the year. For example, we collect General Mills Box Tops and participate in Alberstons’ Community Partner Program. In addition, you can buy school t-shirts for yourself and your children at any time during the school year.

Enclosed is some additional information about the PTO, a membership form, and a volunteer form. Your family can join the PTO for only $3 per household. Membership shows your support of this valuable organization, and one of the perks of PTO membership is a complimentary school directory! Whether or not you join the PTO, please complete the volunteer form. We work closely with ALL the parents, and the teachers and school staff depend on the volunteer information collected by the PTO.

Please feel free to contact any PTO Officer with suggestions, questions, or with offers of assistance. We look forward to working with you and for you this school year.

Once again, welcome! We look forward to serving the needs of your family.


[This message has been edited by JHB (edited 08-12-2001).]

Our old welcome letter was so stuffy and formal, we started over. We are a small school students(500+/-). The new letter let them know what we had done in the past with funds raised (purchased new playground,air-conditioned the gym, new computers for all classroom teachers, etc.) We explained that it couldn't have happened without the help of our parents and supporters. We also asked for volunteers for the classroom during the day or help in the evening for our two fundraisers. Our goal was to open the door and make everyone feel needed and welcome instead of excluded and uncomfortable.

A tear off form was included so that we could get names, numbers and volunteers!

I am a new co-president and would like to send a welcome letter to new parents. Does anyone have a form letter or language I can look at to get me started? ANY help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!