Cascade Middle School


	Welcome to the Cascade Middle School PTSA!


	What is the PTSA?

The PTSA is the Cascade Parent Teacher Student Association. Our mission is to encourage and assist each student to participate in and enjoy school activities related to their educational experience at Cascade Middle School.

We anticipate 2009/20010 to be another exciting year for our school and our kids, and look forward to building a bridge between your home and school. PTSA is a wonderful part of the CMS experience. It is an opportunity to stay involved with your kids, connect with teachers and other families, and contribute to the overall success of our school. We raise funds, sponsor socials for the kids throughout the year, and provide opportunities for families to come together and participate in fun activities. We also support educational testing, classroom assistance, and general needs that the staff and teachers have throughout the year.

Your involvement (big or small) in PTSA makes a difference.

Annual Dues:
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP: $20.00 per family for the entire year.
BRONZE MEMBERSHIP: $50.00 per family: Mention in newsletter.
SILVER MEMBERSHIP: $75.00 per family: Mention in newsletter and website.
GOLD MEMBERSHIP: $100.00 per family: Mention in newsletter and website.

We have meetings once a month (please check our web calendar in Sept. 2009 for dates & times). We welcome your suggestions and participation. Whether you can attend meetings or not, please volunteer. Mark your favorite volunteer opportunities on your PTSA Membership Form .

How does the PTSA help Cascade Middle School?
Cascade PTSA awarded -$27,500 in grants from September '08 to June '09

These grants included helping to fund the following (to name a few):

Read Naturally Literacy Program	Star Lab Rental	Wireless Technology
Magazine Subscription Renewals	Scholarships to Plays	Lab packs of Type to Learn
Financial Support for Field Trips	Incentives for students	Life Skills Kitchen supplies
FAN Support	6 iPod Shuffles	PE Equipment
Matting & Framing for student artwork	DVD & Curriculum kits for FACS	Photoshop site licenses & printer supplies
Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) Program Training to help new students and all incoming 6th graders.
Whiteboards and markers for Literacy and Foreign Languages classes
Art in Residence for all 7th grade Science classes
Repairs go old orchestra and band equipment
Postitve Behavior Support Program (PBS)
My Access Writing Program for all students
Commute Options Membership for CMS


	Fundraising Helps Make Our School Better

Fundraising is an important aspect of PTSA. We fill the needs that the school district can't. This past year PTSA funded numerous teacher grants for educational field trips, positive behavior programs, science equipment, PE equipment, Artists in Residence programs, yearbook equipment, books for the library and classrooms, technology upgrades, new sewing machines, and so many more important needs.

Fundraising efforts for our school have been overwhelmingly successful over the last few years, and PTSA is happy to share with you information about our two main fundraising efforts.

Cruzin' for Cascade
(The only time students will ask friends & family members for donations)

Our Annual "Fun Run" will be on Friday, September 25th at 1:30 p.m. It is our largest and most important event, bringing in more than $32,000 on average and funding over 70% of our PTSA budget. Students collect donations (big or small) from friends and family members to sponsor them for the event. They will be given a raffle ticket for every $10 donation they collect. The raffle tickets will be entered into a drawing to win prizes. During the event all CMS students will run/walk the track for 30 minutes, showing off their costumes and having a good time. Parents and family members are welcome and encouraged to join the fun.

Annual Sponsorship Drive
(The only time PTSA will ask businesses, families & community members for donations and contributions)

Instead of approaching local businesses for support at various times throughout the year, we are continuing an Annual Sponsorship Drive. This means that the PTSA will only be asking for their financial and in-kind support once during the school year. If they become a CMS sponsor, they will receive public recognition throughout the year (at various school-related events, on the athletic field, in the gymnasium and through parent newsletters and communications). This approach to sponsorship will enable us to:

• eliminate multiple fundraising solicitations to businesses and community members;
• recognize our supporters/partners on an on-going basis throughout the year; and focus PTSA efforts on community-building activities and events that are affordable and accessible to all families.

If your family is affiliated with a business that would like to become a 2009-2010 CMS Sponsor, let us know. In the meantime, you can download our sponsorship letter to get more detailed information.