5K FAQ: Where the Money Goes

Our 5K fundraiser is wrapping up this week and we are crazy close to our $50,000 goal. With just $3300 left to go, we are closing in on the win.

This is the PTC’s ONLY fundraiser all year, so let’s break down our PTC budget to see where your money goes. Curious what your generous donation funds? Let’s answer all your burning questions.

Where does this money go? I need examples.

Every dollar is put back into the students, programs and events of Cedar Park Middle School.  Our 2018-19 PTC budget funds explicitly funds:

• art literacy

• reading literacy

• lunch duty supplies

• student planners

• the PACK store

• student socials

• staff appreciation

• the 8th grade send-off

• a portion of Family Fun Night

Also, an ASTONISHING 39% of our budget provides transportation and fees for a unique field trip experience for each grade.  That’s money for EVERY SINGLE STUDENT. 6th grade has already enjoyed Outdoor School, while last year’s 7th grade explored PSU, and the 8th graders spent a day at Oregon State.  These educational experiences are a memorable part of our students’ education.

Sounds good, but can I see the budget as a pie?

Student Programs (blue) = PACK Store, Art Literacy, Reading Support, Student Planners, Lunch Duty Supplies, & Community Programs

Schoolwide Support (red) = Principal’s Fund

Student Events (yellow) = Student Socials, 8th grade BBQ, Family Fun Night support, & New Student Picnic

Grade Level Student Experiences (green) = Transportation & costs for grade-level field trips. Last year, 6th went to Outdoor School, 7th explored PSU, and 8th enjoyed a day at OSU.

Staff Appreciation (orange)

Operating Costs (light blue) = 5K expenses and Miscellaneous

I see there’s a line item for “Schoolwide Support.” Seems suspiciously vague. What’s that all about?

So glad you asked.  The PTC provides Dr. Anderson with a “Schoolwide Support” line item that gives her the necessary flexibility to fund the ever-changing needs of Cedar Park. This line item allows for specific team, teacher, and grade level requests.  

Some examples from last year include:

• Apple TVs and iPad stands to replace eight document cameras

• two new projectors

• items for our emerging Maker Lab

• art supplies including clay

• gloves for science

• PE equipment

• power cord strips for classrooms.

Still not convinced?  That line item also provided additional funds to support:

• Lego Robotics and Coding

• funds to start our Science Olympiad team

• table stand for Timberwolves News Network

• Mathcounts, Spelling Bee & Geography Bee registrations

• college pennants for school hallways

• 16' projection screen for assemblies

• support for the SRC classroom mural painting project

• mulch and bark for outdoor gardens

PHEW!  Still not done.  Finally, that “Schoolwide Support” line item also provided support for:

• visiting author, Dan Gemeinhart

• novels for 8th grade

• additional OBOB books

• earbuds to support student testing

• sound equipment rental for spring musical production

• CPMS t-shirts for 6th graders

So, ummm…. yeah.  Hope that was specific enough for you. A lot of unseen support and heavy lifting comes from that single line item. Sadly, it’s the one that will be impacted the most if we don’t make our goal.

I’m an 8th grade parent and I’m just over it.

Oh, honey.  We get it. However, ANY AMOUNT donated is incredibly helpful.  Cedar Park PTC does not have a large enough savings to cover our expenses this year, so we are quite literally fundraising for our expenses and for your student THIS school year.  The 8th grade field trip, and the 8th grade send-off are all powered through this 5K fundraiser.

It’s the collective effort that makes the biggest impact, so please consider donating whatever you can.  It quite literally, ALL HELPS.

You’ve inspired me.  Can I just donate to the cause online?

Totally.  Go to https://www.firstgiving.com/event/411287/2018CedarPark5K. Any amount puts us closer to our goal of $50,000.

I still have questions.  

Head to www.cedarparkptc.org for all the latest news or chat with Karen (cedarpark5k@gmail.com).

Cedar Park AVID Seeking Guest Speakers & Tutors

The Cedar Park AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program is seeking volunteers! AVID is a school-wide system that supports students in developing the skills needed to be college/career ready.

The AVID elective classes would love to host guest speakers from the Cedar Park community to talk to students about their college experiences and career paths.

We also have a need for AVID tutors who would help to facilitate tutorials twice a week with a group of 6-7 students. The time commitment is about 45 minutes a day on Tuesdays and Thursdays in one of the AVID elective classes. Tutorials are student-run inquiry circles that help students navigate their core class content. Beaverton School District provides the necessary training and materials to be an AVID tutor.

If you are interested in either opportunity, please contact our AVID coordinator, Rich Feely: Richard_feely@beaverton.k12.or.us. 

Want to learn more about AVID? Find out more at www.avid.org.

Join the Wolf Work Day Team on 10/18

This year's new volunteer initiative, Wolf Work Days, had a productive first session last month. Eight PTC volunteers braved an upstairs storage room to sort, clean, and organize it back to life.

THANK YOU to these everyday heroes for working to keep Cedar Park awesome.

Wolf Work Days will be every third Thursday from 2-4pm. Volunteers will attack different areas of Cedar Park including outdoor areas, closets, or storage areas. The goals are to meet & socialize with other parents while improving CPMS piece by piece. 

Don't miss next month's Wolf Work Day on Thursday, 10/18.

"Keeping Our Kids Safe Online" Presentation on 10/22

October PTC Meeting, 10/22, to feature Safety Resource Officer Matt Cline 

Cedar Park's Safety Resource Officer, Matt Cline, will be discussing effective ways to keep our children safe online on Monday, 10/22 at 7pm in the CPMS Media Center (library).

Join him and the PTC Board at the October PTC meeting to learn tools, apps and other ways to monitor and protect your student's digital life. Join us to learn more about this important and relevant topic!

Questions can be directed to Jana Drotzmann, PTC President.  

CPMS Girls Who Code Club Starts 10/16

There is limited space in CPMS’ newest after school club– Cedar Park Girls Who Code. Interested girls should turn in their after school club registration to the front office as soon as possible.

When:  Tuesdays after school for one hour at Cedar Park starting Oct 16 until  winter break.

What: Girls Who Code

Learn how to code in a fun and creative environment. Design, craft and code your way to creating a super speedy robot!

Each student should receive their own robot kit. This is a simple prototype of what you can do with the Cedar Park robot kits. 
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WLRRNBJ8LcEptJSJ7

Learn more about the Girl Who Code program by visiting their website.

Questions can be directed to Todd Scheele <ridgiebots@gmail.com>.

5K Run Times Announced, Volunteers Encouraged

With just TWO DAYS before our largest fundraiser of the year, the 5K team is busy confirming and securing all the small details. It’s going to be such a fun event— and we’d love to see you there.

Take a moment to look through these volunteer opportunities to see where you can contribute. It’s ESSENTIAL we have enough volunteers to maintain the fun and safety of this event.

Plus, it’s an excellent way to meet, socialize, and generally connect with other Cedar Park parents. Feel free to sign-up for any shift, regardless of your child’s grade. Don’t forget to wear blue and orange!

SIXTH GRADE

Participants will be released in waves. Competitive runners at 9:20am, walkers/joggers around 9:30am.

Corners of the Track (2 volunteers needed)

Various Fun Stations (1 volunteer needed)

Treat Table (1 volunteer needed)

SEVENTH GRADE

Participants will be released in waves. Competitive runners at 12:10pm, walkers/joggers around 12:20pm.

Corners of the Track (4 volunteers needed)

Various Fun Stations (4 volunteers needed)

EIGHTH GRADE

Participants will be released in waves. Competitive runners change at 2:23pm, walkers/joggers around 2:33pm.

Corners of the Track (3 volunteers needed)

Finish Line/Wristbands (5 volunteers needed)

Various Fun Stations (7 volunteers needed)

Students will need comfy clothes, appropriate shoes, and a water bottle!

Questions? Karen (cedarpark5k@gmail.com)

After School Club Registration Info Now Available

The 2018-19 After School Club information is now available. Clubs run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:15-4:45pm, starting 10/16/18 through 5/16/19. Bus transportation home is provided.

STUDENTS & PARENTS MUST FILL OUT THIS CONTRACT. A parent’s and a teacher’s signature is required. Contracts are due to the office by Wed, 10/3 to guarantee busing by the first week. Turning permission slip in late may result in a delay in transportation options.

This year’s after school club line-up includes:

TUESDAYS

• Coding (Alpert)

• Girls Who Code (Vandenhoof)

• Basketball (Zeis)

• ELL Homework (Soll)

• Math Homework (Tufty)

THURSDAYS

• Unity (Taleff)

• Yearbook (Hitsman)

• Soccer (Witt)

• Guitar (Cohen)

After school clubs are made possible through a BEF grant and the generous support of the Cedar Park PTC. Questions can be directed to Michael Alpert (Michael_alpert@beaverton.k12.or.us).