Woodlake’s PTA was created to support the students at Woodlake Elementary School. The PTA currently supports over 500 students in grades Pre Kindergarten to 3^rd grade. 

The PTA is a not-for-profit organization that runs strictly off donations provided by Woodlake families and friends.  The guidance of the PTA is the bylaws which are drafted by the State PTA and approved by the general membership.  Woodlake’s PTA is required to follow the State and National PTA bylaws as well as the laws and restrictions required for a 501(c)(3) organization.

In the PTA’s mission to support the students at Woodlake an annual budget is drafted by the board and school administration.  Support for the upcoming school year as well as long term needs are discussed and obligated based on the estimated availability of funds. Proposed revenues and expenditures for programs are then approved by the general membership.

The purpose of the PTA is to promote the wellbeing of children and youth. While funds are raised when needed to carry out PTA work, fundraising is not the primary function of the PTA. Per National PTA guidelines, for every one fundraising activity, there should be three non-fundraising projects aimed at helping parents or children.

Revenues:

            The PTA aims to have 2 major fundraisers each year to cover the costs of its annual school support.  For many years it was a fall wrapping paper / cookie dough fundraiser and the palooza in the spring.  Due to covid restrictions, the PTA has gone 3 years without its largest fundraiser, the Annual Pelican Palooza.  This all-day festival brought families to Woodlake’s campus for games, music, food, and fun.  To maintain the level of support for the student’s, 2 new fundraisers were brought in to replace Palooza.  Read A Thon was introduced in spring 2021 with a focus on encouraging all children to read more.  Boosterthon was launched in the fall of 2021 to bring a fun activity for the students while learning about different character traits.  The PTA hopes to bring Palooza back in the spring of 2023 as the event creates many fun memories for Woodlake students.

The PTA also receives revenue for Pride Shop sales.  School shirts, totes, jackets, and other items are purchased and distributed through the PTA at cost.  The PTA receives dues from its members in which a portion of these fees are dedicated and submitted to the National and State PTA.  Restaurant nights are held to form community relations and get some delicious food while raising funds for the school. The PTA also collects “box tops”. Parents can submit boxtops, such as Community Coffee or Coke, which can be redeemed to the companies for school funds.

Expenditures:

School Support:

General School Support:  The PTA covers expenses the school may incur for nonperishable items such as paper, supplies, or other items as requested by school administration and approved by PTA. 

Campus Beautification: Replanting flower beds, back to school and holiday décor, and other supplies to keep the school looking great.  In 2021 the PTA repainted the parking lot to provide students and additional recess location due to covid restrictions.

Technology: These funds are dedicated to specific technology needs as requested by school administration. In 2020, the PTA purchased web cameras for all teachers to assist in the virtual transition of the classrooms.  In 2021 these funds are earmarked for purchasing headphones for all students. 

Classroom Support:

Allotments: Teachers are allotted funds to be reimbursed for items and supplies purchased for their classrooms.  (Grade level teachers, Art, Music, Gym, Speech, and Counselors)

Computer Teacher:  The PTA pays for a computer teacher to visit each K – 3^rd grade classroom for a weekly session to help students learn about computers, Chromebooks, and other technological skills.

Teacher Appreciation: All faculty and staff are honored for an entire week and catered to with a luncheon.

Student Support and Programs:

Cultural Arts Day: This is a daylong event for the students to promote Cultural Arts education at an early age. Crafts and experiences are brought to the students to participate in this unique learning experience.

Red Ribbon Week: Red Ribbon Week is a weeklong event to encourage and make students aware to stay away from drugs, and build comfort to be around Police and Firefighters.

STEAM Day (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math):  This is a daylong event for the students to promote STEAM education at an early age.  Hands on activities are brought to campus to engage students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

Third Grade Graduation: A celebration for the 3rd graders who are graduating from Woodlake.

Field Day/Water day: A fun filled day with field and water activities at the end of the school year.

End of Year Programming: Celebration and activities for the students to celebrate the last week of school.

PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support): Rewards and activities to encourage positive behavior as decided upon by school administration.

Other:

Fundraiser Expenses: Expenses for the cost of using professional fundraising organizations. Expenses include using their website and staff to assist the program and collect donations. These costs also include prizes that are distributed for the different levels of donations.

Pride Shop Expenses: The cost of purchasing screen printed shirts, jackets, totes, and other accessories with Woodlake’s logo.  These costs also include the sales tax collected on behalf of the Parish and State.

Hospitality: The PTA supports all faculty and staff with breakfast, lunch, or snacks throughout the year. Usually a luncheon every 9 weeks.

General Expenditures:  Tax Services for preparing and filing the taxes using a tax professional. General liability insurance. Office supplies and printing. Bank charges as needed.

Start-Up Expense: Cost to startup the school year, printing & paper supplies for all PTA signage and forms, back to school decorations, etc. This is a budgeted expense to support the PTA for the following year.

The PTA also provides non-monetary support by coordinating volunteers for school events like registration, picture days, room parents, and teacher meetings.  A supply drive is held after winter break to help the teachers restock their supply stock. The PTA also introduced a food drive to help the local food bank. The PTA works closely with school administration to stay updated on the needs of the school.

WES PTA Officers 2022-2023

• President - Jade Shepard
• VP, Membership - Rhiannon Winget
• VP, Volunteers - Ariane Hailey
• Treasurer - Jennifer Cole
• Secretary - Jessica Barrois

To contact executive board officers, email woodlakeelementarypta@gmail.com

Committees & Chairs

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WES PTA's Website

Questions or comments? Contact the Webmaster at jdshepard18@gmail.com

Officer Role Descriptions

President responsibilities include: 

• presiding at all meetings of this local PTA
• serving as an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee
• coordinating the work of the officers and committees of this PTA in order that the Purposes may be promoted
• appointing a parliamentarian, subject to the approval of the board of directors of the PTA
• recommending standing committee chairs with board of director approval

Vice President, Membership responsibilities include: 

• acting as an aid to the president
• recruiting and maintaining records for all PTA memberships

Vice President, Volunteers responsibilities include:

• acting as an aid to the president
• aiding committee chairs in recruiting and organizing all PTA volunteers throughout the year.

Treasurer responsibilities include: 

• processing payments and expense reimbursement requests
• collecting receipts and making bank deposits
• tracking PTA revenues and expenses against budget
• reporting activity to board of directors and general membership
• handling money at PTA events
• overseeing the annual budget process
• providing general financial support to the PTA Board throughout the year

Secretary responsibilities include: 

• working with President to create a meeting agenda
• sending out meeting announcements, agendas and supporting documents
• recording the minutes of all meetings of this PTA
• being prepared to read the records of any previous meetings
• filing all records