In the 2011 – 2012 school year Gibbs’ PTA has three main goals: to help prevent budget cuts from affecting education, to increase diversity in PTA membership and participation, and to increase membership by at least 10%.

What is planned? The upcoming school year is filled with a variety of exciting events everyone can participate in and find something he or she enjoys! We are bringing back the Fall Harvest Festival and have even added a much requested Talent Show. A calendar with tentative dates for PTA meetings and PTA sponsored events is attached.

How can you volunteer? Do you have an hour to spare? Volunteering just once this school year will make a world of difference to our school and your child. It takes the efforts and talents of everyone in our community to make Gibbs the best elementary school in Montgomery County! At Back to School Night teachers will have sign up sheets to help in their classrooms and we will have sign up sheets for all of our PTA events. You can also contact our volunteer coordinator, Karen Ward, at wardkk@msn.com. Please take the time to find a volunteer opportunity that appeals to you.

Why join the Gibbs PTA? Membership and involvement in the PTA tells your child that school matters. Dozens of studies show that parental involvement fuels academic success. The PTA is your voice at Gibbs. It also provides a wonderful opportunity to get to know your neighbors, the families of your child’s classmates, and the excellent Gibbs staff. Plus, new this year, you will receive a reusable Gibbs bag and a paper copy of the school directory that includes students from all grade levels. It’s an essential everyday resource.

Where do your PTA funds go?

• Fund all cultural arts assemblies
• Purchase weekly or scholastic readers for all grade levels
• Sponsor family friendly events throughout year
• Support school activities and programs such as the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Conference (STEM), safety patrols, newspaper club, homework club, red ribbon week activities, and Greater Gator Program
• Offset the cost for your child to go on field trips
• Provide staff funds for the purchase of classroom supplies