PTA Perks

Now that I'm the PTA president, a decision that was based on necessity, I need to design an efficient organizational system.  I have TONS of papers to sort and classify.  I was certainly not prepared for the added responsibility. Thankfully, I have tons of help and support from the other officers.  

Our PTA was left without a president at the end of the last school year. There weren't any parents stepping up to take on the role. The guidelines of the NYS PTA state: no president = no funds! If a PTA dissolves, all of the money raised and utilized by the association, is turned over to the greater state-wide PTA. 

Our school relies on funds from the PTA for an assortment of activities and supplies.  Unfortunately, in these uncertain times in our education system, we need the PTA more than ever!

So, I decided that I had to step up for the good of the whole school.  It has been quite an experience. I have learned a lot of "what not to do" for next year...if I'm still active in the role of president.

The first thing I have learned is that you have to be REALLY organized to keep your head above water. I stared a folder that was quickly busting at the seams!  It was an unorganized pile of "stuff" that was difficult to weed through when I needed something quickly.  Look below and don't judge!

At least it's a nice, Vera Bradley folder! Lol. 

I knew this "system" had to go. It was a binder to the rescue!

It came out really cute! The best part is its functionality. It's really user-friendly.

Now there are tabbed sections and pockets to hold loose slips of paper.

The current tabs are labeled for agendas, fund-raisers, box-tops, PTA Perks, and special events.

PTA Perks is a section devoted to showing off all of the great things the PTA has done for our students, teachers, families, and the whole school. It has become my favorite section of the binder!

The sleeve inserts hold cards, invoices, and various scraps of paper that people hand me on a consistent basis. Keeping it all together is absolutely essential.

  

Although it has been a greater responsibility than I could have ever imagined, I'm really enjoying the experience...and of course the PTA Perks!

Cheers!

Back into the Swing

I'm getting back to the blog after a month hiatus. Starting a new school year, being diagnosed with pneumonia, and taking on some new roles has kept me very busy.  The blog had to take a back seat to some pretty important tasks.

First, I designed a new science curriculum for our grade level that included some shifting around of materials.  There is an SLO assessment attached to the curriculum, so I had to create that test as well. It was a little overwhelming at first, but I'm really enjoying teaching this curriculum.  The kids are happy to come to science class every day.

Next, I was asked to be PTA president. I don't even have any children attending my school anymore, but I felt it was the right thing to do.  I have been active with the PTA for the last couple of years, so I kind of know how things work.  There weren't any parents willing to take on the role and we would have lost all of our funds in reserve.  The PTA has since taken on 3 fund-raisers and we have become proactive in the Olweus (anti-bullying campaign) and The Reading Promise, which is our district reading initiative.  It's been quite busy and somewhat confusing in the beginning, but I think the efforts are really going to pay off this year.

I'm also involved in the Olweus and Reading Promise Programs as a member of those committees.  The committees promote the programs, design classroom lessons, and meet to brainstorm new ideas.

Lastly, I'm involved with NYSUT as a union representative for our district's APPR (Annual Professional Performance Review) negotiating team.  The team meets with district personnel to come to an agreement on a fair APPR plan to submit to state ed.  The president of our union has asked me to be the leader of an APPR committee.  As chairperson, I would design a handbook to assist teachers in their record keeping as it pertains to APPR.  I am looking forward to this task.  I think the teachers will really benefit from a checklist of sorts.

This all brings me to the point of this post.  How am I keeping it all together?  After much trial and error with various types of date books, plan books, and agendas, I have designed a fantastic master planner.

I keep the planner in my purse...my new Vera Bradley (LOVE!). It's light weight, but holds all of my essentials.

I decorated it with my letter stickers. The color coordinates perfectly with my new, fold and go organizer from Thirty-One. The brand name of this binder is Studio C, but it's a special pattern designed by Jacqueline Savage McFee.  I just love how it's so bright and cheery.  I picked it up at Staples for a very low cost (compared to the Martha Stewart Collections...which I love by the way!).  The Martha Stewart with Avery Collection is a great binder, but it's much heavier.  My love for Vera Bradley bags stems from the light weight and vibrant colors. I included some Martha Stewart items inside the binder, such as the calendar.

I add sticky notes and Washi tape to my calendar to draw my eye to important days and tasks.

This is a velcro pocket I also found right at Staples (everything was purchased at Staples) and it's a must have.  I need a place for pens, pencils (the best Paper-mate mechanical pencils!), sticky pads, etc.   

The dividers were also purchased right along side the binder. I used clear label maker tape to create the labels.  I added paper from the Martha Stewart Collection to take notes at all of my meetings.  I love how it's all together in one place.  No more dragging around a bunch of bulky folders and binders!

The last portion of my master planner is the clear pouches to hold a multitude of papers. I hold receipts, meeting agendas, business cards, etc. Again, everything is in one spot and it looks fabulous.  

Stay Organized and Enjoy Life!

Cheers!

Summer Organizing Challenge #1

Home Management Binder

Project #1 is coming to a close...finally!  I have completed my last two binders.  The home management was more to tackle than I thought it was going to be.  But, I'm happy with the final project.  I'm hoping it will help keep me organized, help with the family budget, and look back on family memories with joy.

There are 5 tabbed sections in the binder; bills, vacations, calendars, purchases, and home projects. 

The first tab is for monthly bills to pay.  I add to the pocket as they come in to check that my last payment was recorded.  Then, after paying the bill (usually on-line) I shred and discard.  I hate detest unnecessary papers laying around the house.  

There's also a log of monthly bills behind the pocketed tab divider (found at Staples) where I record payments made.  I love the border...bills aren't fun so this is a way to add some quirkiness to the monthly chore.  Click here for a free download.

  

The name column is for the company or business to which I have a monthly payment.  Then, each month I write the payment amount and the date that I made the payment...again most of my payments are made through the Internet.  When the payment has cleared my bank account I draw the red line across the payment details on my log. This system really does keep me organized.

My next section is family vacations and trips.  I want to include hotel information so we can revisit again someday.  I also needed a space for keepsakes and travel brochures.  I keep those items in the pocket and write about the trips in the log.  I'm loving this section of the binder the most!

   

The calendar section has future calendar pages that will eventually be put front-in-center of the family file box (earlier post).  In the pocket I put the next month's calendar so it's easy to slide out and write on with upcoming events.  There is also two, small view pockets to hold cards from doctor's offices, etc. so I can write those in my calendar when appropriate. 

The section after the tabbed pocket holds the other calendars for the year so I can jot down future appointments.  The dentist schedules 6 months out and those days are difficult to remember.  I added school days off etc. to my yearly calendar.  Please feel free to download a free copy of the school calendar at my TpT store.

The next tab is for daily purchases.  I'm really trying to keep better track of our my spending!  Everyone has talents and mine is NOT money management. I'm anything but frugal.  I envy people who can save money and still have all that they need.  I have recently begun using grocery coupons and getting the most out of the weekly ads when shopping each week.  I don't mean to complain, but money management and stretching every dollar really is like another job!  So, I have been writing down all of my purchases on a daily log (easy in the summer...not so easy during the school year) when I file away all of the receipts each evening.  This system really makes me take notice of where all the money goes and how many purchases I am actually making.  If I don't have time...or I'm just too darn tired, I stick the receipts in the pocket of the tab and record the next day.  I try really hard to not let it go too long or it's a beast to deal with on the weekend.

The key at the bottom makes the chart easy to fill in each day.  I try not to get too specific.  I have the receipts on file if I need to locate a certain expense.  

Last, I have future goals.  Whether it be home or classroom, there are always wheels turning in my head!  So far this summer I've accomplished most of my goals.  

The binders was definitely a bigger job than I had anticipated.  Hopefully, they will help me with my overall goals of organization, meal planning, and money management.