Welcoming Letter

Executive Board
PTA Meeting Dates
Turn-It-In Tuesdays
Join NHSD E-link
Facebook
Check Writing Policies
Incentive Programs
Committees

P.T.A. Membership
P.T.A. Volunteer
Holiday Party Volunteer
School Store Volunteer
Open House Baskets

The West View P.T.A. would like to welcome you all to West View Elementary for the
2015-2014 school year! We are excited to reconnect with returning families, and look
forward to getting to know families that are new to our school. The P.T.A. Board and
Chairpersons have already been working along-side our Principal, Mr. Jesse Simpson, on
preparations for this school year. We are fortunate to have his support, and as a result, our
P.T.A. has the privilege of hosting many special events and programs many other schools
simply do not!
But heres the catch, we need YOU to be part of the action so these traditions can
continue. So, we encourage you to join the PTA and get involvedheres what you need to
do:

1.) Read over this

! It will help you to better understand how our P.T.A.
operates, and it will be a valuable source of information when a question arises,
so tuck it in a safe place for keeping!
form, and send it in with your
2.) Complete the enclosed
th
membership fee by TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 . A P.T.A. Membership is required to
Volunteer in any way in the school!
Only our P.T.A. Board & Chairpersons, and those wishing to Chaperone
(
class Field Trips, are required to have their Clearances on file!!)
3.) Complete and detach the multiple enclosed
and send them in by TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th.

forms,

! Where me make event plans, discuss ways to

4.) Come to the
improve, brainstorm new ideas etc.
5.) Stay informed, utilizing the
and our very own

page.

, West View Weekly

6.) Remember
. If something from P.T.A. (registrations,
orders, volunteer information etc.) is due for turn in, you will find the Deadline will
fall on a Tuesday.
We thank you in advance for your help in making this school year great! Your
involvement, from participating in fund-raisers, to meeting deadlines, to giving of your time
and talents in big and small waysit all enriches your Students experience here at West
View Elementaryand it will enrich YOUR life too!
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask a P.T.A. Board Member or
Chairperson - we are happy to help you find your own unique place in the West View P.T.A.!

Karen Steinberger

k_steinberger@hotmail.com

412-716-4590

Chris Nolan

mamachris@comcast.net

412-931-0546

Monica Anderson

mo_writes@comcast.net

412-721-7798

Val Brown

vjb.brown@gmail.com

412-939-3510

Nicole King

nking224@comcast.net

412-931-3008

P.T.A. Meetings occur monthly in the school Library and begin at 6:30pm. They
are about an hour in length - give or take! Enter the building using the door on
Chalfonte Avenue, closest to the wooden fence just before the front playground.
Babysitting is available, in a room just down the hall from the meeting. Mark
your calendars now, and come out to be involved and share your ideas everybody is welcome!

Tuesday, September 8th ~ 6:00pm Meet-n-Greet prior to Meeting!

Tuesday, October 13th
Tuesday, November 10th
Tuesday, December 7th
Tuesday, January 12th ~ 6:00pm Holiday Party prior to Meeting!
Tuesday, February 2nd
Tuesday, March 8th
Tuesday, April 12th
Tuesday, May 3rd
Also, mark your calendar (& make your work requests!) for the following Special
Events that we have planned, so far. These are some our biggest events of the
year, and require plenty of P.T.A. Volunteers to make them a success!

Halloween Parade & Classroom Parties: October 30th

Holiday Shop Week: December 14th-19th
Winter Holiday Classroom Parties: December 23rd
Scholastic Book Fair Week: February 8th-12th
Open House: February 11th

If something from P.T.A. (registrations, orders, volunteer

information etc.) is due for turn in, you will find the Deadline will fall
on a Tuesday. So, on Monday evening, you can ask yourself, whats due on
tomorrows Turn-It-In Tuesday? and have your things in ready to go. As we
seek to make it easier to stay organized at home, we ask that you to strive to
meet those very important Deadlines so that your Student does not miss out on

Again this school year, the P.T.A. will be utilizing the North
Hills School Districts E-Link system to communicate with you
will be sent out via
about our PTA events and programs. The
e-mail every Friday to anyone that has registered for the NHSD E-Link service. If
you are not yet registered for NHSD E-Link service, here is how you do it:
.
1. Go to the district website:
button located page header
2. Click on red the
3. Click the
tab the top of Quick Links list
4. Fill in your family e-mail addresses and required personal information.
to assure that you receive your
5. Select
newsletter.

This electronic newsletter will cut down on the paper flyers that come home as well
as keep you informed in a more up-to-date manner. If you do not have internet access, please fill out and return the form sent home by Principal, Jesse Simpson. We
will then send home a printed copy of the information with your student.
In general,
will be a great source for all your North Hills School
District information. Once you are in there, choose
under the
tab. Once under the West View tab, you will be able to access our
pages containing information ranging from a calendar of school events, to
P.T.A. meeting minutes, to P.T.A. forms and an archive of the previously sent
newsletters.
Are you on Facebook? The West View P.T.A. is! We use the FB Page to
send out deadline and event reminders, last-minute updates, NHSD news
links, PDF files of fliers/forms that are sent home, and post pictures taken by
our Yearbook Committee. So if you are on Facebook, be sure to stop by and
like us at

When writing checks for payment for P.T.A. events, orders, etc please:
Make checks payable to West View PTA!
Write only ONE check per family!
On Memo Line, write students Name, Grade & Teacher!
Place payment in an envelope with corresponding form, labeled to the
P.T.A. Committee its intended for!
Once your payment has been submitted, here is the process the check goes
through:
1. The Committee Chairperson will collect and log in the payments.
2. After the turn-in deadline, the Chairperson will turn ALL the collected
payments over to the P.T.A. Treasurer.
3. The Treasurer will process and deposit the checks into the P.T.A. account.
Because of this multi-step process, carried out by P.T.A. Volunteers, it is possible a
check may not clear your account for about a MONTH!!

However, if your check is returned due to insufficient funds, here is the

procedure:
The P.T.A. is charged a fee from our bank and we will, therefore, charge you
a fee.
The P.T.A. will send home a letter requesting that you send in the amount
of the check, as well as, the $25 fee to cover any of our bank charges, and
any other costs that we may incur due to each returned check.
This new payment must be sent to the P.T.A. in the form of cash or a
money order.
If a check is returned, all items will be held until all monies are paid for.
For the remainder of the school year, you will NO longer be permitted to
write checks! You will need to send in cash or a money order.
Thank you so much for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please do
not hesitate to ask. We hope you understand that we are trying to do what is
best for the children here at West View Elementary.

West View P.T.A. participates in several retailer and product incentive

programs. These programs allow you to earn money and/or products for the
school as part of your regular routine! All you have to do is quickly register for
the retailer programs and clip some labels from your groceries! And spread the
word to your family and friends, so they can contribute too!

Register your Giant Eagle Advantage Card for Giant

Eagle Apples for Students program, and whenever you
shop for groceries and pick up your prescriptions, you
are contributing to our school!
Register your Advantage Card at www.gianteagle.com or by calling
1-800-474-4777. Use the 12-digit number noted below the barcode on the
back of the Advantage card. West View Elementary's School Code is:

If you or a family member has a Target RED Card, Target Visa

Credit Card or Target Debit Card, take a moment to register the
card for the Take Charge of Education program.
Target will donate up to 1% of your RED card purchases to W.V.E.
You can sign up for Take Charge of Education at your local Target Store, online at
www.target.com or by calling 1-800-316-6142. Please be sure to designate West
View Elementary to receive the benefits.

West View Elementary will again participate in the

Box Tops for Education Program. This is an easy way
for West View Elementary to earn extra money. Start
clipping and saving your Box Tops
There will be two turn in dates, one in October and then again in the February.
Please clip, trim and bundle in groups of 50 (preferably in a Zip Lock bag or
envelope). Details will follow before each turn in date.

Our P.T.A. is busy, busy, busy! We sponsor a multitude of programs, and each
Committee requires Parent Volunteers like YOU to give of your time, big or small,
to be successful! Read through our Committee descriptions and see where your
talents and interests fit best!
We kick off our school year with a family event, that gives our
students and staff the opportunity to meet some new faces before the year begins. (* Volunteers for this
event will not be needed until after this school year ends.)
Once in the Fall and again in the Spring, we host a Book Swap! Students can swap
5 gently read books from home for 5 new to them books from our collection of used books. Help is
needed during the day to help set up the books for swapping, as well help students choose books etc.
Our Communications committee oversees the West View Weekly E-Link
newsletter, the West View Monthly Calendar, the Front Marquee and the Facebook page. Their goal is to
use these multiple platforms to keep you as informed as possible about P.T.A. programs and happenings.
The P.T.A. is proud to offer the West View Dance Program for our students. If you have a tiny
dancer in your life, this might be a great place for you to lend your time and service. The Dance Program
holds its own fundraisers and an annual year-end Recital.

The North Hills Education Council meets once a month to discuss timely
topics with regards to education. We need volunteers willing to attend the meetings and report back to our
P.T.A. Meetings.
We host a Family Fun Night in the Fall, Winter and Spring to provide an
opportunity for fun for the whole family. Volunteers are needed to organize events like roller skating, hayrides, or Pirate baseball games. We welcome new ideas and lots of helping hands to make these events
a success!
At the annual Open House night in February,
our 4th Grade Parents host a Concession and Bake Sale. Parents are needed to bake, organize goods,
coordinate pizza and sub orders and work shifts at Open House.
The P.T.A. hosts one major Fall Fundraiser that provides the budget for these listed
committee projects, PLUS class Field Trips, school Assemblies, student Homework Folders and Assignment
Books etc. Volunteers help to double-check totals, distribute product, and provide sales incentives for the
sale. Various smaller fundraisers also occur through-out the school year.
In December Students will have the opportunity to visit our P.T.A. Holiday Shop.
Students can shop for up to 6 people, from a great variety and selection of low cost items. Nothing brings
the kids more joy that to shop on their own for their family for the holidays. MANY Volunteers are needed
all week to help kids shop quickly and wrap/label their gifts. The success and continuation of the event
relies on the Volunteers, so pick a day to come out and lend a hand - it will put you in the holiday spirit!

In coordination with our Holiday Parties, students can send a special message
gram, with attached treat, to their friends, staff, or siblings for 50-cents each. Help is needed putting the
Grams together, dividing them by classroom and distributing them on party day.
The P.T.A. also raises funds through multiple Incentive programs. (See details on the
Incentives Programs page of this handbook.) Volunteers are especially needed to help trim and count out
Box Tops for Education.
The Literacy Committee hosts three Scholastic Books Fairs during the school year, which
require many volunteers to help students shop for books. In addition, Literacy works closely with our
Librarian, Miss Tumbass, to help host both the Authors Day assembly and our annual Library Night
event.
The large Bulletin Board just past the Front Office is for the PTA to decorate
and communicate. Creative volunteers are needed to keep the board looking great and up-to-date!
The P.T.A. likes to have at least one West View P.T.A. Member
attend North Hills School Board Meetings and report back at our P.T.A. Meetings. Having multiple
representatives looks good for West View, and creates flexibility when one person cant attend due to other
commitments.
The P.T.A. hosts a large Basket Raffle at the
annual Open House. Each classroom donates a Basket, and therefore, each classroom needs a Parent to
be the Coordinator to communicate the basket theme, collect the donations and put the basket together in
a presentable fashion.
The P.T.A. hosts two holiday parties during the school year - Halloween and Winter
Holidays. Only three Parents are needed/allowed per classroom to plan out activities and snacks, gather
needed supplies and come in to lead the party. Halloween Party is Oct. 30th and Winter Holiday Party is
Dec. 23rd.
P.T.A. Membership is required to be involved in ANY of these P.T.A. Sponsored
events, The Membership Chairperson will confirm your membership before allowing you Volunteer in any
way.
Thanks to P.T.A. fundraising, W.V.E. was proud to have
a new playground installed in the back of the school in the spring of 2013. Now, we need to move
forward with phase 2 of the project - raising funds for a new FRONT playground! We need new ideas and
lots of energy as we look install a larger system than in the back!
Our school store is located in the Cafeteria and sells a variety of school supplies
and novelty items. (Students are not permitted to spend more than $1 a day.) The Store is open Monday,
Wednesday & Friday during the students lunch periods. Volunteers are needed to run the store and tend
to inventory.

The Science Fair gives all students a chance to experiment with science and show
what they have learned! Local individuals and businesses donate their time to come and judge the
projects. Parent volunteers are needed to help arrange display tables, greet judges, escort students and
award prizes.
Its important to teach our students the benefits of giving back! If you have a
heart for serving others, this committee is for you.
This committee helps to provide refreshments for our PTA Meetings, as
well as host two Staff Appreciation Luncheons during the school year. Volunteers are needed to help
purchase items, decorate as needed, set tables, arrange food and drinks and clean-up afterwards.
Our P.T.A. provides a school-wide directory to ease your communication
needs. Volunteers are needed to log in class lists and students information.
The Volunteer Coordinator takes all the Volunteer forms youve
filled out and turned in, and creates a database for each Committee Chairperson. If organizing paperwork
and information is your strength, this might a great project for you!
West View Day is our year-end carnival celebration for the Students! A day filled
with games, face-painting, karaoke, inflatables, snacks, prizes and more! This day takes a LOT of Parent
Volunteers - no helping hand is turned away. And its probably the most fun youll have volunteering all
year!
Do you love photo-taking and scrap-booking? If yes, the Yearbook Committee needs
you! Pictures need taken of interesting classroom activities, group pictures, school concerts and our P.T.A.
sponsored events like field trips, assemblies, red-n-white days and more! This committee is all about
capturing and preserving great memories for our students as we put the Yearbook together cover to cover.

While Teachers coordinate their own Field Trip Chaperone needs, the following CLEARANCES are now required, per N.H.S.D.
policy to abide new PA Laws, for eligibility to chaperone class field trips:
1.) Must have a
2.)
Packet includes a Volunteer/Chaperone Agreement, PTA Volunteer Application,
Act 168 Disclosure Release, Act 126 On-line Training
Website: http://epatch.state.pa.us/home.jsp
3.)
4.)
Website: http://www.compass.stae.pa.us/CWIS
5.)
Cost $27 ~ Website: https://www.pa.cogentid.com
All the Clearances must be turned into the W.V.E. Office Secretaries for verification.

WEST VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

On behalf of the West View P.T.A., we would like to take this opportunity to welcome
you to the 2015-16 school year and invite you to join the West P.T.A. The West
View P.T.A. offers a wonderful variety of volunteer opportunities for parents, grandparents, friends, family members, community members, and anyone else that has
a positive interest in the students at West View Elementary School.
Membership is only $6.00 per person for the entire school year. Included in this membership fee is the
voting privilege at general meetings, representation at the state and national P.T.A. levels and liability
coverage during any volunteer experience at West View Elementary School or P.T.A. sponsored activity. This
is why it is very important that you join the P.T.A. if you plan on volunteering in any capacity throughout the
Only our P.T.A. Board & Chairpersons, and those wishing to Chaperone class Field
school year. (
Trips, are required to have their Clearances on file!!) Please take this time to join the P.T.A. today and get
involved in your childs school activities. We will be happy to find volunteer opportunities that fit into your
schedule and any amount of time that you are able to give would be greatly appreciated.
We look forward to seeing you throughout the school year. Have a great year and enjoy your experience
at West View Elementary!
Sincerely,
Colleen Mollenauer
Membership Committee Chairperson
(412) 931-6777 (Please call if you have any questions)

Membership Fee = $6.00 per person. Checks made payable to West View P.T.A.
Name___________________________________________________________ Phone #________________________________
Name___________________________________________________________ Phone #________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________________________________________
E-mail(s)_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Students Name_____________________________________________ Grade/Teacher_______________________________
Students Name_____________________________________________ Grade/Teacher_______________________________
Students Name_____________________________________________ Grade/Teacher_______________________________
Students Name_____________________________________________ Grade/Teacher_______________________________
P.T.A. USE: Cash _________ Check #_____________

Get involved with the West View P.T.A.! First, be sure to send in your P.T.A.
Membership form. Next, simply check off the Committies you are interested in giving
.
of your time and talents. Then turn in your form by
(For more information on Committee activities and needs, read through the
descriptions listed earlier in this packet.)
Requires School-Day Availability

Evenings/Work on Your Own Time

Back to School Event

P.T.A. Membership

Book Swaps

Playground Project

Science Fair

Dance Program
Educational Council Rep
Communications

Service Projects

Social & Hospitality

Family Fun Night

Student Directory

4th Grade Open House Sales

Volunteer Coordinators

Fundraising

West View Day Carnival

Holiday Shop

Yearbook

Holiday Grams

Classroom Help

Incentives

GENERAL P.T.A. HELP

Literacy

Lobby Directions

NHSD School Board Rep

Name___________________________________________________________ Phone #________________________________
E-mail___________________________________________________________ Available: ____ School Day ____ Evenings
Students Name_____________________________________________ Grade/Teacher_______________________________
Students Name_____________________________________________ Grade/Teacher_______________________________
Students Name_____________________________________________ Grade/Teacher_______________________________

Most Communications will be sent via e-mail, unless paper OR phone is requested here: ____

The P.T.A. hosts two holiday parties during the school year - Halloween and
Winter Holidays. The Halloween Party is Friday, October 30th in the afternoon
and the Winter Holiday Party is Wednesday, December 23rd in the afternoon.
All Party Parents MUST hold a current P.T.A. Membership to participate.
Only three Parents are permitted per classroom to plan out activities and snacks, gather
needed supplies, prepare treat bags and come in to lead the party. Please turn in your
form by
to be considered for one of the volunteer slots. All Party
Parents will be notified if they are participating in as a Party Parent by October 2nd.
The P.T.A. Will provide a budget of $2.00 per Students, Teacher & Para-Professional in the
Classroom. You will be reimbursed the day of the Party. Please save your receipts to turn in
to the Holiday Party Head Parent.
Please note the upper grades have the choice to combine their classroom efforts and hold
a larger Party in the Gym. 5th Grade may use the Gym for Halloween and 6th Grade may
use the Gym for Winter Holidays. In this case, Head Room Parents will coordinate together.
Questions & Concerns, contact Party Parents Chairpersons:
Kristen Kelly ~ 412-939-2826 ~ kellyfamily28@hotmail.com
EJ Milarski ~ 412-760-3631 ~ meleanor@pitt.edu

Please fill out a SEPARATE FORM for each of your students. Mark your numbers of forms here: _____
Parent Name________________________________________________________ Phone #____________________________
E-mail___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Students Name_____________________________________________ Grade/Teacher_______________________________
Communications will be sent via e-mail, unless phone call &/or paper copy is requested here: ____
Check ALL the parties that you are interested in participating. Depending on the number of volunteers, you may only
be able to participate in one Party. Head Parent is simply the main contact for each room party and responsible for
the organization of Parent Volunteers for the class.

____ 1st Choice

____ 1st Choice

____ 2nd Choice

____ 2nd Choice

____ Willing to be Head Parent

____ Willing to be Head Parent

The West View P.T.A. hosts a large Basket Raffle Fundraiser at the annual Open
House in February. Each classroom donates a Basket, and therefore, each classroom
needs a Parent to be the Coordinator. As Coordinator, you would choose the basket
theme and communicate the theme to the teacher and class parents, collect the donations from
the students and put the basket together in a presentable fashion for the raffle.
Some themes from past years include Gardening, Movie Night, Baking, Car Wash, Arts & Crafts, Ice
Cream Sundae fixings, Spring Cleaning, Made in Pittsburgh, Popcorn Lovers, Backyard Fun and
Family Game Night. BUT you can be as creative as you like with your theme - we welcome fresh
ideas!
If you are interested in being a Basket Coordinator for your childs class, become a P.T.A. Member
and then fill out this form & turn in it by
Parent Name________________________________________________________ Phone #____________________________
E-mail___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Students Name_____________________________________________ Grade/Teacher_______________________________

Communications will be sent via e-mail, unless phone call/paper copy is requested here: ____

The West View P.T.A. School Store is located in the Cafeteria and sells a variety of
school supplies and novelty items at low cost.
The School Store is open Monday, Wednesday & Friday during the Lunch Periods - 11:30am to
1:00pm. Volunteers MUST be P.T.A. Members and are needed to run the store, as well as tend to
inventory. If you are interested in working the School Store, please submit this form by
Questions? Contact the School Store Chairperson:
Nicole King ~ 412-432-9259 ~ nking224@comcast.net
Parent Name________________________________________________________ Phone #____________________________
E-mail___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Days of Availability: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Students Name_____________________________________________ Grade/Teacher_______________________________

Communications will be sent via e-mail, unless phone call/paper copy is requested here: ____

The P.TA. Provides every family at West View Elementary with a copy of the
Student Directory for the year. All of the Students names will be published
with their Class, however, only the additional personal information you provide will be
included. This is an excellent source of information when you want to plan a birthday party,
set-up a play-date, or confer with a friend over homework and special class projects.
Please fill out this form with all the information that you want to include in the directory by
. Siblings may be included on the same form as long as the
personal information in the same. If any personal information is different, please use
separate forms.
Questions? Contact Student Directory Chairperson
Robin Haney ~ 412-931-9697 ~ rhaney4@verizon.net
Students Name_____________________________________________ Grade/Teacher_______________________________
Students Name_____________________________________________ Grade/Teacher_______________________________
Students Name_____________________________________________ Grade/Teacher_______________________________
Students Name_____________________________________________ Grade/Teacher_______________________________
Students Address_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Name of Mother/Guardian_________________________________________________________________________________
Cell Phone_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Email Address____________________________________________________________________________________________
Name of Father/Guardian__________________________________________________________________________________
Cell Phone_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Email Address____________________________________________________________________________________________

Directories will be sent as a PDF, VIA E-MAIL, no later than October 18th!! If you need
a PAPER copy of the Directory instead, please include the name & teacher of your oldest
student that we can send it home with.
Student: _________________________________________________________ Teacher: ______________________________