SAA Volunteer Opportunities

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This information can also be found under Volunteer Pages at top of blog.

SAA 2010-2011 Volunteer Opportunities

The success of our school depends on YOU.  How do you plan to fulfill YOUR commitment?  

 PLEASE NOTE:

All events are subject to cancellation or adjustment based on sufficient volunteers and /or students interest.

Student Events – Chair needed

Traffic volunteers (all year)—morning or afternoon shifts helping to direct traffic in school parking lot.

Elementary After School Choir Volunteer—(Aug-Dec) attends rehearsals as scheduled and helps as necessary: set up, decorating and assisting with children.


Red Ribbon/Spirit Week Coordinator—(Oct 24-28) plan daily activities and contest.

Elementary Year book Volunteer—(all year) assist coordinator to create a great keepsake for the students.

Art Contest Coordinator—(Jan-Mar) organize Art Contest.

Art Contest Volunteer—help with art contest.

Fundraising - Tricia Roundy
Spirit Store (last week of each month)
assist in set up and sales of Spirit store.

Clothing Exchange Volunteer—(Nov & Summer ‘12) assist coordinator with set up, sale, or clean up.

5K volunteer—(Apr/May) assist in planning, assemble registration packets, support during race, or clean up.

Appreciation Events - Kim Gill

Teacher Appreciation  Week Coordinator—(Apr 30-May 4) Plan activities to celebrate our teachers.

Appreciation Volunteer—(all year) help chair with monthly and end of year volunteer rewards.

Teacher & Admin Support -

Volunteers Chair—(all year) Maintain HelpCounter software program.  Most hours will be completed from home.

Volunteers as needed—(all year)
assist with school events and testing i.e. dibels, vision screening, veteran’s assembly, or school pictures.

Parent/Teacher Conferences Lunches—(Oct 5-6, Feb 15-16, May 3-4 and Christmas luncheon Dec 16)
Prepare lunches, set-up, and clean up during each PTC.


Classroom Support - Meranda Waters
Please sign up for all classroom volunteers opportunities with your child’s class captain.

Communications - Tracy Silva

SAA Directory—(Fall)
compile directory of SAA families.

Advertising Chair—(all year)
organize volunteers to create signs for events.  

Advertising Committee—(all year)
create signs for school events.

Academic Enhancements - BJ Albrecht

Science Fair Committee (Feb-Mar) assist coordinator with set up, judging, or clean up.  training available.

Spelling Bee Volunteer—(Nov)

Geography Bee Volunteer—(Nov)

Students Awards Volunteer— (Aug-Sept) assist coordinator with contacting businesses and picking up awards. 

Scholastic Book Fair Volunteer—(Oct 17-21) assist in set up, dales, and take down of book fair.

Barnes and Noble Book Fair Volunteer—(Dec 9) assist in various stations at B&N during our school event.

Pillows, Pj’s, and Pancakes Volunteer—(Jan/Feb) assist in various stations at the school during this event.

Junior High Student Activities - Demitra Brooks

Yearbook Committee for Jr. High—(spring) assist students to create junior high yearbook.

Jr. High Stomps/Chaperones & Decoration Committee (Dates TBA)

Spirit Week—(Oct 24-28) help with lunchtime contest and activities.

9th Grade Reality Town—(spring) help with set up, clean up, and running of stations.

Purpose of POEC:  All parents of children enrolled at SAA are members of the Parent Organization and are afforded opportunities to be involved in volunteer efforts.  The Parent Organization Executive Committee (POEC) has been established to organize volunteers to fulfill the mission and vision of SAA, implement extracurricular activities, and to raise funds to support these venues.  The POEC meets the third Thursday of each month.  Our next meeting will be Thursday August 18th at 7:00pm in the junior high library.

Brody Dezember
POEC Chair
brodydezember@me.com

David Hall
POEC Elem Co-chair
david.hall@zionsbancorp.com
Stephanie Norton
POEC Jr High Co-chair
staynorton@gmail.com

HelpCounter: The POEC uses “HelpCounter Volunteer Software”, a web-based system, to organize events and volunteers at SAA. For any questions on “HelpCounter” and the security they use visit their website at helpcounter.net.  Every family needs to update their information in HelpCounter each year.

 I am new to HelpCounter or I forgot how to access my account?

·         Send an email with your first and last name requesting access to HelpCounter to saavolunteers@hotmail.com.   You will receive an email with a link to volunteer home access.  You only need to do this once, save this email for future use.  There is also a face book app that allows access to HelpCounter: https://apps.facebook.com/helpcounter/

Updating your information using Volunteer Home Access

• From your home computer using the unique link emailed to you or the face book app.  Click on “Update Contact Information”.  Verify your name, phone number(s), and e-mail address. This is the name you will use to check in and out of the computer when volunteering at the school.  Next, update your student(s) information.
• Now click on the “Sign Up for Activities” link.  Use the activities for 2011-2012 school year listed on the back of this sheet as a guide to mark all activities that interest you. (Hint: There are more activities in the system than are listed on this sheet!)

How do I enter my volunteer hours?

1.     Sign in and out of the volunteer computer.  Computers are located in both the Elementary and Junior High Buildings.

2.     If the computers are not working or you need to log volunteer hours completed at home.  You will need to log your hours through volunteer home access of HelpCounter.  This year volunteers will be responsible to log their time into the HelpCounter software program.   No home logs or log in sheet by the computers will be available.

 How do I volunteer?

·         Please sign up for all classroom volunteer opportunities with your child’s class captain.

·         Event coordinators will contact you to help with those events you indicated in HelpCounter.  

IMPORTANT:  Keep all your information up to date.  If you’re not in the HelpCounter system you will not be notified about volunteer opportunities. Remember, you can make changes and updates throughout the school year.

Identification and Security:  EVERY volunteer/ visitor must have a badge on when in the school. You can purchase a badge with your photo for $1.00 only on school picture day (August 26^th).  If you don’t have a photo badge, you may use a generic badge available when you arrive as a volunteer or visitor.

How do I know how many hours I have volunteered?
On the first day of each month HelpCounter will email you your total hours to date.

 How do I link 2 family members together so both of our time will go to our 30 hour requirement?
Email saavolunteers@hotmail.com with both names and email addresses to be linked together.

How can I share my talents or occupation? 

 When you enter your information into HelpCounter you can also use the notes section to tell us about your talents or occupation that you are willing to share with students, teachers, SAA, and POEC. This helps so much when we are looking for a specific interest, talent, or occupation. 

How do I start an After School Club with my talents or interests?

Please log the information in the volunteer computer under activities and then go to the office and pick up a form.

Concert Choir

Concert choir also starts on Aug 19
Please click on link for flyer.  Concert Choir 

Chior

Choir is getting under way, please see the SAA website for more information and sign up forms. Questions can be directed to Deanna Gardner:  d2_gardner@msn.com

SAA Face Book

SAA Families we are Happy to announce that Syracuse Arts Academy POEC has a Face book Page.

Please take the time to LIKE us we will be keeping you updated on all volunteer opportunities. Carpool and events. Please see Discussions for all up dates on Carpool and Volunteer opportunities. We are in Great hope that this will be a great way to keep you informed and up to date with SAA POEC and Events.

Please click on link to Face book  :

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Syracuse-Arts-Academy-POEC/178412035535755#!/pages/Syracuse-Arts-Academy-POEC/178412035535755

New Welcome to HelpCounter Volunteer on Face book

To use Face book help counter app please go to your face book and find Helpcounter volunteer software. 

Please Click on on the link  Helpcounter Face book :

http://www.helpcounter.net/demovideos/movies/facebook_demo.htm

We hope you'll find this program convenient to manage your volunteer information at school.
You can enter hours you've volunteered, view or edit hours already recorded, update your contact information, and sign up for activities. In these tight economic times, your school needs volunteers more than ever. Your contributions are truly appreciated!

Thank you From The SAA POEC

Earn & Learn

Dear Parents,

I am so excited to find out that Smith’s is mailing a check to Syracuse Arts Academy for the amount of $932.89!!! Smith's donates $1,000,000 to schools every year. Just think what we can do this year, If we share this information with friends and grandparents!

Each year families need to re-enroll. I have attached a form that has a barcode specific to our school. Print this letter and take with you to a Smith's store with your Fresh Values Card or to enroll online:

http://www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/mysmiths/Pages/earn_and_learn.aspx

If you wish to print this this form click here.

Elementary Choir

Choir begins Friday, August 20th for grades 1-6. Rehearsals will run every Friday that school is in session in the elementary school gym from 1:00-1:45. The concert dates are set for the week before Thanksgiving.

Choirs consist of the following:

Ovation Choir (1-2 grades)

Concert Choir (3,4,5 grades)

Show Choir (6^th grade).

Participation dues are 10 dollars. Please return your dues and a permission form by August 27^th to hold your child’s spot in the choir. Permission forms can be found at the volunteer desk in the elementary school. The kindergarteners will be performing in the concert but will practice within their own classrooms. Please contact Deanna Gardner at d2_gardner@msn.com for more information.

Principals Message 8/15/2010

Click here to see all pages

Principals Message July 26th 2010

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SAA Parent Organization Executive Committee By-Laws

1. Name of Organization
Syracuse Arts Academy Parent Organization Executive Committee, also known as SAA POEC, Parent Organization, and henceforth referred to as POEC.

2. Object of Organization
The POEC has been established to organize volunteers to fulfill the mission and vision of SAA, implement extracurricular activities, act as liaison between Syracuse Arts Academy and SAA Board of Directors, and Families of students enrolled at SAA and to raise funds to support these venues.

3. Membership
Legal guardians of students attending SAA are members of the Parent Association. No membership fees are required.

4. Officers: Election and Terms
Chairman and Co-Chairman shall be elected by the majority of membership. Election shall take place before the end of the previous school year, i.e. vote in April for service in next school year. Any member interested in running for these offices is encouraged. At a minimum, a weeklong election will be held with ballots given to members through email, internet or other applicable manner. Term of office is one year for Committee Chair Positions. Committee Chairs may apply for a second year but shall not exceed 2 years actively serving on the POEC. The Chairman and Co-Chairman shall both serve 2 years, one year as co-Chairman and a second year as Chairman.
Additional Committee Chairman Selection will be done through a two week application process before the end of the school year. The current POEC shall vote on applicants. To be appointed, a 2/3 majority vote is required.

4a. Ex-Officio Members (Non-Voting members)
The Principal and at least one teacher will be encouraged to sit on the POEC. The former Chairman will also be extended the opportunity for one year.

4b. Number of Members
The Number of Committee Chairs, including Chairman and Co-Chairman and not including ex-official members, shall be no less than 5 and no greater than 11.

4c. Vacancies/Dismissal
Vacancies shall be filled through the same application process in whatever time manner deemed necessary by current POEC.
Resignation is effective upon written notice to the POEC, unless a future date is specified. Follow procedure for filling vacancy.
Removal of Officers. The POEC may remove any officer from office by a 2/3 vote of quorum. The POEC may appoint someone to carry out the responsibilities of said officer until the election may be held.

Grounds for Dismissal
1. Parent members who fail to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the POEC without 24 hours notice may be removed from the POEC by a 2/3 majority vote.
2. Parents who fail to attend 5 regular meetings of the POEC within a school year may be removed from the POEC by a 2/3 majority vote.
3. Parent members who fail to fulfill their responsibilities may be removed from the POEC by a 2/3 majority vote.

4d. Family Relation
A parent may not run for POEC Chairman and Co-Chairman if his/her spouse, or ex-spouse is already serving on the SAA Board of Directors.

4c. Officers: Roles of Responsibility (see addendum)

4d. Team Leader: Rose and Responsibility (see addendum)

5. Meetings
The POEC shall meet monthly. Meeting dates and times shall be posted in the Back to School Newsletter for the school year. Any changes or special meetings must be posted, on school doors, at least one week in advance and should appear in monthly newsletter.

5a. Quorum
A 2/3 of the POEC body shall constitute a quorum. A quorum must be present to hold a POEC meeting. POEC leaders may conduct business as usual and take action as long as proposals are
adopted by majority vote. The Chairman shall preside at POEC meetings unless he/she appoints another member to take his/her place.

6. Executive Team
The POEC Chairman, Co-Chairman, and Committee Chairman make up the executive team. The Executive Team may meet between POEC meetings in a workshop form. All action for approval must take place at a regular POEC meeting. The workshops are exempt from posting the date and time of meeting.

7. Committees
Committee Chairman will be selected by the POEC member assigned to the said committee. The Chairman will then recruit parents of SAA who volunteered to serve on each committee. The POEC has the power to create other committees as needed to research and collect data and parental feedback around specific issues of concern. A chairman will be appointed by the POEC.

8. Parliamentary Authority
Robert's Rules Newly Revised shall be the official Parliamentary Authority. The POEC shall operate under these rules of order.

9. Amendment
Any amendments necessary to these bylaws must have a 2/3 majority vote and 1 wee prior notice shall be given as to the date and time of meeting and include the wording for the proposed change.

10. Compensation
No member of the POEC shall be compensated for their services rendered. Any member of the POEC may be reimbursed for personal monies spent in behalf of the POEC.

Parent Association Goals and Responsibilities
The Mission of Syracuse Arts Academy is stated as follows:
"Syracuse Arts Academy develops respectful, confident citizens in a solid educational environment enriched by artistic expression."

The Responsibility of the Parent Organization Executive Committee (POEC) is to support the mission and goals of the school. WE, as members, are to:
 Be a support to the Board of Directors, Principal, Teachers, and Parents.
 Organize people, events, and activities which support the mission of the school and the development of its students.
 Be pro-active in accomplishing goals within given boundaries.
 Be a resource for parents in their efforts to assist the school and its programs.
 Encourage parents to volunteer and be involved in their child (ren)'s education.
 Raise funds for activities, programs, and items needed by the school and/or students.
 Create a calendar of events for the year.

In these efforts, we are to:
 Have good communication between committees, Chairman, Principal, and Teachers.
 Meet together regularly to plan and coordinate.
 Check phone and e-mail messages regularly and return communication within 24 hours.
 E-mail agenda items to Secretary in a timely manner.
 Delegate wisely, being an effective and supportive leader.
 Set clear expectations for our committees.
 Follow up and check on progress regularly.
 See activities through to the end, including clean up, returning things borrowed or used, being prepared to give a report, and organizing reimbursements.
 Not be a micro-manager.
 Motivate through positive speech and behavior, praising sincere efforts, and thanking parents and volunteers for their time and assistance.
 Anticipate problems and find ways to solve them effectively.
 Give credit where credit is due.
 Be open-minded and willing to see things from various points of view.
Most Important, have fun!! Remember that you are helping give your children, and the children of our community, and educational experience that they will build on for the rest of their lives.

Changes to POEC By-Laws

4d. Number of Members

The number of Committee Chairs, including Chairman and Co-Chairman and not including ex-officio members, shall be no less than 5 and no greater than 11.

All committee chairman are voting members of the POEC. Each committee will expand to having both an Elementary Co-Chair and a Junior High co-chair. These positions are non-voting members. In the event a chairman is not present for a vote one co-chair would fill that position. All committee chairman and co-chairman must apply and are voted in by the current POEC.


11. Finances

The Executive Officers will consist of the Chair, Co-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. Each one will have access to POEC checking account to insure better accountability. In addition each is required to have a background check when placed in office. Failure is grounds for dismissal. The POEC will operate with a dual signature checking account. The treasurer presents a financial statement monthly at POEC meetings.