Morning Creek Elementary  Foundation

Welcome back Colt Families! 

The 2007-2008 school year was another success for the Morning Creek Elementary Foundation.  3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade students will be returning to school with brand new document cameras in their classrooms (17 cameras in total)!  The Foundation generated enough funds to secure our PE Instructional Aide, Marsha Santiago as well as Mardi Johnson, our school Counselor, through the next calendar year.  We will also continue to support the Reading Plus program.  Further, $5000 garnered from the Fund-A-Need drive at “A Country Affair” was contributed to Morning Creek classrooms. 

The Morning Creek Elementary Foundation anticipates another year of successful fundraising to further enrich our children’s education experience. This year’s calendar of programs includes the Read-A-Thon, Candy-Cane Grams, Jog-A-Thon and our signature “A Country Affair” auction event.  We will also pursue fundraising through Albertson’s Community Partners program, Wacky Wednesday dinner nights, Recycling and E-waste days, and Cartridges for Kids collections throughout the year.  Look for news about upcoming events in the Newsletter and YO packets. 

Looking forward, the Foundation’s objective is to raise the funds necessary to continue providing our students with a competitive education; academic support, physical education, counseling services, and technology in the classroom.  If you would like to help in this effort you are sincerely welcomed and encouraged!  Please stop by the office to provide us with your contact information. 

Traci Oliveira
President, Morning Creek Elementary Foundation

PTA vs. Foundation
What is the difference between PTA and Foundation?

Many parents seek clarity as to the differences between the PTA and Foundation and why two separate organizations are required to perform one job.  It is true that Foundation and PTA share a common goal – the betterment of our children’s education.  Both organizations work together throughout the year toward that end, but we each have a separate focus and are governed differently. 

PTA provides an environment which invites parents and families to become involved in the education process.  They fund extra-curricular activities such as Math & Science nights, multi-cultural nights, field trips, family-school events, teacher appreciation programs as well as academic support programs.   

The Morning Creek Elementary Foundation’s goal is to raise the money necessary to provide our children with the most competitive education possible.  This typically translates to purchasing elements of education that the district and the state are unable to provide, be it technology, supplemental curriculum or valuable student services.  Over the past few years Foundation has purchased a 15-unit mobile laptop cart, overhead document cameras for 17 classrooms, ReadingPlus program and technical support, student counseling and a dedicated PE instructional aide. 

There are also instances where Foundation and PTA objectives overlap and they enter funding ventures jointly.  For example, both PTA and Foundation have contributed funds towards the acquisition and support of the ReadingPlus Program at Morning Creek. 

These two organizations are governed differently with respect to how they raise and spend money.  PTA, as a national organization, is bound by strict by-laws which dictate how fundraising is achieved and how funds are implemented into programs. Foundation, on the other hand, can pursue as much fundraising as is necessary to achieve its stated goals.  Funding decisions are guided by the Foundation Board, as representatives of parents, together with teacher and administrative input. Decisions can be made, or changed, as the Foundation sees fit.

Our Morning Creek PTA is exceptional, and our school “community” is enriched due to their efforts.  And our Foundation will continue bridging the gap between what public education offers and what a competitive, 21^st-century education ideally should be.  Both organizations need your support and both would benefit from your input.  Check the Colt Clipboard and join us for an upcoming meeting.