PTA Committees

Welcome,

 

The Oak Forest Elementary PTA is comprised of parent volunteers. Each committee member has committed to serving our Oak Forest community for two years. In order to be truly successful, we need YOU!

 

We all agree that nothing is more important than our little Bobcats! It doesn’t matter how much time you give, only that you give. Whether you are able to make a one-time commitment for a couple hours or several hours every week, there is a committee that is conducive to your lifestyle.

 

We encourage you to browse through the various committees. Do you have a particular talent, skill or hobby? Find something you think you would enjoy that also meets your time restraints. Serving on the PTA is also a great way to meet other parents and teachers. We work hard but we have fun too!

 

If you have more questions, please contact the chair listed for each committee.

Happy Hunting.

 

Auction | Bobcat Store | Book Fair | Campus Beautification | Community Partners | Cultural Connections | Fall Festival | Fall Fundraiser | Field Day | Finance | Grants | Healthy Kid | Hospitality | IT/Website | Legislative | Library | Membership | New Parent Liaison | Outdoor Learning | Outreach | PTA Spirit | Reflections | School Supplies | Social Media | Staff Appreciation | Sustainability | Yearbook 

Auction

Who are we?

We organize the annual silent auction and dinner to raise money for Oak Forest.

What is required of Volunteers?

The Auction Committee meets once per month to prepare for the BIG event.  We need many talents such as obtaining donations, organizing donated items, managing operations, marketing, obtaining sponsors and graphic design.  If you like to have fun, this is the committee for you!

How can Parents help?

Attend the event every year!  This is a fun parents only night out with dinner, music, dancing and fund raising.

How can Students help?

Help your class make items to sell at the auction.  Ask mom and dad to buy you an auction T-shirt!

Does the PTA profit off the sales?

No, each year the money raised is donated to Oak Forest.  This year the money will be utilized to purchase new technology for our little Bobcats!

Ready to Volunteer?  Contact the Auction Committee: auction@oakforestpta.com.

 

Bobcat Store

Who are we?
The Bobcat Store Committee is responsible for the online PTA store and selling school spirit merchandise.  The merchandise is available for purchase at various events through-out the year and online.

What is required of Volunteers?
Committee members are responsible for ordering new shirts and merchandise for the store. This includes working with vendors on design, quantities ordered, pricing, descriptions and uploading information into Shopify to link with the online store. Periodic inventory checks as well as maintaining a neat store room for items that we sell.

Volunteers are needed to help fill orders and sell merchandise for busy school events. Most events occur in the evenings and only require a couple hours of service. Assistance with filling orders for Ice Cream Socials usually occurs during the day before the planned Ice Cream Socials.

How can Parents help?
Volunteer, of course!  We need help at the Ice Cream Socials and various meetings throughout the year.

Ready to Volunteer?  Contact the Bobcat Store Committee:  bobcatstore@oakforestpta.com.

 

Book Fair

Who are we?

The Book Fair Committee works with the OFE Library to organize two Book Fairs each school year.  Some of the money raised is used to purchase new library books and AR tests for the students.

What is required of Volunteers?

If you enjoy working with little Bobcats, this is the committee for you!  It only requires giving a few hours of your time during the Book Fair.  There are several ways to help during the Book Fair:

• Serve as a cashier to help ring up books
• Help children pick out books
• Help children figure out how much money they have to spend
• Help Mrs. Hunt put books back in their places
• Help set-up before the Book Fair begins

How can Parents help?

Encourage your children to love reading!  Remind them to take their money to school to buy their new book(s).  Let grandparents support your Bobcat by purchasing a book for their grandchild.

How can Students help?

Students can help by bringing your money to school on the day your class goes to the Book Fair.  Give your parents and grandparents a wish list of the books you want.

Ready to Volunteer?  Contact the Book Fair Committee: bookfair@oakforestpta.com.

 

Campus Beautification

Who are we?
The OFE Campus Beautification Committee works to establish and maintain the visual appeal and functionality of our campus. This will also include a few days of service throughout the year, where we can all lend a hand to keep our campus beautiful.

What is required of volunteers?
Throughout the year we need to maintain our beautiful fence paws, work with the school to create engaging spaces for students and help any of our fellow PTA committees as they prepare for community events. These jobs can mostly take just a few hours each month.

How can parents help?
As with any project, extra help is always welcome. Throughout the year, we might call upon OFE parents to come and lend us a hand.

How can students help?
Our fifth-grade leadership committees can help us throughout the year with our service days. 
We will work with our fifth-grade committee leaders to help coordinate.

Still have questions? Contact the Campus Beautification Committee at
beautification@oakforestpta.com

 

Community Partnerships

Who are we?

The OFE Community Partnerships Committee works to establish and maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with our community residents and business partners. We identify, foster, establish and maintain relationships with community partners while working together to improve our school and our neighborhood. We take an active interest in the well being of our community and our students.  The Community Partnerships Committee markets to business partners in our area, acts as the contact person when there are questions or concerns, and ensures that donors are given advertising that was purchased.

Still have questions?  Contact the Community Partnerships Committee: communityrelations@oakforestpta.com

 

Cultural Connections

Who are we?

Still have questions?  Contact the Community Partnerships Committee: cultural@oakforestpta.com

 

 

Fall Fundraiser

Who are we?

We kick off the school year with The Fall Fundraiser. This is our main fundraiser for the PTA Budget. For the past few years, students have raised money through Booster Fun Run activities! Students have a blast being a part of the fundraising for their school.

What is required of Volunteers?

We need your help! Parents are encouraged to reach out to their friends, family and community to raise funds for OFE. We also need parents the day of the event to mark shirts, pass out water and lots of other fun opportunities.

How can Parents help?

Help your students fill up their order forms.  Sell products to family, friends, neighbors, your work and at church. Never sell door-to-door!

 How can Students help?

Have your parents sign you up for the Fall Fundraiser. There will be prizes!!!

Where does the money go?

The funds help pay for many Oak Forest activities, such as:

• Classroom Enhancements
• Accelerated Reader
• Band
• School Enhancements
• Teacher Appreciation
• Garden Maintenance & Instruction

Ready to Volunteer?  Contact Fall Fundraiser Committee:  fallfundraiser@oakforestpta.com 

Field Day

Who are we?
The Field Day Committee is responsible for working with the school to plan the event, coordinating volunteers to oversee event stations, and organizing refreshments.

What is required of volunteers?
If you enjoy working with little Bobcats, you’ll love helping out on Field Day. Field Day is one of the kiddos’ favorite days of the year, and it’s a one-time commitment that only requires a few hours of your time. Here is how you can help:

• Work one of more than 10 event stations, including tug-of-war, a 50-yard dash, and egg-and-spoon races;
• Distribute popsicles to all participants;
• Oversee snow cone distribution;
• Distribute water to participants at one of two water stations;
• Help set up, refill and take down water stations; and
• Assist with general clean up after the event.

How can parents help?
Volunteer on the day of the event! We need your help to make Field Day successful and fun for all of our children!

Ready to Volunteer?  Contact the Field Day Committee:   fieldday@oakforestpta.com

 

Finance

Who are we?

The Finance Committee works with the Treasurer to help process and count money for deposits during PTA fund raising events.   Our main goal is to expedite the counting process to assure deposits and reimbursements are completed in a timely manner.

What is required of Volunteers?

Volunteers are needed to help count money.  The money is counted at Oak Forest, so we usually meet during the school day or after school.  

How can Parents help?

Make sure all checks written to OFE contain:

• your child’s name and
• his/her teacher’s name

Ready to Volunteer?  Contact the Finance Committee:  finance@oakforestpta.com.

 

Grants

Who are we?

The Grants Committee conducts research to locate grants that could provide extra money to Oak Forest.  There are thousands of dollars available to schools, teachers and students.  Due to budget cuts, grant money is an excellent way to support the education of our Bobcats!

What is required of Volunteers?

Every grant has specific requirements that must be met.   Many of them require the money be utilized for a specific use or project within the school.  Volunteers must examine the grant requirements to determine if Oak Forest has the potential of winning that particular grant.

Once a grant has been selected, we must complete a grant application.  This is where you can put your writing skills on display by explaining why Oak Forest deserves the grant.

How can Parents help?

Inform the Grant Committee of any special projects taking place in our school that would benefit from grant money.  We encourage anyone who hears of a grant opportunity that Oak Forest may qualify for, to let us know about it.

How can Students help?

The Grant Committee may ask students to write stories, draw pictures and share what they have learned with the Grant Committee.  These items will be submitted with the grant application.

Ready to Volunteer?  Contact the Grants Committee: grants@oakforestpta.com.

 

Healthy Kid

Who are we?
We promote healthy living habits by providing students with two optional opportunities that support wellness – Healthy Kids Week and Kids Triathlon. 

Healthy Kids Week is focused on providing one week of daily opportunities to exercise healthy habits - mental, physical, or social, culminating with the Kids Heart Challenge.

Every year, we form and organize the Oak Forest Elementary team’s participation in a local Kids Triathlon event held in April.  This includes a 4-week group training session (running, swimming, and biking) beginning the week after Spring Break to ensure participating students are adequately prepared for the triathlon.

How can Parents help?
Join our committee! We need energetic people to help during Healthy Kids Week and in the group training sessions that prepare students for the Kids Triathlon.

How can Students help?
Participate in activities that take place the week of Healthy Kids Week or register for the triathlon!

Ready to Volunteer?  Contact the Healthy Kid Committee: healthykid@oakforestpta.com

 

Hospitality

Who we are:

Hospitality committee is on task to provide a warm and inviting environment for certain PTA events. This mainly includes providing the food and drink for all of the PTA Board Meetings and PTA Association meetings.

What is required of Volunteers?

Volunteers of this committee are required to organize, set up, help serve and clean up food/drinks for all of the PTA meetings held throughout the school year. There are 5 PTA Board meetings and 5 PTA Association meetings. These meetings are set before the school year starts so it’s a great committee for someone that needs to know a head of time when they are needed to volunteer. It is a mix of morning and evening meetings so breakfast or dinner will be needed. Some additional responsibilities include running the volunteering at tables at the front of the school at Ice Cream Social to greet all parents and students and if needed, a snack booth if our school is a Vanguard testing site in February.

How can Parents help?

Some of the PTA Association meetings are in the evenings which include dinner and a student performance. At these meetings, families may purchase what is generally a pizza dinner. Hospitality usually needs parent volunteers to help set up and serve food before the meetings starts.

Looking to volunteer? Please email hospitality@oakforestpta.com

 

IT/Website

Who are we?

The IT/Website Committee is responsible for creating and maintaining the Oak Forest Elementary PTA website, e-mail administration, and other technical needs & matters.

How can Parents help?

Browse through the website.  Let us know if you can’t find what you’re looking for.  We are always open to new ideas.

Have an idea?  Contact the IT/Website Committee: website@oakforestpta.com.

 

Legislative

Who are we?

The PTA’s Legislative Committee is responsible for keeping members informed with Legislative News Briefs and important information sent out by the Texas PTA’s Legislative Action Team. This committee also coordinates the Coffee with the Principal events.

How can Parents help?

Stay informed by joining the Legislative Action Team. Send your request to join along with your name and e-mail address to communications@txpta.org. You may “opt out” or forward these e-mails once you have signed up.

Parents can also download the Legislative Action Chairman’s Guide on the Texas PTA website, www.txpta.org,, to learn more about becoming a child advocate, organizing a candidate’s forum, or any other legislative committee information.

Additional information can be found on the PTA website, www.txpta.org.. Once the page loads, you can click on the information adjacent to the “Under the Dome” section to view newsletters and weekly Legislative Reports.

Still have Questions? Contact the Legislative Committee: legislative@oakforestpta.com.

 

Library

Who are we?

The Library Committee works with the OFE Library to help keep our library organized so that the students can find books with ease and continue to foster their love for reading.

What is required of Volunteers?

Weekly volunteer opportunities will be posted to ParentSquare within the Library Committee group to help with:

• Checking books back in
• Re-shelving books
• Organizing shelves
• Labeling books
• Organizing and distributing reading incentives
• Read-a-thon
• Bluebonnet breakfast

How can Parents help?

Continue to encourage your student’s and all students’ love for reading. Please check on ParentSquare for volunteer opportunities and sign up to help.

Ready to Volunteer?  Contact the Library Committee: library@oakforestpta.com

 

Membership

Welcome to the Oak Forest PTA Membership Committee!  We are happy that you are interested in joining the PTA.

Our goal is to recruit new members and renew the existing members annually.  We attend back-to-school functions, PTA association meetings and various other school events where you can sign-up.  So you have many opportunities to join!

Parents, staff and students are welcome to contact us at any time or whenever they are ready to join our FANTASTIC PTA!

What are the membership fees used for?

The membership fee is $6.50 per person.  The fees are used to support our Bobcats both locally and nationally:

• • $2.00 goes directly to Oak Forest Elementary: this supports the students by helping provide classroom learning tools, helps fund school programs, as well as provides parent programs and education
  • $2.25 goes to the Texas PTA: this helps give our school a voice in the Texas Legislature
  • $2.25 goes to National dues: this enables the publication of newsletters, leadership training and other parent resources

Does membership cover both parents?

No.  Membership is individual.  Parents, please support our Bobcats by each of you joining individually.

Join TODAY!  Contact the Membership Committee:  membership@oakforestpta.com.

 

New Parent Liason

Who are we?

We serve as liaisons between the PTA and Oak Forest parents.  Our goal is to communicate important information to parents from the PTA via email.

What is required of Volunteers?

We participate in two fun school events that occur at the beginning of the school year.  If you have a kindergartner or would like to meet other parents this is a great opportunity for you!

• Kindergarten Play Date – 2 hours of service
• Parents Breakfast – 1 hour of service

How can Parents help?

Send us your email address so we can add you to our distribution list.

Ready to Volunteer?  Contact the New Parent Liaison Committee: newparent@oakforestpta.com.

 

 

Outdoor Learning

Who are we?

The Outdoor Learning Committee works to ensure that students at Oak Forest Elementary receive the best education related to science through gardening application. The campus has several raised beds where students, parents, and teachers are able to learn about how plants grow and what benefits they have for us!

We also work to ensure that the arboretum, which is beautifully adorned with many native trees, bushes, and plants, is maintained, safe and healthy.

What is required of Volunteers?

Calling all GREEN THUMBS! We really need people who love gardening and landscaping who can commit a few hours a week to help us further our goals of making our outdoor spaces even better.

How can Parents help?

Parents can be involved by serving as a Garden Parent for their student’s class, volunteering on garden days to weed, water and maintain the beds, or serve on the watering team! Please reach out if you are interested in being a part!

We have a schedule of Garden Days for each class, so please check out ParentSquare for updates for those opportunities!

 Ready to Volunteer? Contact the Outdoor Learning Committee: environment@oakforestpta.com.

Outreach

Who are we?

We are a committee devoted to sharing resources across the community to support the efforts of those working to serve our city to advance equity and justice.

What is required of Volunteers?

Volunteers are asked to collect, organize and deliver resources and materials that are collected by students and families in order to distribute them to non-profits, partnerships and other schools.

How can Parents help?

Parents can help and support efforts through the contribution of goods and services as they are aligned to our annual projects (sack lunches for Kids Meals, for example). Parents can also help engage their students in the work through dialogue at home about Outreach efforts.

How can Students help?

Talk up Outreach efforts with your parents, siblings, teachers and classmates! Get creative as you think about ways you and your peers can contribute to making our whole city better!

Ready to Volunteer? Contact the Auction Committee: outreach@oakforestpta.com.

 

PTA Spirit

Who are we?

The PTA Spirit Committee strives to raise school spirit. The school’s mascot is Bobby the Bobcat. Our committee coordinates all of Bobby’s appearances and we act as his bodyguards! Each year, we welcome both new and returning students at the beginning-of-the-year Ice Cream Social. We also work with various community partners to provide light breakfasts twice a year at the Bites with Your Bobcat events.

You never know, Bobby may even surprise you with a visit at other events during the year!

What is required of Volunteers?

Come have some fun with us! Volunteers can serve at a single event for one or half an hour or participate multiple times throughout the year. Most of the events occur before or after school (Ice Cream Socials in the evening and Bites with your Bobcats before the school day starts). We are always looking for someone who likes to help out with Bobby the Bobcat as well!

How can Parents help?

There are many ways you can show your Bobcat Spirit:

• Help event set up / tear down
• Serve ice cream and / or breakfast items
• Coordinate and help with Bobby appearances
• Donate food or drinks to Bite with Your Bobcat events

How can Students help?

We can always use your help with setting up for and cleaning up after our events, along with preparing and serving food. Bobby the Bobcat also needs body guards navigating around the school while taking pictures with his fans. 

  

Reflections

Who are we?

The Reflections Committee organizes  the Reflections Arts Program which recognizes and rewards children’s artistic expression.  For information on this years reflections program, click here.

How can Parents help?

Encourage your children to express their creativity and submit their entries to the Reflections Program!  Parents are not allowed to be judges; but if you know any suitable candidates, please submit their information as a potential judge.

What can Students enter?

Each year, the students create art inspired by a specific theme.  Students can submit entries in a number of different Art Areas:

• Visual Arts (painting, crafts, etc.)
• Photography
• Literature (composition writing)
• Musical Composition
• Dance Choreography
• Film Production

There are General Participation rules and rules for each Art Area.

What happens next?

ALL participants in the Reflections program are invited to the Reflections Party.  Winners are announced, awards are presented, and best of all, everyone gets to eat pizza and ice-cream!

The best student entries move forward to the district level.  In the past, Oak Forest students have been entered at the State Level Reflections Program.  From the State Level, the best artists can move on to compete and be exhibited at the National Level.

Introducing the ‘Special Artist’ Grade Division

This new grade division is limited to students who have physical, cognitive, or mental health challenges as defined by the Americans with Disability Act.

Currently, students with developmental challenges may enter the program in the grade division that is appropriate for their cognitive level. Parents and teachers of qualifying students may now choose to enter the student in the new Special Artist grade division or continue with the current process, but not both.

Separate rules for the Special Artist Division are available from the Texas PTA website.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?  CONTACT THE REFLECTIONS COMMITTEE:  REFLECTIONS@OAKFORESTPTA.COM.

 

School Supplies

Who are we?
We set up a School Supplies program to give parents the opportunity to pre-order School Supplies for their child(ren) for the upcoming school year.
 
What is required of Volunteers?
Want to help out but short on time?  School Supplies is the committee for YOU!  Volunteers are needed in the month of August to help distribute the pre-ordered supplies to the individual classrooms (1 day of service) and/or to help at the Ice Cream Socials to answer questions the parents may have.
 
How can Parents help?
Parents can help by pre-ordering School Supplies during the PTA sale. By doing so, you are helping your student get off on the right foot the 1st day of school by having all required supplies; and you are helping our teachers a great deal as well. Having the students’ supplies already in their classrooms before school starts allows the teachers to have the supplies labeled, distributed to your child’s desk and ready to go on the 1st day of school!

As if those aren’t reasons enough, purchasing your child’s supplies through the PTA program is less expensive than buying from a retail store because the PTA ensures we get the most competitive market cost and gets a bulk order discount. 
 
Does the PTA profit off the sales?
The School Supplies Committee doesn’t operate for a profit; all the discounts obtained are passed along to the parents; it is a service the PTA provides to the parents, students and teachers of Oak Forest Elementary.

Ready to Volunteer? Contact the School Supplies Committee:
schoolsupplies@oakforestpta.com

 

Social Media

Who are we?

Still have questions?  Contact the Community Partnerships Committee: communications@oakforestpta.com

 

Staff Appreciation

Who are we?

The Staff Appreciation Committee is responsible for providing “tokens of appreciation” to all teachers and staff at Oak Forest. Tokens consist of small gifts, food treats and complete breakfasts/luncheons. We typically provide gifts monthly with our annual holiday breakfast in November or December, and our catered luncheon in May.

What is required of Volunteers?

If you want to give something back but don’t have a lot of time, this is the committee for you!  Volunteers can donate items and/or monetarily.  This can be as simple as donating supplies for the teachers classrooms or $5 for a breakfast or luncheon.

How can Parents help?

Sign-up to be added to our email distribution list. By signing-up you will receive emails from the committee with instructions on how you can help.

Ready to Volunteer?  Contact the Staff Appreciation Committee:  taps@oakforestpta.com.

 

Sustainability

What do we do?
Oak Forest Elementary is committed to teaching students about sustainability and the importance of community involvement. By working together to support efforts at the school, students learn to respect both each other and the environment.

We bring together a group of 4th  and 5th  grade students after classes on Fridays to collect recyclables around the school and learn more about sustainability. Our mission during our meetings is to inspire students to get involved in their community and encourage creative solutions to environmental challenges.

What is required of Volunteers?
Volunteers for the Sustainability Committee meet with the 4th  and 5th  grade club members every Friday after school. The goal each week is to pick up the school's recycling across the campus as well as discuss various sustainability topics (i.e. principles of RRR (reduce, reuse, & recycle), recycling myths/facts, and sustainability efforts around the world).

How can parents help?
Talk to your students about the Sustainability Committee - what we do and why it matters! If you have any input you'd like to give, feel free to reach out.

How can students help?
We ask that 4th and 5th grade students participate in the Sustainability Club.  This involves remaining after school once per week to pick up recycling as well as various opportunities for community work that will be communicated.

Ready to Volunteer?  Contact the Sustainability Committee: green@oakforestpta.com.

 

Yearbook

Who are we?

The Yearbook Committee is looking forward to featuring fantastic photos of our little bobcats in action! We strive to capture and preserve precious moments to be enjoyed for years to come.

What is required of Volunteers?

• Photography Liaison – Showcase your photography skills by volunteering as a photography liaison. What’s that, you ask? The liaison will attend most events, parties and field trips during the school year for his/her assigned grade level. When the liaison is unable to attend an event, he/she can collect pictures from other parents who were present. The liaison will forward all pictures to the Yearbook Committee.
• Committee Member – Meets throughout the year to brainstorm the design and layout of the yearbook, coordinates the class competition, coordinates the sales and distribution of the yearbook, and designs the yearbook

How can Parents help?

We would love to receive your photos of classroom activities, celebrations, school projects, field trips and events. Photos must be school related activities on campus or on field trips only.

What format can photos be in?

• High resolution digital photos (300dpi is preferred)

How do we submit photos?

• If submitting only a few photos, you me email them directly to yearbook@oakforestpta.com(please note the grade and teacher represented)
• If submitting several photos, either send us a dropbox of the photos or you can request us to send you a dropbox folder to place them in

Will the photos I submitted be in the yearbook?

Unfortunately, the yearbook does have a space limitation. The committee will select photos as appropriate for the yearbook theme, layout, and printing specifications.

Ready to Volunteer? Contact the Yearbook Committee: yearbook@oakforestpta.com.