Plymouth Parent Association Updates

PLYMOUTH PARENT ASSOCIATION

The Plymouth Parent Association is a parent/family lead organization that supports the students, staff, and families of Plymouth Middle School through the organization of special events, fundraising, and community building.  We are currently working on fundraising efforts to purchase updated fitness equipment for PE classes, additional water bottle filling stations, and additional financial support for individual teachers and staff to access things they need for their classroom or duties.  The PPA also accepts specific requests from teachers and staff for specific needs they may have.)

Current PPA board: Nina Jonson (president), Julia Cheath (vice-president), Liz Senne (secretary), Katie Engstrom (treasurer).

EXCITING NEWS!

• Following feedback and discussion with parents and Principal Kulland, the PPA board members voted to approve micro-grants to be given to every teacher/staff member at Plymouth Middle School.  These micro-grants are for the purpose of supporting our teachers and staff members to purchase much-needed things for their classrooms or services and to help ease the burden of working within limited budgets.  Every staff member can apply! The PPA approved the amount of $125 per teacher/staff member to be requested from, approved by, as distributed by the PPA board in the coming months.  More details to come!

What are some ways you can get involved?

• Attend monthly meetings and let us know your feedback on how we can best support the students, teachers/staff, and school community (these are currently held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 pm, virtually)
• Volunteer for special events
• Join the board or chair a committee position
• Follow us on Facebook to see up to date information and communications: https://www.Facebook.com/PMSPlymouthParentAssociation
• Email us at plymouthparentassociation@gmail.com to be added to our email list.

Upcoming PPA activities

• ROAR Holiday Store, 12/17 @ 8:30am.  Thank you for your donations to this!  The students are so excited to use their PAWS and see what exciting new items we’ve collected for the store!
• Back to school recognition for teachers and students.  The PPA is looking to provide special treats for both teachers/staff and students upon their return on 1/3.  
• Drive-up coffee at the parent pick-up line has been quite successful and a great way to connect with parents!  Look for more of these events in the future!
• The PPA is looking to host special speakers for a parent education series.  These special meetings may include topics such as parent/student mental health following traumatic events, supporting students in understanding the risks of social media use, recognizing signs of depression and anxiety in youth, etc.  If there is a special topic that you would like to see discussion, please email plymouthparentassociation@gmail.com.

Current needs:

• Book fair chairperson (the book fair takes place in late-February and will work directly with Kris Combs, Media Center Specialist)
• The media center is in need of volunteers on a regular basis to help with inventory, sorting, organizing, and labeling books!  Contact the media specialist at PMS, Kris Combs: kris_combs@rdale.org.
• The PPA is currently looking to add a board member as a diversity, equity and inclusion liaison.  Please contact us at plymouthparentassociation@gmail.com to inquire further or if you would be interested in this role.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday, January 11th at 7 pm.  This will be held virtually through Zoom.  A link will be sent out prior to the meeting and will also be posted to our facebook page.