PTA

Oakridge Elementary Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The Oakridge PTA serves as a forum where families, teachers, administrators, and other interested adults discuss ways to promote quality education and encourage community involvement. It implements and supports many programs and activities to help our children succeed on many levels.

Our PTA also supports our school and school staff with funds for campus improvements, extracurricular activities, field trips, classroom technology, books, enrichment programs and much more.

But without families and teachers working together, none of these things would be possible. With your support and enthusiasm, Oakridge will become an even better place to learn!

We work together because we believe our children benefit when parents, guardians, and teachers support each other and our school. Together we can provide resources, programs, and information that help all students, all teachers, and all families.

Here are just a few examples of the many activities and support the PTA brings to the school each year.

SUPPORT & APPRECIATION OF OUR TEACHERS

We organize the popular Book Bites program allowing students in all grade levels to spend a special lunch in the library listening to books read by volunteers.

We organize room parents who provide support for parties, classroom help, serve as field trip chaperones, and much more.

We appreciate our fantastic teachers throughout the year with gifts that they can use both in and out of the classroom, with meals and treats during Parent/Teacher Conferences and teacher appreciation week in the spring, and with grade-level grants to enhance classroom instruction.

We help support grade-level breakfasts where teacher-teams and parents share and discuss mid-semester activities and updates.

SUPPORT ACTIVITIES & ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The PTA funds quality programs in areas such as foreign languages, sports, computer science and robotics to offer after school enrichment throughout the year, encouraging our students to explore diverse academic and athletic interests.

The PTA funds at least 2 field trips for each grade level each year.

We publish a great yearbook and hold fall and spring picture days.

We celebrate our promoting 5th grade class with a reception each spring.

We provide scholarships to make it possible for all of our students to participate in field trips, after-school activities and a Spring Fling Carnival that embraces our neighborhood community.

We organize the Oakridge Scholastic Book Fair each fall, and a Used Book Fair in the spring.

We coordinate and support arts programs such as Square One Art, which brings your child’s unique artistic creations home; the nationally recognized Reflections Program, showcasing our students’ diverse talents; and artistic installations that educate as well as beautify our own school.

We fund visits by celebrated artists, authors, and musicians.

COMMUNICATIONS TO FAMILIES

The PTA makes information kits available to all families.

We create and distribute the School Student Directory.

We keep parents informed of important school and PTA news with weekly email blasts and our PTA website.

We hold monthly PTA Meetings to inform and connect families and teachers (including dinner and child care for our students), and offer monthly coffees and summer playdates to welcome new families.

ORGANIZATION OF MANY FAVORITE OAKRIDGE TRADITIONS

Back to School Ice Cream Social – Our annual picnic and ice cream party at the school playground is the perfect chance for families to mingle and for students to re-connect with friends.

International Blacktop Ball – Our Oakridge fall dance takes place under the stars on our blacktop, celebrating our school’s cultural diversity.

Family Night at the Nationals Game – Every fall and spring, Oakridge families head to Nationals Park to support our local baseball team.

Family Skate Night – This night of ice skating takes place right in the neighborhood, at Pentagon Row’s seasonal ice skating rink.

Silent Auction & Spring Fling – Our Silent Auction is a grown-up gala affair, while the whole neighborhood comes out to enjoy rides, rock climbing walls, games, and great carnival food at the Spring Fling.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE SCHOOL

In addition to all the volunteer hours provided by families and teachers, the PTA is a crucial source of funding for some very large and important initiatives.

The PTA has provided nearly $50,000 in funding for new technology in the classroom such as SMART Boards, laptops, iPads, projectors, and interactive testing technologies, making Oakridge one of the most technologically equipped elementary schools in our County.

We provided nearly $40K for new playground equipment and supplies.

The PTA makes grants of up to $800 per grade level for teachers to carry out projects that provide a unique learning experience where funds are not otherwise available!

With the PTA’s support, Oakridge has one of the county’s most extensive “movable” book rooms, providing teacher-selected titles for supplemental classroom reading instruction, student book clubs, and Readers’ Theater.

Oakridge PTA proudly supports our exemplary program, MOSAIC, celebrating our student diversity through music, art, and reading.