The Cupertino Courier

Eisenhower's parents tune in with TVs, VCRs

By Katherine Petersen

Eisenhower Elementary School would have a hard time accomplishing all it does for its students without help from its Parent Teacher Association. The PTA provides many supplies for Eisenhower's teachers and recently purchased TVs and VCRs on rolling carts for each classroom, said PTA president Paula Yamane.

"Teachers also get money to use for science projects to use at their discretion," Yamane said. "Some teachers do activities together so they can stretch it out."

Over the past few years, the PTA replaced both the kindergarten and primary playgrounds, Yamane said.

The PTA also funds some staff positions such as literacy aides, who help students struggling with reading skills, Yamane said.

The Eisenhower PTA depends on two fundraisers each year for most of the money it has to supplement school funds, Yamane said.

For the fall event, called Robin Wrap, students sell packages of gift wrapping materials for the holidays during a two-week period.

"We don't have the students go door to door. The students sell to family and friends," Yamane said.

Buyers can choose from a catalog of items including wrapping paper, bows, tissue paper, bags, ribbons and note cards. The project raises between $15,000 and $20,000, roughly half of the organization's budget.

With money left over from last year, Yamane said the PTA hopes to have about $43,000 this year.

Eisenhower's spring fundraiser, which is so far undecided, is usually a spell-a-thon, read-a-thon or walk-a-thon, which brings in about $8,000, Yamane said.

The PTA provides a special assembly for students each month, such as writing or theater workshops, Yamane said.

The PTA has about 200 volunteers, but is always looking for more. "You don't have to come to meetings to be active in the school. We want people to be active in any way they can," Yamane said.

Some parents work in the computer lab, some help out as tutors and others bake for sales that accompany book fairs or other activities.

"That gives a working parent a chance to contribute away from the school site," Yamane said.

The Eisenhower PTA, which last year had about 250 members, meets once a month. The next meeting is Oct. 8 at 3:15 p.m. at Eisenhower's Guided Learning Center, 277 Rodonovan Road in Santa Clara. Call Paula Yamane at 247-5475 for more information about the Eisenhower PTA.

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