Committee Descriptions

Many of these committees may be managed by two volunteers acting as co-chairpersons.

 

Family Program Committee Co-Chairs

Kathy Yates
Monica Lengyel

 

ADVOCACY

Coordinator: Suzanne Yates

The ADVOCACY COMMITTEE is a forum of the PTA at Steele Elementary School where parents, teachers, administrators and others can discuss concerns; gather information; and advocate for the children in our community.  We are a diverse group of people, and promote a diverse range of issues; but are united in our commitment to successfully advocate on our children’s behalf.

 

The Advocacy Committee will further the PTA’s mission:

        To support and speak on behalf of our children at school, in the community and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children.

        To assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children.

        To encourage parent- and public involvement in DPS (Denver Public Schools).

You are encouraged to make suggestions. 

AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT

Coordinator:  TBD

Parent volunteers with a passion to share, plan and execute one hour, 4-6 week after-school sessions for Steele students. The program fee covers the cost of any supplies. If you have a passion to share, such as chess or dance, contact the chair.

EARTH DAY

Coordinator:  TBD

Help celebrate Earth Day by organizing the classrooms to clean up the grounds of Steele Elementary.

FAMILY OUTINGS

Coordinators: Tracey Brummett & Jenifer Pavlina

Do you ever find it’s the weekend and you forgot to plan something fun for the family? Join Steele Families 4 times a year on an array of activities - fun for everyone.

KINDERGARTEN PLAYDATES
Coordinator:  Monica Lengyel

Our first summer playdate is this Friday morning June 11th from 9-11a.m. at Steele Elementary on the Southwest playground (looking at the school's front entrance it is the playground on your right). Bring your future Kindergartners and any other siblings and meet other Steele kids and families.  FYI the school is closed which means no bathrooms however, Starbucks is only a block away and you can use their facilities.  Other dates include:

• Fridays - June 11, July 9, August 6 from 9-11am        
• Mondays - June 21, July 19, Aug 16 from 5:30-7:30pm

PARENT ENRICHMENT

Coordinator: Sarah Mathew

Keep up with your kids and attend some of our parent education nights. Tied to the School Improvement Plan, we offer evening presentations that will help you support your student’s efforts. This year we will also offer fee based classes like Love and Logic and Red Cross First Aid Training.

PEGASUS

Coordinator: Traci Mink

The support group you’ve been looking for!  We are an advocacy group dedicated to providing resources and tools to the care-givers and teachers of children whose needs are not always met, and always have a lot to discuss, everyone welcome.

REFLECTIONS

Coordinator: TBD

The Steele PTA is pleased to announce our participation in the PTA Reflections art program.

Each year, the PTA Reflections Program challenges students to create art inspired by a specific theme. The theme for the 2010–2011 PTA Reflections Program is “Together we can...” Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the theme may be submitted.

Arts Areas

Students may submit works in any of six arts areas:

·         Dance choreography

·         Film production

·         Literature

·         Musical composition

·         Photography

·         Visual arts

 

Grade Divisions

Students may enter the Reflections Program in the appropriate division for their grade. The divisions are as follows:

·         Primary: preschool–grade 2

·         Intermediate: grades 3–5

·         Middle/Junior: grades 6–8

·         Senior: grades 9–12

 

General Guidelines

Please note that students may submit entries only through a PTA or PTSA in good standing.  All entries submitted must be original works and must relate to the current year’s Reflections Program theme.  Each entry must be the work of only one student.  Assistance from teachers, parents, or friends is not permitted except in special cases (such as students with physical disabilities.  For complete information please go to the PTA website http://www.ptareflections.org/cs/student_entry_form.

 

All entries will be due to the Steele Reflections committee on Friday October 1, 2010. More information will be published in the beginning of the school year.

RIF/BOOK FAIR/BOOK DRIVE

Coordinators:  Beth Hasse and Pam Silverberg

Reading is Fundamental (RIF) – Founded in 1966, RIF is the oldest and largest children's and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States.  At Steele we hold RIF three times a year and the kids love it. Each child at Steele is able to select and keep a book. 

Bookdrive - Doing some cleaning?  Bring in your old children’s books and they will be donated to a school or organization in need.

SENSORY LIBRARY

Coordinator: Traci Mink

SIMPLY COFFEE AT WASH PARK PERK

Coordinator:  Stephanie Fowler

Simply Coffee  - 8:30 a.m. First Thursday of each month, Wash Perk

This is a light hearted meeting designed to get our school community together. It's a relaxing way to spend some time with all the wonderful people we pass by while scurrying to and from school.  There is no agenda, other than to get to know each other.

Wash Perk is a great locally owned business that supports Steele Elementary and the surrounding community.  It is located at 853 E. Ohio Ave on the corner of S. Emerson and Ohio.  Remember, someone always wins a $10 coffee card each month just for coming! 

STEAM PALOZZA
Coordinator:  TBD

STUDENT LEADERSHIP & CHILDREN'S PHILANTHROPY

CoordinatorS:  Gene Boyer, Laura Mauck, and teacher representative

Work with Gene, our principal, and the student leadership team to train kids on giving tours of our historic school to potential Steele families.  In addition, our student leaders will learn about "giving back" with a focus on philanthropy.

Steele is thrilled to participate in Pennies for Peace. The Pennies for Peace program is designed to help students broaden their cultural horizons and learn about their capacities as philanthropists. It educates students about the world beyond their experience and shows them that they can make a positive impact on a global scale, one penny at a time. Students learn the rewards of sharing and working together to bring hope and education opportunities to the children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. While a penny is virtually worthless, in impoverished countries a penny buys a pencil and opens the door to literacy.