PTA Projects and Events
Every year, the PTA through its parent volunteers sponsors a number of events and special projects that serve our school. Please direct questions and interest in volunteering to the PTA Executive Board.
Improving Gym Resources at the School
Believing that parents can be effective in spearheading major projects that improve the opportunities for all students, the PTA in 2006 created a PTA development committee whose sole purpose is to fundraise for major initiatives at the school. The impetus for this committee grew out of a group of dedicated parents who took on the task of raising funds to build two new playgrounds at the school in 2005. After a series of meetings in the summer of 2006 and discussion with the school’s administrators, a decision was made to launch a year long campaign to raise funds to renovate the middle school gym, create an elementary gym, and expand where possible physical educational programming for our children by ensuring that the necessary equipment and resources were available. This initiative, “Minds in Motion,” was launched in October 2006 and raised $200,000.
Evening with the Arts – Fall 2007
Sponsored by the Advocates for the Arts, this biennial event is a special opportunity to attend an elegant evening at the school. The school’s multi-purpose room is beautifully transformed into a nighttime entertainment venue. Relying mainly on parents who are artists for entertainment and for providing art to purchase, the evening provides a wonderful social occasion for the RPEMS community and raises funds for arts programming at the school such as the acquisition of new instruments, vocal music, and special assemblies for the school’s children.
The Affordable Auction – Fall 2008
This biennial Auction is a major fundraiser and is major fun! Partnering with our City’s businesses and with the many parents who have businesses, the RPEMS community bids on items in a silent and live auction. All proceeds are donated to the school.
Teacher Appreciation Breakfasts – Spring and Fall
To recognize the incredible teachers, administrators, and workers that make up the RPEMS faculty and staff, the PTA hosts a teacher appreciation breakfast twice year. Parents donate baked goods, coffee, gift cards and volunteers transform the elementary faculty lounge into a beautiful breakfast spot for our school’s faculty and staff and say thank you for a job well done!
MayMart
Held since the late 1920’s (we’re not exactly sure of the beginning year date), this annual festival of fun is a celebration of the beginning of warm weather and excitement of spring. Held outside on the school grounds and attended by over 1000 people from both the school and surrounding neighborhoods, MayMart is a major fundraiser for the PTA. Students and their families enjoy food, games, and fun. Booths with homemade crafts, plants, and artwork are for sale and area businesses have booths. MayMart relies on over 200 volunteers to make the day a phenomenal success for the school.
Directory
An elementary and middle school directory is provided to families who want to be included in the directory. Volunteers help coordinate this undertaking.
Family Fun Nights
To foster community among school families, the PTA sponsors Family Fun Nights for both elementary and middle school children a few times a year. Held typically on Friday nights, the theme of each night varies but all who attend have a great time! Coordinating with the school’s principal, volunteers decide the night’s activities.
Gardening
The lovely front and back gardens at the school are maintained primarily through the efforts of Roland Park parents. An “Adopt a Plot” program has been created that permits families to be responsible for one small section of the garden on their own schedule. In addition, the gardening committee holds a number of gardening workdays throughout the year. In the past, thanks to a community partnership with Starbucks, additional gardening projects have been undertaken.
Grade Parents
Every grade at Roland Park has parents serving as grade parents who act as liaisons between the teachers and parents. Grade parents may help coordinate field trips, communicate supply needs to parents, and organize holiday parties and other events. To determine the grade parent(s) for your child’s class, please contact a member of the PTA Executive Board.