President Letter to Families - August 2009
Creating Community · Supporting Enrichment
August, 2009
Dear Montclair Families –
To start off the 2009-10 school year, we are very excited to announce that we are going to create a new
school community group for Montclair. A group that is all-inclusive, supportive, and nurtures all of our
families, students and staff.
The biggest reason for this change is so that all parents/guardians, teachers and staff will have a voice
without having to pay any dues. When you enroll your child at Montclair, or if you are a staff member
working with our students every day, you automatically become a member of the new school community
group. There are no monetary dues to pay - all we ask for is your commitment to our school and the
students.
All PTA’s are required by their bylaws to charge membership dues, and in turn give portions of those dues
to the County, State and National PTA’s. You cannot be a PTA and not charge dues. For those dues, PTA
provides various programs and other services. However, in recent years, Montclair has not participated in
any of the programs that PTA offers.
In addition, PTA is a pretty active political lobbying organization. And while we don’t necessarily take
issue with their positions, we believe that, as an Innovation School, an innovative community group with
no link to political involvement or affiliation is a better fit for Montclair and our community.
Over the next few months, we will be working on the transition details and will be asking for your input
and ideas for the new group. We hope that you are as excited as we are for what the future holds. We
strongly believe that parents are partners in their students’ education and as such, we will encourage
your active participation in ways that are meaningful for you and your family.
Please feel free to contact me or any of the other current PTA board members if you have questions, want
more information, or would like to be involved in the process.
Warm Regards,
Judy Todd
President
Please let Teri Whitbeck, Secretary, (teri@whitbecks.com ) know if you would like to receive emails
and updates from us.