Welcome to Forest Hill Elementary School!

As President of the Forest Hill Elementary School (FHES) PTA, I am honored to welcome you to the Forest Hill "Retriever" family. Our school's great success is a community effort of teachers, school administration, support staff, local businesses, and parents like you.

FHES PTA is a member-in-good-standing of the National PTA. This year our membership rose to 575 members. Of course, PTA includes teachers and we are proud that 91% of the FHES teachers (full and part-time) are members of our PTA! In fact, many of our teachers are also FHES parents.

FHES PTA is well funded thanks to the efforts of parents and teachers in several fundraisers throughout the year. Our annual budget is approximately $42,000! Some of this past year's uses of those funds include:

• Over $16,000 allocated to an enrichment fund providing grants for on- and off-site functions including Walters Art Gallery, Gettysburg, Saint Mary's City, Baltimore Zoo, Ladew Gardens, Drug Awareness Magic Show, Herr's Snack Factory and many others.
• $10,000 allocated to Classroom and School Enhancement: $50/full-time and $25/part-time teacher classroom enrichment grants, 25 Student Microscopes and 3 Projecting Microscopes, Bowling Carpets for Phys. Ed, Rubberflex Grab Balls for Phys. Ed., Rental, maintenance, and paper supply for photocopiers, & a Button Making Machine.
• Sponsorship of the Geography Bee, Reflections, Safety Patrol, and Lego Club.
• $4,000 allocated to Student Periodicals: "Time for Kids" & "Weekly Reader".
• Student Agendas
• Our Spring Book Fair generated coupons for new library materials.
• Social programs for parents and teachers including a Bull Roast, Drive through coffee in the morning, and Career Day and its luncheon.
• Family events such as: Spring Fling, Game Night with pizza, & a Vendor Bingo.
• Sponsorship of Teacher Appreciation Week and luncheon, blood drives, and 5th grade recognition.
• Services (not fundraisers): SpiritWear sales, Art to Remember, Spring Book Fair, Yearbook, School Supply kits, group rate Hershey Park tickets.
• Evening PTA Presentations on current topics by speakers from Harford County Public Schools and School Board members on current topics of concern to FHES PTA members.

Most school days you will find one or more parents volunteering in each classroom, especially in the kindergarten programs. The PTA works to support volunteers through training and equipment including the TAC (Teacher's Assistance Center).

The FHES PTA invites you to become a member of our family. Whether you can volunteer an hour a day or an hour a month -- whether you can help at school or do a project from your home -- your participation is a key ingredient to the success of our school. We are very well organized with many different committees and projects in which to volunteer. It is a great way to help the school and an opportunity to meet other parents and learn more about your child's education at FHES!

This August, the school will host an Open House at which you can become a member of the FHES PTA. This year's dues were only $7 for individual & $10 for a family membership. PTA membership allows you access to PTA discounts and the special members-only section of the National PTA website www.PTA.org that has many interesting articles and tools.

Again, I welcome you and your "Retriever" to our school and invite you to contact me with any questions or interests!

Sincerely,

Pia Bombardier
FHES PTA President
piabombardier@comcast.net
410-838-0506

• Important Dates to Remember

• Built in 2000, FHES is the newest school in Harford County.
• We have approximately 550 students in K-5th grade.
• The school's mascot is a golden retriever named Molly. Molly spends many mornings greeting our children ("Retrievers") as they enter school.
• Our Media Center includes a large collection of books that children can bring home each week.
• Our Media Center also includes more than 2 dozen computers.
• All of our classrooms are organized in grade-specific common areas.
• All of our Kindergarten classrooms have bathrooms in the classroom.
• Our Art studio is great and includes an electric kiln and a potters wheel.
• Our gym is packed with equipment for many creative physical events.
• Our school often is host to evening programs and can present several different programs at once using the gym, cafeteria, and media center.