Happy Last Month of School, Cypress families! It's hard to believe we have just 3 weeks left of the 2022-23 school year.
In these busy days, it's helpful to take a minute to pause and reflect on the past year, and celebrate the successes. Here are some of PTA's accomplishments this year:
- Back To School: PTA delivered 500+ school supply kits to classrooms before the first day of school, provided meals to welcome new and returning CSES staff, welcomed Kindergarten families with Popsicles in the Park, and hosted Back To School Bash and Welcome Breakfast for families.
- Membership/Volunteers: CSEPTA had 281 members join this year, and achieved the coveted Golden Apple Award for 100% faculty joins. These members and volunteers made possible all of the different events and programs PTA provides throughout the entire school year.
- Enrichments: PTA Reflections sent Brody Sansone to win Honorable Mention at the state level, students learned about Salvador Dali and Michelangelo through Art Appreciation, Fall and Spring Book Fairs raised thousands for library books, Spelling Bee sent 3rd Grader Anagha Jadhav to the Austin Regional Bee, and our Butterfly Garden installation planning is underway.
- Programs: Our 2nd Fall Fest was fun for all, we put on our first Annual Talent Show, and hosted Family Game Night.
- Hospitality: PTA poured into our teachers and staff with a Thanksgiving BBQ luncheon, Holiday Treat Suite, February Fabulous Fridays, STAAR snacks, and a super fun Teacher/Staff Appreciation week planned for next week, along with various other treats and meals year round.
- Fundraising: We raise over $15K at Fall Fest, $13K on Spirit Wear, and $90K with Apex Fun Run, allowing us to run all of our programs and events, grant $25K to teachers and classrooms, enhance our outdoor spaces with $25K of improvements, and put $25K in reserve for the shade structure over the special services playground.
- Advocacy: CSE PTA represented at the Texas Legislature with Texas PTA Rally Day, meeting with lawmakers to share our priorities for public education. In April, the PTA membership adopted a resolution supporting the 2023 DSISD Bond referendum.
This month also marks my last as PTA president after two years of serving in this role. It has been an absolute privilege to help open our new school, to create this PTA organization in full partnership with Kellie Raymond and her staff, and to connect with so many wonderful CSES parents and families. Our current PTA board has truly been a dream team - I could not have asked for better. And I am excited for our newly elected 2023-24 PTA executive board, who will officially begin in their new roles on July 1. They are bursting with talent and ideas, and I cannot wait to see where they lead us next year.
I'll take one last opportunity to encourage every one of you to please Vote YES for the DSISD bond. Election Day is Saturday May 6, 7am-7pm, with polling locations at Belterra Fire Department, Headwaters Amenity Center, and Precinct 4 Office on Roger Hanks Parkway in Drip.
I wish you all a happy rest of the school year, and hope summer vacation brings relaxation and fun to all of our families.
Terri Purdy
President, PTA Executive Board
Cypress Springs Elementary
email me | CSE PTA
