…in our PTSA Budget for this current year, 90% of all of our expenses are spent on programs, grants and awards that benefit our students directly? Some of these programs are:

• Staff Grants – ~$17K
• K – 4 Drama and 5th Grade Enhancement Programs – ~$12K
• Art & Science Enrichment Fund – ~$9K
• Reading Support – ~$7K
• Art & Science Docent, Science Fair, & Fine Arts Night - ~$4K
• Other Educational & Safety Support programs including: Eager Reader, Destination Imagination, Reflections, Math Club, Safety Patrol, Parent & Child Education, Foreign Language, Spelling & Geography Bees, Field Day – ~$5K
• Community Events & Programs including: Caring-thru-Sharing, Dad’s Day, Great Kids, Birthday Celebrations for the students, Festival of Cultures, Winterfest, Fifth Grade End-of-Year Celebrations and activities, Staff Appreciation – ~$5.5K

Did you also know…that we have several new programs added to our activities for the year based on feedback we received in the Spring Community Survey? These programs include a sponsored after-school Foreign Language program, Spelling & Geography Bees, and an expanded Math Club.

Also…we were able to fund the purchase of 29 new digital cameras for school use and some additional much-need radios and batteries for the front office.

Finally, did you know…based on a specific request from our new principal, Natalie Fowler, we increased our Safety Patrol grant and added funding for the new “Great Kids” program that Mrs. Fowler is coordinating to recognize our kids throughout the year?

Rest assured, we are doing all we can to continue to fund the needs of our school and our children to enrich their academic and social education at Cascade Ridge. With the various budget cuts that have occurred through recent years, we are funding programs and events that would not exist if not for the hard work and focus of our PTSA members. Thank you to everyone for your membership, hard work, and engagement!