Welcome

Longbranch Elementary’s Parent Teacher Volunteer (PTV) organization is a group of parents who volunteer their time and talents to support our school in many ways. It is the mission of PTV to offer methods of communication, funds for student programs, plan activities, provide teacher recognition, participate in service projects, assist in event planning, and support students and staff with the resources they need.

PTV Accomplishments: Each year, the PTV Board chooses to spend most of the monies raised on one specific project benefitting the entire school. Last year, PTV spent money to update the physical facilities of the campus. Insprirational quotes were painted on all the walls in the main hallways upstairs and downstairs. If you visit the main hallway by the office, you may have noticed the magnificent mural in the main hall, painted by Longbranch parent, Tony Williamson. Staff restrooms received a much-needed face lift. Benches were purchased for the playground areas and installed in several places outside the school. PTV also purchased and installed wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispensers in every classroom and common area of the school.

In years past, PTV supported the P.E. Department in helping to purchase the Rock Climbing Wall, built a shade structure, known as the “Shady Branch” outside for the students and teachers to enjoy, updated playground equipment, planted trees, and supported the various Longbranch gardens. Several donations to the local Manna House in the form of bicycles and food drives are examples of service learning projects PTV helps support each year.

As our first service project for the 2006-2007 school year, PTV plans to provide Recess Baskets for all grade levels. There will be balls, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, Frisbees, and other outside gear deemed appropriate for each grade.

As our school grows, there will be more and more equipment needed and PTV is ready to provide whatever is needed to support the learning, health, and fitness of our students and staff.

Information and Communication is one of our highest priorities next to serving the children of Longbranch Elementary. Two convenient ways to find information concerning PTV is the MISD website (www.midlothian-isd.net) and the display case next to the front office. If you want to send us your ideas or you have questions, send them in an envelope with your child marked “PTV” and we will respond as soon as possible.

Before you can volunteer you must fill out a Criminal History Background Check. These forms are available in the front office. When you come to volunteer, please stop in the office to provide your state-issued I.D. (driver’s license), sign in, and obtain a visitor pass from the office personnel. When you are done for the day, sign out, and log your hours on the 4x6 cards available in the silver basket labeled for volunteers. *Contact names for all volunteer positions are available at the end of this letter.

FAQs:
What is the difference in PTV and PTA?
PTV is an organization autonomous and specific to Longbranch. We are not connected to other schools or organizations. No dues are paid on a local, state or national level. All decisions are made within our school; no outside bylaws are dictating our board, activities, or funds.? PTA is a national organization, and a good one, but one that requires local, state and national dues, specific requirements for board positions, approvals for projects, and so forth. PTV works best for Midlothian and Longbranch at this time, keeping our funds here and our dues low, where our parents have the final say in how to support our students, staff, and school.

How much money is raised and what is it spent on?
Throughout the school year, there are fundraisers specific for PTV. We have our annual membership drive, T-shirt sales, and the Honey Baked Ham sales during the holiday times. The PTV spends their money wisely, but we do spend most of it. If you would like a financial report one will be posted in the PTV display case by the office.

This school is so big, do they really need me?
Yes! Every parent and community member has something to offer. If you can give of your time, please volunteer for any or all of the PTV opportunities. There are never too many volunteers; in fact the opposite is true. People assume since there are over 740 students on our campus, there must be hundreds of parents willing to help, so they don’t need to offer. We need volunteers in every area!? You may not be able to spend time during the work day at the school, however, there are other ways you can help. Your room parent may need items for a party or teacher appreciation week, food is needed for teacher luncheons, projects can be sent home for you to complete. Just ask your teacher or the office where you can help.

Can anyone serve on the Board?
Our PTV board is made up of ordinary parents that are just willing to take on a little more responsibility. These are not “elected” positions, but rather “want to” positions. If you are interested in serving on the PTV Board, please watch for a form to come home towards the end of the year. We will explain the different positions and where help is needed for the coming year. A board member is not required to be a stay-at-home parent, just someone willing to help as much as they can and coordinate whatever position they have chosen.

Joining PTV
There is a membership drive at the beginning of the school year, but that is not your only opportunity to join. At any time you can pick up a membership form in the office. The cost to join is only $5 per family. During the year classes are recognized and are given a reward party for high participation.

Volunteer Opportunities
If you have some time to volunteer there are many areas in which you can help. Please check with the office and they can show you where the PTV Work Room and teacher work cart are located. Teachers who need help with projects such as cutting, folding, sorting, die cutting, and many other things ask for help through the PTV work orders. You can come any time, any day, and help. You can also take the work home, complete it, and bring it back by the due date specified on the PTV work orders.

The Librarian is always in need of help shelving books. This is also something that can be done any day, any time. She would love to see you drop in and offer help! Assistance is always needed during the two Book Fair weeks each school year. Look for information to come home closer to each date.

The Longbranch Fine Arts Show is in the spring of each year and is beautiful, long-standing tradition at our school. Volunteers are always needed to help display the student artwork, prepare musical props, and decorate for the big event. Our coordinator will send home volunteer forms telling about all of the opportunities available. This show in particular requires the help of many, many volunteer hours to sort, label, and display thousands of exquisite student items.

Box Tops for Education is one way you can help our school raise money without having to come to the school. Parents just need to CUT and SEND in the box tops with their child. A more thorough note will go home from our Box Tops coordinator. Until then, continue cutting! Of course, if you want to help count, sort, and/or help with reward parties, this is also a volunteer opportunity.

Teacher Luncheons are provided and coordinated each six weeks for the hardworking staff of Longbranch Elementary. The PTV provides these lunches through generous parent donations or specially-catered meals. If you are a famous cook (and even if you are not), we would love to have you help with luncheons. Assisting with food preparation, donating paper goods, decorating, or just setting up and serving food are all opportunities to be able to give back to your child’s teacher.

Field Day is another annual tradition on campus where numerous hours of organization and preparation are needed to run the BIGGEST day of outdoor events at Longbranch. Field Day is not until May, so more information will be sent home later.