About the PTA

Elected Board Members for the 2023-2024 School Year

President: Amy Heslip and Michelle Lucero

Description: The Presiding officer of the PTA. Preside over board meetings and general meetings. The President must have a general knowledge of all committees on the Time Commitment: 8-12 hours per month, varies. Busiest Times of Year: the beginning of the year but flattens out; additional special projects; Manage overall objectives and strategies of PTA (including fundraising objectives, community-building events, educational events, etc.); Act as liaison between parents and principal/staff; Recruit PTA Committee Chairs; Create agenda and facilitate monthly PTA meetings and monthly PTA board meetings; Write a periodic PTA News bulletin; Create a mailing for all Blue Heron parents in August for inclusion in back-to-school packet; Collaborate with Principal to create annual school calendar; Collaborate with Treasurer to create annual PTA budget; Speak at Back to School Night and other events Attend Council PTA meetings, a consortium of the PTA Presidents from all PPS schools. PTA approval of all contracts, and expenditures.

Vice President: Chanelle Diaz and Maddy Salzano

Description: Coordinate school-wide, educational programs to be held during school hours. Schedule Sitters for all PTA Meetings. May be called upon to temporarily assume the role of the President. Support key communication needed for fundraisers, special events, and mass mailings. 

Secretary: Maggy Vlasek

Description: Responsible for keeping accurate records of the proceedings of the association. Records all business transacted at each meeting (minutes), presents those minutes at the monthly and general meetings. Submitting new membership to Colorado PTA. Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per month, busiest following each PTA meeting. Submit approved minutes for inclusion on the PTA website. Attend executive board meetings, participate in discussions and decision-making, take minutes for preparation and distribution to the other officers. Prepare the sign-in sheet and arrange the room for the general meetings. Forward required documentation to Colorado PTA main office. Maintain a complete file of all approved minutes, agendas, and materials distributed at any official PTA meeting. Manage/oversee the Nominating Committee process.

Treasurer: Teresa Williams

Authorized custodian of the funds of the association. Write checks, review contracts, balance bank statements, draft and manage budgets, maintain accurate financial records, present financial reports at board meetings and general meetings. Time Commitment: 10-15 hours per month, including attending PTA meetings. Busiest Times of Year: Ongoing, some summer work preparing the budget for Fall, taxes in October. Collaborate with the PTA President to generate the annual PTA budget. Prepare the annual audit and tax return. Pay bills and reimbursements as required. Oversee ongoing PTA finances, ensure adherence to approved PTA budget. Prepare and present the budget report for each PTA general meeting. Record deposits that come in from events or services. Send donor acknowledgment letters.

GRADE PARENT COORDINATORS

Grade Parent Coordinators: Michelle Lucero, Maggy Vlasek, Tina N, 

Description: Oversee the room volunteers during class parties and special events throughout the year. Coordinate with the teachers for designated grade level needs throughout the school year. Organize 3 class parties per year (supplies, crafts, volunteers, decorations, etc.).

Fall Fest and Spring Fest Coordinators: Leslie King and Melissa Colley

This chair recruits and organizes volunteers for the major community festivals we host in the fall and spring. The coordinators can be expected to work closely with the PTA board to establish a budget and secure business sponsors, prizes and volunteers for the booths and games. This position requires a moderate time commitment during the months leading up to a festival.

Garden Lead: Jody Dyckes and Hannah Krieger

Garden leads oversee the maintenance and events in the garden. The leads also host activities and a planting day in May each year. The garden requires year-round maintenance and love.

Blue Heron Grants Coordinator: open position

This coordinator creates and manages the Grant application for our Blue Heron staff and teachers in the Fall. This position requires a commitment to attend the August and September PTA meetings and planning a separate meeting to hear the presentations of the grant proposals and lead the vote.

Trunk or Treat Lead: 

Description: Coordinates the event; planning, ticket sales, promotion, volunteers, food, games, activities, etc. Form a committee to help with tasks.

Skate City Coordinator: Sabrina Pellerin

Description: Coordinates the event; planning, promotion, and volunteers. The goal is 4 Skate City Nights per year. Commitment required as needed.

Restaurant (Spirit) Night Coordinator: Haley Waind

Description: Coordinates the event; planning, and promotion. The goal is one restaurant night per month. Commitment required as needed.

Celebration of Cultures: Chinese New Year: open position

Description: Plan and coordinates the different events during the Multicultural Week/Night.

Golf Tournament/Silent Online Auction: Dallas Lucero

Description: Coordinates the event; works with vendors to assemble donations for the online auction, planning, promotion, volunteers, sales, deposits to the treasurer, etc.

Yearbook: Colleen Wein

Description: Coordinates the publication; photos, parental release, verifies, publishes and distributes the yearbooks upon arrival.

As a member of our PTA, you are a member of the Colorado PTA and the National PTA – and you get benefits through each of those organizations!

Colorado PTA Member Benefits

Colorado PTA members can save money through member benefit providers. CPTA collaborates with businesses and associations that support CPTA’s mission and vision. As part of that relationship, these organizations offer members special discounts.

Member benefits are offered to all CPTA members.

• CruisesOnly – discounted rates

• ASPCA Pet Insurance – discounted rates

• Dollar/Thrifty Car Rental – up to 7% off rentals

• Trusted Place – save 20% for the 1st year

• Hertz Car Rentals – up to 25% off per rental

• Motel 6 – 10% discount  

• Office Depot/Office Max – discount program

• Red Roof Inn – 15% off

• RXSavings – free card

• TNT Vacations – discounted rates

• HotelEngine – discounted rates

(Source: https://copta.org/parent-engagement/members-discounts/) 

National PTA Member Benefits

More details about offers listed below are available via the PTA.ORG website (https://www.pta.org/home/About-National-Parent-Teacher-Association/Benefits-of-PTA-Membership/Save-Money-with-Member-Offers).

• AARP – discounted membership

• Block Rocks – Bring competitive structured block play into your classroom and see the benefits! 20% off

• Good Housekeeping – discounted year of magazine subscription

• Hertz – up to 20% discount, free child seat with every rental, and more

• Lenovo – Computer discounts!

• LifeLock – 30-day free* trial plus 10% off membership

• MetLife Auto & Home – special group discounts on auto & home insurance, and more

• Mountain America Credit Union – special offers

• Office Depot – Parent & teacher discounts

• Quicken Loans – special benefits 

• Relay – Relay is the smarter phone for kids. It’s screen-free, as easy to use as a walkie talkie, and runs over 4G LTE so it works everywhere. If you want to stay connected to your child and know they’re safe – WITHOUT giving them a smartphone – Relay is for you. Gets yours now for 10% off.

• Squadlocker – team apparel – no order minimums and no charge for artwork

• Tee Collection – kids clothing

• ThinkFun – discounted games for PTAs

• TreeRing – 10% discount

General PTA Meeting Minutes

Minutes will be posted for each general PTA meeting held during the school year

Blue Heron PTA has a difficult task every year to raise several thousand dollars to enrich the educational experience for our children, but do you know what the money is spent on? As a non-profit organization, Blue Heron PTA has to spend the money earned. We aim to provide all of the items listed; however, our budget has to be adjusted if we do not meet our fundraising goals. If you want to have input on where the money is spent, please volunteer for a Board Position.

Programs and Events (approximately 1/3 of the budget is allocated to programs and events)

• This includes all the wonderful events and activities sponsored by the PTA. We are always working hard to bring more programs and activities to Blue Heron if/when we have the funds

Field Trips (via Teacher Grants)​

• Grade level field trips​

​Classroom Materials (via Teacher Grants) (approximately 1/3 of the budget is allocated here)

• Classroom resources and supplies

• Technology subscriptions

• ​Art, Music, P.E./Fitness, ESL, Special ED supplies and equipment

Communications

• Newsletters

• Yearbook publication

• ​Printing costs for flyers

Hospitality

• Teacher appreciation events

• Kindergarten Welcome

• Breakfasts

​Fees

• Dues to PTA organization

• ​Liability Insurance

• ​Websites fees

• Online transaction and PayPal/Credit Card fees

One Time Expenses

• Leadership Training

• Outreach

Blue Heron PTA is requested to contribute approximately $30,000 annually to the school to cover the above mentioned programs and expenses. As you know, the money is collected one fundraiser at a time and is made possible by your generosity. Please consider supporting our school with your financial contributions and your time! Our children and their future depend on it.