The objectives of the WMA Parent-Teacher Cooperative (PTC) are to:

• Promote collaboration, communication and cooperation among the WMA parents, faculty and administration;
• Actively encourage and coordinate parental aid to WMA faculty and administration in developing spiritual, academic, creative, emotional and physical growth of the WMA students;
• Provide an opportunity for parents, faculty and administration to share ideas, information and talents, and to listen and share in an atmosphere that is open and encourages collaboration;
• Enhance the reputation of WMA in the community;
• Help new families assimilate into the WMA community;
• Raise funds to support and sustain PTC-sponsored events and to support special needs of the school as requested by the administration; and
• Assist and promote WMA’s athletic program and other sports related extracurricular activities.

PTC Board and committee chairs meet periodically throughout the year to report on activities, raise issues for discussion and ideas for the future. Meeting dates and times are noted on the school calendar. All WMA parents are welcome to attend. If you wish to suggest an agenda item, please contact Judy Rizzo, president, PTC, in advance of the meeting.

PTC welcomes involvement from all parents and teachers. Whether your interest is in a leadership role, organizing and running an activity, or working briefly at a specific event, there is a place for you, so please join us!

Committees

Aid to Faculty
This committee recruits and organizes volunteers to work in various capacities within the school: programs such as monthly faculty treats, Mercy Day, and Teacher Appreciation Day, and departments such as The Albert T. Perry Memorial Library, computer lab, art room, and the Main Office. Volunteer time commitments as little as one hour are available. A form asking for volunteers is sent to all families in late summer, but volunteers are also welcome to make their availability known throughout the year.   For information, contact Dorren Callahan or Sheila Lynch.

Homeroom Parents and Volunteers
Each year homeroom parents are recruited and selected for each homeroom, from pre-k to eighth grade. The homeroom parent assists the teacher with special events, which often includes asking other parents to help, too. This responsibility lasts the entire academic year, will require a presence during the school day from time to time, and can require a significant amount of time, especially in the lower grades. Homeroom volunteers are needed at different times throughout the year, and can require one or more hours. A form asking for volunteers is sent to all families in late summer, but volunteers are also welcome to make their availability known throughout the year. For information, contact Alice O’Donnell.

Athletics
This committee organizes Homecoming and Winter Carnival activities, the Spirit Club, home game snack sales, intramural basketball, and the sports banquet. It supports sports teams as needed, and if that support requires funding, brings those requests to the PTC Board.  For information contact Anne Antiskay.

Programs and Events
Social Events - This committee organizes various types of social events for WMA students and families. The committee is responsible for two annual events for the younger students, a Snack with Santa and an Easter Egg Hunt. Other family events this committee has organized over the years include a hayride, skating party, fashion show and trip to Radio City Music Hall during the Christmas season. Social events vary from year to year. Volunteers are welcome to help plan, organize and/or facilitate specific events.  There are a wide variety of time commitments available.  As the events are posted on the Web site and noted in the WMA Weekly, a weekly e-newsletter for WMA families, volunteers are welcome to make their interests known.  For information, please contact Annmarie Frio.

Programs and Events
Education Programs – This committee seeks out speakers and programs addressing topics of interest to parents and schedules seminars throughout the school year. Several discussions are planned for this year with the assistance of the noted Family Forum.  In addition, this committee works with administration to identify, research and evaluate special-interest programs that may be directed to the students. Past efforts include Dr. Curt Hinson's "Six Steps to a Trouble-Free Playground," which was introduced into WMA's curriculum; a presentation of an anti-bullying play which is performed by a local Philadelphia theatre company; and programs directed to children and adolescents and their safe use of the Internet.   For additional information about this committee or to suggest a topic for discussion, please contact Caroline Schultz.

Fund Raising
Two fund raising events are held each year.  Funds are used to support parent education, homeroom activities, staff and faculty appreciation activities, athletic activities (sports banquet, athlete recognition), Mercy outreach and family-to-family needs, hospitality at various events (open houses, back-to-school-night), student activities like the Easter Egg Hunt and author visits, and program and equipment gifts to the school. For information, contact Nancy Cahill.

Hospitality
This committee has many opportunities to volunteer for an hour or two at a time! WMA invites parents and the general public to our school periodically, and counts on the PTC to help in extending hospitality to our guests. This committee provides refreshments at various functions throughout the year, and organizes a thank you luncheon for teachers at the end of each school year.  For information, contact Nancy Sutter.

Mercy Outreach/Family-to-Family
This committee organizes a wonderful opportunity for WMA families to work together to provide food to individuals with few resources.  Families prepare meals and serve them to the men residing at St. Columba's Shelter in West Philadelphia.  This committee also responds to Waldron families by providing meals, transportation, childcare, etc., in times of need, and is the liaison for each grade’s Mercy Outreach activities.  For information, contact Kris Derewicz.


PTC Officers and Committee Chairs, 2007-2008
President - Judy Rizzo
Vice President - Caroline Schultz
Secretary - Jodi DeStefon
Treasurer - Marcia Penn-Cummings
Aid to Faculty - Dorren Callahan, Sheila Lynch
Homeroom Parents - Alice O’Donnell, Betty Jo Saraceno, Jane Delaney
Athletics - Anne Antiskay, Michael Lynch, William Frio, Mike Delaney
Programs and Events - Annmarie Frio, Caroline Schultz, Sonia Colavita, Deanna Coyne
Hospitality - Nancy Sutter
Mercy Outreach - Kris Derewicz, Carolyn O'Brien
Fund Raising - Nancy Cahill, Collette Bellwoar, Janet Gleason
Music/Performing Arts - Dana D'Angelo, Judy Rizzo


Current Volunteer Opportunities
Snack sales at Home Games
Help make guests at our games feel comfortable and welcome. The Athletic Committee supplies water and snacks, but relies on a few parents or older students attending the game to sell them.  If you can help out at a game, please call Anne Antiskay.

Parent-Child book discussion
Organize a parent-child book discussion for your child’s class or grade. It’s a great way to spend time with your child, and his or her friends and parents, and…it’s simple!

• Contact your child’s teacher. He or she will suggest a book and give you discussion questions.
• Pick a date and time (after school), and ask another parent or two to help you. You may need to break into a few discussion groups.
• Contact Caroline Schultz for a sample invitation and for help to arrange refreshments. This has been a very popular activity in the past, especially with the younger grades.  Approximate time involved: four hours over a four- to six-week period.

Telephone numbers are listed in the School Directory.