CLASSROOM/STAFF SUPPORT
PTA has offered ~$200 to about 40 staff members EACH at O’Dea. These non-competitive funds have paid for classroom supplies, iPads, ink for photos, lamination, classroom storage, rugs for classrooms, and many more items.  

APPRECIATION
Staff appreciation efforts include a week-long appreciation of staff in May with potluck meals provided by families, catered meals, as well as other expressions of thanks from families and students. We have also funded staff appreciation luncheons at the beginning and end of the year.  We would be happy to hear your suggestions on how to show staff appreciation while implementing COVID safety measures.

Our volunteers are critical to the success of O'Dea! To give thanks, each year the O’Dea staff typically facilitates an end-of-the-year volunteer luncheon for our volunteers. This usually consists of Olive Garden pasta, bread sticks and salad, with staff providing desserts and side dishes. O'Dea PTA typically pays for the main dish.  
We welcome your feedback on how to show volunteers appreciation this year in light of COVID safety measures in place.

O'Dea PTA hosts a variety of family and social events throughout the year.  For example; the annual Fall Family Dinner, Back to School popsicle party, Spring Family Dinner/Core Fair, movie nights, Boosterthon/feather flurry fun run fundraiser, and Walking and Wheeling Wednesdays.
Many of these things have not been possible in light of COVID safety protocols, so we would appreciate your feedback on how we could still host family and social events while keeping safety in mind.

O'Dea currently has spirit wear in the form of t-shirts and hoodies that are available to purchase through our online website: https://odeaelementaryschool.memberhub.com/store.  The PTA Board is in the process of replenishing those stocks for an anticipated upswing in purchases as holiday gifts.  We are also considering other styles and other products that might be a good way for students to show their support of O'Dea.  The PTA pays for printing upfront and that cost must be approved by the PTA members before we can order it.  

The PTA can help purchase items to improve the school building and make it more functional for the students, teachers, and staff.  One suggestion is to purchase blinds for the gymnasium/cafeteria so that the room can be darkened enough to show movies on the large screen that was purchased in years past.  

We would like to build funds for small and large projects that would enhance the outdoor spaces at O’Dea.  Some ideas that have been proposed include installation of a pergola sun shade that can withstand heavy snow and strong winds in the playground, as well as others like:

Upgrades to the front of the school near the Olive the Owl, cement mini-wall/bench to surround and protect our owl, sidewalk to connect the two main entrances at the front of the building (route used especially by kids coming off the buses in the morning), two trees to create shade near the owl. Estimated to be ~$12,000

We are looking into adding more beauty and nature to the playground and exterior of O'Dea. Some initial ideas are the following: adding more trees to create shade near the playground structures, installation of a pollinator/4-season/xeriscape garden, outdoor art (painting the vegetable beds, see example below and painting the storage/shipping container next to the playground).  -  Cost ($1,500)

We have recognized a need for more bike parking at the front of the school, as well as a need for newer bike racks to make it easier for kids to lock up their bikes. Our initial plan is to purchase new bike racks for the existing area that would expand our bike capacity from 17 to 30+ bikes.  The cost for the new racks is ~$2,600.  In the future we would love to create a bigger bike parking area by pouring a cement pad and installing additional bike racks, as well as skateboard and scooter racks.

National and State PTA councils provide opportunities for leadership training and development through conventions and workshops.  In the interest of developing a sustainable PTA community we would like to provide funding for the usually small cost to attend these opportunities to PTA members that have the interest.  $200 would allow 3-4 members to attend Colorado COPTA convention or workshops and gain valuable training to support our ongoing efforts to make O'Dea great for our kids.

To join PTA ($6.25 + processing fee) click on this link
https://odeaelementaryschool.memberhub.com/store

As a board we want to be transparent with every move we make as a body.  Membership not only increases the voices in O'Dea PTA but also gives you a National voice on advocacy and change.

Only 47 Parents and Teachers of more than 300 students have joined as of 10/19/21. Becoming an active member of PTA with a $6.25 membership dues supports leadership training, legislative work, and other PTA Needs.  Of the $6.25 ...$2.25 goes to National PTA, $3.00 to Colorado PTA, and $1.00 to Regions or Councils. Membership is not a fundraiser but more a connection to a national body of concerned families and community partners. Just like joining your alumni or business association.
We truly want you to be not only a paying member but a decision maker at O'Dea PTA.  You can join today at https://odeaelementaryschool.memberhub.com/store