The Markham PTA uses a software platform called Membership Toolkit to manage all of our communication for general information, events and volunteer opportunities. Membership Toolkit can be accessed via the web at https://markhampta.membershiptoolkit.com or by downloading the app onto your mobile device. For those new to Membership Toolkit, when you first go to the site, you will have the opportunity to create an account. At the minimum, we ask that all families create an account so that we have accurate contact information. The school district is not permitted to share family contact information with the PTA, so this is our best way to share all of our information with you. 

For those that have used Membership Toolkit in the past, once you log in, you will see a notice to review your information in case of any changes from the previous year. From here, you will have the opportunity to join the PTA under the “store” feature. You’ll also be able to sign up for a variety of volunteer opportunities.  This year, a family PTA membership fee will be $25 and will include up to two parents or guardians. Your purchase of a membership allows the PTA to enrich our student’s experiences by supporting educational programs including field trips, class parties and other educational and fun programs and events. We also support teachers through the purchase of items for the classrooms that are not covered by the district budget. As an added perk, only PTA members have access to our online student directory, which is an invaluable tool for communicating with other Markham families throughout the year. 

We hope that you will support these endeavors by purchasing a membership. Our initial membership drive will close on September 30 2022. Again, please email markhamelementary@gmail.com if you have any questions about Membership Toolkit or other PTA information. Thank you for your support!

We have a list of volunteer opportunities for PTA events and programs for the entire year in Membership Toolkit. Log on soon to get your desired volunteer slots!

All are welcome to volunteer, but please be aware that many volunteer opportunities require volunteer background clearances. The link to the Mt. Lebanon School District’s page about volunteer clearances can be found here. Anyone who wishes to volunteer for field trips must have their volunteer clearances on file with the school before signing up as a chaperone.

One specific volunteer opportunity that we want to highlight is that of Homeroom Parent. This person helps plan class parties, organizes field trip and classroom volunteers and facilitates communication between the teacher and class families. Each class has one homeroom parent, and the deadline to volunteer is September 1. After that date, if more than one person has volunteered to be a class parent for a particular class, the class parent’s name will be chosen at random. To volunteer for your child’s class, please log on to our Membership Toolkit page at https://markhampta.membershiptoolkit.com.

Finally, we still need chairs or co-chairs for Memory Book, Spirit Wear, Circle Breakfast, Election Day Bakesale, Science Fair, Markham Magic and Field Day. Most of the work to put together events happen with a team of volunteers; the chair is the main coordinator of those volunteers. Please contact Kelly Ogrodnik at kelly.ogrodnik@gmail.com if you are interested in any of these positions or have questions about the responsibilities or time commitment. 

Kindergarten parents, come meet new families for the POPSICLE PLAYDATE on the Markham Playground on Thursday,August 25 at 1 PM. It's a great opportunity for new students to get used to Markham and meet kids in their class! For more information, please contact Pam Vaughn. 

Coffee and Kleenex is an informal get together of Kindergarten parents shortly after the children enter the school on Wednesday, August 31st at 8:45 am/12:45 pm in the Markham MPR. This is a chance for parents/guardians to get acquainted with one another and to learn about and sign up for the various volunteer opportunities in and outside of the classroom. Questions regarding this event can be sent to the Kindergarten Grade Level Coordinator,  Pam Vaughn.

Please join us for the Welcome Back Picnic at the Markham Field and Playground on Thursday, September 8 from 6-7:30 PM. You may preorder a Vocellli’s cheese pizza for the picnic by returning the order form that your child will bring home in his/her red folder on the first day of school, or you are welcome to bring your own food. Pizza orders are due by 9/2. 

Our Homeroom Parent Kick-off Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 13 at 8:45 am and the Committee Chair/Grade Level Coordinator Kick-Off Meeting will be held the same day at 9:15 am. All Homeroom Parents, Committee Chair and Grade Level Coordinators should plan to attend their respective meetings, if possible. These are helpful informational sessions where the PTA explains the resources available to you to help communicate with your class or plan your event. If you have any questions, please contact Stacie Carlson.

Grade Level Coffees will be held in the Markham MPR on September 22 at 8:45 AM for 2nd and 4th grade families and September 23 at 8:45 AM for 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade families. These meetings provide families with an opportunity to volunteer for events throughout the year. Volunteer opportunities will be shared ahead of time with families and each HR Parent will operate a lottery to select names and allow parents to pick their desired volunteer opportunities. If you're not able to attend the coffee, you'll still be able to submit your volunteer preferences to your homeroom parent. As a reminder, in order to volunteer for a Field Trip at the Coffee, you must have current clearances on file with Ms. Hanchar in the Markham Office. 

Please contact Jaclyn Glynn if you have any questions about the Coffees and Kelly Ognodnik if you have any questions about clearances. 

Picture Day is coming up on 9/16. 

Wayne’s World of Photography will be taking pictures outside, weather permitting. There will be envelopes with ordering options coming home a few days before picture day. If you have to order photos, please return your payment in the envelope via your student’s red folder on or before Picture Day.

The Markham PTA Executive Board cordially invites you to our first general PTA meeting of the school year. Please join us Tuesday, September 13 at 9:30 am in the MPR to hear about what is happening here at Markham and within the School District. Younger siblings are welcome! Contact Markham PTA with any questions. 

Save the date for our other meetings:

10/11 at 8:45 am

11/10 at 8:45 am

1/10 at 6:00 pm

3/14 at 7:00 pm

4/11 at 8:45 am

Mark your calendars! The Read-a-Thon is coming at the end of September, from September 26-October 3. Let’s get ready to read!