SUPPORTING THE BELLS MILL PTA

The Bells Mill PTA is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to making a difference in the education and quality of life for our children.

In order to help our children and our teachers, the Bells Mill PTA sponsors programs in the areas of academic improvement, administration, educational enhancement, facilities, school events, staff appreciation and student affairs.

We would not be able to accomplish our mission without financial and volunteer support from our families and local businesses.  Below is a list of ways to help our PTA and our school:

• Volunteer your time – Parent volunteers are the backbone of the PTA. We need your help whether you can give a lot of time or only a little; at school during the day or a project at home; share a special talent or just have fun and work with some great people.  Consider joining one of our committees and getting involved at Bells Mill.
• Join the PTA – Membership ensures that your voice is heard on issues affecting your child and supports our efforts to provide valuable programs and activities for our school throughout the year.  Bells Mill PTA Membership Form
• Make a donation to the PTA - Direct financial contributions are always welcome.  Checks can be made payable to the Bells Mill PTA. As the BMES PTA is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, donations are tax-deductible and 100% of your donations go to help our children and our school. Contribution information will be kept confidential.
• Participate in our Fall Read-A-Thon – This is our major capital campaign at Bells Mill.  Having your child participate not only provides financial support for the PTA, but also develops a love of reading.
• PTA Bake Sales – When you purchase treats from our bake sales you are directly supporting the PTA.  100% of all funds collected at bake sales support the PTA.
• Collect Box Tops – Collect Box Tops for Education labels and bring them into our collection box in the front hall of the school. We earn at least 10 cents from each boxtop, and this money can add up fast! Also, enter our Summer 2011 Box Tops for Education Contest, using this form!
• Purchase goods and services from vendors who support the PTA
  Numerous businesses provide financial support to the PTA when you patronize their establishments. When you patronize a business that advertises in the Bells Mill Calendar or the Student Directory, remember to mention that you saw their ad.
• Buy a 2011-12 Bells Mill Card - These cards will be for sale for just $10 at start-of-year BMES events, and provide valuable discounts to local merchants. They pay for themselves virtually right away!
• Ledo’s Nights - Ledo’s donates 20% of the night's revenue (dine-in OR take-out) back to the PTA.  Check the Bells Mill PTA calendar or website for specific dates.
• Baskin Robbins – Baskin Robbins donates 20% of all revenues during the Fall and Spring Celebrity Scoop Nights.
• Cartridge World – Purchase ink cartridges from their location on Nicholson Lane and they will provide a percentage of all purchases back to the PTA.  Just fill in your name and school information on the school clipboard when you check out.  There is also a box in the front hall of our school, in which you can place your empty cartridges, and Cartridge World will donate $1.00 to Bells Mill for each empty ink cartridge collected.
• GIANT A+ Bonus Card Numbers Needed: You have three different ways to designate Bells Mill as a recipient of your Giant BonusBucks spending. Do whichever is most convenient for you! (1) You can visit this site, provide your number, and we'll enter it for you; or (2) you can visit Giant's website and link your card to Bells Mill; or (3) you can email us your card number and the first 3 letters of your last name. You only need to provide your card number ONCE EACH YEAR, and Bells Mill will reap the benefits! If you do not know your card number (and instead use your phone number at checkout), please take a few minutes to call 888-469-4426, and Giant will provide you with your missing card number. Giant A+ BonusBucks is a significant fundraiser for the PTA, so please register today!
• Harris Teeter – Simply give the cashier our code, 8216, and your VIC card when you check out and your card will be linked for the entire school year. Once your card is linked, Bells Mill will receive 5% of your Harris Teeter brand purchases. You must repeat this process EACH SCHOOL YEAR.
• Target - Register your Target Red Card by visiting www.target.com and clicking on “Red Cards”.

WHY FUNDRAISING IS IMPORTANT

OUR MISSION: The mission of the BMES PTA is to achieve educational excellence by encouraging parental involvement, building strong teacher-parent relationships, enabling academic enrichment programs, and providing academic, fun, and family-oriented activities which promote learning and strengthen our community.

Today, the PTA is spending $30k per year on our students, teachers and community as outlined below. At this time our estimates show that next years' fundraisers will take in approximately $21k.

For full details about how our fundraising money is spent, please click here.

If you would like a copy of the full 2011 - 2012 preliminary budget, please contact Amy Stolker.

Your input is important. If you have ideas for incremental fundraisers for the school, or how to curb expenses, please contact Haylie Iseman.

 

Bells Mill Elementary PTA Web Site | Principal: Mrs. Jerri B. Oglesby
8225 Bells Mill Road Potomac, MD 20854 | Office Ph 301.469.1046 | Fax No. 301.469.1060
PTA Board Members | Committees | Calendar