The Parents’ Committee of Bird Rock Elementary School was formed in 1985 in response to school budget cuts. It was created as a business entity separate from other parent groups in order to preserve and control funds raised. It is a nonprofit public benefit corporation comprised of up to sixteen volunteer parents, one teacher liaison and up to three advisory board members (past members of PC). The group is focused solely on fundraising efforts to provide necessary financial assistance to the school. Those needs have only grown greater as the years have passed. Funding is no longer adequate to cover enrichment programs and equipment essential to a well-rounded education.

Currently, funds raised through the Parents’ Committee are used to pay for salaries for art, music and computer teachers, a librarian, and a physical education coach. These are positions that are no longer funded by the school district, so without the funds raised by Parents’ Committee, or if our fundraising efforts fall short, we stand to lose or seriously cut back these programs.  Additionally, funding is provided for acquisition of computers and related equipment, classroom document cameras, teacher supplies, art supplies, librarian supplies, music supplies, science lab supplies, phys. ed. supplies and operational maintenance of the school copier.    

So, how do we make all that money?  We make the majority of the money through a handful of major fundraisers each year:  

• escrip and Albertson’s Programs -- These are the easiest fundraisers in the world and they cost nothing for any of us to join.   You simply:
• Register
• Shop at one of the participating stores
• Bird Rock receives a percentage of your total purchase.  We make thousands of dollars every year from these so PLEASE join if you haven’t already.  (Flyers will be distributed in your Tuesday envelopes).

• School Pop -- Go to www.schoolpop.com and register.
• Make sure you put in your profile that you want proceeds to go to Bird Rock Elementary!
• Shop online at any participating online merchant, going through the SchoolPop portal first, and a percentage of your purchases will go come back to Bird Rock Elementary!

• Pizza Wednesday -- Now this one is a lot of work every week, but sooooooo much fun!  Delphine Ferenczy and Michelle Fulks are our coordinators this year and would greatly appreciate volunteers!  Every Wednesday starting September 12th the lunch court turns into party central, with kids and parents and pizza all over the place.  

• Walk ‘n Rock -- This fun school-wide event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 7th, and is a blast for kids and parents alike.  The students obtain sponsors just like any walkathon, and then have a ball walking in circles around the field while a DJ spins fun music and parent volunteers pass out water, prizes and popsicles.  We always need tons of volunteers, so please contact our PC coordinators Sue Agbulos and Stacey Harrison if you’d like to help.  There will be lots more information coming out in your Tuesday envelopes as that date draws closer – and don’t forget to turn in your release form or your child will not be able to participate! 

• Dine-around-Bird Rock -- Here’s a chance to show our support for the community of Bird Rock (which in turn shows its support for BRE every year with a grant made from the proceeds of the Taste of Bird Rock event).  Several times per year, we pick a date and restaurant in Bird Rock and encourage everyone to go to that restaurant on that night.  The restaurant then gives us a percentage of the receipts from particular menu items or the evening’s proceeds.  Look for more information in your Tuesday envelopes! 

• Grants/Matching Funds -- Parents’ Committee also seeks grants and matching funds wherever possible to fund enrichment needs.  In 2006-2007, we were successful in obtaining two grants from Las Patronas to fund our new Mobile Computer Lab with 21 Mac laptops, and we anticipate funding an additional 15 laptops this fall in substantial part through a grant from the Bird Rock Community Council from the proceeds of the Taste of Bird Rock event.  If your company or employer provides matching funds, make sure you send in the paperwork to us for Walk’n’Rock or other donations! 

• Last but definitely not least, we put on the super fun Spring Dinner/Auction.  This year it will be at the Hilton Resort on Mission Bay on Saturday, May 3rd.  As far as auction items, we work hard to get fabulous donations, such as catering services, weekends away, hotels, spa services, restaurants, and on top of that, each class puts together a fabulous basket of items to be auctioned off, and each teacher donates his or her time for a special activity with one or more lucky children.  Even more valuable, every classroom contributes an unbelievable art project, which is auctioned off at top dollar prices.  So mark your calendars and book your babysitter…this year’s Spring Dinner/Auction is sure to be a fun evening and it is the most important event for supporting enrichment programs at Bird Rock Elementary!

Look for information in your Tuesday envelopes about how you can get involved!  We value your participation whether it is as a volunteer, a donor of goods or services for the auction, or an underwriter!  We need your involvement to keep all these wonderful enrichment programs going! Please contact the President, Jena Joyce, (858) 454-9365, if we can provide additional information about how you can be involved.

The Parents’ Committee meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 9:15 AM at school, usually in the ISS room (near the library). Should you have any ideas, questions, or concerns, please feel free to attend our meeting or to contact the appropriate member: