YOUR MONEY AT WORK–– PTC Funds New Library Furniture

At March’s PTC Community Meeting, community members approved $6253 of PTC funds to go towards the updating of new furniture in the CPMS Media Center (library).

Less than two months later, that furniture is now at the school and is being used daily by our Cedar Park student body.

Items purchased include:

• Two new modular couches, plus one more traditional sofa

• Two high tables and eight stools

• A spring-loaded book return bin

Thank you to all our 5K donors who made this possible, as well as Debbie Hernandez in the CPMS library. The PTC hopes this can be the first of many phases of library improvement in the coming years.

YOUR MONEY AT WORK-- Art Literacy Brings Art Deco to CPMS

PTC time, money and volunteers went into making April’s Art Literacy lesson a huge success. The world of Art Deco inspired our 1000+ students to create beautiful & unique pieces.

Shout out to our incredible Art Lit leadership team– Jana Drotzmann, Maureen Louie, Melissa Manos, Melanie Odom, & Sally Sonek. Another thank you is due to the many volunteers who came in to help pull off this massive endeavor. Finally, a round of applause to all of our 5K donors who make these hands-on Art Lit projects possible.

YOUR MONEY AT WORK-- Winter Student Socials

Cedar Park's student body had some serious fun at last week's student socials, made possible by your generous 5K donation and this community's awesome volunteers. 

There were several activities, including a live dj, caricature artist and a face painter, along with karaoke and iPads/board games in the library and a photo booth. A food truck was also on hand to serve up some party food for these hungry hooligans.

HUGE THANKS to CPMS teacher, Liv Cruse, and her incredible team for organizing this awesome community-building event for our students. And of course, our donors and volunteers are everyday heroes as well.

The View Looks Good from Our 5K Summit

Our third annual Cedar Park 5K crushed it on 10/4, as 1000+ students ran, jogged, or lesisurely walked (8th grade-- looking at you!) our 5K course. We had flamingos, bubbles, music, and of course, energetic & awesome parents and grandparents who lined the course.

To date, our Cedar Park 5K has officially brought in over $53,000, surpassing our goal and last year’s total. And the view from up here has never looked better!

Current gross totals for the 5K include:

• Online– $31,092 (58%)

• Sponsorships– $10,000 (19%)

• Pledge Envelopes– $8944 (18%)

• Confirmed Matching Funds– $1769 (5%)

GROSS TOTAL:  $53, 380

Volunteers Were Legendary

Thank you to the 62 parents & community members who showed up to manage, support, & corral the 1000+ students unleashed during our Cedar Park 5K. There's a hundred things on your to-do list, so THANK YOU for making CPMS a priority last 10/4. 

Special shout out to our entire 5K leadership team, including Karen DiPietro (chair), Erika Hammond & Carrie Fox (day of logistics), Bettina Jeszenszky (sponsorships), Melissa Gatchell (financials), Hannah Donohue (promotions), Julie Gupta (matching funds) Brenda Swanson & Jana Drotzmann (procurement) and Tiffany Hahm (prizes).

Our Teachers Brought The Party

Not only do these teaching warriors WILLINGLY FACE hundreds of tweens and teens each day, they also aren't afraid to get silly and show their school spirit.

THANKS to all the staff members who gave us all whiplash and a good chuckle. Teachers earning the spirit awards for best costumes include Mr. Forbes, Mr. Waldrip, Ms. Hattendorf, Mr. Witt, Ms. Massan, Ms. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Hitsman, Mr. Alpert, Ms. Catherall, Ms. Clifford and Ms. McClelland. 

And an honorable mention to Dr. Anderson for showing us how to deck yourself out in school spirit. That orange wig was, well... tremendous. We'll see you all next year bigger and better than ever.

Congrats to Our Fastest Runners

Congrats to these hard-working students who pushed themselves to avoid their meandering classmates and finish first in their class.

6th GRADE: Quinn N. & Ali H.

7th GRADE: Caden S. & Hadley W.

8TH GRADE: Inbaa C & Katelyn S.

***Special shoutout to 8th grader Inbaa C., who had the fastest time of all 1050 CPMS students, completing his 5K in the unofficial time of 15 minutes 42 seconds.

Sponsors Add Valuable Boost

Our corporate sponsors have been very generous and collectively added $10,000 to our fundraising efforts-- 20% of our goal! When you patronize the following businesses, please thank them for supporting excellence in education in our community.

• PLATINUM SPONSORS: Noyes Development & Willamette HVAC

• GOLD SPONSOR: Catalyst Financial

• SILVER SPONSORS: Cedar Mill Chiropractic, Raleigh Hills Orthodontics, Decarli, Parker Furniture, Wet Kat Pool Service and Vista Capital Partners

• BRONZE SPONSORS: Buick GMC of Beaverton, Sunset Science Park Credit Union, Walker Garbage and World of Smiles

Donations Added Awesome Incentives

The surrounding businesses in Beaverton added a huge boost to our 5K efforts with donated prizes (valuing over $3500), which included:

Blazer Tickets, Timbers Tickets, Top Golf Package, King Pin Bowling Package, 5 Columbia Water bottles, Columbia Hydro Flask, Gift Card to 5 Guys/Fries, Columbia duffle bag, 18 Jamba Juice Coupons, Columbia Blue Backpack, $100 gift cards Pizzicato Pizza, 3 advisories received platter of Jimmy John’s sub sandwiches, 10 Nike Backpacks, 4 O and FS water bottles, $100 Noodles & Company Gift Cards, 11" Mod Pizzas (10 total), Baskin & Robbins ice-cream party for advisory, 5-Target $10 gift card, 100 free ice cream cones at Baskin Robbins, 6 Mugs and free coffee from Coffee Rush, $500 Winco gift cards.

THANK YOU TO THESE AWESOME BUSINESSES!

And that’s a wrap on our PTC fundraising for the year. We will see you in 2019!

5K FAQ: Where the Money Goes

Our 5K fundraiser is wrapping up this week and we are crazy close to our $50,000 goal. With just $3300 left to go, we are closing in on the win.

This is the PTC’s ONLY fundraiser all year, so let’s break down our PTC budget to see where your money goes. Curious what your generous donation funds? Let’s answer all your burning questions.

Where does this money go? I need examples.

Every dollar is put back into the students, programs and events of Cedar Park Middle School.  Our 2018-19 PTC budget funds explicitly funds:

• art literacy

• reading literacy

• lunch duty supplies

• student planners

• the PACK store

• student socials

• staff appreciation

• the 8th grade send-off

• a portion of Family Fun Night

Also, an ASTONISHING 39% of our budget provides transportation and fees for a unique field trip experience for each grade.  That’s money for EVERY SINGLE STUDENT. 6th grade has already enjoyed Outdoor School, while last year’s 7th grade explored PSU, and the 8th graders spent a day at Oregon State.  These educational experiences are a memorable part of our students’ education.

Sounds good, but can I see the budget as a pie?

Student Programs (blue) = PACK Store, Art Literacy, Reading Support, Student Planners, Lunch Duty Supplies, & Community Programs

Schoolwide Support (red) = Principal’s Fund

Student Events (yellow) = Student Socials, 8th grade BBQ, Family Fun Night support, & New Student Picnic

Grade Level Student Experiences (green) = Transportation & costs for grade-level field trips. Last year, 6th went to Outdoor School, 7th explored PSU, and 8th enjoyed a day at OSU.

Staff Appreciation (orange)

Operating Costs (light blue) = 5K expenses and Miscellaneous

I see there’s a line item for “Schoolwide Support.” Seems suspiciously vague. What’s that all about?

So glad you asked.  The PTC provides Dr. Anderson with a “Schoolwide Support” line item that gives her the necessary flexibility to fund the ever-changing needs of Cedar Park. This line item allows for specific team, teacher, and grade level requests.  

Some examples from last year include:

• Apple TVs and iPad stands to replace eight document cameras

• two new projectors

• items for our emerging Maker Lab

• art supplies including clay

• gloves for science

• PE equipment

• power cord strips for classrooms.

Still not convinced?  That line item also provided additional funds to support:

• Lego Robotics and Coding

• funds to start our Science Olympiad team

• table stand for Timberwolves News Network

• Mathcounts, Spelling Bee & Geography Bee registrations

• college pennants for school hallways

• 16' projection screen for assemblies

• support for the SRC classroom mural painting project

• mulch and bark for outdoor gardens

PHEW!  Still not done.  Finally, that “Schoolwide Support” line item also provided support for:

• visiting author, Dan Gemeinhart

• novels for 8th grade

• additional OBOB books

• earbuds to support student testing

• sound equipment rental for spring musical production

• CPMS t-shirts for 6th graders

So, ummm…. yeah.  Hope that was specific enough for you. A lot of unseen support and heavy lifting comes from that single line item. Sadly, it’s the one that will be impacted the most if we don’t make our goal.

I’m an 8th grade parent and I’m just over it.

Oh, honey.  We get it. However, ANY AMOUNT donated is incredibly helpful.  Cedar Park PTC does not have a large enough savings to cover our expenses this year, so we are quite literally fundraising for our expenses and for your student THIS school year.  The 8th grade field trip, and the 8th grade send-off are all powered through this 5K fundraiser.

It’s the collective effort that makes the biggest impact, so please consider donating whatever you can.  It quite literally, ALL HELPS.

You’ve inspired me.  Can I just donate to the cause online?

Totally.  Go to https://www.firstgiving.com/event/411287/2018CedarPark5K. Any amount puts us closer to our goal of $50,000.

I still have questions.  

Head to www.cedarparkptc.org for all the latest news or chat with Karen (cedarpark5k@gmail.com).

5K Run Times Announced, Volunteers Encouraged

With just TWO DAYS before our largest fundraiser of the year, the 5K team is busy confirming and securing all the small details. It’s going to be such a fun event— and we’d love to see you there.

Take a moment to look through these volunteer opportunities to see where you can contribute. It’s ESSENTIAL we have enough volunteers to maintain the fun and safety of this event.

Plus, it’s an excellent way to meet, socialize, and generally connect with other Cedar Park parents. Feel free to sign-up for any shift, regardless of your child’s grade. Don’t forget to wear blue and orange!

SIXTH GRADE

Participants will be released in waves. Competitive runners at 9:20am, walkers/joggers around 9:30am.

Corners of the Track (2 volunteers needed)

Various Fun Stations (1 volunteer needed)

Treat Table (1 volunteer needed)

SEVENTH GRADE

Participants will be released in waves. Competitive runners at 12:10pm, walkers/joggers around 12:20pm.

Corners of the Track (4 volunteers needed)

Various Fun Stations (4 volunteers needed)

EIGHTH GRADE

Participants will be released in waves. Competitive runners change at 2:23pm, walkers/joggers around 2:33pm.

Corners of the Track (3 volunteers needed)

Finish Line/Wristbands (5 volunteers needed)

Various Fun Stations (7 volunteers needed)

Students will need comfy clothes, appropriate shoes, and a water bottle!

Questions? Karen (cedarpark5k@gmail.com)

Timbers Drawing Winners Announced, Sponsors Add Needed Boost

Our Cedar Park 5K is less than a week away and momentum is building!

Congrats Lily S!

Final Drawing Winners

Our final and largest prize haul has arrived!  Look at this amazing list of winners:

Two Timbers tickets go to 7th grader Lily S.

Nike backpacks going home with: Alison H. (6), Molly D. (7), Merry R. (6), Aaralynn F. (6), Amelia W. (7), Kincaid M. (6), Sophie H. (7), Ben B. (7), Jake S. (8), and Caden J. (7).

Students winning an awesome Orthopedic and Fracture Specialists hydroflask:  Dexter C. (7), Maxima D. (6), Demi S. (6), Matthew C. (7).

The following students have won a Noodles & Company gift card:  Ella F. (8), Quinn N. (6), Charlotte M. (7), Daphne Z. (6), and Kylie B. (6).

These students now own a MOD pizza gift certificate:  Amy R. (6), Summer W. (6), Grace G. (6), Drew N. (7), and Samantha P. (7).

Finally, Eliana S. (7) has just won a Baskin Robins ice cream party for her advisory!

Corporate Sponsors Add Boost

Less than a week before Cedar Park's 5K on Thursday, 10/4.  Our corporate sponsors have been very generous and together added $10,000 to our fundraising efforts!  That brings us our current gross total over $27,800.  Keep it up Cedar Park!!

When you patronize the following businesses, please thank them for supporting excellence in education in our community.

PLATINUM SPONSORS: Noyes Development & Willamette HVAC

GOLD SPONSOR: Catalyst Financial

SILVER SPONSORS: Cedar Mill Chiropractic, Raleigh Hills Orthodontics, Decarli, Parker Furniture, Wet Kat Pool Service and Vista Capital Partners

BRONZE SPONSORS: Buick GMC of Beaverton, Sunset Science Park Credit Union, Walker Garbage and World of Smiles

Other Useful 5K Info

VOLUNTEER: Come cheer, help and share in the community that is Cedar Park.  If you would like an official volunteer shift, sign up here:  Volunteer shifts are live for the 5K on Thursday, 10/4. 

OFFLINE DONOR RECEIPTS: Find them right here.

MATCHING FUNDS INFO: Head to www.cedarparkptc.org/matching for an employer search engine to see if your company will match your generous donation. We also have Nike, Intel, and Columbia instructions that take you step by step through the process. Let's work smarter, not harder, Cedar Park!

MORE QUESTIONS:  Check out www.cedarparkptc.org/fundraising or chat with Karen (cedarpark5K@gmail.com).