PTA helps Rainbow staff prepare for open houses

Rainbow Principal Dorinda White, center, welcomed Huntsville Havoc and UAH athletes for last year’s Rocket Fun Run. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Rainbow Elementary PTA has assisted faculty and administration for open house sessions starting Aug. 13.

“We’re looking forward to a great year and will see everyone at one of the open house events,” PTA president Sonja Griffith said.

An orientation for parents with pre-kindergarten children will be held Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. An open house for new families at Rainbow has been scheduled Aug. 14 at 3 p.m.; all new students in grades 1-6 are welcome.

Also on Aug. 14, fourth- and fifth-graders can attend open house at 5 p.m., followed by students in third and sixth grades at 6 p.m.

On Aug. 15, first-graders’ families can visit at 5 p.m. Kindergartners and second-graders should attend at 6 p.m.

“You can take advantage of the Rainbow PTA Open House Express,” Griffith said. Parents can visit rainbowpta.org and “take care of the business side of open house. You can order your school T-shirt, join PTA, provide a tax-free donation to PTA and sign up to volunteer.”

Using this online option, parents can get their child’s teacher assignment and then conveniently go to the express line and pick up a bag with all ordered items. “No waiting in line and no filling out forms,” Griffith said.

Also with the PTA website, parents can sign up for weekly electronic newsletters. “You can get all of the information needed to make 2013-2014 a successful year for your student,” Griffith said. “It’s the best way to stay in the know about the PTA and planned events and programs.”

This school year, Rainbow PTA’s objectives include placing an iPad in each classroom, coordinating enrichment activities during teachers’

‘data meetings’ and hosting Multicultural Night.

In addition, PTA will coordinate Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) for fathers’ involvement, the holiday gift shop and Accelerated Reading rewards.

PTA membership fee is $7; additional family members pay $5. To volunteer, email to vice president of volunteers Myra McCarthy at myramc@ameritech.net.

Dorinda White is Rainbow’s principal.