The Ainsworth PTA is an incorporated parent volunteer organization. We are a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization consisting of more than 400 members. We are affiliated with both the National PTA and the Oregon PTA.
Mission | PTA Board | PTA Meeting Schedule | Volunteer Opportunities
- Empower all students to become life-long learners and contributing members of the community.
- Advocate in the community and before governmental organizations on behalf of children and youth in schools.
- Encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.
Our ongoing services to Ainsworth Elementary:
- Academic enrichment and support
- Facility maintenance
- Facility support
- Technology maintenance & upgrades
We value the commitment of our neighboring businesses for their involvement in public schools.
Board Members
President - Lee Rumaner
President Elect - Karen Rodriguez
VP communications - Angelina Ward
VP Volunteer - Robin Bowerfind
VP Hospitality - Celeste Lewis/Margaret Green
Secretary - Helen Lee
Treasure - Roma Vigil
Assistant Treasure - Debbie Kola
2008-2009 Ainsworth PTA Meetings
Please check the Big Tent Calendar
The Ainsworth PTA provides for academic enrichment and support, school-wide communication, facility maintenance and improvement, as well as technology maintenance and upgrades. To make all of this possible, we raise money through many successful fundraisers. All of the programs and events depend on many volunteers to run smoothly. Look for the following PTA fundraisers and community services for the chance to volunteer and help make these events a success.
- Fundraisers
- Buckaroo Carnival (October) Volunteers needed to setup, run games & activities, serve food & clean up.
- Holiday Wreath & Garland Sale (September – November) Don’t miss ordering beautiful greens for the holiday season! Volunteers are needed to help make reminder calls for wreath pickup and help on the day of pick up.
- Ainsworth Gear (September - June) Your entire family will want to show school spirit by wearing this great line of shirts, sweatshirts and hats!
- Holiday Home Tour (December) This is our "BIGGEST" fundraiser of the year. The Home Tour has been a tradition in Portland Heights, "our neighborhood", for 20 years. Hundreds of tickets are sold to tour 5 beautiful homes. This event would not happen without the 100's of volunteers staffing the homes for our gracious homeowners. Buy tickets and sign up to volunteer in the Back to School packet. It is a wonderful event and sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Volunteers needed to greet guests as they tour homes.
- Community Service:
- Advocacy Committee
- The main purpose of the Ainsworth Legislative Advocacy Team is to better the Ainsworth community by creating opportunities for families to get involved in an effort that affects each child. The focus of the Team is on educational policies as they relate to the Oregon Public School System.
- Volunteers are needed in several ways; reporting advocacy and legislative issues to the Ainsworth PTA and community; acting as a liaison between the National and State PTAs and the Ainsworth PTA; helping to organize grassroots lobbying efforts when appropriate; helping to organize email/letter writing campaigns when appropriate.
- Clothes Closet – The Portland Council PTA Clothes Closet offers free clothing to students and families with limited income. The majority of the items come from unclaimed lost and found items in PPS. Volunteers are needed to sort and send items to the Clothes Closet and to help students pick out clothing.
- Advocacy Committee
- Enrichment:
- School Pictures (September) Attend to the appearance needs of the students and assist the photographer on picture day.
- Yearbook (February) Send in your pictures of school and classroom events.
- Science Fair (March) All budding scientists will want to enter and attend the annual Science Fair. Designated for a Saturday morning, students will demonstrate their inventions and present their scientific investigations. Students can enter the egg drop contest and attend a Science Session. Volunteers are needed for staffing, display set up, clean up, and judging.
- Talent Show (February) The Ainsworth Talent Show is a fun event for all students who want to showcase their talents...or for students who simply love to perform. Held on two nights, to accommodate the numerous acts, students can impress their friends and families with great entertainment. Volunteers are needed for award certificate distribution, video purchase and distribution, set up, clean up and snack.
- Run for the Arts (April) A "fun run" in which students participate to earn money for "special" art, drama, and music programs at Ainsworth. Students collect sponsors and run laps on the backfield. Volunteers are needed to count laps, cheer the kids on, collect completed sponsor sheets and money, and prize distribution.
- Arts Fair (May) An evening event showcasing the incredible artwork students have created throughout the school year. Musical performances, skits and stories are performed for families. Volunteers are needed to help display artwork in the gym and hallways. Volunteers are needed to set up and take down the event and to serve refreshments in the "Arts Fair Café".
- Field Day (June) (Kindergarten & 1st-5th) A wild morning filled with games and laughter. Stations are set up on the front field, backfield and gymnasium. Students run through relays and contests with their classmates. Enthusiastic volunteers are needed to run each station and cheer the kids on in a great way to end the school year.
- Fifth Grade Promotion (June) A committee of fifth grade parents that plans for the year end celebration to say goodbye to our graduating class. Volunteers are needed to assist in the planning.
- Book Fair (December) Volunteers are needed to set up and staff the scholastic book fair.
- Communication:
- Buzz Book - Your Ainsworth lifeline to your classmates! The Buzz Book includes: names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. Volunteers are needed proofreading, graphics and distribution. Order your Buzz Book in your PTA packet.
- Websites - Volunteers are needed to maintain the Ainsworth Websites. In addition to the PPS supplied website, we have a public website at www.ainsworthschool.org and a private social network using www.bigtent.org. Volunteers are needed to facilitate Bigtent communications (news, calendar updates).
- Academic and Classroom Support:
- Room Parent Committees - The lead room parent coordinates with other room committee members in: scheduling assistance in the classroom as needed, field trips, lunchroom duties, all-school events, class parties and special programs. These are invaluable aides in communicating between the teachers and parents.
- Library Aides - Volunteers are needed to assist the librarian with shelving books and help students in the library.
- Hospitality:
- Teacher Conference Dinner (November 21) PTA provides dinner for the staff during the evening conferences. Volunteers are needed to help set up and clean up.
- Staff Appreciation Week (May) One week each spring, the PTA provides treats to our teachers and staff to show our appreciation for their dedication and commitment to our students. Volunteers are needed to bring savory or sweet dishes for a luncheon planned mid week.)
- Holiday Teacher Tea (December) Volunteers are needed to prepare food, setup & cleanup for this holiday thank you to our Staff.
- Grandparent/Special Friend Day Greeter - Volunteers direct guests to student classrooms and supervise parking on the backfield.
- Student & Family Support:
- School Tours (November – January) Lead school tours and provide information to families interested in Ainsworth Elementary School. Training provided.
- Vision/Hearing Screening (Fall) Volunteers needed to assist the school district nurse in picking up and returning students to class for testing.
- Lost & Found - Volunteers needed to straighten lost and found items, organize for display before school wide events and send all remaining items to the district Clothes Closet.
- New Family Mentors - Volunteers are needed to welcome families who are new to Ainsworth during the school.
- Facility Support:
- Facilities Improvement – Volunteers are needed to help supervise projects around the school building.
- Lunch Tray Washers – The school system has supplied the cafeteria with re-usable plastic lunch trays. We can only use them (instead of the disposable Styrofoam) if parent volunteers are available to wash them. Volunteers are needed for shifts washing lunch trays.
- Ainsworth Garden – Plans are under way for a school garden. Volunteers are needed to plan and tend it.
- Ainsworth Foundation:The Ainsworth Foundation helps to buy back teachers and programs to provide our children with an enriched academic experience. We do this in several ways. Below are the following ways in which you can get involved. We could not be as successful as we are without the help of our volunteers.
- Red Ball (April) This is our largest fundraiser for the fun for all to be had. We have a silent and live auction with a great dinner and entertainment. There are lots of committees that need help along with volunteering to help set up and work at the event
- Treasurer - Monthly reconciliation of donations and expenses. Work in conjunction with Portland Public Schools Foundation on website donations. Attend Foundation meetings 2nd Monday of the month.
- Calling Campaign (April & June) This is the other key part to raising funds for the Foundation. Volunteers are needed to call on their classmates to help the Foundation achieve 100% participation in donations. Volunteers recruited by Foundation Class Captains.
