• Where Will the Money Go This Year?

     With your donations this year (2023-2024), Sutter Middle School PTA will be able to provide the Sutter Middle School community with the following:

      • Agendas for all students
      • Classroom and lab supplies
      • PE equipment
      • Music, Art, Yearbook, STEM, and other electives funding
      • Professional development
      • Homework Club, academic enrichment clubs, and other extracurriculars
      • Library books & equipment
      • Campus and technology improvements/needs
      • Cougar Character Program including Popcorn Fridays and other rewards
      • Academic Awards including Trimester Treats
      • Reflections Art Program
      • Serenade Under the Stars and Open House
      • Parent enrichment presentations
      • WEB Program (New Student Orientation)
      • 8th Grade Celebration
      • Teacher & Staff Appreciation
      • Student assemblies
      • Program scholarships
      • And more!

    Where Did the Money Go in 2022-2023?

    Financial Summary for the 2022-2023 Academic Year

    This report aims to present a comprehensive overview of the financial operations conducted by the Sutter Middle School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) during the 2022-2023 academic year. It entails a detailed breakdown of both income and expenses, encompassing fundraising programs and various other expenditures, ensuring transparency in our financial records.

    Fundraising Programs: 

    During the 2022-2023 academic year, our fundraising programs generated a total income of $21,016.20. These fundraising programs included:

    1. Fall Fundraiser: Income: $11,850.13, Expenses: $0.00, Profit: $11,850.13
    2. Book Fairs: Income: $0.00, Expenses: $0.00, Profit: $0.00
    3. Restaurant Nights/Other: Income: $3,153.88, Expenses: $0.00, Profit: $3,153.88
    4. Serenade Under the Stars: Income: $371.00, Expenses: $0.00, Profit: $371.00
    5. Membership: Income: $1,360.00, Expenses: $680.00, Profit: $680.00
    6. Donations/Miscellaneous: Income: $4,504.63, Expenses: $0.00, Profit: $4,504.63
    7. Spirit Wear: Income: -$47.88, Expenses: $0.00, Profit: -$47.88
    8. Student Store: Income: $821.00, Expenses: $316.56, Profit: $504.44

    Total Income from Fundraising Programs: $22,012.76 

    Total Expenses from Fundraising Programs: $996.56

     Net Profit from Fundraising Programs: $21,016.20

    Expenditures: 

    For the 2022-2023 year, our total expenses amounted to $23,085.16. These expenditures were allocated towards various programs, initiatives, and funding for departments, clubs, and activities.

    Total Income from Expenditures: $0.00 

    Total Expenses from Expenditures: $23,085.16 

    Net Loss from Expenditures: -$23,085.16

     

    The following table outlines the expenditures across different program areas:

    PROGRAMS 

    8th Grade Celebration/Promotion $ 330.31

    Academic Awards/Treats $ 431.46  

    *PBIS $ 1,350.75 (*Popcorn/Friday Treats $ 361.52 + *Other Rewards $ 989.23)

    Reflections $ 100.00 

    WEB (6th grade orientation support) $ 132.94 

    School/Teacher/Staff Funding 

    Agendas (2022-2023) $ 7,164.66 

    Department Grants 

    Core Subjects $ 245.29 (*English $ 73.29 + * History $ 73.00 + PE $ 99.00)

    Electives $ 451.48 (*Art $ 451.48)

    Clubs/Extracurriculars $ 3,563.57 

    Health Office $ 45.00  

    Campus Improvements $ 506.37 

    School Spirit $ 951.56 (Leadership* $ 297.89 + *Other Activities* $ 653.67)

    Staff Appreciation $ 1,477.01 

    Operating Expenses 

    Bank Charges (NSF, Credit Card Fees) $ 394.08 

    PTA Supplies $ 150.19 

    PTA Insurance $ 272.00 

    Last Year's Expenses $ 5,518.49 

    Expenditures Totals $ - $ 23,085.16

    We started the 2022-2023 academic year with a healthy balance of $35,861.83 and dipped into that balance by $2,068.96 by the end of the school year. The PTA operates on a “zero balance budget “with the idea that we spend what we make each year, but this is only feasible when that budget is annually replenished.  Thus, we rely on the continued support and generous donations from Sutter Middle School parents and the community. The SMS PTA will continue to organize fundraising events and initiatives to support our teachers and students. We invite and encourage everyone to contribute and actively participate throughout the year to make a positive impact on our school community.

    Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the success of Sutter Middle School.

    Best regards

    Yesim Kurtulus, President, Sutter Middle School PTA

    Stephanie Shirkey, Treasurer, Sutter Middle School PTA

     Where Did the Money Go in 2020-2021?

    We began the 2020-2021 school year online with no clear end in sight due to the pandemic. Given the remote format and strain on families, Sutter Middle School PTA tabled its annual Cash for Cougars campaign for the Fall, relying on carryover funds from the 2019-2020 school year shutdown and limited smaller fundraising activities. Without the Cash for Cougars campaign, Sutter Middle School PTA raised $8,300 primarily through restaurant nights and donations.

    Plans were made to support traditional events and activities throughout the year should a return to on-campus learning occur. at any given time. While the opportunity for a return finally occured in the Spring, the school days and related activities were significantly curtailed. With the unusual model, needs and expenses shifted from years past.

    Sutter Middle School PTA supported classrooms with over $6100 in funding, inclduing agendas for all students, department funding, and professional development funding.

    Sutter Middle School PTA spent more than $3200 on campus improvements that benefitted the school upon students' return to campus and in the long term, including additional books for the library and campus technology.

    Many of the activities sponsored by Sutter Middle School PTA that normally help to shape the culture of Sutter Middle School remained impacted due to the pandemic. There were no Popcorn Fridays or Trimester Treats this year, no Student Store days, no Book Fairs, and there were limited extracurricular options. However, as students returned in the Spring, we were able to provide modified versions of some of our traditional end-of-year activities including a Staff Appreciation Luncheon and 8th Grade Promotion Celebration (with gift bags distributed at the drive-through event). In all, Sutter Middle School PTA spent approximately $3700 supporting various activities that positively impacted the culture and spirit of Sutter Middle School.

    As we look forward to Fall 2021, we anticipate something closer to a more traditional return to campus. While it will likely take some modified form, we will strive to evolve and to be nimble enough to weather any necessary modifications due to the ongoing pandemic.

    Kelley Robinson-Abello, 2020-2021 SMS PTA President

     

     

    Where Did the Money Go in 2019-2020?

    2019-2020 was an unconventional school year to say the least. While the effects of the pandemic significantly altered the traditional needs and activities at Sutter Middle School, Sutter Middle School PTA has continued to be active in supporting the Sutter Middle School community.

    The 2019-2020 school year began much like other school years--we ran a successful Cash for Cougars campaign, netted approximately $21,000 and surpassing our goal of $20,000! Based on the success of that campaign, we eliminated plans for a traditional Spring Fundraiser. (We also raised an additional $2,5000 through restaurant nights, other donations, and membership dues).

     

    Despite the curtailed in-person school year, Sutter Middle School PTA gave back approximately $17,000 to the Sutter Middle School community through funding in three major categories: classroom support, campus improvement, and cultural development.

    Almost $8,000 went directly to supporting classrooms—agendas for every student; department grants for supplies, PE equipment, lab materials, and other needs; and professional development funding to support teachers striving to further their own knowledge and skills in order to improve their students’ learning experiences.

    Campus needs were met with almost $1600 in funding including, as always, funding for the library. Plans for further expenditures were cut short by the campus shut-down.

    The culture of Sutter Middle School is central to its identity and success as a supportive environment for students, staff, and teachers. Sutter Middle School PTA supported the school's efforts to be a welcoming and inclusive community, encouraging academic excellence as well as excellence of character, self-improvement, and self-expression in its students. Many of the cultural events at Sutter Middle School typically occur in the Spring and were curtailed by the pandemic. Nevertheless, Sutter Middle School PTA provided over $4,000 to support the culture of the Sutter Middle School community by helping to fund the WEB program (new student orientation), the Cougar Character program (including rewards, awards, and Popcorn Fridays), Trimester Treats, Back-to-School Staff Breakfast, after-school clubs and extracurriculars including the Homework Club, and the Reflections Art Program. 

    With the abrupt shut-down and end to on-campus attendance in 2019, a number of planned PTA expenditures were cancelled. As a result, Sutter Middle School PTA finished the year with more money on hand than anticipated allowing us some flexibilty as we approached the unkown of the 2020-2021 school year.

     

    - Kelley Robinson-Abello, 2019-2020 SMS PTA President

     

     

    Where Did the Money Go in 2018-2019?

    Sutter Middle School PTA’s purpose is to support the Sutter Middle School community which includes families, teachers and staff, and especially students. Each year, Sutter Middle School PTA donates hundreds of volunteer hours and provides thousands of dollars in funding to support Sutter Middle School.

    In 2018-2019, Sutter Middle School PTA fundraising efforts netted almost $10,000 in sales (mostly through the cookie dough and magazine sales fundraiser), and approximately $14,500 in donations (primarily our Cash for Cougars fundraiser) and other income.

    Sutter Middle School PTA gave back approximately $25,000 to the Sutter Middle School community through funding in three major categories: classroom support, campus improvement, and cultural development.

    Almost $11,000 went to support classrooms—agendas for every student; department grants for supplies, PE equipment, lab materials, and other needs; and professional development funding to support teachers striving to further their own knowledge and skills in order to improve their students’ learning experiences.

    With construction underway to make the significant campus improvements funded by Measure G, there were few campus improvements needed in 2018-2019, a trend that will likely continue. Sutter Middle School PTA spent approximately $3,000 to improve the campus, primarily on supplies and equipment for the new health office and to replace the school’s laminator.

    The culture of Sutter Middle School is critical to its success and to the well-being of its students, staff, and teachers. Sutter Middle School strives to be a welcoming and inclusive community and encourages not just academic excellence, but excellence of character, self-improvement, and self-expression in its students. In 2018-2019, Sutter Middle School PTA provided over $11,000 to support the culture of the Sutter Middle School community by helping to fund the WEB program (new student orientation), the Cougar Character program (including rewards, awards, and Popcorn Fridays), Trimester Treats, 8th Grade Celebration, Teacher and Staff Appreciation, after-school clubs and extracurriculars including the Homework Club, Serenade Under the Stars, and the Reflections Art Program.

    To further support the culture of Sutter Middle School this year, Sutter Middle School PTA also funded a comprehensive program to encourage student empowerment and resiliency with an emphasis on growth mindset and GRIT (based on Carol Dwek’s Mindset and Anna Duckworth’s GRIT). Blake Brandes (www.blakebrandes.com) will kick off the 2019-2020 school year with a presentation to teachers and staff in August, and with motivational assemblies for students and a parent night in September. The school will also have access to a library of his videos to continue encouraging and reiterating the themes of growth mindset and GRIT with students throughout the year.

    The Sutter Middle School community benefits from supportive families, excellent instruction, well-supplied classrooms, up-to-date facilities, access to technology, and an inclusive culture. With your contribution, Sutter Middle School PTA will continue to invest in these areas to provide ongoing support to the Sutter Middle School community.

     

    - Kelley Robinson-Abello, 2018-2019 SMS PTA Treasurer