Who We Are: Monte Vista Academic Boosters is a group of parents and community members who come together to support academics at Monte Vista High School. Working with the administration, we provide funds to purchase extra class sections, support counseling, and are responsible for Honor Roll recognition awards. In addition, we coordinate prep classes and practice tests for all of the college testing (SAT, ACT, subject tests, and essay writing).
Anyone can join the Academic Boosters. It’s a great way to stay abreast of what’s happening here at school. Our monthly meetings provide a forum for parents and the principal and counselors to share academic information and concerns. So whether your students aspires to a private or public college, a community college, or has other post-graduation goals, please join us to find out how you can support your student and get more involved in the Monte Vista community. We hope to see you soon!
Our Mission: To promote a superior academic environment for the students at Monte Vista High School, to recognize academic achievement within the student body, to support the faculty, and to raise funds for said purposes.
Anyone can join the Academic Boosters. It’s a great way to stay abreast of what’s happening here at school. Our monthly meetings provide a forum for parents and the principal and counselors to share academic information and concerns. So whether your students aspires to a private or public college, a community college, or has other post-graduation goals, please join us to find out how you can support your student and get more involved in the Monte Vista community. We hope to see you soon!
Our Mission: To promote a superior academic environment for the students at Monte Vista High School, to recognize academic achievement within the student body, to support the faculty, and to raise funds for said purposes.
Our Goals for 2011/2012:
· Fund 20 class sections (approximately $360,000, cost determined by the district)
· Fund counseling sections, as determined by the administration
· Recognize Honor Roll students with awards
· Coordinate PSAT, SAT, and ACT preparation classes
· Co-host district-wide College Night
· Fund counseling sections, as determined by the administration
· Recognize Honor Roll students with awards
· Coordinate PSAT, SAT, and ACT preparation classes
· Co-host district-wide College Night
Booster Officers:
Janet Orgill -
Sue Abood -
Lisa Mason -
Tamara Munger -
Lisa DeLorme -
Connie Susa -
Carolyn Ross -
Sue Abood -
Lisa Mason -
Tamara Munger -
Lisa DeLorme -
Connie Susa -
Carolyn Ross -
President
Ways and Means
Secretary
Treasurer
Member-at-Large
Member-at-Large
Member-at-Large
Ways and Means
Secretary
Treasurer
Member-at-Large
Member-at-Large
Member-at-Large
Committee Chairs:
Mary Nash -
Margaret Tanaka -
Mary Chiang -
Dayna Nielsen -
Janet Orgill -
Karen Beekley -
Tamara Munger -
Unfilled job -
Unfilled job -
Margaret Tanaka -
Mary Chiang -
Dayna Nielsen -
Janet Orgill -
Karen Beekley -
Tamara Munger -
Unfilled job -
Unfilled job -
Membership, Roster, Service Hours
Corporate matching
Website
Free class tracking
Honor Roll Awards
Registration coordinator
Database
GATE
Hospitality
Corporate matching
Website
Free class tracking
Honor Roll Awards
Registration coordinator
Database
GATE
Hospitality
Email: academicboosters@mvhigh.net
Web site: www.mvacademicboosters.org
Volunteer Opportunities
We are currently looking to fill the following positions for the 2011-12 school year.
It’s a great way to get involved, meet new people and have a direct impact on your students’ education.
Campaign Letters Committee ~ Time Frame: Feb and May. Hours: 5
Job: help generate new ideas, FAQs, review and copy letters.
Thermometer ~ Time Frame: Biweekly, March thru June. Hours: 10
Job: generate thermometer of funds raised, update biweekly on school & Boosters websites.
Evaluate New On-line Donation Process~ Time Frame: Anytime. Hours: 20
Job: evaluate an on-line pay option, such as PayPal to reduce costs of current on-line system.
Outside Sources of Funding ~ Time Frame: Any time. Hours: 5-10
Job: investigate sources of funding other than parent donors, such as grants, corporate and/ or community donations, etc.
If you are interested in volunteering to help the Academic Boosters with one of these duties, or in any other capacity, please contact Mary Nash at mary.nash@comcast.net
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a section?
A. A section is one class taught during one period, all year. For example, a student’s 4th period English class is one section. Each full-time teacher teaches 5 sections each day; each student takes 6 or 7 sections each day. Each section costs approximately $17,000.
Q. Which classes does Academic Boosters pay for?
A. Academic Boosters makes a funding commitment to the Monte Vista administration in June of each year. The administration determines which classes will be added based on student need. Last year, English, Math, Chemistry, and Fine Arts classes were added to the schedule using parent donations.
Q. If Monte Vista parents raise enough money to purchase a large number of sections, will that reduce the amount that the district gives our school?
A. When asked this question, Superintendent Steve Enoch replied, “The funding level provided to schools is based on student enrollment, not parent contributions. The district very much appreciates the role that parents play at Monte Vista and at other schools in the district as well.”
Q. Can I donate on line, by credit card?
A. Yes, through the Web Store at http://mvhsacademicboosters.revtrak.net. However, we are charged almost 4% by Revtrak, the company which handles our credit card transactions, and therefore, the most effective way to donate to Academic Boosters is by check.
Q. How do I pursue Corporate Matching funds?
A. We can often double parent donations through Corporate Matching from your employer. Corporate Matching funds and pledges already raised in 2010 will fund an entire class section in 2011! Many employers match your donations – check our website for a list. If you need help, or have questions, please contact Margaret Tanaka at margstanaka@gmail.com.
Q. How much do parents in other high performing schools in this area contribute?
A. The Educational Foundation of Orinda, which supports the Orinda Union School District and Miramonte High School, is asking $575 per student, with a goal of $1.5 million this year. Moraga Educational Foundation which funds Campolindo High School is asking $750 per student, with a goal of $1.6 million. San Ramon Valley High School families funded 18 class sections this year - 2 more sections than Monte Vista families funded, with a participation rate of over 45%!
Q. Should my student sign up for the FREE ACT/SAT Combo Practice Test Class?
A. Most colleges accept both the SAT and the ACT, however, many students do not know which one is best for them. This class allows your student to take a SAT/ACT Combo Practice Test, with representative sections from both tests, in one sitting on a Saturday. The strategy session the following week will give individual feedback comparing results on both tests. This class is our most popular class with juniors and sophomores. Cost is $25, but is free to students whose family donates $350 or more.
Q. How do I sign up my student for the FREE ACT/SAT Combo Practice Test Class?
A. If you make a donation to the Academic Boosters of $350 or more, your student will receive free admission to our ACT/SAT Combo Practice Test Class that will be offered in September, 2011. If you make a “Family” donation, you will receive free admission for two students. Check the box on the enclosed Donation Form, or on the Web Store donation page, if your student would like to attend. You will then be notified of the exact dates of this class as the details become available. We will put an announcement in the Daily Bulletin and on our website, so look for details no later than August, 2011.
A. A section is one class taught during one period, all year. For example, a student’s 4th period English class is one section. Each full-time teacher teaches 5 sections each day; each student takes 6 or 7 sections each day. Each section costs approximately $17,000.
Q. Which classes does Academic Boosters pay for?
A. Academic Boosters makes a funding commitment to the Monte Vista administration in June of each year. The administration determines which classes will be added based on student need. Last year, English, Math, Chemistry, and Fine Arts classes were added to the schedule using parent donations.
Q. If Monte Vista parents raise enough money to purchase a large number of sections, will that reduce the amount that the district gives our school?
A. When asked this question, Superintendent Steve Enoch replied, “The funding level provided to schools is based on student enrollment, not parent contributions. The district very much appreciates the role that parents play at Monte Vista and at other schools in the district as well.”
Q. Can I donate on line, by credit card?
A. Yes, through the Web Store at http://mvhsacademicboosters.revtrak.net. However, we are charged almost 4% by Revtrak, the company which handles our credit card transactions, and therefore, the most effective way to donate to Academic Boosters is by check.
Q. How do I pursue Corporate Matching funds?
A. We can often double parent donations through Corporate Matching from your employer. Corporate Matching funds and pledges already raised in 2010 will fund an entire class section in 2011! Many employers match your donations – check our website for a list. If you need help, or have questions, please contact Margaret Tanaka at margstanaka@gmail.com.
Q. How much do parents in other high performing schools in this area contribute?
A. The Educational Foundation of Orinda, which supports the Orinda Union School District and Miramonte High School, is asking $575 per student, with a goal of $1.5 million this year. Moraga Educational Foundation which funds Campolindo High School is asking $750 per student, with a goal of $1.6 million. San Ramon Valley High School families funded 18 class sections this year - 2 more sections than Monte Vista families funded, with a participation rate of over 45%!
Q. Should my student sign up for the FREE ACT/SAT Combo Practice Test Class?
A. Most colleges accept both the SAT and the ACT, however, many students do not know which one is best for them. This class allows your student to take a SAT/ACT Combo Practice Test, with representative sections from both tests, in one sitting on a Saturday. The strategy session the following week will give individual feedback comparing results on both tests. This class is our most popular class with juniors and sophomores. Cost is $25, but is free to students whose family donates $350 or more.
Q. How do I sign up my student for the FREE ACT/SAT Combo Practice Test Class?
A. If you make a donation to the Academic Boosters of $350 or more, your student will receive free admission to our ACT/SAT Combo Practice Test Class that will be offered in September, 2011. If you make a “Family” donation, you will receive free admission for two students. Check the box on the enclosed Donation Form, or on the Web Store donation page, if your student would like to attend. You will then be notified of the exact dates of this class as the details become available. We will put an announcement in the Daily Bulletin and on our website, so look for details no later than August, 2011.