PTIA Update
How Do We Make Our School an Even Better Place?
Dear IA Community: Teachers, Staff, Parents & Students,
Truly, we’re all fortunate to experience a private school education in a public-school setting at the IA with the absolute most caring, passionate and best teachers and staff. At the heart and driving force of extra activities, programs and building improvements are the PTIA OKMA volunteers, Board and contributing members – we are grateful and thankful because it definitely takes an Oakland County diverse village to raise future leaders.
Our OKMA campus needs improvement in many ways, as many of you know. No one can deny how our team of teachers, administrators and parents work together tirelessly and with grit to enhance our world recognized IB students' high school experience.
You may know that IA’s operational budget is funded from collective Oakland County school districts. To supplement, our PTIA’s membership dues, extra donations, fundraising and many volunteer hours have historically raised the much needed $$$$$$$ which is never enough to better our school. If you are not a member, please join ($50 annual cost) because students and teachers benefit. As you may know, IA-Okma’s PTIA is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) and your donation will be fully tax deductible.
State of the PTIA OKMA Activities, Programs and Building Improvement
In keeping with this year’s community project’s theme: Make our School an even Better Place, our PTIA is sharing highlights of upcoming events and what we have accomplished this year that has bettered our IA OKMA campus and people, like:
- Student activities: Olympic support and funding, Senior All Night Party, 3 Dances so far … and more to come until end of year.
- Teacher appreciation grants and gifts
- Parent networking: Mix & Mingle FUNdraiser May 5, IA Business Coalition (IABC), monthly IABC Round Tables, PTIA Meetings for sharing school highlights, providing Shadowing and Internship Opportunities to our students
- Mental Health Committee supporting IA’s own therapy dog financially
- Working on funds for more microwaves in the lunchroom, outdoor projector and outdoor screen for student movie night, a new camera & SD Card, student software updates (like Quizlet Plus, etc.), 3 Charging Stations throughout school building for cell phones and so many more things…
- Gathering tech experts to update the ISC with a screened in projector, drop down screen, better audio system, etc. - to be voted on April 4th - 7 pm, at the PTIA Meeting
☝️ Click to go to Facebook Event page
Our teachers and staff put together a wish list of renovations for the school and our PTIA board is organizing a community event through the month of April, to deliver the items we can practically do together. E.g. Assemble shelves, install cork tiles, paint some accent walls, hang pictures, etc,
This is where we need your help. Any students who participate can also collect CAS hours. If we all work together as a school community, we can get these items done. We’ll be working on multiple rooms at the same time…and finish up with pizza for everyone afterwards.
Also, if you need supervision for your younger kids while you’re working with us, we’re happy to provide them with a fun activity in our IA Okma Kids Care @ school! Just leave information regarding the number of kids and ages under the Signup Genius in the “Comment" with your name and email.
May 5 from 7-10 pm
Time to mingle!! Parents & staff will come together to celebrate our community and raise funds for our children, staff and facilities at the PTIA adult-only FUNdraiser with food, drinks, a DJ and auction items too. Buy tickets now via Community Pass for $75 until the price increases in mid April.
We are thankful for our partners, especially IA’s own Mama’s Taqueria and other connections made through our IA family. If you are interested in sponsorships or have auction items, please reach out to Soni Doshi at sonalee_doshi@yahoo.com.
All donors will be recognized on event signage and promotional flyers and on the PTIA website and social media.
Look for an update and link to the bid items in early April.
In closing, we hope you join us however you can to keep up an accelerated trajectory as we face the future in collaboration with families throughout Oakland County. Thank you for your consideration and time. And we look forward to connecting with all IA families and IA staff!
The PTIA Board
About the OKMA Parents and Teachers of International Academy (PTIA)
As the International Academy's official parent-teacher organization, #okmaPTIA provides many opportunities to enhance your student’s experience. Volunteering and attending meetings is not required, but encouraged. The recommended membership fee is $50 per year and we appreciate additional donations which fund many popular IA traditions that all students enjoy.
Ways to get involved:
Take a minute to join now > 2022-2023 PTIA Membership Form (google.com)
Read more about what the PTIA provides to all families, no matter if PTIA member or not
Have a question or need additional information? Please send an email to the PTIA
Website: PTIA OKMA - Home (weebly.com) and follow us on Facebook
Anthony DeGrazia, Associate Principal