The BAM PTA supports a wide variety of programs and projects, from recycling in the cafeteria to gathering supplies for use in the event of an earthquake. To help students, teachers, staff, and parents communicate with each other more effectively, we publish a school directory, issue a newsletter, maintain a school website and e-mail networks, and pay for copying services.

Community is central to the PTA's function. It seeks to build unity by bringing the BAM families and teachers together, sponsoring events like the multicultural potluck, the fall and spring performances, the annual reading in our Poetry Garden, and the BAM Jam, the school's dance party and silent auction.

Ensuring student enrichment is likewise important. The PTA supports students by helping to fund the artist time program and by providing one of the best after-school enrichment programs in the district, with plenty of partial and full scholarships available. We also organize a program for lunchtime volunteers to help make the cafeteria a calmer place and the yard play more stimulating and fun for all grade levels.

To support our teachers and staff, we help in the office with copying and filing, building bookshelves, coordinating the activities of room parents, writing grants, as well as buying items on teachers' "wish lists."

To improve the school facility and its surroundings, we plant and water trees, paint, clean, prod the school district to make needed repairs, and support our volunteer gardener, Kate Obenour, who cultivates the school's great gardens and introduces students to gardening.

PTA fundraising has become increasingly vital to BAM. In addition to the yearly Individual Giving Campaign, the PTA sells paper scrip and e-scrip, Sally Foster gift wrap and other holiday supplies, BAM T-shirts and sweatshirts, Scholastic books, student produced painted tiles and bricks, and by coordinating events with local businesses like Cody's Books and the Oakland A's. We also hold a silent auction.

PTA RESOURCES

BAMnet - This is BAM's un-moderated e-mail discussion forum where parents coordinate efforts to better BAM, express views and opinions, and it provides a great way for people to let each other know about various school-related issues and events, share resources, and exchange information. TO JOIN BAMNET simply send a blank e-mail to: bamnet-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

BAMANNOUNCEMENTS - The purpose of BAM Announcements is to provide notices to the BAM community about school events, activities and meetings, as well as to provide notification about selected BUSD-related activities. This group is set up as an announcement-only group, allowing only the moderators to post messages. All other members participate as subscribers, but don't directly send messages to each other. The discussion group, BAMnet, is reserved for that purpose. Subscribe to BAM Announcements by sending email to BAMannouncements-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Directory - Published in the fall, the directory lists all BAM students and includes street addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses, as well as general information about the school.

Friday News Newsletter - Published weekly throughout the school-year, the Newsletter informs parents, teachers, students, and staff about various PTA activities, district-wide events, and other issues of interest.

PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY THE PTA

After School Classes - After school enrichment classes are offered to students on-site, immediately after the school day has ended. These classes are open to all students, for a fee, and include ceramics, bookmaking, karate, guitar, and circus, to name a few. Scholarships are available. Look for an announcement in mid-September.

Artist Time Program - The artist time program provides a comprehensive arts education curriculum for our students. This year's classes include drumming, dance, visual arts, and drama.

Lunch Time Program - Parent and student lunch time volunteers help with general cafeteria and play yard supervision, create special "lunch time challenge activities" for students, and manage play equipment check-out and return. The PTA helps fund the yearly replacement of balls, jump ropes, and other play equipment as needed. A great place to have fun and make a difference at BAM.

Field trips - Each class goes on a series of field trips throughout the year, with a special emphasis on arts-related events and performances at Cal's Zellerbach Auditorium, as part of the Cal Performances series.

Everyone is welcome to help! Fore more information about getting involved, contact any of the members of the PTA Executive Board.

OTHER BAM COMMITTEES AND GROUPS

Artist Time Committee - Measure A, which replaces the Berkeley Schools Excellence Project, established by a municipal bond measure, provides funds to each Berkeley school to be spent on educational enrichment. All of BAM's Measure A money goes to the Artist Time program, which provides comprehensive, high-quality arts education for all students. The School Governance Team, composed of 6 elected parents and 5 teachers and administrators, help to hire the artists. The Artist Time Committee helps plan and produce the fall and spring performances.

ELAC - The English Learners Advisory Committee supports families in which English is not the primary language spoken.

School Governance Council - The School Governance Council is a group of teachers, staff, and elected parents whose goal is to raise the academic performance of students and improve the school's overall educational program. Members are elected in the fall.

African American Families United at BAM - This organization was formed to coordinate the efforts of the African American community at BAM to address academic, cultural, and social concerns for African American students. Iris Grace and Bethena Javarheri are the contact persons for this committee.

BYLAWS

The Berkeley Arts Magnet PTA bylaws were revised in June of 2008.