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Friday News is posted each week. Check News

Add your contact information to the MX School Directory!

Malcolm X contacts:
Principal: Alexander Hunt
Secretary: Lyzanna Chairez
Home Sch. Liaison: Lisa Cullen
Curriculum: Jai Waggoner
Records: Maru Hiratzka
Phone: (510) 644-6313
Fax: (510) 644-6297

Malcolm X PTA contacts:

President: 

  
Jila Abdolhosseini 665-9955
Executive VP:  
Joshua Room 655-6782

The Berkeley PTA Council

For school tours, contact Lyzanna Chairez, MX Secretary, or Jai Waggoner, Curriculum Coordinator/Art Teacher, at (510) 644-6313.

For enrollment info, go to the Resources page.

 

 

 

Updated 9/5/12
by Kellie Whittaker
 
 
 

 

Welcome to Malcolm X Arts & Academics Magnet's PTA!

We love our school! Malcolm X Elementary (a California Distinguished School award winner for 2006 and 2012!) offers a unique combination of academic challenge and performing experience that gives every child the opportunity to acquire fundamental skills, grow in confidence and self-expression, and participate in a spirited learning community. And -- we have one of the best PTA's in the BUSD. Join us!

What is the PTA?
PTA stands for Parent Teacher Association. The Malcolm X PTA is the local branch of a BUSD, California, and nationwide PTA system. Our chapter at Malcolm X consists of the Executive Board and the General Membership. It is a volunteer organization dedicated to making Malcolm X the best school it can be. It is your resource. 

What does the PTA do?
⇒  We bring people together.
⇒  We organize to make our school a better place.
⇒  We raise money for our school (about $70,000 for 2009-2010, all of which went directly to support our school: classroom supplies; the school library; the drama and music programs; scholarships; field trips to Cal Performances and other places; and many other events).
⇒  We offer all the children at Malcolm X the opportunity for an enriched school experience.

What is the Executive Board and who are they?
The Executive Board is entrusted with running the PTA chapter. Each area of responsibility has one or more volunteers and the entire group is overseen by the chapter president. Spring elections select parents and teachers to become board members for the following school year.

2012-13 Executive Board:


Teacher representatives:
  • Marilyn Hiratzka, 3rd grade teacher
  • Kathleen Richerson, 1st grade teacher


Who can I contact to find out more about a PTA-sponsored event or committee?

Contacts for PTA fundraisers, committees, events and volunteering:
Malcolm X parents--we need you! Please consider filling the OPEN positions!

Who is the General Membership?
The general membership consists of parents, guardians, and teachers. Dues for the school year are $5, with no one turned away for lack of funds. Donations are always welcome and tax-deductible, with 100% going straight for school programs, classroom trips, and community events.

To become a member, you can do any of the following:
  • fill out the membership form that came home with your child at the beginning of the school year, and give it to your child's teacher,
  • obtain a membership form at the main office and fill that out, then give it to your child's teacher,
  • or call PTA President Jila Abdolhosseini at 665-9955 to get a form.
Have your child return the form to his or her teacher, or come to a PTA meeting.

How do we bring people together?
  • School-wide gatherings and events such as the First Days of School Welcome Reception and monthly meetings — Usually the third Tuesday evening of each month (check the calendar for date changes) in the Library. Join fellow parents and teachers and participate in selected topics (free childcare provided).
  • Family Heritage Night — A potluck in January celebrating diversity.
  • Spring Fair — An end-of-school-year fun fair celebrating our community.

How do we organize to make our school a better place?
  • The Friday News — A weekly newsletter keeping you informed. Your first challenge as a parent is to find it in your child's backpack or back pocket.  Or you can always pick one up in the office or find it online (see the "News" link above)!
  • The PTA Bulletin Board — Located by the school front door (near the main office). Check it out.
  • We organize Room Parents — At least one parent per classroom acts as a liaison and helps organize the structure of the classroom e-mail list or phone tree.
  • Phone_directory — Essential for setting up play dates and helping your classroom teacher with details.  Please respond with your information promptly (when asked) to facilitate its timely distribution.
  • E-Tree — Sign up for the MX_E-tree and you will be able to get news from MX, the BUSD, etc., by e-mail.
  • After-school_Enrichment_Classes — Sponsored by the PTA, provides on-site activities like Circus, Mad Science, Spanish, Chess, Math Games (with emphasis on fun), Fencing, Gardening, Dance Play, Ceramics, Wire Art, Capoeira, and more. Scholarships are available thanks to the fundraising and support of the PTA.
  • The Garden Committee — Support for our awesome organic_garden and school site.  Sometimes it means buying a pumpkin or a packet of seeds and other times jumping into a work party!
  • Traffic Safety Committee, Safe Routes to School— Identify concerns and work to get all kids safely to school on time, especially those walking or bicycling.
  • The Malcolm X School website (you're looking at it!).
  • MXChange — Tell other MX parents what you have to offer! From attorney services to yoga teachers, we have a lot of talent in our community! Submit your own information, and check_out_what_others_have_to_offer, online.
  • Check this page for volunteer opportunities.

How do we raise money for our school?
  • One More Month — We ask parents of incoming kindergarteners to give the MX PTA an amount equal to one month's worth of preschool or childcare. Reach deep and spend "one more month" on your child's school! Last year we raised nearly $10,000 by doing this.
  • eScrip — A program that returns a percentage of each sale to the school of your choice. After you register, get friends and family to register anywhere in the world! You will find information at the scrip table, or later on the PTA information board and in the Friday News, or follow the link above.
  • Berkeley Bowl Scrip — Shop at Berkeley Bowl using scrip and a percentage of your purchase goes to our school. Watch for notices in the Friday News and e-Tree about when and where to order scrip through the PTA.
  • T-Shirt and Sweat Shirt Sales — Malcolm X "Together We Can." We have a great graphic. Get yours and wear it today! Show school pride!
  • Walk-a-Thon — Get pledges for laps around the school perimeter (or for dancing and reading).
  • Raffle — Win and support your school at the same time!
  • Silent Auction and Dance Party — Parents (and local businesses) donate auction items (a box of board games? a collection of nice wine?) and services (a Dutch pancake-making party? a free interior design consultation?). Bidding takes place before (and at) the dance party and then everyone gets together to have a great time raising money for our school!

How do I get involved?
Take out a membership in the Malcolm X PTA. (It's inexpensive, and it really makes a difference!) Support your teacher and classroom by becoming a room parent. Come to a PTA meeting and join us. Join a committee to support one of our events. Sell loads of raffle tickets! There are many volunteer opportunities throughout the school year to lend a helping hand to make Malcolm X a great experience for your child. Please fill out the volunteer form if you would like to participate.