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. |  |
Our Goals for 2012/2013: Academic Booster meeting minutes:
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Booster Officers:
Janet Orgill -
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 |
Committee Chairs:
Mary Nash -
Margaret Tanaka - Mary Chiang - Janet Orgill - Karen Beekley - Tamara Munger - Millie Roy, Nina Fishman - Unfilled job - | Membership, Roster, Service Hours
Corporate matching Website Honor Roll Awards Registration coordinator Database GATE Reps Hospitality |
Email: academicboosters@mvhigh.net
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Volunteer Opportunities
The following Executive Board and Committee Chair positions are open for the 2012-13 school year, beginning in July, 2012. Exiting chairpersons will work closely with new volunteers to ensure a seamless transition.
Academic Boosters Chairperson (Executive Board)
1. Plan monthly meetings, including guest speakers and agenda
2. Conduct the above meetings
3. Loosely supervise the Academic Booster sub-committees, i.e. Ways and Means, Classes and Testing, Honor Roll Recognition
4. Work with administration to ensure that AB is targeting the correct needs at MV
5. Occasionally serve on school-wide committees as a parent representative (currently our WASC accreditation)
6. Act as a signatory and provide oversight of financial information
Number of Hours: Approximately 10 hours per month during the school year.
Ways and Means Chair (Executive Board)
Responsible for all fundraising for spring and fall campaigns
1. Letter / form preparation and mailing
2. Flyer preparation
3. Website content updates
4. Thank you / receipt emails
5. Parent communications
6. Marketing
Number of Hours: Approximately 60 including meetings. Work is heaviest in preparation for the spring campaign in February and March, with the remaining bulk of the hours scattered throughout the rest of the year.
Communications Chair (Executive Board)
Put announcements in the daily bulletin which:
1. Promote monthly meetings
2. Communicate fundraising specifics
3. Convey important details about district and state funding of schools as it impacts MVHS.
Number of Hours: Approximately 2-4 per month, including meetings.
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
Academic Boosters Chairperson (Executive Board)
1. Plan monthly meetings, including guest speakers and agenda
2. Conduct the above meetings
3. Loosely supervise the Academic Booster sub-committees, i.e. Ways and Means, Classes and Testing, Honor Roll Recognition
4. Work with administration to ensure that AB is targeting the correct needs at MV
5. Occasionally serve on school-wide committees as a parent representative (currently our WASC accreditation)
6. Act as a signatory and provide oversight of financial information
Number of Hours: Approximately 10 hours per month during the school year.
Ways and Means Chair (Executive Board)
Responsible for all fundraising for spring and fall campaigns
1. Letter / form preparation and mailing
2. Flyer preparation
3. Website content updates
4. Thank you / receipt emails
5. Parent communications
6. Marketing
Number of Hours: Approximately 60 including meetings. Work is heaviest in preparation for the spring campaign in February and March, with the remaining bulk of the hours scattered throughout the rest of the year.
Communications Chair (Executive Board)
Put announcements in the daily bulletin which:
1. Promote monthly meetings
2. Communicate fundraising specifics
3. Convey important details about district and state funding of schools as it impacts MVHS.
Number of Hours: Approximately 2-4 per month, including meetings.
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. One section this year cost approximately $17,673.
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. This year, class sections such as English, Math, Chemistry, and Fine Arts were added to the master 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. If I donate, do I get any tax advantages?
A. Yes, Monte Vista Academic Boosters is a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization.All donations are 100% tax-deductible to the full extent the law allows for the calendar year in which you make your contributions.
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 of fall 2011 donations alone will fund almost an entire class section in 2012! 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, and has contributed $1.5 million this year. San Ramon Valley High School Academic Boosters funded 18 class sections this year, but has enjoyed a much higher percent participation of its families than Monte Vista.
Q. Should my student sign up for the FREE ACT/SAT Combo Practice Test Class?
A. Most colleges accept either the SAT or the ACT, however, many students do not know which one is best for them. This exclusive free class is offered only to students whose parents donate $350 or more. It allows your sophomore or junior student to take an ACT/SAT Combo Practice Test, with representative sections from both tests, in one sitting on Saturday September 22, 2012. The strategy session on October 1, 2012 will give individual feedback comparing results on both tests. This class is our most popular class and fills quickly!
Q: How do I sign up for the FREE ACT/SAT Combo Practice Test Class?
A: To sign up, check the box on the enclosed Donation Form or on the Web Store donation page if donating online. This exclusive free class will be offered only in September, however, the same class will be offered in January 2013 to all students for $25 through our Web Store. Click here for details.
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. One section this year cost approximately $17,673.
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. This year, class sections such as English, Math, Chemistry, and Fine Arts were added to the master 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. If I donate, do I get any tax advantages?
A. Yes, Monte Vista Academic Boosters is a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization.All donations are 100% tax-deductible to the full extent the law allows for the calendar year in which you make your contributions.
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 of fall 2011 donations alone will fund almost an entire class section in 2012! 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, and has contributed $1.5 million this year. San Ramon Valley High School Academic Boosters funded 18 class sections this year, but has enjoyed a much higher percent participation of its families than Monte Vista.
Q. Should my student sign up for the FREE ACT/SAT Combo Practice Test Class?
A. Most colleges accept either the SAT or the ACT, however, many students do not know which one is best for them. This exclusive free class is offered only to students whose parents donate $350 or more. It allows your sophomore or junior student to take an ACT/SAT Combo Practice Test, with representative sections from both tests, in one sitting on Saturday September 22, 2012. The strategy session on October 1, 2012 will give individual feedback comparing results on both tests. This class is our most popular class and fills quickly!
Q: How do I sign up for the FREE ACT/SAT Combo Practice Test Class?
A: To sign up, check the box on the enclosed Donation Form or on the Web Store donation page if donating online. This exclusive free class will be offered only in September, however, the same class will be offered in January 2013 to all students for $25 through our Web Store. Click here for details.