What is staggered start for Kindergarteners?

All Kindergarten students will have a “staggered enrollment” to the school year. The staggered enrollment will be the first three days of school. On each of the three days, ⅓ of the class will come to school for a full day. The staggered enrollment is intended to ease the transition of our Kindergartners into Elementary school by allowing students to get to know their teacher, the classroom, and WBS in a smaller group setting. Then, on Friday, ALL Kindergarteners will attend. Their teacher will let the parents know on Open House Night the day their student is assigned to for the staggered start.

What time should I come for Open House?

Students and their parents/guardians with last names A-M should come for the first hour.  Students with last names N-Z should come for the second hour. 

What is GiveBacks/ Member Hub?

This is the payment platform used by the PTA.

What is the difference between the PTA and the Foundation?

The short answer is nothing. Both organizations work together to support Wrightsville Beach Elementary, the only real difference comes down to how the funds can be used.

WBS PTA
The PTA at Wrightsville Beach is supported by the state and national PTA organizations. The PTA generates most of its funds through the Big Splash fundraiser, Fall Festival, Bookfair, Family/Retail Nights, Boosterthon and Harris Teeter VIC/Publix/Amazon Smile programs. The funds raised for the PTA must be spent on programs that benefit all students in the school. PTA provides funding for the marine science program, online and curriculum instruction resources, teacher supplies, Green School, Health and Wellness, staff appreciation, extra-curricular student activity programs, as well as other school wide functions such as Fun Day and Anti-Bully week. The funds raised in the PTA must be spent within the school year they are raised and cannot be carried forward to the next school year.

WBS Foundation
The WBS Foundation was formed in 2012 by a group of parents and friends for the sole purpose of raising money to enhance the quality of education at Wrightsville Beach School. The Foundation’s mission is to generate discretionary funds to provide for our school’s HR needs above and beyond what traditional funding sources provide. The main fundraisers for the Foundation are Brunch with Santa and the Spring Soiree. The Foundation has been able to consistently fund a teacher salary, teaching assistants or support staff when the allotted county budget for the school does not allow for certain numbers of staff to be employed. The Foundation has also been able to save money over the years in order to make improvements to the school campus. The funds raised by the Foundation do not have to be spent within the school year they are raised and can be carried forward to the next school year.

So why have both?
Having both organizations only benefit and strengthen our school. Having a strong and active PTA allows our school to participate and compete in national programs such as Reflections, the nation’s largest and longest running arts program. Our school has also earned national recognition with our Blue Ribbon and Green School awards. Having a strong PTA has allowed our school to apply for grants that fund STEM Night, internet safety education for our school community, as well as funds to support the Green Team. Without the Foundation we would not have been able to fund numerous faculty and staff positions that would have been otherwise cut due to county budget constraints. The Foundation has the ability to raise and save money for whatever needs we see fit for our school. Together the PTA and Foundation have been able to support WBS students, staff and parents and keep it the strong, thriving school we all hold near and dear to our hearts.

Key Differences Between the PTA and Foundation
The key differences relate to the organizational structure of the organizations and how funds are used.

1) The PTA is part of a state and national PTA organization that provides the framework and operating principles that the PTA must follow.

2) The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is overseen by the Foundation Board. The Foundation must comply with IRS Tax Guidelines for 501(c)(3) organizations.

3) The PTA must spend its funds on programs that benefit all students in the school. The PTA Executive Board votes on the funding requests and present to the school community for final vote and approval. The funds must be spent within the school year they are raised and cannot be carried forward into the next school year.

4) The Foundation has flexibility to spend its funds on programs and educational opportunities that may benefit only 1 teacher or class, one grade, several grades or a group of students at the school. The Foundation may also provide funding for equipment and campus improvements for the school. Funding requests are approved by the Foundation Board. Funds raised can be carried over year after year.