We have been requested to explain how the Emerson PTA plans to use funds raised by the Carnival or other fundraising efforts. The PTA adopted a budget last fall that covers the PTA expenses (insurance, mailing costs, newsletter, etc), hospitality activities, 9th grade "graduation", and grants to teachers and the school to support student activities. These grants have included supporting the garden program, computers and video cameras, books for the library, PE equipment, and other teaching aids. The PTA has many outstanding requests from teachers for grants that could not be funded because there was not enough money in the budget to fund those requests.
As you may know, the Carnival was planned before it was commonly known that there was a budget crisis or that Emerson could close. Given that new information, the PTA will be considering revising the budget and will do so after engaging the entire Emerson community in that decision (as we are required to do according to PTA requirements and the bylaws). After the Carnival, the PTA could have about $20,000 in its bank accounts, maybe more. Just so you know, the PTA cannot directly support keeping Emerson open or pay teachers' salaries, but it can contribute to the Davis Schools Foundation. DSF does allow donations specific to secondary schools, but not specific to a school.
We invite the Emerson community to support the Carnival because it will be really fun and will support Emerson students and teachers wherever they may be next year. There will be lots of Emerson students/parents/teachers participating in events on Saturday and Sunday on stage at the Carnival and they can really use our support, including Antoinette "Butterscotch" Clinton - an Emerson graduate and internationally recognized beatbox artist; Jazz groups (Calvin Handy and the Vintage Jazz Players, Sax by Popular Demand, The J Street Jazz Cats, Jazzmatazz), bluegrass (Rita Hosking and her band - Cousin Jack), traditional Latin American music (El Trio), Emerson students (singers Amelia and Jen, Aditya on sitar, ), Willet Chorus, a Klezmer group, and bagpipes. There will also be lots of PTA-sponsored booths selling food and providing games. There will even be a birthday party booth for those who would like to celebrate their birthday at the Carnival.
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