“What is FFS?”

…I nearly fainted as I heard these words come out of a parent’s mouth last month. Nevertheless, I recovered quickly and realized that we need to broadcast our message even louder than ever!

The mission of Families for Stevenson (FFS) is to enrich the education of our children by providing Art, Music, Dance and other specialty programs to Stevenson Elementary.

Without the Families for Stevenson (FFS) booster association, Stevenson Elementary’s art and dance programs would cease to exist!

It is the super fun 10 weeks of dance taught during school hours by Garri Dance studio every year. We get to watch our kids entertain us with an annual dance recital because of this program, with tears in our eyes because they are so precious. Please SAVE THE DATE for our upcoming dance recital on Dec 10th – this spectacular winter-themed event is one you don’t want to miss! We are also going to pre-sell DVD’s of the event so you can cherish that moment forever. Drop by the FFS table outside the holiday boutique Monday November 30th – Thursday December 4th, 1:30 – 3:30 pm to place your order.

It is also the wonderful 8 weeks of art classes taught in the classroom by Barbara Eisner every year to help our kids meet an art curriculum no longer covered by our state and local government funding.

FFS also coordinates the after school enrichment programs which provide new opportunities for your children – including guitar lessons, cooking, international art, and the Mad Science Program (which we hear is a HUGE hit with the kids). We manage fundraisers that keep art in the forefront of our family’s minds like the recent Original Works Program. Other programs FFS initiates and supports include the library renovation project and the ongoing purchasing of new books, and supporting our school’s Green Team by funding the Garden Project with donations made by our partners in the entertainment industry.

So what is FFS? It is the parents and businesses in our community who want to ensure that every child gets to experience The Arts in school. We live in the entertainment capital of the world. Our children are the future of the entertainment industry.

The goal of FFS is to make a difference in our children’s lives by bringing The Arts to Stevenson. We support and work hand-in-hand with PTA and help them with their needs and activities throughout the year. Please join us at the monthly FFS & PTA meetings to get more involved!`

If you work for, or own a business that can help us meet our mission by writing a check to support one of these programs, or would like to donate an item or service for our spring 2010 Stevenson Rocks! silent auction, we have kicked off our Corporate Donation Drive a bit early this year. We want to give those businesses an opportunity for an additional tax write-off for the 2009 year. Contact Katie Parker at 916-367-9933 or send an email to donations@stevensonpirates.net . We’ll hook you up!

I want to extend a warm thank you to Kym Wheeler who ran the Original Works program this year and to the families who participated. You have helped us raise over $1,600 for The Arts this year!

De Eldridge & Jennifer Jesperson
Co-presidents, Families for Stevenson (FFS)
ffs@stevensonpirates.net

FFS enriches the education of our children by providing Art, Music, Dance and other specialty programs to Stevenson Elementary.