Back to School Checklist
Welcome to a new school year at Rockwell! As everyone settles into the back-to-school routine, your Rockwell PTA is here to help make getting involved easy. We’ve put together a simple September checklist to help you stay informed, get connected, and take advantage of the programs and opportunities your PTA helps make possible.
Below is a quick guide to the fees included in your PTA Back-to-School packet, along with what each one supports. Thank you for helping us make a great year at Rockwell!
To Do:
Pay your Annual Student Development Fee by September 30th
At Rockwell, our PTA takes a unique approach to fundraising. Instead of asking families to participate in multiple fundraisers throughout the year, we focus on one main contribution at the start of the school year: the Student Development Fee.
This fee directly funds over 30 programs, events, grants, and supplies that enrich the school experience for our students, teachers, and staff. For the 2026-27 school year, our PTA has budgeted over $85,000 to make these opportunities possible.
To cover the costs of these programs, we suggest the following amount per family*:
$175 per year for families with one student at Rockwell
$300 per year for families with two or more students at Rockwell
Your timely payment ensures we can fully fund every planned event and program—without needing to cut back.
In many countries, schools are fully supported by the government, but here in the U.S. many enrichment programs, classroom materials, and special events rely on PTA funding. The Student Development Fee helps us bridge that gap so that every child at Rockwell benefits.
You can pay online or return cash/check in the envelope you received in your Back to School paperwork. Questions? See our FAQ or email president@normanrockwellpta.org.
*we encourage all families to pay what they can, whether that is more or less than the suggested amount. Please note that no family will be excluded from any PTA or school program for inability to pay.
Corporate matching for your annual fee or volunteer hours
Many local companies like Microsoft Boeing Google and more match employee contributions and volunteer hours to nonprofit organizations like us, Norman Rockwell PTA (Lake Washington Council) 2.8.47 (tax ID 911149753) check with your employer to see how to easily provide extra funds to our schools PTA. The process typically takes just two minutes. After payment of your Student Development Fee, you should receive an email from Givebacks (our secure online payment portal) with your receipt. If you pay with a check or cash, contact treasurer@normanrockwellpta.org for a receipt if needed.
Become a member of Rockwell PTA for $20
The PTA membership fee is different from the Student Development Fee. This fee covers state and national PTSA dues and covers insurance and administrative costs for our Rockwell PTA. Your PTA membership makes you eligible for discounts with many local and national companies like FedEx, Great Wolf Lodge, and Avis. Learn more on our membership page
Volunteer for the PTA
Volunteering and PTA membership are not the same thing. Please consider donating your time whether it’s one hour or 15 hours by volunteering in the classroom, or at events or programs run by the PTA. Research shows that students perform better when parents are actively involved with their schooling. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, work full time, are an extended family member or a community member, we have a volunteer opportunity for you! No experience is necessary, just a willingness to help! Your current board will train and support you in any role you volunteer for. For more information about current open volunteer opportunities along with their time commitments visit our volunteering page or send an email to volunteering@normanrockwellpta.org
Stay connected and informed with the Bugle Newsletter, Facebook or Instagram
Stay up to date about all PTA sponsored events, programs, and announcements through our weekly Bugle Newsletter published every Monday morning.
Purchase your yearbook for $30
When paying your Student Development Fee and PTA membership, add your $30 yearbook at the same time—it’s one-stop shopping! Pay up front, skip the June scramble, and guarantee your child’s yearbook.
Turn in your child's comfort kit by September 25th
We ask every Rockwell family to prepare a Comfort Kit for their child. These kits are kept in the classroom and will be used if an emergency or disaster requires students to remain at school for an extended period of time.
The goal of a Comfort Kit is to provide children with a sense of security and reassurance during what could be a stressful or uncertain situation.
Please send your child’s Comfort Kit to their classroom teacher by Friday, September 25. Instructions, including a ziplock bag are in the Back to School paperwork sent home with your child. For instructions, visit the Emergency Preparedness page or send an email to eprep@normanrockwellpta.org.
What does the Student Development Fee Pay for?
The Student Development Fee is optional, but it plays a big role in enriching our students’ experience at Rockwell. This funding helps bring valuable programs and memorable events to life for our kids. Without both this support and the help of our volunteers, many of these opportunities wouldn’t be possible. Thank you for your generosity—our students truly appreciate it!
Academic Enrichment:
- School assembly speakers
- Author visits
- Library support
- Scholastic Book Fair
- Grade level enrichment grants (used by teachers to purchase supplemental curriculum and learning tools, sensory supplies, classroom supplies, pay for field trips, books, art supplies, etc.)
- Teacher stipends for choir, mile club, student leadership and outdoor education
- Scholarship funds
- Art docent program
- Math challenge
- Reflections art
- 5th grade camp
Events:
- Welcome back coffee
- Back to school picnic
- Heritage night
- Movie night
- School dance
- Art walk/Ice cream social
- Field day
- 5th grade promotion
- Unity day
- STEAM night
- School Play/Musical (fee to participate, scholarships available)
- Field Day
- 5th grade celebration
Other:
- Emergency preparedness
- Safety patrol
- School beautification
- Volunteer thank yous
- Teacher retirement gifts
- Teacher birthday luncheon
- Staff appreciation week
- Teacher welcome back lunch
- Inclusion support & tools
- Legislative support
- One-time legacy gift to the new campus (gift TBD)
- Parent training/workshops
- Supplemental staff professional development opportunities
Visit our FAQ page to learn more. Still have questions? Email president@normanrockwellpta.org
