Through our Rangers Helping Rangers program, PTA provides weekend and vacation meals kits for students experiencing food insecurity as well as necessities for students experiencing homelessness (Families In Transition). PTA funds are also used to provide scholarships for science lab fees, music fees, field trips and extracurricular fees to students for whom these additional expenses pose a barrier to their participation.
DMS PTA works closely with the DMS counseling and administration team to contribute to basic needs support for our most vulnerable students but does not support individuals directly. If you know a student in need of this type of support, don't hesitate to get in touch with a school counselor or administrator.
PTA recognizes that well-resourced, well-trained and fairly compensated teachers and support staff are VITAL to student success. Our Teacher Appreciation program helps to demonstrate this awareness and our community's appreciation to Deerpark educators and staff. Through Teacher Appreciation, PTA delivers things throughout the school year such as welcome back breakfasts, staff luncheons on Professional Development days, occasional special treats, staff room extras and Teacher Appreciation Week recognition and gifts. As parents, we can also remember to send an occasional note of encouragement and support directly to our child's teachers or any staff member without asking for anything else. This little gesture doesn't cost anything but a few minutes of time - and it really helps teachers and staff members feel seen and appreciated!
From its general fund, Deerpark PTA grants school "Wish List" requests from staff that enhance and support student learning. Past Wish List grants range from durable goods like microscopes and digital timers, to instructional materials like dictionaries and student workbooks, to classroom books and subscriptions to Author's visits. It is also possible to fund staff training from this program. Priority is given to tangible items that provide year over year benefit to many students, but all requests are considered. If you know of a need that might qualify as a staff Wish List item, please have a staff member make the request via their Grade-level or Department lead; this ensures that District-funded items are handled appropriately and reduces duplicate requests.
The RRISD Clothes Closet is a joint program between the District and RRISD Council of PTA's to provide free clothing to students in need. Our campus PTA works with the school nurse to support this program by promoting donation drives, managing donations, and staffing monthly shifts at the Clothes Closet free stores. If you know a student in need of clothing, please contact the school Nurse.
The district has 2 locations:
Anderson Mill Elementary
Open: Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to Noon
First Wednesday of the month 5pm - 7pm
&
Voigt Elementary
Open: Wednesdays & Thursdays from 9:30 – 11:30 am
First Saturday of the month 10am - 12pm
Each year our PTA awards two scholarships to graduating highschool Seniors who attended Deerpark MS for all three years: 6th - 8th grade. In 2023-24 DMS PTA increased the scholarship amount to $1000 per student!
Eligible students must complete an application process. Because the applicant pool is typically small, we encourage all Deerpark MS alumni to apply!
The PTA works with parents and the school to improve various parts of the grounds of the school.
Deerpark MS PTA is an independent, non-profit organization that was created to support the staff and students of Deerpark MS, but does not represent the school in any way.