About
Who We Are
We're the Alcott PTSA: families, teachers, and staff, all here for the same students. Together we work to make Louisa May Alcott Elementary a great place for every child. Never been part of a PTSA before? Most of us hadn't either. Start here.
The Basics
What’s a PTSA?
PTSA stands for Parent Teacher Student Association. If you didn’t grow up in the US school system, you may never have heard of one, and that’s true for many Alcott families. Here’s the short version.
We’re a group of volunteers, mostly Alcott parents and staff, who organize the extras that make school more fun and more supportive: family events, in-class enrichment, clubs, teacher appreciation, and help for families who need it. The school teaches. We add the rest.
We’re an independent nonprofit, separate from the school itself, funded by small membership fees and donations, and run entirely by volunteers. Joining doesn’t sign you up for anything beyond that. More on this below.
Our commitment this year
Transparent, On Purpose
Trust is earned with receipts. Here's how the Alcott PTSA keeps its work open to every member, not just the board.
Open budgets
The budget is proposed, discussed, and voted on by members at general membership meetings, and it's emailed to all members 5 to 10 days before any vote. Every member gets a say in where the money goes.
Open records
Meeting minutes are shared with members before each meeting, and any member may request and review PTSA financial and organizational documents. An independent financial review is completed every year.
Open meetings
General membership meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month, at least three times a year, and every member is welcome to attend, ask questions, make motions, and vote.
Questions about anything here? Ask us directly at president@alcottptsa.org. We'd rather answer twice than have you wonder once.
Our mission
What We're Here to Do
Everything the Alcott PTSA takes on maps back to seven goals. Here they are, in plain words.
Strengthen School Community
Foster meaningful connections among families, students, teachers, and staff, and create opportunities to get involved.
Appreciate Teachers & Staff
Recognize the time, care, and energy our teachers and staff invest in students, with support all year long.
Promote Equity & Inclusion
Make sure PTSA programs and events are accessible to all families, and celebrate the diversity of our school community.
Support Students' Well-Being
Fund and promote programs that enrich learning, creativity, and leadership, and support inclusive, social-emotional growth.
Encourage Family Engagement
Promote participation in school events, meetings, and volunteering, and keep families informed and included.
Advocate for Students
Partner with school leadership on policies and programs that benefit students, serving as a bridge between families and the school.
Be Good Stewards of Resources
Spend member dues and donations carefully, aligning every dollar with the greatest impact on students and staff.
Governance & Transparency
Standing Rules
Standing rules are the everyday rules the Alcott PTSA runs by: how we elect our board, spend money, hold meetings, and stay accountable to members. They sit alongside the Washington State PTA bylaws.
We publish ours in full, word for word, because you have every right to see exactly how your PTSA operates. They're reviewed and adopted by members each fall.
Alcott PTSA Standing Rules
PDF · 9 pages · Adopted June 2026
Questions about how the PTSA is run, or want to propose a change? Any member can.
Email us at president@alcottptsa.org or bring it to a general membership meeting.
Being Specific
What We Actually Do
Not vague promises. These are real Alcott PTSA programs from this past school year, and what your membership and donations paid for.
For students
Dance Education classes for every grade
Clay Art in-class enrichment
Running Club (free for all Alcott students)Math Challenge (a new puzzle set every two weeks)
Student clubs: math, science, student leadership, green team, safety patrol
For families
End-of-Year Party
Back-to-school and community events
5th Grade Promotion celebration
Yearbook, including copies for families who can't afford one
Connections to food support like Pantry Packs
For teachers & the school
Teacher and staff appreciation all year (meals, snacks, events)
Classroom materials funding
Library resources and author visits
School-wide support: quiet room and emergency preparedness equipments
Good to know
Joining Doesn't Obligate You
A few things families new to PTSAs often ask us, answered honestly.
Do I have to volunteer or donate if I join?
No. Membership is just membership. Volunteering and donating are always separate, always optional choices. (If you ever do feel like helping, we certainly won't stop you.)
What does membership cost?
$25 for one person, $35 for two, $15 for Alcott staff, once a year. If cost is a barrier, membership subsidies are available, no questions asked. Just ask the school counselor or any board member.
Who can join?
Anyone. Parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers, staff, and community members. You don't need to be a US citizen to join or to vote, and you don't need perfect English. Every family belongs here.
What do I get as a member?
A real voice. Members vote on the budget, elect the board, and can review any PTSA record. Your membership also strengthens PTA advocacy for kids at the state and national level.