Q: Ben Franklin really needs a _____ class (fill in the blank). Why don't you offer it?
A: As a PTA, we would love to offer additional after school classes. Also, as a PTA, we are volunteer based and limited by the number of volunteers we have. In order to offer a new class, the PTA needs the following resources:
- Class Coordinator: The Class coordinator does not have to attend the classes. They do not have to have a child attending the classes. Their job is to handle the registration forms, enroll the children via an online spreadsheet, collect the checks, and submit a reimbursement form to pay the instructor.
- PTA volunteer(s) to attend each meeting: Due to Lake Washington School District building use guidelines and the Ben Franklin PTA insurance requirements, a registered PTA member must attend each class. It does not have to be the same person, however. Some classes have a rotation where each parent takes 1 class. Other classes have one person who attends all of the classes. As an incentive, the Franklin PTA and the class instructors will offer reduced tuition to a PTA volunteer who signs up to attend the entire session's classes.
Q: I am an instructor and would like to offer a class at Ben Franklin. What do I do?
A: Contact education@mybenfranklinpta.org to see if a parent is interested in coordinating that class.
Q: I am an instructor and have my own insurance. Do I still need a PTA member to attend each class?
A: Yes. Any for-profit after school class has to be offered by the PTA (per Lake Washington School District Policy). PTA insurance requires that an adult PTA member be present for each class (note that this does not need to be a parent, it could be a family member, neighbor, etc.)
Q: I have a teacher, a Class Coordinator to handle registration and PTA volunteers to attend each meeting. Now what do I do?
A: Congratulations! Your class is almost ready.
- To schedule dates, contact education@mybenfranklinpta.org. The After School Chair (or Education VP) will work with the Franklin office to schedule dates.
- A LWSD Building Use Form must be filled out (available from the Office). Once the dates are approved, the form will be returned.
- The instructor must fill out the PTSA Independent Contract Form (attached below)
- Prepare a flyer. No flyer can be sent out without approval from the Principal and/or Office Staff (please allow at least a day) or without approval of the Building Use Form.
- Provide flyer for online distribution. Send the flyer as a Word Document to e-packets@mybenfranklinpta.org.
- Returned flyers are handled by the Class Coordinator. The office will collect these as they come back via students. The Class Coordinator (CC) makes a copy of each flyer and check (addressed to Ben Franklin PTA). The Class Coordinator communicates with parents about the start of the class date and PTA volunteers as needed. Note: it is helpful to place a calendar for parents to sign up for dates on the original flyer.
- Checks for an individual class are totaled and the CC fills out a Request for Reimbursement Form (available in the PTA office). The form plus checks are left for the Treasurer, who will send a payment to the instructor. Note that the Treasurer will need a W-9 for each instructor to report income.
Q: If we are using a Ben Franklin Elem. room for our class is there anything we need to do?
A: Yes. Please be respectful of the teacher and/or use of that classroom. If you move tables/chairs, please return them to their original positions. Do a quick once-over for trash.
Other resources:
Each instructor must fill out a
W-9 form from the IRS so that the PTA Treasurer can provide an annual 1099, as needed.
