What is TROOPS and what do they do?

• TROOPS is the FMI Parent Group.  It is a group of FMI Parents, Guardians and Teachers that meets once a month.
• We hold fundraisers, like the Fall Product Sale.
• We organize fun family events, like the Fall and Spring Fling.
• We provide volunteers for events like the Book Fair.
• We do special things for the teachers and students like provide ITBS Brain food, provide a meal for the teachers during conferences, and have 3 to 4 SuperSkate nights a year.
• We also do a service project called Help for FMI Families at Christmas.

What is the money that TROOPS raises used for?

• Last year, FMI families helped TROOPS raise over $25,000 for FMI needs.  That money was spent on things like new instruments for the music department, volleyball nets, 5th grade musical set and costumes, Character Counts Shirts for all students, field trips, a Bully Prevention Program, digital camera, & much more!  In prior years, we purchased the brick sign in the front of the building, sound systems, and LCD projectors.  We’ll soon begin working with Mr. Murphy & staff to determine this year’s wish list items.
• We have been able to give each of the teachers $250.00 to reimburse them for classroom needs—expenses that otherwise would have come out of their pockets.
• We pay for family events, like the Fall Fling.

If I become involved in TROOPS, what will I be required to do?

• As little or as much as you want… whether you only come to meetings to offer opinions or you chair one of our events, we appreciate any bit of involvement.  It’s entirely up to you.
• There are also many tasks that can be completed at home, on your own schedule.

Why should I help?

• You get a chance to meet other parents.
• You can keep up with what’s going on at the school.
• You will have a say in how money you donate is spent.
• Research shows that children whose parents get involved at school tend to have improved scores.

When does TROOPS meet?

• We meet once a month.  This year we will meet on the 3^rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in FMI Library.  Meeting dates for 2011-2012 will be: September 20th, October 18th, November 15th, no December mtg,, January 17^th, February 21st, March 20th, and April 17^th.