Welcome to the Perry Harrison Elementary PTA Website

New to PHS or to the PTA website? Get registered on our site today!

The simple act of joining the PTA provides instant financial support for our students, teachers & school. It's also a great way to stay informed about what's happening at school & connect in meaningful ways with other parents.

Thrift Shop Work Group Dates

Hooray for Summer Thrift Shop Volunteers!

In June, several PHS students came out to volunteer with their parents, and we encourage other Mariner students aged 10 and up to do the same!

Summertime means DOUBLE hours, so any shift you work in July or August can earn lots of money for PHS. Don't forget that volunteers earn 50% off at each shift, and teens who volunteer can earn hours for their middle or high school if they need them.

See what recent volunteers have to say about helping out at the

Thrift Shop:

Rising 5th grader Jonah Norris said, "I really enjoyed it and was surprised it raises money for his school." Jonah and his mom, Cheryl, will be back in July. Want to join them?
Longtime volunteer Jamie Swaine says, "Rylee and I really enjoy the opportunity to volunteer together at the thrift shop. Not only do we have a lot of fun, but I also feel good that she is learning from a young age the importance of volunteering and responsibility for her school."
Debbie Meyer and her teenage daughter, Beckett Brantley, volunteered monthly this past year. Debbie says, "Volunteering at the PTA Thrift Store is something I look forward to every month. We tidy up the store, and have a ball as we do it. Getting to shop afterwards with a lovely discount on already great finds is better than eating a whole bag of Fritos, and I do love Fritos. Come join us!"
Former PHS parent Joy McKeon has continued to serve monthly as a volunteer supervisor and clothing sorter, even though her daughter left PHS 4 years ago. She says, "I started volunteering at the Thrift Store because when we moved here we were limited on our ability to donate money to help with fundraisers and the school's needs. I was able to meet people and make friends while volunteering, and I was able to raise money for the teachers at the same time, which made me feel really good inside. Volunteering is an important part of my life and our family dynamic - the more you give the better you feel. I heard a lot of complaining about how often and how much the school asked people for money and instead of complaining I did something about it by volunteering."

Come Volunteer With Us!

Wednesday, July 7 from 6:30-8:30pm

Sunday, July 18 from 1-3pm

Monday, August 2 from 6:30-8:30pm

Sunday, August 15 from 1-3pm

Contact julie.ricker@gmail.com if you want to help at a different time. Drop-ins are also allowed during hours the shop is open, so we can let a manager know if you are interested in some daytime or Saturday shifts.

No time to volunteer at a work session?

You can still earn volunteer hours by donating much needed supplies to the thrift shop!

Purchase needed items from the Amazon Wishlist or grab some of these things when you are out and notify president@phspta.org to arrange for pickup: 30-gallon Trash Bags, Masking Tape, Hand Soap, Mopping Liquid, Lysol Spray, and Paper Towels

Please save your receipts to include with your donations because that's how hours are credited!

One volunteer hour is earned for every $7.50 in supplies donated.

Thank you for your contributions!

School Updates

Congratulations, 5th Graders!

We are proud of our Mainer fifth graders as they wrap up their elementary school careers and prepare to move on to middle school. We wish the very best to each of you!

A big thanks to several local businesses who have made donations to help us hold a well-deserved end-of-year celebration for our oldest students. We appreciate the contributions of Lowe's Foods, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, and Marco's Pizza.

Happy Retirement, Mr. Ronnie!

Perry Harrison will not be the same without our beloved "Mr. Ronnie," who will be retiring at the end of this school year following 22 years of service as a PHS custodian and bus driver.

While we are all grateful for the way he safely transported our children to and from school and kept the building neat and clean, we will most miss his booming greetings in the halls and his warm smiles and laughs. He made everyone feel welcome and noticed at PHS, and to say he will be hard to replace is an understatement.

Best wishes to you, Mr. Ronnie! Thank you for what you have meant to every Mariner student, parent, and staff member! We will miss you SO MUCH!

The PTA will be planting a welcoming tree at the front of the school in honor of Mr. Ronnie, and everyone is encouraged to send him your own personal messages of appreciation via this Kudoboard link. You can also drop off cards or treats to him at the school before his last day, June 30th.

Farewell, Dr. Heath

Our assistant principal, Dr. Heath, who has been with PHS for nine years, will be leaving next year to split his time between Pollard and Northwood. Dr. Heath has had a consistent presence here at Perry Harrison and he will undoubtedly be missed. We wish him the best of luck on this next adventure.

Yearbooks Available for Purchase!

It's not too late to get your 2020/2021 PHS Yearbook! You can get one for just $25 while supplies last. Contact the front office or send in your money to your child's teacher marked "Yearbook Order," and your copy will be send home with your child.

The yearbook is filled with great shots of Mariners learning and playing at school and at home. Don't miss out on this record of this year like no other!

PTA Updates

Congratulations to Our 2021/2022 PTA Board Officers!

The following parents were elected as your new 2021/2022 PTA Board Officers at our last general PTA meeting:

Alison Weston- President

Patricia Bowles- Vice-President

Mathew Steadman- Treasurer

Elizabeth Steadman- Secretary

We still need some parents to step up and help coordinate fundraising efforts and plan events for next year, so please contact president@phspta.org to volunteer for these or other committees.

The PTA is for EVERYONE, and all parent voices are welcome.

If we each can choose one way to help in the year to come,

we can do great things for Perry Harrison!

How can you help in the year ahead?

2021/2022 PTA Planning Survey

Tell us what you think!

Your feedback is needed to help the new PTA board plan for the 2021/2022 school year. Please share your opinions and ideas by completing this quick survey, as we want to hear from all voices within our school.

The PTA can be what we want it to be, and together, we can support our staff, students, and fellow parents and build the kind of community that can help Perry Harrison thrive.

Thank you for your help!

CCS District & Community News

Reach 20 Summer Reading Challenge

Chatham County Schools is encouraging all students in kindergarten through eighth grade to read at least 20 hours this summer. According to research, students reading at least 20 minutes per day during the summer have more success retaining what they learned during the previous school year. Students who meet the Reach 20 challenge could earn prizes including books, water bottles and the chance to win an iPad.

Find out more information and sign up to start logging your reading here:

Reach 20.

Virtual Academy for the 2020/2021 School Year

In August, Chatham County Schools is planning to offer a fully virtual instructional option for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. It will be a little different from the virtual academy we offered this school year. The new option will be a stand alone program with virtual academy teachers serving virtual academy students only. Students will be enrolled in the virtual academy, not at their base schools.

You can apply for the virtual academy here. Answers to frequently asked questions about it are here.

The deadline to apply for the virtual academy is June 15. On May 19th at 6p.m. a virtual information session will be held, and a Zoom link for the meeting will be available closer that date.

Sponsor of the Week

Thank you, PHS Business Sponsors!

This week, we are featuring one of our newest Perry Harrison Business Sponsors, Tarheel Turf Services.

Tarheel Turf Services is owned by PHS parent Eric Vickers, dad of third grader, Hayden.

Tarheel Turf Services can provide advice and estimates for most any type of lawn care. Contact them at info@tarheelturfservices.com or call 919-933-1797 to schedule a day and time to meet.

You can learn more about Tarheel Turf and our other business sponsors here. We appreciate the support these local businesses have shown to Perry Harrison! Please thank them when you patronize them this year. Shopping locally keeps important funding for our schools within Chatham County, so this is just one more way we can build our community this year!

If you know of a business that would like to serve as a PHS sponsor, please contact president@phspta.org.