About Us

Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year

The Dorris-Eaton Parents’ Association (DEPA) would like to welcome you to the 2009-2010 school year.

We are excited to share with you some new programs that we are planning for the upcoming school year as well as changes to our budget allocation from previous years. Additionally, we are pleased to announce that our dues have not increased from last year. And since we are a charitable 501c-3 non-profit organization, your dues are tax-deductible.

In order for your child to continue to benefit from all of the DEPA-funded activities, it is crucial that every family contribute its share of DEPA dues. So please take a moment to learn about the many ways DEPA enriches and supplements your child’s education, and then join DEPA by completing the attached enrollment form.

What’s New for 2009-2010?
We have significantly increased the proportion of your dues that go directly to student and parent enrichment. This year we have budgeted for 75% of your dues to go towards the following:

  • Cultural Assemblies for the Entire Schoo l – This year will include the return of the popular Drum Café, the Guide Dogs for the Blind, and Mad Science at the Alamo Campus as well as the addition of Chinese New Year’s Lion Dancers. We will also continue the parent led cultural celebrations that began last year. This year Chinese New Year and a British holiday will be celebrated. Students may also receive treats and mementos associated with each cultural event.
  • Grade-Specific Enrichment – DEPA has increased the budget allocated for each teacher to spend directly in his or her classroom to supplement the curriculum. For example, last year DEPA funding treated the Kindergarten to a visit by the East Bay Vivarium to learn about reptiles, the Third Grade saw a production of The Spirit of the Rainforest, and the Fifth Grade attended a lecture on the Twelfth Night by the California Shakespeare Theater.
  • The Young Authors’ Program – As in past years, the Young Authors’ Program will continue to bring talented authors and illustrators to the school to educate and inspire students in the creative process.
  • Library Acquisitions – DEPA supports libraries on both campuses through the purchase of new books and equipment.
  • Community Service – This year DEPA and the Student Council are planning to join forces in supporting Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa County and the Oakland Children’s Hospital. Students in every grade will also participate in a week-long community service project benefiting local non-profit organizations.
  • Parent Enrichment Programs – We are very excited to unveil our improved website www.DEPA.org, which will promote better communication among Dorris-Eaton families through the regularly updated DEPA E-News feature. On campus, we will host a Welcome Coffee for both Walnut Creek and Alamo families on the first day of school.

As Always, We Appreciate Our Teachers
A portion of the remaining 25% of your DEPA dues goes toward recognizing Dorris-Eaton’s dedicated faculty and staff members. Throughout the year, DEPA will sponsor appreciation breakfasts and luncheons and a year end gift card distribution. This year DEPA will also organize student involvement in faculty appreciation activities.

We Strengthen the Dorris-Eaton Community Spirit
In addition, to the dues-funded programs above, DEPA orchestrates several “self-funded” (i.e. paid for through ticket sales, not through DEPA dues) family events to further support and nurture the Dorris-Eaton community. Family events for the upcoming school year include the Fall Family Picnic on October 2; a Barnes and Noble Family Reading Night on December 5; the annual Mother-Son and Father-Daughter events; and a Parent Social.

Please Join Us
Mark your calendar to attend the first DEPA Meeting on Thursday,
October 1, at 8:30 A.M. at the Walnut Creek campus, in the Lower Grade Lunchroom.

DEPA general meetings are held at 8:30 A.M. on the first Thursday of January, February, and April at the Walnut Creek campus. DEPA encourages the participation of both parents. The November 5 and March 4 meetings will be held at
6:30 P.M. at the Walnut Creek campus (refreshments at 6:30 P.M. and meeting starts at
6:45 P.M. to accommodate working parents). If you would like to learn more about volunteering with DEPA, or have any questions, please contact Stefani Bittner at smbittner@sbcglobal.net.

We look forward to seeing you around campus.

The 2009-2010 DEPA Board

Stefani Bittner – President
Tricia Stenger – 1st Vice President
Stephanie Brandt – 2nd Vice President
Amy Cottrill – 3rd Vice President
Sara Amos – Treasurer
Preehti Basin – Secretary
Teresa Wornow – Parliamentarian
Charlotte Zdanowski – Alamo Representative
Michelle Henry – Past President