SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Spanish Fort Middle School’s Parent Teacher Association is well on its way to enhancing classroom instruction for the new year, but it will require the complete support of the community to maintain several initiatives launched in 2010.

PTA President Teri Fisher said enrollment in the organization has increased about 10 percent to almost 350 families and teachers since the SFMS open house two weeks ago, but the hard work is really just getting started.

“We’re still a fairly new school, so we’re playing catch-up a little bit, but we’re very encouraged by the level of dedication our members are showing,” Fisher said.

For the unacquainted, Fisher said the volunteer organization typically helps fund hospitality, teacher appreciation and community-outreach activities as well as dances and the sixth-grade preparation camp.

And with nearly $42,000 in expenses budgeted for 2010-11, fundraisers—such as the sale of coupon books, Southern Belle T-shirts, plants in the spring and possibly poinsettias in October—will determine if the organization is able to continue funding both a new leadership program for eighth-graders and classroom donations to purchase supplies.

“We were able to give each teacher $100 to start the new year, so that’s $4,100 we were able to give back to the school,” Fisher said.

The PTA also donated $5,000 toward the implementation of a leadership course targeting eighth-grade students that arms them with life skills such as how to execute a proper handshake and maintain eye contact.

“A lot of it is manners and etiquette, those little daily things a lot of us take for granted, but our donation was able to help pay to train the teacher teaching the course and offset the cost of the books,” Fisher said.

In addition, Southern Belle T-shirt sales will resume, and annual Fund Rays, or discount coupon books, will be available soon for $12.

Fisher said “Date Night” coupon books for more upscale establishments will be available for $20.

The school receives 50 percent of proceeds from this sale, and the coupons are valid until April 2011.