News from the 2011/12 PTO

Hello all!

Wow, can you believe that it is already November? It is hard to believe that it has already been three months since you sent your children off for the first day of school, and that we welcomed them with open arms! I am so glad to make my first official update to the PTO blog as the new secretary of this wonderful organization. I first want to apologize to those of you who may have been looking here for some information, I will do my best to be better with the updates! :)

So much has already been happening in our PTO world and I hope you will enjoy what I have to share! First thing is first, Fall fundraisers!

This past September our DK-5th graders were out in the community selling trash bags like crazy! Every year this is a major fundraiser for our organization, and we would like to say thank you to those of you who make it a huge success! If you did not get any, or did not get enough and would like more you can contact the schools or Christy Bennett to purchase more. Thank you to all who sold and purchased!

Our next activity was the T-shirt and Sweatshirt sales. We enjoy this activity because it gives families a great way to purchase Tiger gear, and help out our organization! Thanks to those who purchased and be on the lookout for what great items we will have on sale next fall!

Well SueAnn, that is great and all but what do you do with all that money? Well, I am glad you asked! The money that is raised throughout the year from various PTO fundraisers is pooled together and then distributed to Inman Primary and Washington Intermediate Schools. It is then dispersed among the teachers to purchase items for the classroom. Recently some of these items were shared, so here is a list of just a few of the many items purchased: lamps, books, bulletin board supplies, bean bags, book tubs, magnifying glasses, dissection materials for various science experiments, as well has helping to offset entrance fees for various field trips. The money is definitely put to great use, and the teachers could not be more appreciative of all the help that we receive!

Next on the agenda, box tops. As many of you know we here at Inman and Washington collect box tops for education. In the past we have operated under a structure where each classroom was in competition with another to collect the most box tops. After some discussion it was decided that why not change our competition feel into a feeling of all of us working as a team to accomplish a set goal. The new framework was set and implemented this year. Each building has created a goal (Washington is a swing set and Inman is a rock wall for the gym) and a visual thermometer has been placed in the building. After students reach certain milestones, they earn a small prize while keeping motivation high for the large prize. The kids have LOVED it! They work hard to find as many box tops as they can and help to sort the piles into bundles of 50 to send off. So far each building is well on their way to accomplishing their goal in hopes to have the funds and prizes by the end of the school year!

If you are collecting box tops and want to know where to take them you may drop them off at either school office, Hy-Vee or Fareway.

We are currently in the planning phases of adding a family fun night of some sort to our winter activities...stay tuned for more information! :)

Also new to PTO this year, FREE CHILD CARE during every meeting. That is right, you get to have some time to connect with other parents and your children get an hour with his/her friends and some of our Red Oak High School students! Ms. Rhodes, the High School FACS teacher and FCCLA advisor has a great group of kids who come to the school and play games and have activities for the children to do while we meet. Thank you to them, and to all of you who have taken advantage of this great service!

I am sure you are eager to hear about the carnival, as we are eager to plan! Our first planning meeting will be the first meeting of the new year, January 10th. All meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 5:30pm in the Inman Primary Media Center. Please mark it on your calendars and come to help us plan for the best carnival yet! The carnival itself will take place on Friday, May 11th.

Thank you to all who have attended and helped us along this year! It has been a wonderful year thus far and I want to welcome and encourage any parent who wishes to join us to do so! The more, the merrier!

Have a wonderful day!
SueAnn