PTO

 

What is PTO and why should I join?

What:

• A school volunteer organization that supports students and teachers through fundraising efforts, volunteer opportunities, and an annual membership drive. We focus strongly on supporting our teachers and staff as much as possible throughout the year as well as enhancing opportunities and resources for the students.

Why we need you:

• PTO events and committees require a lot of volunteers as well as financial resources. Our success is dependent on parent involvement!

Ways you can support PTO:

• Financially support our membership drive (this funds all committees throughout the year)

  • PTO “points” go towards a classroom competition; winning classes in each grade win a popsicle party and top 2 classes (K-2 and 3-5) get to visit the Kona Ice truck on 8/30!
     

• Volunteer for a committee

• Support various fundraisers throughout the year (financial and volunteer)

• Attend scheduled Spirit Nights at local restaurants 

• Respond to opportunities to donate items and/or money to support the staff

What has PTO done over the last year?

• Completed fundraising for a track, upgrades to our basketball court, and additions to the outdoor cafeteria space

• Purchased the Accelerated Reader license for the school year and provided AR incentives for over 600 students every quarter

• Hosted different staff appreciation throughout the year, including Christmas and end-of-year staff luncheons 

• Provided daily treats for staff during Teacher Appreciation Week

PTO Fun Facts

• PTO membership does not obligate you to volunteer (although we love volunteers!). The funds received from PTO membership help the PTO fund all of the committees that support the students and staff throughout the year, such as staff appreciation, accelerated reader incentives, book fair decorations, and more. Every little bit helps us love our staff and students that much more!
   
• We have a Celebration Fund to ensure that every staff member is celebrated on his or her birthday.  This fund also helps pay for monthly staff appreciation events sponsored by the classes and decreases the number of times that Room Reps will need to collect money.  The suggested donation amount is $25/child, but any amount is helpful! 
   
• We love our school sponsors!  School sponsorship is a great way to support the PTO and advertise your business at the same time.  We have many different levels of sponsorship- you can learn more about them at the QR code below!
   
• PTO has a website on the school’s webpage. Use the links under the PTO tab to find a list of the staff’s favorite things, link to our forms (use “PTO Form” to join PTO, volunteer, order Spirit Wear, and donate to the Celebration Fund) as well as other important PTO information.
   
• PTO has a Facebook page for parents and teachers of Dove Creek. This Facebook page keeps everyone up-to-date about school events and is also a great place to ask questions!  Search “Dove Creek Elementary School PTO.”
   
• This year we are raising money to provide our students with even more educational and exciting hands-on learning experiences, as well as experiences the whole family can enjoy together!  We will kick this off with our first ever Fall Festival in November!
   
• We have added so many fun, new spirit night opportunities in addition to our old favorites!  Spirit nights are the easiest way to support the PTO- all you have to do is take your family out for a fun meal (or ice cream!) and tell them you’re with Dove Creek.  We’ll receive a percentage of the proceeds and you don’t have to cook dinner!  Our first Spirit Night this year will kick off at Bruster’s on Thursday, 8/15 from 6-10.  Please see the attached calendar for a complete list of all of our scheduled spirit night.
   
• Each year PTO gives the Teacher of the Year winner a $250 gift to spend in the classroom. This year the gift was awarded to Mrs. Carlee. We also give $250 each to our school nurse and our school counselor to help cover their needs for the year.  We are able to do this because of the generosity shown during the membership drive, so thank you! 
   
• The PTO pays for the school’s Accelerated Reader license every school year and every 9 weeks PTO sponsors awards for the students who have met their Accelerated Reader goal.  
   
• PTO LOVES to show support to our teachers and staff, and that is where we spend most of the money from the membership drive. Each month a different grade level sponsors a staff appreciation event and in December and May the entire school participates in appreciation luncheons. We couldn’t do this without the support of all of the parents!