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Central School PTO

Greetings Central Parents,

As another memorable school year comes to a close, we’re already are making our plans for what promises to be an exciting 2011-2012 year at Central. The 2011-2012 PTO forms are available for download as follows:

• Committee Application (PDF or DOC) – lists and describes each of our PTO committees;
• Room Parent Letter (PDF or DOC) – describes how you can help in your child’s classroom (Print out and return completed Committee Application and Room Parent forms to the PTO mailbox by Wednesday, May 13);
• District 96 Calendar Order Form (PDF or DOC) – (Print out and return completed form with payment to the PTO mailbox, by Wednesday, May 13); and
• Fundraising programs flyer (PDF or DOC) – lists and describes Fundraisers sponsored by the PTO.

If we had any words of wisdom for you, Parent-to-Parent, it would be these:

Get Connected, Stay Informed, and Get Involved!

All communications from the school and the PTO are via electronic mail, and information is disseminated in two major ways. The first is through E-Backpack sent from Principal Dr. Limperis every Wednesday. To receive weekly E-Backpack e-mails, you must subscribe by going to www.district96.org/central, where there is a sign up option located on the right hand column. Second, if you would like to keep apprised of upcoming PTO events and programs, subscribe to weekly “feedblitz” announcements at www.centralptonews.org.

Central is more than a just a school; it is our community of dedicated teachers, staff and families. The excellent education that our children receive is strengthened by our efforts as parents. Countless studies show that children perform better in the classroom when parents actively participate in the school.

Our PTO offers many opportunities to participate in our children’s education. We invite you to browse through our list of committees and room parent opportunities and hope that some of these pique your interest. There are opportunities for you even if your time is limited. Volunteering is a great way to meet people in our community, enhance our children’s learning environment, and have fun in the process. It will be a rewarding experience for you and our children!

Last, but very important, are our Fundraisers. The money we raise from our Fundraisers allows us to sponsor many educational, cultural and recreational programs including Artist-in-Residence, Cultural Arts presentations, Ecology Club, Family Fun Nights, Field Trips, Junior Great Books (“Flying Carpet”) Club, Science-in-a Can, Winter Wonderland, and much, much more. We have attached a “sneak preview” of next year‘s fundraisers for your reference.

It will be our pleasure to serve next year as your PTO Co-Presidents and we welcome your input. In the meantime, browse through the above forms, and have a wonderful summer!

Warmly,
Amy Jacksic (Pres-amy@centralptonews.org)
Jeannine Glavas (Pres-jeann@centralptonews.org)
Incoming Co-Presidents, Central PTO, 2011-2012.

Files links in this post:

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Central Elementary PTO

2010/2011 School Year

Dear Central Parents,

Welcome to the 2010/2011 school year at Central Elementary!  While it is hard to believe that Summer is over, we are excited to begin what is sure to be a rich and rewarding school year. There are a wide variety of ways you can get involved, stay informed and participate in the many activities we have planned throughout the school year.  As we are your PTO, we want to hear from you so please attend a meeting, send an e-mail or stop one of us at drop-off to tell us your thoughts and ideas.  As we continue to build our community, we wish to include a diverse range of ideas.

Get connected and stay informed!
There are two major ways you receive information, both of which are paperless.  The first is through E-Backpack sent from Dr. Limperis every Wednesday.  E-Backpack announcements include school-related information and important dates.  To receive weekly E-Backpack e-mails, you must subscribe by going to www.district96.org/central, where there is a sign up option located on the right column.   To find out about what is happening with the PTO, go to www.centralptonews.org and subscribe to the weekly announcements.  You also may receive e-mails from your child’s Room Parent, but keep in mind that all communication will be via electronic mail.  You can always check out both of these websites to see past announcements, but these are the main ways to stay informed as we are committed to eliminating the paperwork sent home in backpacks.

Get Involved!
There are so many ways you can get involved at Central and we encourage you to do so.  We have an incredibly rich and varied school environment and would love you to be part of the mix.  Consider volunteering in the Library, participating in our Cultural Arts program, donating something for the classroom, attending a PTO meeting, volunteering for the Book Fair or Family Fun Night…the options are endless.   PTO meetings are held the 2nd Friday of each month with a few exceptions such as evening meetings.  You can find a complete list of meeting dates in the District Calendar which can be found on the District 96 website.  You also can purchase a copy from the PTO and we can assure you, it comes in handy.  Research shows that children of parents who volunteer, grow up to volunteer themselves so it’s a great way to teach your children the value of giving back to the community and to be part of the amazing Central School community.  As a parent of a Central child, you are automatically part of the PTO; there are no membership dues and every voice is heard equally.  Our first PTO meeting is on Friday, September 10 @ 9 am in the Library.

What are we doing?
The PTO has several initiatives this year but our primary focus is on our Cultural Arts and Artist in Residence programs.  Both of these programs allow the PTO to enhance our children’s public school experience.  In these challenging economic times, we believe it is our main charter to fully fund programs which will benefit every child at Central.  This year we are very excited to partner with Dr. Limperis and the Central Staff to bring an amazing story teller to Central who will work in concert with the teaching staff to dovetail storytelling curriculum with Central goals and objectives.  We are very excited to have been able to secure this storyteller and were able to take advantage of significant savings by partnering with Hollywood school to split the costs.  The Cultural Arts program will receive a big facelift and we will begin a restoration process to protect this significant investment.  Stay tuned for details later in the school year.  We also have many family activities and events planned and are greatly looking forward to our very popular (and profitable) Book Fair.  We are proud of the past accomplishments of our past PTO Boards and are thrilled at the completion of the playground project in front of Central.  This is an example of your hard earned PTO dollars at work.

As we embark on another year, we wish to be very mindful of our fiscal responsibility and ask that you consider donating through one or more of our fundraisers or volunteer your time.  We offer several ways for you to donate, volunteer and/or participate, and thank you for your involvement.  Attached you will find a list of our fundraisers and their timelines.  We are looking forward to a great year!  Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.

Central PTO Co-Presidents
Jeannine Glavas (Pres-jeann@centralptonews.org) and Samantha Durst (Pres-sam@centralptonews.org)

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PTO Committee Openings

Extension for Committee and Room Parent Sign-Up – May 21st

Thanks to all of you who have already submitted your committee and room parent applications! Confirmations will be coming shortly to those who have been assigned to committee chair positions. Thanks in advance for volunteering your time and energy to make our PTO programs a success next year. There are several committee chair positions still available and a listing of those is provided below.

As you may know, our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) provides countless opportunities to get involved, whether as a Room Parent or Committee Volunteer. Even if your time is limited, there is a place for you in our PTO! Room Parent and Committee volunteer assignments take place this summer before school starts in the fall.

So please do not forget to submit theCommittee Application and/or Room Parent Letter 2010-2011 located on the Central PTO Website. Paper copies are also available in the school office for your convenience. We are extending our deadline for submissions to Friday, May 21st and all forms should be submitted to the PTO mailbox located in the school office. Questions regarding volunteering for the PTO next year? Feel free to contract Erin Durkin or Tracy Sloan.

Committee chair positions still available:

Innisbrook Wrap and Gifts:
Help make one of our largest fundraisers a success by being part of a big team to motivate the kids to sell premium gift wrap and gifts. Online ordering and other processing make this fundraiser a cinch! You just have to get the kids excited to ask friends and family to purchase the high quality product. Fundraiser runs from mid-September through delivery in November.

Spirit Wear:
Research vendors, prepare flier, take orders, and distribute Central School sweatshirts, tshirts, etc. Spirit Wear sale takes place early in school year.

Central 100% Fund:
Back by popular demand! Promote and monitor participation in the PTO’s most lucrative fund- raiser! Solicit tax-deductible contributions (primarily from the Central School community) to provide funds needed for budgeted PTO programs and activities. A good job for working parent since most can be done from home with few, if any, meetings required.

Target:
Communicate information regarding the Target program and educate parents as to the benefits of registering their credit card with Central Elementary as the recipient of up to 1% of all purchases. Distribute flyers and communicate several times a year.

Cultural Arts, Artist-in-Residence Coordinator:
One person to investigate and coordinate the Artist-in-Residency programs for the school.

Family Night Program(s):
Plan, organize and execute family social events at Central.

Flying Carpet Club:
This is a fun format for introducing children grades 1-5 to stories of literary merit from around the world selected by the Great Books Foundation. Using “shared inquiry” method of discussion, plus a healthy dose of creativity, we lead small groups of 6-8 children once-a week on literary adventures during the lunch/recess hour. The club meets 10 weeks between return from Winter break January until Spring break in March.

Halloween Festivities at Central School:
Assist in the planning and execution of the Halloween day celebrations.

Halloween Village Event:
Coordinate Central School’s participation in the district-wide creative Halloween program (directed by Ames School in 2010). Collect forms and gives to Ames.

Hike and Bike to School:
Plan and promote a week of awareness and activities promoting walking or riding bikes to school. (Fall Program)

Ice-skating Party:
Involves reserving an ice rink, sending out promotional fliers and coordinating volunteers to provide baked goods and refreshments. February event (on a Friday, if using the rink we have used in years past).

P.R./Media Coordinator:
One person to inform media of school events for the purpose of getting photos and articles into the local paper.

Student Directory:
Are you Excel savvy?? If so, this may be the job for you!! During the first 2 weeks of September, you will arrange for the typing, printing, and distribution of the school directory.

Teacher Appreciation Week:
Help plan and implement a weeklong event in May to recognize our teachers.

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Central School PTO

Letter from Incoming Co-Presidents

2010-2011

Greetings Central Parents,

As another wonderful school year is coming to a close, we already are making our plans for what promises to be an exciting 2010-2011 year at Central! This past year, we have gone paperless. Consequently, the 2010-2011 PTO forms, which traditionally you have received in your child’s backpack, are now attached and available on the Central School PTO website (www.centralptonews.org)* as follows:

Committee Information & Volunteer Sign-up sheet – lists and describes each of our PTO committees;

Room Parent Volunteer Sign-up sheet – describes how you can help in your child’s classroom (Print out and return completed Committee and Room Parent forms to the PTO mailbox by Wednesday, May 12);

Student Directory & District 96 Calendar Order Form – (Print out and return completed form with payment to the PTO mailbox, by Wednesday, May 12);

Central 100% Fund Information & Contribution form – an optional way in which to donate directly to the PTO (If you choose the Fund, we would appreciate the completed form with your donation by Friday, May 28, 2010);

Auction flyer (caution 3.4 MB download) – provides information regarding our first auction, set for Friday, November 5, 2010 at PJ Klems (Mark your calendars!); and

Fundraising programs flyer – lists and describes other Fundraisers sponsored by the PTO, including brand new ones such as Riverside Foods and Great Lakes Scrip.

Central is more than just our school; it is a community. While we are fortunate that Central has a phenomenal team of teachers and staff, the excellent education that our children receive is bolstered by our efforts as parents. Countless studies show that children perform better in the classroom when parents actively participate in the school. Our PTO provides many opportunities to get involved, whether as a Room Parent or Committee Volunteer, or through participation at our events. Even if your time is limited, there is a place for you in Central’s PTO!

Last, but very important, are our Fundraisers. New next year is our Auction, which will be held on Friday, November 5, 2010, at PJ Klems. We are partnering with Central’s teachers and staff to make this event a night to remember. The money we raise from our Auction and other Fundraisers allows us to sponsor many programs including Artist-in Residence, Book Fair, Cultural Arts, Ecology Club, Flying Carpet Club, Science-in-a Can, Family Fun Nights, Ice Cream Social, and much, much more.

It will be our pleasure to serve next year as your PTO Co-Presidents. We are looking forward to a successful and fun 2010-2011 school year. In the meantime, browse through the above forms, and have a wonderful summer!

Warmly,

Samantha Durst (Pres-sam@centralptonews.org)
Jeannine Glavas (Pres-jeann@centralptonews.org)
Incoming Co-Presidents, Central PTO, 2010-2011

*If you would like to receive automatic e-mails (“feedblitz”) from the PTO, the PTO website has a sign up option located on the bottom right column. In addition, you can access District 96 information, important dates, and a link to your child’s classroom page on the District 96 website at www.district96.org. 4/19/10jc

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Thanks to all who have donated their time and their money to the PTO this year.

Since our October board meeting, we have collected $500 more in our 100% fund and have raised $132 in Riverside Foods scrip. Thanks to all who have generously contributed.

A reminder: e-mail Samantha Durst for Riverside Food Gift Certificates.  And use those Target cards with Central listed as the donor organization.  We have raised close to $1000.00 this year with these passive type fund raising projects.  Our kind of fund raising!!

Next calendar year watch for:

• The Flying Carpet Club, a Junior Great Book lunch/recess book club
• Exciting old/new art work on the walls of Central
• The World Famous Central Book Fair and Ice Cream Social
• Science in a Can
• Stencils on the 1st and 2nd grade playground
• A Writing Project
• Spring Family Fun Night
• Our fabulous May Student Talent Show

and many other cool, hip, educational fun brought to you by the many volunteers of the PTO.

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A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the families that donated to the “Specials” Holiday Fund.

We collected a generous amount of money to purchase gift cards to those teachers and staff.  Thank you so much for your generosity.

Happy holidays from the Central PTO Board!!!!

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The 2009-2010 budget meeting is happening on June 23rd. If you chaired a committee in 2008-09 or are chairing one in the 2009-10 year, please review the expense line item for your committee. The PTO usually assumes that a committee requires the same amount of funding as was spent last year. If you feel that your committee requires more or less funding, we want to hear that. If you spent a lot of your own money to make an event happen, we want to hear that too! If you have already communicated with the board regarding this issue, we have that request on file and do not need another. Our fundraising VP, Samantha Durst, will be in touch with you if you are chairing a committee that is an income line item.

You can download the budget comparison in PDF or Excel format.

Thanks for your time during the lazy, rainy-so-far, summer days!

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Please join us for the PTO Farewell/Installation luncheon on Friday, May 15th at the Chew Chew from 11:30-1:00 pm. If you’d like to join us, please return this registration form (with payment via check made out to Central PTO) to the school office no later than Monday May 11th. We hope to see you there!

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Listed below is the proposed executive board slate for the 09/10 school year. This slate will remain open until the election of these officers at the April 7, 2009 PTO meeting. If you are interested in running for one of these positions or have any questions, please contact Melinda Brom, Nominating Committee Chair (see student directory for contact information.)

PRESIDENT
Allyn Pilewski

Co-1ST VICE PRESIDENTS COMMITTEE AND ROOM PARENTS
Nancy Hutchings
Jennifer Sedivy

2ND VICE PRESIDENT ­ FUNDRAISING AND PHILANTHROPY
Samantha Durst

3RD VICE PRESIDENT ­MEMBER SERVICES
Jeanine Vaia

TREASURER
Jane Wilhelm

RECORDING SECRETARY
Kate Nessinger

PARLIAMENTARIAN
Mary Ellen Meindl

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UPDATE: 4/9/09

The PTO Bylaws and Standing Rules were adopted by the PTO members at the April 7, 2009 PTO Meeting. You will find the approved copies here.

UPDATE: The PTO general membership voted to approve the revisions at the April 7, 2009 meeting. You will find the approved copies here.