JEROME HARRISON ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
2016-2017
PTO HANDBOOK & FORMS
**FAMILY**
President: Liz Hoskins
Vice President: Karen Martone
Treasurer: Angelique Burke
Secretary: Noelle Durkin
FIND US ON FACEBOOK: JEROME HARRISON PTO
Table of Contents:
~Welcome letter
~Important PTO Dates to Remember
~PTO Information
~PTO Committee Information
~PTO Registration Membership Form
~PTO Directory letter & Consent Form
~Cool Cat apparel information
~Room Parent Form
August 22, 2016
Dear Parents:
On behalf of the Jerome Harrison Elementary School PTO, we would like to welcome our new families and say welcome back to our former ones. We have an exciting calendar planned for this school year and hope that you can join us for our many exciting events throughout the year.
Our organization typically meets each month the first Monday of the month in our school cafeteria. All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate. Our first meeting is on Monday, September12th at 6:30 PM. Please make every effort to attend these important monthly meetings.
The PTO Executive Board, including Principal Carter Welch and Teacher Representatives attend each PTO meeting. Important information, upcoming events and a report from the principal are always on the agenda. This gives us, as parents, an opportunity to work together to resolve issues, have questions answered about our school and see first hand how our PTO funds are being utilized. Each year, our PTO supports enrichment activities and programs within our school and the community. This past year, our efforts raised over $22,000 for these programs through membership dues, fundraisers, book fairs and other activities.
This year, the PTO will give each teacher a student allotment of at least $16.00per child. This money will be spent on field trips, class projects and other activities directly related to the children’s academics. We also support several family activities including cultural arts programs as outlined in our PTO handbook.
As our school and community grows, the PTO looks forward to new ideas and how we can best serve our children. We hope that you can find the time to participate in our activities. With your help and support, we are looking forward to an exciting school year.
We encourage you fill out the attached membership form and return it with your dues as soon as possible.
Thank you for your support!
Liz Hoskins ~ President
Karen Martone ~ Vice President
Angelique Burke ~ Treasurer
Noelle Durkin ~ Secretary
PTO DATES TO REMEMBER:
9/12/16PTO MEETING 6:30 CAFETERIA
9/16/16BACK TO SCHOOL MOVIE NIGHT
9/28/16ROOM PARENT TEA 3:45 CAFETERIA
10/3/16PTO MEETING 6:30 CAFETERIA
10/26-27/16 BOOK FAIR
10/28/16 HALLOWEEN ACTIVITY NIGHT
11/7/16PTO MEETING 6:30 CAFETERIA
12/1-2/16HOLIDAY SALE
12/5/16PTO MEETING 6:30 CAFETERIA
12/8/16NIGHT OF CARING
2/6/17PTO MEETING 6:30 CAFETERIA
2/10/17FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE
3/3/17READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY
3/6/17PTO MEETING 6:30 CAFETERIA
3/16/17MOTHER/SON EVENT
4/3/17PTO MEETING 6:30 CAFETERIA
4/26-27/17BOOK FAIR
4/27/17BINGO NIGHT
5/1/17PTO MEETING 6:30 CAFETERIA
5/8-12/17TEACHER/STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK
5/12/17PLANT SALE
6/1/17FUN DAY!
Jerome Harrison PTO Information:
The following is information regarding some of the things that go on throughout the year that PTO runs, but doesn’t necessarily need a committee for.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: Sept-Oct. 2016
Our membership drive runs throughout September. Membership dues collected go directly to classroom teachers to use for activities related to the classroom. Dues also help fund some of the PTO programs.
Contact: Karen Martone at:
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION: Collecting all Year
Keep those box tops coming! Last year the school raised over $2,500 from box tops. A flyer will go home explaining which products qualify. Each classroom has a “Box Top” box, so children can bring them into school as they are clipped throughout the year. Contact:
CULTURAL ARTS: Year Round Events
Cultural Arts is responsible for planning educational programs and assemblies for our school throughout the year. The PTO funds 100% of these educational and FUN events.
FUNDRAISERS: Fall Sept.-Oct. 2016 Spring Feb-April 2017
The PTO has chosen a wonderful selection of fundraisers items that will be sent home at the beginning of the school year and before the winter recess break. Contact: Liz Hoskins
ROOM PARENTS:
Each classroom will be assigned four room parents. If more than four parents volunteer, names will be chosen “lottery” style. Duties of room parents include: collecting, sorting and counting box tops, organizing a basket for our raffle on Halloween Activity night, helping out with Read Across America Day, planning teacher gifts for holidays/end of the year, helping out with teacher appreciation week (i.e. decorating the teacher’s room, doing some special things for the teacher, special treats, etc) and any other duties the classroom teacher sees fit. Please fill out the form at the end of this packet if you are interested. Contact: Liz Hoskins
STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK May 8-12, 2017
This week is dedicated to appreciating all of the staff that works with our children every day. It’s a time to show how much we care about all the wonderful things they do everyday!
Jerome Harrison PTO Committee’s
We Need Your Help!!!
The PTO carries out many activities that enrich our children’s experience at JHS every year. We need a lot of volunteers to make these activities happen. Please consider being a committee member or chairing some of the following committee’s. The commitment level varies with each committee, so feel free to sign up for a committee and ask questions on how you can get involved. We welcome parents and grandparents to get involved!
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT COMMITTEE: Year Round
The PTO provides playground equipment for the children to use outdoors (jump ropes, hula hoops, balls, chalk, etc) as well as indoor games for when there is inclement weather. This committee does not meet, communication is via e-mail. Tasks would include: checking the carts monthly or every 2 months to see if items need to be replaced.
BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE: Year Round
PTO helps keep the school warm and inviting by planting flowers and decorating seasonally in the entryway area of the school, as well as maintaining, planting and cleaning up the courtyard area so our children and staff can enjoy that area. This committee does not meet, but communicates via e-mail.
BULLENTIN BOARD COMMITTEE: Year Round
PTO is in charge of 2 bulletin boards in school, one by the library, one by the cafeteria. Bulletin boards are changed monthly. This committee does not meet, communicates via e-mail. Chairperson would come up with a schedule, committee members would be assigned a month to decorate the board.
HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE: Year Round
This committee helps out with refreshments and planning events such as teacher appreciation week. If you love to bake or plan parties, this is the committee for you! This committee does not meet, but communicates via e-mail.
CLOTHING LINE: Year Round
We offer a clothing line for parents, students and staff. We have an online ordering system, which makes this committee much easier than in the past. This committee does not meet, but communicates via e-mail. Jobs would include: setting up 3-4 deadlines for orders to be placed by, changing/adding apparel you see fit, possibly meeting with our vendor to discuss options and distributing apparel when ready.
BOOK FAIR: October 26-27 and April 26-27
PTO holds 2 book fairs yearly. There are no meetings with this committee, but help is needed setting up and helping out the days of the fair.
HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIY NIGHT: October 28, 2016
This is a fun filled family night including a spooky house, story area, fun and games in the gym, basket raffle, arts and crafts throughout the halls, and refreshments in the cafeteria. This committee meets several times before the event. We need a lot of people to help with planning and organizing, setting up, decorating, running the evening’s events and clean up.
COAT DRIVE: October 28, 2016
Our coat drive was hugely successful last year, we are carrying it on as an annual event. Parents are asked to look through former outerwear and donate items such as coats, snow gear, etc, and bring it with you on Halloween Activity Night. Help is needed the night of the event to help collect and sort, and then after the event to get the donations to the location.
HOLIDAY SALE: December 1-2 2016
Our PTO sets up a shop for the kids to come in and purchase itmes for everyone on their holiday list! Sisto from Save and Discount loads the gym with many dollar store items for everyone from grandparents to the family pet! This committee does not meet, but communicates via e-mail. Help is needed setting up, helping run the registers, helping our shoppers budget and make selections and cleaning up after the sale.
NIGHT OF CARING: December 8, 2016 (Snow date: TBA)
This is our annual event where we come together as a community to help the needy families during the holiday season. This is a huge committee that meets regularly to plan and carry out this huge task. There are 2 parts to this, gift donations and food donations. Tasks would include: planning food drive, collecting/sorting gifts, distribution and planning the event held at JHS. Lots of planning and people are needed to make this worthwhile event a success!
Father Daughter Dance: February 10, 2017
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, our Father/Someone Special & Daughter dance is a fun night where we transform the gym into a dance hall, have refreshments, photo opportunities and crafts. This committee meets a couple of times to organize and plan, and then help is needed setting up and chaperoning the evening’s events!
Mother Son Event: March 16, 2017
This is a fun event planned for Mothers/Someone Special & Sons. We change the event/location yearly, so help is needed to formulate ideas, plan and organize the night. This committee meets 1-2 times to plan all the details. We also need parents, who do not have sons at JHS to volunteer that evening to chaperone as well.
Screen Free Week: May 1-7, 2017 Bingo Night: April 27, 2017
The PTO supports this National event to teach children to find alternate activities to watching TV. We hold a fun, family bingo night to celebrate this, complete with prizes for the kids. The book fair will also be open that evening for parents to purchase books. This committee meets once or twice to plan and organize for the event.
PLANT SALE: May 12, 2017
Timed just right for Mother’s Day, our annual plant sale is a big hit! Students are offered a small flowering plant for just a few dollars. Volunteers are needed the day before the sale (to organize the plants) and also the day of the sale (to assist students with plant selection). Pre plant sales are also offered to families to place orders and to pick up on the day of the event. This committee does not meet, it communicates via e-mail.
FUN DAY: June1, 2017
This is our school-wide end of the year celebration. It includes field activities, a carnival area with dunk tank, crafts, special luncheon, and entertainment. All parents will be invited to volunteer for that day, but we need a strong committee to help plan this day. This committee meets monthly, starting in February.
Jerome Harrison Elementary School PTO
Membership Drive 2016-2017
What does it mean to “join” the PTO?
Joining the PTO is as simple as making a $10 per family donation. This does notcommit you to attend meetings or volunteer at anytime, it simply helps fund our operating budget. We would love to have ALL of our families as members! By sending in your donation, you are helping enhance your child’s education thru Cultural Arts and you are supporting all of the wonderful programs we run throughout the year that are not routinely provided by the school system: Halloween Activity Night, Night of Caring, Daughter/Special man in her life Dance, Son/Special lady in his life Event, Bingo Night, Movie Night and FUN DAY!!
Of course, if you would like to “get involved” you can!! Please come to any one of our meetings, sign up to chair an event or simply volunteer.
Please fill out the form below and send it in a sealed envelope marked “PTO Membership” into school with your child along with your $10 per family donation. Checks can be made out to JHS PTO.
The classroom to have the highest Membership participation will WIN a breakfast with Dr. Welch!! Students will also have their name placed on our PTO themed Bulletin Board just outside the cafeteria. They look for their names every day as they pass by, so send in those Membership dues soon
Any questions…contact Karen Martone Thank you for your support!!!
Parent/Guardian: ______Email: ______Phone Number: ______Student: ______Teacher:______Grade:___ Student: ______Teacher:______Grade:___ Student: ______Teacher:______Grade:___
Jerome Harrison Elementary PTO
Information & Permission Slip
Dear Parents/Guardians:
The Jerome Harrison Elementary School PTO is looking for your permission! As a courtesy to you, we are compiling a parent/student telephone directory. The information that will be included in this directory will be student and parents' names, phone numbers, and emails. You will have the choice of which information you would like in the directory.
The JHS PTO is creating this directory as we understand it is difficult to make contact with other students and their families for play dates, parties, events, etc. and we know that the school cannot legally provide this information to you. For these reasons we thought it would be a nice option to create a parent/student directory from the PTO. Additionally, if you choose, the PTO will use this information to communicate with you about PTO events, announcements, etc. as a means beyond the school’s use of the Schoolmessenger and email system.
The information collected will be used for the 2016-2017 parent/student directory and will be released ASAP. This is NOT an emergency contact form. The information is for use by Jerome Harrison Elementary School families only, and each family who chooses to participate will receive a complimentary copy. It will not be used for marketing, sales, or political purposes.
In order to receive and be a part of this directory, you must provide a valid email and/or valid phone number. At least one method of contact must be given.
If you would like to be included in the directory, please print your family’s information on the following page.
Parent/Student Directory Consent Form
______Yes, please include my information in the Parent/Student Directory
Student/Students Names
______
______
Parent/Guardians First & Last Name
______
______
Email address
______
______
Phone Number (Cell, home or both)
______
______
______
______
I understand by signing this form that I will not use this directory in any negative manner. I understand by opting out of this, I will not be given adirectory. I understand that, I, the parent, will be responsible for thisdirectory. I also understand I may be contacted at times by other parents for parties, events, play dates, etc.
______
Parent/Guardian Signature Date ______
Please send this form back to school by September 9, 2016.
JHS CLOTHING LINE INFORMATION:
ROOM PARENT VOLUNTEER
Each year, 4 room parents are selected for each classroom. If more than 4 parents volunteer, volunteers are selected “lottery” style. We do our best to make sure that every parent is given the opportunity to be a room parent during their child’s time at JHS.
Some of the tasks for room parents include: collecting, sorting, counting box tops twice a year, collecting donations and putting together a basket to raffle off on Halloween Activity Night, putting together class gifts for your teacher, helping out with the Halloween Parade, Read Across America day and Fun Day, planning events/special treats during Teacher Appreciation week (i.e. decorating the classroom, sending in some sweet treats, etc) and any other duties your child’s classroom teacher sees fit.
We will hold a Room Parent Tea on September 28th at 3:45 in the cafeteria so you can meet with other room parents and your child’s teacher.
If this is something you are interested in, please send the below form no later than Friday September 16th, in an envelope marked “Room Parent”. If you have more than 1 child, please fill out one form with all of your children’s information.
Child/Children’s Names: ______
Parent Name: ______
Parent’s E-Mail: ______
Teacher’s Name: ______
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