Who is the PTO? What Do They Do?

Last Updated (Thursday, 27 August 2009 11:34) Written by Tobi-Lynn Arnold Wednesday, 22 October 2008 10:44

We are parents, grandparents, and teachers who want to volunteer and help our DCC kids be the best they can be.  We are an organization that can be thought of as comprised of the following elements.

Fundraising Activities

The PTO raises monies to fund our other activities: teacher grants, classroom supplies and teaching aids, playground apparatus, athletic equipment and P.E. gear, social events, and hospitality services.  We have one major fundraiser plus other smaller ongoing ones. We have also held 2 Auction Gala's (2008 and 2009) for specific purposes.

• MAJOR: Magazine Sales (Aug/Sept plus year 'round online)  for Teacher Grants
• MAJOR: Gala (Feb) specified each year for a particular project but not held every year
• OTHER: Box Tops/Campbell's Soup Labels/Tyson proof-of-purchase

Service Activities

The PTO provides a service to the student, parents and staff by organizing these beneficial events.

• Birthday pencils, elementary only (monthly)
• School directory (fall)
  
• CSAP Snacks (early March)
• EduKits (order in spring, deliver in fall)
• Book Fairs (PTO helps with these events, which are library fundraisers)
• Thunder Store - Spiritwear sales; concessions

Social Activities

The PTO sponsors several social activities that invite the DCC family to come together, have fun and make new friends. Some of these events have a nominal cost, but the goal is to break even on these events – not to be a fundraiser.

• Parent Welcome Coffee (first day of school)
• Pancake Breakfast at ThunderStorm 5K Run (counseling fundraiser) (Sept)
• Mad Science Carnival (elementary fundraiser, we help volunteer) (Oct)
  
• Winter Social (Dec)
• Parents and PIe's (Jan/Feb)
• End of year family picnic (Apr/May)
• Spring Social (May)
• Parent Socials (by grade levels, ongoing)

Hospitality Activities

The PTO offers hospitality, usually in the form of a meal, to the staff and others involved at DCC.

• Welcome Back Staff Meal (Aug)
• Parent-Teacher Conference meals for staff (Oct and Mar)
• Staff Affirmation (Dec)
• Staff Appreciation Week (May)
• Bus Driver Appreciation Breakfast (spring)

Communication Activities

The PTO provides communication to the parents and teachers through various forms – flyers, newsletters, email, Special Delivery, the website, and phone calls. The purpose is to keep everyone informed with the latest happenings at DCC.

• Website (updated frequently)
• 20Alert emails (as needed, usually weekly

Volunteers

The PTO provides volunteers for all of these events listed, but also for requests from teachers and staff. We are building a volunteer database that will be managed and used to match volunteers with their specific requests. We are building a strong base, which will provide another avenue of communication between parents and the PTO.

We welcome you to find a place where you’d like to help out. Many hands make light work, plus it’s a lot of fun to meet and work with other parents.