Mission & Goals of the Westford Elementary PTO

The Westford Elementary PTO has four areas of focus that embody our mission:

Enrichment: To sponsor a variety of enrichment programs for the elementary students that will augment the curriculum as established by the Westford Public Schools.Parental Involvement: To sponsor family-oriented activities and/or programs which support and enhance parental involvement in the schools. To Attract new parents and/or guardians to the PTO organization, keeping the organization energized and open to new ideas.Communication: To inform parents and/or guardians of the issues, programs and activities of the Westford Elementary Schools and of the Westford Public Schools in general. To keep communication lines open between the Westford School Committee and the community at large.
Fundraising: To raise funds for our elementary schools in the most productive and unobtrusive way possible in order to support all of our activities.

We would not be able to fulfill our mission without the significant resources of talent, time and voluntary donations of funds from our parent population. Additional cooperation and financial support comes from our school administrators, educators, School Committee members, and local businesses and organizations.

Our Organization

Our town wide elementary PTO includes Abbot, Crisafulli, and Day (grades 3-5), Miller, Nabnasset, and Robinson (grades k-2) schools. Having a joint PTO has proven valuable resulting in cost savings in enrichment programs, earning bonuses for fundraising programs, sharing of materials for PTO-sponsored school events, and providing opportunities for our children to interact with other children from all parts of town in fun and educational ways.

PTO is organized in such a way that allows for your involvement at a local level within your school, or on a more broad level interacting with all of the elementary schools. Each school has a Site-Based Team headed by the school coordinators (parent volunteers), the principals and two teacher representatives. The school coordinators are in the process of meeting with the principals to outline those activities they would like to have at their school. This flexibility allows each school to choose what is most appropriate for their grade levels.

The PTO Executive Board consists of the school principals and the following postions which are elected in the spring: President, VP/School Coordinator Leader, Treasurer, Fundraising, Secretary, Enrichment Leader, Newsletter Editor, Parent Consortium Liaison and Publicity Chairperson. Please feel free to contact any of the board members with questions. The Contact list may be accessed by clicking here.

As parents, you are invited to attend the 2 PTO general meetings held in the fall and spring. These will address upcoming events, discuss business and budget issues and provide an informational seminar/speaker forum. Site-based teams have meetings regarding their school's activities. Parents are invited to attend and should contact the school coordinator if they have items they would like to discuss for inclusion on the meeting agenda. Watch for announcements either on the PTO bulletin board, in the newsletter, or on the web site.

In general, PTO business issues are handled at the Executive Board meetings scheduled throughout the year. Minutes will be available through your school coordinator and posted on the PTO bulletin boards.

Our By-Laws

Enrichment Programs

Enrichment is our term for the special PTO-sponsored assemblies our children attend during school. The goal is to have the children experience many different categories of arts education (music, drama, dance, storytelling, hands-on art, etc.) Due to school budget limitations, our children may not have the opportunity to experience these arts-related programs if it wasn't for all of the hard work and contributions of our Enrichment Committee and you, both in terms of fundraising and volunteering your time.

If you enjoy the arts, then consider volunteering for the Enrichment Committee. We are looking for volunteers to help greet performers at school on days of scheduled programs, help preview performers at other schools in the area, and work with the committee to plan future programs. The time commitment is small, and we have a lot of fun!

Keeping You Informed

Our newsletter, the PTO INFO TO KNOW, is designed to bring you the latest news on our town-wide activities, as well as your site-based team's initiatives. This will compliment the principal's school newsletter. Note: always verify the dates listed on the calendar; they may have changed after going to print. Also, look for information in the Westford Eagle, the PTO bulletin board at each school, on Cable Channel 8, and on our web site www.westford.com/westelmpto. At the website you'll find a calendar of events, the bylaws, past PTO INFO TO KNOW editions, and more! Additionally, your school coordinator is a resource for you, so don't hesitate to introduce yourself!

Budget and Fundraisers

Fundraising is a neccessary ingredient in PTO. We do our best to limit the number of fundraisers held each year and are continually looking for those which offer the most for their money while providing the greatest margin for profit. Admittedly, it may be a hardship for some too. Please keep in mind that your PARTICIPATION is TOTALLY VOLUNTARY in ANY of the fundraisers, and we thank you in advance for helping us reach our goals.

This year's budget was presented at the General PTO meeting in November and approved. You may view it by clicking on the following link.(Approved Budget) In the past, the PTO has provided funds for the enrichment programs, library materials for all levels of readers, program fees, software, computerized learning aids, teacher training, classroom supplies, copiers/printers, playground equipment and upkeep, gym equipment, musical instruments, books, signs, and funds for the School Advisory Councils. There are a few methods of securing these funds, each relying upon volunteers like yourself. These include participating in credit programs, fundraising sales, grants, and donations.

Credit Programs

Schools can earn money from various "cash back" rebate programs for things you may already be purchasing. When enrolling, select ANY of the six elementary schools in the PTO - the funds go to the same place.

Collect General Mills Box Tops

In exchange for box tops collected from participating General Mills and Betty Crocker produsts and their partners, our schools get rebate checks. So please save these, and send them into school with your child for deposit in the bright yellow boxes in their classroom/suite, or at community locations in Market Basket and the J.V. Fletcher Library. Don't forget to ask relatives to collect them too!

Donations

Over the past few years, the BoostPTO Drive has been very popular with parents. Donations can be made in any amount at any time. See the BoostPTO form for more information. We happily accept donations from businesses and organizations.

Other resources of donations come in the form of services, materials and expertise. If you are interested in offering your time, materials or exptertise, please contact anyone on the executive board.

PTO Activities and Services

PTO has many activities that encourage our children to learn, grow, ask questions, and have fun! Flyers are sent home with the students as activities come up. See our calendar for upcoming events.

PTO and Student Advisory Council

Student Advisory Council (SAC) play an important role in the improvement of our schools through volunteer efforts. School Advisory Councils are mandated by Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993. Each school has a council comprised of four parents, three teachers, the school principal, and a community member. The purpose of the council is to assist the principal in adopting educational goals, identifying the educational needs of students, reviewing the school building's annual budget, and formulating a school improvement plan. However, the SACs are not permitted to raise funds, so they seek alternative sources like grants, and are also funded by the PTO. The SACs provide parent educational speakers, opportunities for staff development, and child development/parent education materials available for loan.

PTO is responsible for holding the elections for each school's SAC. Elections for grades K-2 are held in the fall and elections for grades 3-5 are held in the spring.

DESCRIPTION OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR EACH PROGRAM

EVENT	PROGRAM DESCRIPTION	JOB DESCRIPTION
Enrichment 1 or 2 hours a month	See “Enrichment Program” Description covered earlier	Greet guest performer, complete evaluation form, preview other programs and provide feedback.
Family Math and Science Nights *Held in early spring, determined by Site based team*	An evening where parents and students participate in science and math activities in a “school fair” setting. Each grade has its own evening	Plan and run activities, gather materials
Star Reader Program *December-March*	Home based reading program rewarding children who read a specified amount. Reading accomplishments are tracked and posted in the school. Book raffles for participants	Keep track of students Progress, conduct raffles, communicate results
Playground Spruce Up Day *1 day event, date determined by Site Based Team*	A day for volunteers to donate time to improve school grounds	Volunteers help where needed. Chair: conducts planning meeting, create flyer, solicit donations, co-ordinate day’s activities.
Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week *Early May*	A luncheon prepared for teachers/staff	Volunteers prepare food and deliver to school, Chair: Prepare flyer, distribute, delegate, conduct luncheon.
Boost PTO Drive	A request for monetary donation from those that wish to make an easy, hassle free donation to the PTO	Volunteers: assist chair, Chair: Oversees project, track results, collect donations
Gift Wrap and Yankee Candle *September-October/November Pickup*	Major PTO Fundraisers	Collate, tally, and distribute orders when they arrive at school.
Box Tops *All year, 1-2 hours each month*	General Mills and other sponsors provide cash-back bonuses for labels collected	Collect and count labels, submit to company, Communicate and market.
School Apparel *November-December*	Service to our members selling sweatshirts and sweatpants	Distribute order forms, collect, summarize orders, organize pick up.
Math-a-thon *February*	Educational Fundraiser challenges students to solve grade specific math problems. Friends and relatives pledge funds based on questions solved correctly	Prepare and distribute packets, organize volunteer correctors, collect pledges
Publishing Center *October-April*	To encourage students to write, the Publishing Center assists Teachers and students in the creation of a soft cover book, preserving the student’s work.	Volunteer Opportunities vary by school. Parents word process, assemble, and distribute.
Book Fairs *Fall or spring each school*	Children and Parents have the opportunity to view and purchase a variety of books and educational materials during the week long event.	Set up displays, recruit volunteers, sell books
Ice Cream Social *March*	One night family affair for all schools to get together, have ice cream and play games!	Plan, advertise, set up, procure supplies, conduct activities, many volunteers needed!
School Store *A few hours each month*	School Store provides a chance for students to purchase desk items like pencils, erasers and rulers and such.	Set up, help kids make purchases, re-supply Inventory, complete paperwork.
Student Directory *September/October*	A school specific phone book with staff listing, names and phone numbers of students and parents who wish to participate	Data entry, proof, print and distribute.
Westford Parent Connection	Brings parenting programs to Westford, with speakers and workshops, provides information on parenting issues	As a team, research, coordinate and evaluate speakers and related information .
Copy Center	We need volunteers to photocopy pages as the needs arise.	With guidance, make Copies using school copier and PTO paper.

Board Meeting Minutes

Approved Budget for 200 7-2008