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About the Westford Elementary PTO
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 Arts & Education 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
- Treasurer
- Fundraising
- Secretary
- Enrichment Leaders
- Newsletter Editor
- Parent Consortium Liaison
- Webmaster
Please feel free to contact any of the board members with questions.
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
Mission & Goals
of the Westford Elementary PTO
The Westford Elementary PTO has two areas of focus that embody our mission:
- Arts & Education: To sponsor a variety of Arts & Education 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 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.
PTO and Student Advisory Council
Student Advisory Council (SAC) plays 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.
Budget & 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.
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.
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