Building Community – Supporting Teachers – Enriching Education
Board Members
The Ordway PTO funds many, many facets of life at Ordway. At the start of each school year teachers and staff are given a set monetary pledge from PTO to help defer classroom and program costs. In both the fall and spring, special grants are allocated to those teachers and staff who need more extensive supplies or wider ranging programs. Examples from the past include materials for Occupational Therapy, office supplies, subscriptions to on-line resources, grade level math and language arts, handwriting supplemental materials, math manipulatives and needed furniture – just to name a few! PTO also provides a confidential scholarship fund to those families needing assistance with field trip or Outdoor Education costs. PTO has assisted in landscaping needs at our school and also provides special meals and treats to honor our teachers and staff. In 2011 PTO also began an Afterschool Enrichment Program for 12 weeks during the winter months. Funds allowed PTO to pay teachers to meet with small groups of students afterschool around a particular interest with no cost to Ordway families. Examples included Art, Basketball, Study Skills, Jewelry making and Omatempe (the Island Sister Club), just to name a few. We hope to continue this afterschool program for the 2012-2013 school year, as well.
JOGATHON
Ordway PTO relies on one major fundraiser to meet its 2012-2013 budget, The Jogathon! Each child will bring home a donation sheet and envelope during the first few weeks of school. Our hope is that each child will use this opportunity to talk with neighbors and family members about the Jogathon and solicit sponsorship donations for Ordway. Prizes are awarded to the students and classrooms with most participation and money earned. In addition students and classrooms are honored for their performance during the actual event! Ordway uses this event to focus on healthy choices and the importance of exercise as a life skill. All Ordway students are given a t-shirt to commemorate event! Students come by grade level to the high school track and along with staff and volunteers, see how many times they can make it around the Jogathon course. This year the Jogathon will take place on Friday, September 28, 2012. Please come and cheer on the Ordway Otters!
Family Fun Fridays
Ordway PTO strives to also build community within our Ordway families. We recognize that when families come together at school through activities and friendships, students are sent great messages! Students learn that school is a great place to be and that their success is important to everyone! Ordway PTO tries to facilitate those opportunities by sponsoring one Family Fun Friday a month. Our goal is to create an evening at little or no cost for families that is fun and enjoyable where families can be together and also meet other Ordway Otters! These events in the past have included Bingo Night, Sock Hop and Starry Story Night. Check your calendar or PTO Website for the upcoming events as the year unfolds.
Math Explorations and Outdoor Education
Two programs (also under the PTO umbrella) that have become very important to Ordway are Math Explorations and 4th grade Outdoor Educations. Math Explorations will be a year-round afterschool program this year focused on promoting the fun of learning Math. Students in all grades and ability levels are eligible to participate. Watch for information about days, times and how to sign up on the Ordway PTO Website, Ordway Website or contact the main office. 4th Grade Outdoor Education is a program for 4th graders only. Parents serve on a committee to help fundraise to help send the 4th graders on a two day overnight experience at Camp Seymour. Teachers are involved in all facets of planning and orchestrating this memorable time. Watch for more information from our Outdoor Ed Committee.
2012/2013 Chairs
All School BBQ: PTO Board
Art Docent: Araceli Cruz
BI School Foundation: Connie Feikes
Bike to School Day: David Spinak
Box Tops/Labels For Education: Lisa Putman
Carnival: Angela Bonifaci
Directory: Becki Schade
eScript: Julie Donegan
Emergency Preparedness: Jennifer Rideout-Redeker
Fall Book Fai: Noelle Cooper
Field Day:
Fun Family Nights: Brandi Bispham
Gardening: Alayne Porter
Game Room Recess: Diane Stever
Health Screening: Susie Gleason
Jog-A-Thon Co-Chair: Torie Ritchie
Jog-A-Thon Co-Chair: Heidi Hedges
Library: Carol Nicholas
Memory Book: Laura Firman
New Families: Laura Cannon
Otterwear/Ottergear: Torie Ritchie
Outdoor Ed Co-Chair: Sonja Fritts
Outdoor Ed Co-Chair: Suzanne Fisher
Popcorn Day/Spirit Day: Valerie Johnson
Recycling/Composting: Sandra O’Connor
Rock-N-Roll Readers:
School Pictures: Becki Schade
Science Fair: Michelle McClure
Science Kits: Joanne Maher
Secretary/Staff Appreciation: Heather Palmer
Showcase: Aimee Alverez
Sock Hop: PTO Board
Staff Holiday Luncheon: Heather Palmer
Teacher Appreciation Lunch: Heather Palmer
Tech/Website Support: Kelly Franznick/Jordan Levine