MORRIS SCHOOL PTO
DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS, ACTIVITIES, AND FUNDRAISERS
Please Note: Volunteers are still needed to chair several of the events listed below. To volunteer, please return the PTO Volunteer Sign-Up sheet (sent home with your child) to Morris School. For more information regarding an event, please contact the PTO.
Thank you in advance for your help and support of our PTO!
Ongoing Activities
* Welcoming Committee - This group coordinates a reception
for parents who are new to the Morris School community. Throughout the year,
this group will assemble information that might be useful to people who have
just joined the Morris School community. They will contact new families, welcome
them and offer them information and assistance as they get to know the school
and community.
*
Diversity Activities Coordinators - This is a new committee this year. We have a calendar and many suggestions already in place but need a few parents who could meet with Mr. Robert Vaughan occasionally to see to it that events are taking place.
*
Birthday Celebrations – Members of the celebration
committee create a monthly bulletin board display of all student birthdays.
Members also organize and host a birthday celebration during lunch one day per
month. The students receive an ice cream cup and a special token gift.
*
Refreshments - We frequently need people to bake, or to
contribute soda, juice, and/or snacks for various functions. This is a nice
way to help make our events a great success.
*
Fundraising Committee – This committee plans and oversees
PTO fundraising events.
*
Yearbook - Fifth grade students and parent volunteers produce
a wonderful keepsake every year. We especially need parents who are willing
to proof read.
*
Recess and Lunch Supervision - Volunteers monitor the playgrounds
during recess to help provide safe, supervised playtime. Volunteers are also
needed to help the children during their lunch time.
*
Tools for Schools - Educational equipment can be earned
by accumulating credit through the Price Chopper AdvantEdge Card. Register online
at www.pricechopper.com/toolsforschools, or fill out the form that is sent home
with your child.
* Trash to Treasure - For a variety of projects at the school,
the teachers and staff can use recyclables and other “discards”.
The PTO will distribute the “wish list” to student families, and
volunteers help collect and sort donated items. Depending on the level of interest,
this activity will be held periodically throughout the school year.
*
Box Tops for Education - Please save Box Tops labels that
are on many food products. Send them into school with your child, to the collection
box in the front lobby. The money collected helps to fund various items such
as new balls, jump ropes, etc. for the playground.
*
Labels for Education - Please send in your Campbell’s
and Pepperidge Farm “Labels for Education”. These labels are used
to procure supplemental equipment for the playground, physical education, and
other departments.
* Parent Resource Center - Volunteers have put together a marvelous resource of materials, including books and videos, in the school library for parent use. Parents are welcome to come in and check out any resource materials. See our library assistant for details.
* Memo Pads – The youngest student in your family will bring home a pad that can be used for communications with the teachers. Enjoy these memo pads with our compliments. Additional pads will be available for purchase.
Monthly Activities
September
*
School Directory – What did we do without the most
popular book in town? Once again we will be compiling students’ names, parents’/guardians’
names, addresses, and phone numbers to facilitate communication. Volunteers are
needed to enter the information on the computer, proof read, make copies, and
assemble the directory.
*
School Pictures - In mid-September, parents are needed to
make sure hair is combed and collars are straightened before each child’s
picture is taken.
*
Gardening Committee - Volunteers maintain the garden outside
the library, both in mid-September and the last week in April. Weeding, planting,
and watering help to make the gardens grow. No experience is necessary.
* Open House - Volunteers are needed to help at our OPEN HOUSE on September 20 from 6:15pm -7:15pm
Simply Tasteful/Tastefully Yours – Dry rubs and marinades. More to follow.
October
* Fall Family Activity - This fun, social event allows families
a chance to get to know each other. Most recently, this activity has been a dance
in the gym, but new ideas are welcome! How about a book swap? Or, maybe board
games in the cafeteria? Or, a pasta dinner at the school? Volunteers are needed
to plan the event and do whatever is needed to make it happen.
* Family Portraits by Clique Photography - This fundraiser will allow families a new option for Holiday Photos. You can get the chance to update your “Family” photos. Tentative dates 10/23-10/24
November
*
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) #1 – Every child loves
a new book! Three times a year (November, Jan/Feb, and May), books are distributed
under the RIF grant to every Morris student free of charge. Volunteers plan
a theme and activity for each distribution and spend time in the classrooms
that day handing out the books.
*
Food Pantry Collection - Non-perishables are collected
and brought to the local food pantry. The children are acknowledged for their
contributions to the food pantry. Volunteers are needed to help collect food
outside each of the classrooms for a week.
*
Thanksgiving Gathering - Morris School students gather
together to sit down for a snack and perform for each other before the Thanksgiving
break. Volunteers decorate and set up, prepare some of the foods, help with
food service, supervision, and clean up. This event takes place in the gym.
December
*
Children’s Book Fair - In late November, early December, we sponsor a
book fair during the time of parent/teacher conferences. Volunteers are needed
for set up, sales, and clean up.
January or February
* Class Adventures – Pre-school has its own event. Kindergarten- at Gymfest, 1st grade-swimming, 2nd grade-bowling, 3rd- grade- horseback riding, 4th grade-tubing, 5th grade- sleepover at Morris School.
* Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) #2 – Books are distributed
under the RIF grant to every Morris student.
* Science Fair - This group will help organize a science fair for grades K-2 and 3-5 in the spring. The kids love the opportunity to show what they’ve learned.
March
*
Family Skate Night - We have a night of fun on the
ice in March. Volunteers sell tickets in advance, collect tickets at the site,
and serve refreshments. Everyone has a great time, even if they don’t
ice skate!
*
Food Pantry Collection - Non-perishables are collected
and brought to the local food pantry. The children are acknowledged for their
contributions to the food pantry. Volunteers are needed to help collect food
outside each of the classrooms for a week.
April
*
Game Night - This is a fun event, which takes place
in the school cafeteria. It is a chance for families to get out together and
play Bingo. Volunteers help with set-up, collecting money at the door, making
popcorn, serving refreshments, and cleaning up.
*
Gardening Committee - Volunteers maintain the garden
outside the library. The garden adds a stop for many butterflies and a nice
pop of color to that side of the building. No experience is necessary.
May
*
Art Show - In the spring the walls and halls of the
school come alive with the Children’s Art Show. All students have at least
one exhibit. Volunteers put up and take down the artwork, and host a reception.
*
3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade MCAS Ice Cream Social –
After all the hard work the students put in for the MCAS tests they deserve
a little ice cream. Parents are needed for about 1 to 2 hour(s) of time to serve
ice cream to the students and to clean up.
*
Staff Appreciation – In the past this event
has included luncheons, breakfasts, assorted goodies and special offerings like
chair massages and fruit baskets. It can be anything based on the committee’s
creativity. It is a great time to let Morris School Staff know we appreciate
their incredible efforts!
*
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) #3 – Books are
distributed under the RIF grant to every Morris student.
June
*
Kindergarten Ice Cream Social - A few kindergarten
parents are needed to help purchase the ice cream, paper goods, and toppings
as well as assist the kindergarten teachers in serving and cleaning up.
*
5th Grade Class Picnic - The 5th grade class has an
all-day picnic/field trip, typically to Eastover Resort. Chaperones are needed.
If you have a student in the 5th grade this is a great opportunity to help with
your child’s class. Please contact your child’s 5th grade teacher for more information or to help out.
* Field Day - In June, an athletic field day is held
for all grades. Volunteers run the games, help at the nurse’s station,
and provide water, etc.
* Kindergarten Bus Riders for Fall 2007 - Volunteers
ride on all of the buses during the first couple of days of school to assist
our newest students and calm their nervous parents. Bus riding requires a short
commitment of time.
