The Western Avenue School (WAS) Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) sponsors a variety of school committees, some are designed to raise money and others are designed to enhance your child’s learning experience. Both are essential in making WAS the special place it is. Without parent support from people like you, we would not be able to offer these wonderful opportunities to our children!
Art Fundraiser: This group works with the art teacher and a company called Silver Graphics, to turn artwork created by our students into unique gift items for purchase. WAS receives a portion of the profits from each item ordered. The art project will be completed in January and the delivery of the final product will be coordinated with a school art show in March.
Artists in the Courtyard: This group coordinates a daylong event where artists of all kinds set up displays in our hallways to showcase their work for students’ viewing pleasure.
Beautification: This group works with the Principal to maintain and decorate the school on a seasonal basis. Some activities include decorating the front hall bulletin board and display case, and regularly tending to the outdoor planters, courtyards, and the sign area in the front of the school.
Book Fair: Mrs. Fuller, the Library Media Center Director, organizes a Spring book fair fundraising event. Teacher wish lists allow parents to purchase specific books for their child's classroom. Volunteers are need to help set up and take down for the Spring book fair.
Clothing Sale: This committee coordinates one Fall “Gently Used” Toy and Clothing sales which is the primary fundraiser for the school and earns between $12,000-$20,000 each year (approximately $50-$65 per student). The money WAS earns from the sales helps offset costs for Field Trips, Scholastic New, Music and Art programs, technology needs, school wish list items, and more! YOUR PTO is the only PTO in the district that DOES NOT ask for an annual family donation. The two-day sales require approximately 150 volunteers throughout the week to run efficiently.
Directory: This group compiles information providing a resource of student names, complete breakdown of classroom assignments, parent contact information, PTO information and a calendar of school related events.
Fifth Grade Sendoff: This group organizes a fun day at the park near the end of the school year exclusively for 5th graders to celebrate their great years at WAS, and the next chapter in their academic lives.
Fine Arts Explorers: Volunteers present art appreciation activities in their child’s classroom a few times a year. Materials and artists are already chosen and resources are provided. Depending upon the number of volunteers, each parent may be limited to one art appreciation class per school year.
Fourth Grade Fundraiser: This group coordinates a special fundraising event/s to help offset the cost of Outdoor Education in 5th grade.
**Fundraising: This committee coordinates some of the smaller fundraisers revolving throughout the year, including Box Tops for Education collections. Although this group coordinates the fundraisers, all families at WAS can easily support our school throughout the year Collecting Box Tops ($.10 each) or shopping online at (www.boxtops4education.com)
Fun Fair: This group organizes an evening of family fun, scheduled for February 2019. This fundraising event includes a children’s raffle, cake walk, food, games, and prizes. Approximately 100 volunteers (nearly half of the school’s parents) are needed to volunteer a portion of their time to run the games in their own child’s classroom. This event is a great way to meet other parents at the school, and it is a student favorite!
Duck Duck Golf!: To be held at Eagle Brook May 15, 2023. This parent/community event needs to be planned and executed by the golf committee. Responsibilities include finding sponsorships, finding items for silent auction, advertising, finding golfers, golf outing logistics, etc.
**Get Up and Grow: This group is responsible for the edible schoolyard situated on the grounds of Western Avenue School. The garden provides an extensive learning experience for the children, as well as fostering community involvement and support. A core committee handles communications/publicity, donation recognition, implementation/maintenance, curriculum, community relations, and fundraising. Volunteers are needed to serve as grade level garden liaisons and/or on the subcommittees responsible for the Great Pumpkin Festival, the After School Enrichment Garden Club, and other fundraising events.
Hospitality: This group assists in coordinating baking helpers for various events throughout the year (i.e., Back-to-School party - August, Clothing Sales – September and March, Fun Fair cake walk - February).
MOTION (Western Ave Running Club): This After School Enrichment program is held in the Fall and Spring and gets kids outside, running relay races and a short course around the WAS grounds after school. Help your child fall in love with fitness!
Picture Day: This group of volunteers helps organize students during picture day.
Room Parents: This group organizes the three classroom parties for the year - Halloween, Holiday, and End-of-Year Picnic. One parent from each classroom serves as Head Room Parent and coordinates the activities for the parties, as well as recruits volunteers from their class for special events throughout the year.
School Supply Pack: This group coordinates the purchase of school supply packs. Parents may order all of the supplies their student needs for the upcoming school year through this Spring program, and pick everything up at WAS on a scheduled date the week prior to the start of school.
Sports Day: This group coordinates a year-end outdoor activity at WAS for all grades. Students participate in various outdoor athletic events with their classmates.
Student Art Fair/Open House: This group coordinates a Spring Open House at WAS that showcases galleries of our students’ artwork from throughout the year.
Teacher Appreciation Committee: Help plan and execute teacher appreciation week, the first week of May. This week is a huge part of what the PTO does to make our kids' teachers know how much we support and appreciate them.
Welcoming Committee: This group coordinates efforts to welcome new and returning families to Western Avenue School through the Back-to-School party, new family personal greetings, and Kindergarten summer get-togethers. This group also helps coordinate assistance to our WAS families in times of need or during a life-changing event.
Western Kids Care: This group organizes charitable events throughout the school year, which allow each grade level to take a leadership role. This group also organizes the International Walk to School Day in October, Salvation Army Bell Ringers in December, and an after school event in May called Western Walks where our kids walk together after school in the neighborhood to help raise money for a charitable organization.
Yearbook: This group is responsible for coordinating yearbook production with an offsite company. The committee also helps take yearbook orders, takes pictures throughout the year at school events, and compiles the school yearbook, which goes to press in June. Ideally, we would like to recruit one photographer per grade level to take group and candid shots of the students throughout the year. You do not need to be an ace photographer you just need to enjoy snapping pictures of the kids!
**These committees need help during summer even before school starts!**
For questions about PTO Committees, please contact your PTO President
Jill Johnson, Co - President