September 2016
President’s Report
Tricia Byam, [email protected]
Welcome to the new year! It’s such an exciting time, and we hope everyone’s school year is off to a successful start! If
you did not get a chance to grab your excuse pads or calendars at the school Meet & Greets, there are order forms in the
September digital backpacks, or on our website. (You can find us under the “parents” tab on the TIS & Birch Grove
webpages). Just send your order into school with your payment, and we will get the items home to you!
The TEPTO board is pleased to welcome Tracy Sapere as our new Communications Chair, while Tabitha McKown
moves over to fill in as TIS Vice President for the upcoming year. Many of our TEPTO volunteers have already been
busy working on fundraisers and events that take place in the fall. They are all spotlighted in this newsletter so read on to
find out about what’s coming up! A great family favorite is the Ice Cream Social where kids get to enjoy their own
specially created sundae and see their past and present teachers from school….and, of course, visit with friends. This is a
popular event so we recommend pre-ordering your sundaes. The Ice Cream Social is scheduled for Friday, September
23rd from 6-8 at T.I.S.-All Purpose Room!
Throughout the upcoming year, TEPTO will offer a variety of fundraisers for our school families; please do not feel
obligated to participate in all of them. All the fundraisers and events we offer help build a PTO budget for the following
school year. This budget includes continuing support of classroom teachers, curriculum enhancements, technology (i.e.:
smart boards, I-Pads, wireless head-sets), library and reading department books, assemblies, field trips and so much
more. With the participation and support from all of you, we try to make a difference by helping our children to have the
best learning experiences.
Our volunteers are our greatest assets! We could not do all that we do without the help of our parent volunteers! It is a
wonderful feeling knowing that just by helping a little bit, you are contributing to the success of our schools….and we
thank you for that! Whether you are a new parent to our school system or a seasoned veteran, we look forward to seeing
you! And feel free to contact anyone on the TEPTO Board if you have any questions about how things work or are
interested in volunteering your time. We don’t send many paper notices home anymore, so if you haven’t already, please
check out our notices in the digital backpacks or “like” us on Facebook (Tolland Elementary PTO) to get all of our
communications, as well as our requests for help with a fundraiser or event. Contact our membership coordinator, Kim
Santini at [email protected] to learn more on how to help out.
Treasurer’s Report
Kim Schwarz, [email protected]
Financial Activity through Sept 12, 2016
16/17 Budget remaining
$ 51,006
Funds raised to date for 17/18 budget $ 2,500
(This includes completed fundraisers only)
SAVE THE DATE
Tolland Elementary PTO
Ice Cream Social
Friday, September 23rd, 2016
At TIS from 6:00-8:00 pm
To volunteer at the ice cream social, please contact:
Tejal Shah, [email protected]
Taryn Bracken, [email protected]
Mileage Club
Birch Grove:
Shannon McKinstry, [email protected]
Andrea Paciga
What is Mileage Club? It is a running/walking program for kindergarten, first and second graders that takes
place during recess. Students who choose to participate in Mileage Club are given a punch card. They can run
(or walk) around the recess field and earn one hole-punch on their card for every lap done. As they complete
cards, they earn toe tokens and other fun prizes. The kids get excited to see their cards fill up, and it’s a great
way to encourage them to be active. However, we can’t run this popular program without volunteers!
How can you help? Starting the first week in October and running through mid-November, all it takes is 30
minutes per week of your time. As a volunteer, you will meet the children on the recess field, hand out their
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cards, and then stand at the designated “start” spot and hole-punch their cards for them as they complete their
laps. It’s easy and fun, and it’s also a great way to get to see your child at school! Younger siblings are
welcome.
We are looking for help on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
TIS:
We are still looking for Chair People to help with the mileage club program at TIS.
Box Tops for Education
Jessica Burney, [email protected]
My name is Jessica Burney and I’m thrilled to be the Box Tops Coordinator for Birch Grove and Tolland Intermediate
School. Clipping Box Tops is an easy way for you to help our school buy what it needs. Box Tops are each worth 10 cents
and they quickly add up to real cash for our school.
Forms will be sent home for a collections contest. There will be a winner from EVERY grade!
The BTFE.com website has lots of coupons and contests for schools to win thousands of dollars. There are also
opportunities to earn eboxtops, simply by shopping online at your favorite stores. Thanks for helping our schools with Box
Tops!
Jeannine Collections/Cherrydale Farms Fundraiser
Liz Crowley, [email protected]
Our first fundraiser has begun and is running September 14th through September 28th! The catalog offers a nice variety of
products for your home. Packets will be coming and orders can be taken through September 28 th.
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