What is a PTO?
What is the PTO and who can be a Member?
The PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) consists of several board officers, committee chairpersons, and our wonderful school staff and volunteers.
What does it mean to be a Member?
That depends on you! We invite you to become a participant in your student’s education by being an active participant in the PTO. The level of involvement is up to you! Whether your involvement is serving as an officer, chairing or participating on a committee, volunteering at events or in the classroom, supporting fundraisers, or donating items for school events.
What happens at PTO Meetings, and when are they held?
Each meeting follows a specific agenda, which typically includes reports from the PTO board and treasurer, the Principal, and committees. If there are decisions that require member approval, we vote on them during the meeting. Time is also allotted for the discussion of new ideas and questions. Meetings are held in the school library at 7 PM on either a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of each month during the school year, unless a school holiday falls on that Tuesday, in which case the meeting will be the following Tuesday. Any PTO member is welcome and encouraged to attend!
What are the benefits of attending PTO Meetings?
Participation through attendance at PTO meetings gives you a voice. You can provide valuable input that will help decide what we do as a group. You have the knowledge that, with your participation and involvement, the educational and social experiences of all students at Van Zant have been enhanced. If you are new to the VZ family, the established families are available to answer questions and ease your transition. If you are new to our community, we’re always happy to help wherever possible. An added bonus is that you have the opportunity to meet wonderful people who can become great friends.
PTO Programs & Fundraising
Our primary objective is to provide our school with funds, programs, resources, and services that will enrich and maximize the education of every child and benefit the school. To meet this important objective, we fundraise. Here are just a few of the programs that we sponsor and/or support:
Field Trips - Supplement the cost of field trips so every student can attend grade-level field trips.
Assembles - We provide 2 academic and fun assemblies during the school year.
Agenda books for grades (3-5), Folders for grades (K-2) and T-shirts for New VZ students and incoming Kindergarten students.
Family Activities - We host family night activities such as Water ice social, Ice Cream Social, Candy Bag Bingo and Trunk or Treat
Staff Appreciation - We love our teachers and staff and make sure they know it throughout the year.
5th Grade Activities - We send our 5th graders out with a bang by funding their class shirts, class trips, yearbooks, holiday party, pasta party, and end-of-year picnic.
School Improvement Projects - We fund big-ticket items like the cafeteria sound damping system, active boards, and landscaping.