Committees
Without the support of the community, many of the activities and events offered to students and staff would not be possible.
Van Zant PTO needs your support! There are many opportunities for parents to be involved; whether it’s from home, at school or in the classroom. Even if you have ten minutes or ten hours, there are opportunities available no matter how involved you want to be.
Volunteering at our school will give you the opportunity to interact with the students and teachers, build a network with other parents, and truly make a difference in our school community.
There will be many opportunities for you to assist us this year and we highly encourage everyone to volunteer for at least one event this school year. Throughout the year we are also in need of extra volunteers for various events and activities. These events will be announced through our Facebook page (Van Zant PTO), Mrs. Anderson’s and Mr. DiBlasi’s weekly emails, and on our website. When volunteers are needed for these specific events, a sign up genius will be posted.
For any volunteering-related questions/concerns, please email Christine Lydic, our PTO VP of Committees at: ptovpcomm@vanzantpto.org
The following are brief descriptions of the committees and events that we provide.
Art Goes to School
Chairperson: Val Petroski
Chairperson: Val Petroski
An art enrichment and appreciation program sponsored by the PTO and Board of Education. Each year Art Goes to School receives a portfolio representing art from a wide variety of cultures, places and times.
Art to Remember
Chairperson: Meghan Boyer
Chairperson: Meghan Boyer
Treasure your child’s growth through artwork. Art to Remember is a creative fundraiser allowing parents to purchase keepsake products customized with their child’s art.
Blood Drive
Chairperson: Jaff Hasan
Chairperson: Jaff Hasan
Held once a year, the PTO pairs up with the American Red Cross for a blood drive.
Book Fair
Chairperson: Chrissy Figeuroa
Chairperson: Chrissy Figeuroa
Held in the Fall and Spring, our PTO organizes a week-long Scholastic Book Fair, where students and their families can browse and purchase current, age-appropriate books.
Box Tops for Education Chairperson: Betsy Vietch
Earn money for Van Zant by simply scanning receipts of items bought with the Box Top Label.
Color Run
Chairperson: Val Petroski
Chairperson: Val Petroski
A Family Fun Run where runners are sprayed with colored powder. This event takes place on the fields outside of Van Zant on a Saturday in the Spring.
Dine Outs
Chairperson: Chrissy Figeuroa
Chairperson: Chrissy Figeuroa
Why cook when you can dine out and earn money for Van Zant? Once a month a dine-out is planned at a local eatery where a portion of the sales will go toward the PTO.
5th Grade Activities Chairperson: Tiffany Davis
A group of 5th-grade parent volunteers who work together with the school staff to ensure that every child has an extra special 5th-grade experience during their last year at Van Zant. This committee of volunteers plans special events for our graduating class.
Fun Fair Chairperson: Gabrielle Atkins
Van Zant’s Biggest PTO event/fundraiser of the year. There are games set up in the gym, a huge prize room, basket raffles, crafts, a cake walk, and refreshments. Volunteers are needed for solicitation, set-up, day-of-event execution, and clean-up.
Game Room: Sub-Chairperson:
Plans, sets up & breaks down the game room
Coordinates scheduling and placement with committee members and volunteers
Kitchen: Sub-Chairperson: Tiffany Baranauskas
Handles all food & beverages
Coordinates scheduling and placement with committee members & volunteers
Cake Walk: Sub-Chairperson: Sam Fox-Lewis
Organizes and sends out a sign up for volunteers to send in cakes
Sets up & breaks down Cake Walk Room
Coordinates scheduling and placement with committee members & volunteers
Prize Room - Sub-Chairperson: Betsy Vietch
Orders all prizes
Sets up & breaks down Prize Room
Coordinates scheduling and placement with committee members & volunteers
Craft Room- Sub-Chairperson: Meghan Boyer
Plans and orders all crafts
Sets up & breaks down Craft Room
Coordinates scheduling and placement with committee members & volunteers
Raffle Baskets/Fundraising - Chairperson Gabrielle Atkins
Reaches out to local businesses asking for donations
Organizes and puts together all baskets
Coordinates & schedules dates to put together baskets
Holiday Shop
Co-Chairs: Kristie Correll & Sarah Vollmer
Co-Chairs: Kristie Correll & Sarah Vollmer
Held on a Saturday in the beginning of December, students are given the opportunity to shop for their loved ones.
Hospitality Committee
Chairperson: Christina DiMeglio
Chairperson: Christina DiMeglio
The committee coordinates food and refreshments for school events. Some of these events are: the Welcome Back Staff Luncheon, Staff Holiday Breakfast, Take Your Child to Work Day Luncheon and Chorus Concerts.
Recess Runners
Co-Chairs: Jen Parker, Val Petroski, and Melissa Safos
Co-Chairs: Jen Parker, Val Petroski, and Melissa Safos
A Running Program to promote fitness that is held during Recess where students earn tokens for each mile they run. Volunteers are needed to help keep the students organized and to log the students' laps.
Room Reps
Chairperson: Sheena Heberlig
Chairperson: Sheena Heberlig
Room Reps are in charge of planning class parties. They also serve as a link between teachers and families by assisting teachers in communicating with families about upcoming events and recruiting volunteers for field trips, donations, and other activities.
Recreational Activities Chairperson: Samantha Fox-Lewis
This committee is in charge of planning and running the following PTO Sponsored events:
Welcome Back Water Ice Social: A fun night in the first week of school where students can come see their friends and enjoy some water ice.
Trunk or Treat: A safe night of trick or treating out of volunteers’ decorated trunks around the Van Zant parking lot.
Skating Party: Families are invited to a night of skating. Admission is free to all Van Zant students.
Candy Bag BINGO: A fun and free night as families join to play Bingo. Winners receive candy and refreshments are provided.
Ice Cream Social: An end of the year event where students and families are invited for ice cream served by VZ staff.
Science Spectacular Chairperson: Christina DiMeglio
A day devoted to sharing the wonders of science with our children! The students enjoy exciting presentations of all different aspects of science exploration! This committee will coordinate presenters & volunteers, and plan a luncheon for all volunteers and staff.
Snack Attack
Chairperson: Laura Chelminiak
Chairperson: Laura Chelminiak
Students have the opportunity to purchase soft pretzels that are delivered during designated half days. We also offer a GF option.
Date: TBD
Special Someone Dance
Co-Chairs: Victoria Smith & Jackie Edwards
Co-Chairs: Victoria Smith & Jackie Edwards
This dance will be held in the winter and gives the students a chance to bring a special someone out to a night of fun and dancing.
Staff Appreciation Week
Chairperson: Christine Lydic
Chairperson: Christine Lydic
This committee plans and executes daily treats/meals/activities to show our appreciation for the amazing VZ staff. This week typically takes place in the Spring.