PTO Committee Descriptions

Audit: Committee responsible for the review of financial statements submitted to them by the PTO Treasurer.

Carnival: Committee organizes and oversees the Spring Carnival. Duties include: rounding up volunteers, gathering donations from families, area businesses, Paybac Partners, and organizing games/food/prizes.

Cash for Education: This committee organizes the collection of General Mills box tops and Campbell’s Labels for Education provided by the students. These are in turn sent to General Mills and Campbell’s who either send money for box tops submitted or earn free items for the school. (main collection time Oct and Feb)

Fundraising: This committee is responsible for the PTO fundraising efforts at Black Elk. The committee organizes and executes all activities associated with the fundraiser. Fundraiser is usually in Aug/Sept.

Gifts and Memorials: This committee is responsible for the disbursement of gifts, cards and memorials to students/staff at Black Elk in events of illness, hospitalization, adoption/birth or bereavement.

Hospitality: This committee organizes the refreshment/snack area of the black Elk Open House held one week prior to the first day of school in August. Baked goods, pastries, cookies, etc. are provided by donation of Black Elk families. Request forms for treats and volunteers are sent home during the last month of the prior school year and these families are contacted in August as a reminder to bring treats and/or volunteer for Open House.

McGruff: The McGruff program is part of the National Crime Prevention Council. It is a Neighborhood Watch program in which residents display the McGruff sign in their home window, letting children know they have a place to go in the event they are scared, frightened, lost etc. This committee handles the process of new applications, renewals and households leaving the program.

Multi-Cultural Night: Committee organizes a fun learning experience showcasing multiple cultures from around the world. (Typically in March)

Room Parties Facilitator: recruits room leaders from each classroom and arranges meetings prior to Halloween and Valentines Day parties for all room leaders. Coordinates with PayBac partners for donation of snacks and drinks for both parties. Also coordinates with Fifth Grade room leaders the end of year party for all fifth grade students.

Scholarship Awards: This committee reviews, scores and decides winner on High School Senior Scholarship applications. Applications due from seniors Feb. 1 with decision from committee by March 1st to Millard Foundation.

Social (Fall/Spring): This committee decides on and organizes events involving students, their families and staff at Black Elk and the community; typically one fall and spring social event.

Spirit Wear: This committee organizes the selection, ordering and distribution of Black Elk Logo Clothing and other items; which can include t-shirts, sweatshirts/hoodies or jerseys.

Staff Appreciation: This committee organizes the Staff Appreciation week typically held the first week in March. All staff that works at Black Elk are shown how much we appreciate them. You may involve the Student Council in your planning as well.

Staff Holiday Gifts: During holiday time in December, the PTO offers an optional gift program for staff from students and their families. Families provide a dollar amount (of their choosing) to be applied toward a gift certificate for the staff member(s) of their choice. This committee organizes the collection of funds, purchasing the gift certificates and distributing them to the staff members. Each child's name is signed to a gift card.

Student Directory: This committee is responsible for generating advertising income, researching printing companies, gathering and publishing class lists, staff and PTO information into a hardcopy directory. Permission to publish student family names, phone numbers and/or addresses is needed prior to going to print. Directory is distributed no later than the last week in Sept.

Teacher Conference Meals (Fall/Spring): This committee is responsible for the organization and delivery of dinners for Black Elk staff during Parent/Teacher Conferences, which are held usually in the months of October and February. Local businesses are contacted for donations of food for 2 conference meals in October and 2 meals in February.

Yearbook: This committee is responsible for collecting pictures and overall production for the Black Elk annual yearbook. In the fall, the yearbook vendor is selected. Work begins at the start of the school year to ensure photos are being taken at all major school functions and of school committees and club/organizations. Mid-year, the committee begins the design/layout process of the book, for submission to the vendor in early spring. Yearbooks are ready in May.

Welcome: This committee works with Mrs. Wilder, the school guidance counselor, gathering information from Paybac partners and PTO activities for welcome bags for new students. The committee also organizes kindergarten gift bags that includes information on PTO activities. (August, Open House)