EDMOND — Whether large or small, Parent Teacher Organizations put the needs of the district’s children first.
Washington Irving Elementary’s PTO President Brenda Landwehr is representative of many PTO leaders.
Busy raising three children with her husband, Hans, Brenda Landwehr finds time to lead of group of 450 dues-paying volunteers to help the school wherever needed.
Tracy Nester and her husband, Bill, have two children attending Northern Hills Elementary. Tracy Nester is a working mother who practices law and leads one of the largest PTOs in the district with 700 members.
Instead of raising money for one item as was the case of Parent Teacher Associations of old, the goals set by today’s involved parents go in many directions as they watch over the needs of the students in the Edmond School District.
Landwehr and Nester both agreed they want to encourage parental involvement and support their teachers in any way they can.
“The members of our PTO are pretty fabulous, actually, they are wonderful,” said Northern Hills Elementary School Principal Nellie Sizemore.
“The district has been great l as far as providing our technology needs, but because of our PTO we have two computer labs instead of one. Our PTO has graciously provided the computers for the second lab.”
Technology has made Landwehr’s job much easier than it was in the past.
“We subscribed to a computer program last year, and if I need sponsors for a third-grade activity I can just type in third-grade parents and they get the message immediately,” Landwehr said. “If we need help with the flower beds I can send an e-mail to everyone who signed up at the first of the year with that interest.”
Along with giving their teachers grant money at the beginning of the year to use in their classrooms, Northern Hills, along with other PTOs in the district, gave Centennial Elementary seed money for its teachers to buy supplies.
Helping with flower beds and playgrounds around the school are only two of a litany of activities the organizations sponsor.
“Our first activity this year was a Back to School picnic,” Landwehr said. “We usually try to plan three to four family events throughout the year.”
Last week, the PTO raised $12,000 through donations at a Walk-a-Thon, putting them well on the way toward the $40,000 they anticipate will be needed for this year’s activities.
“We are trying to get away from fundraisers, although we will be selling wrapping paper as it gets closer to the holidays.”
At both schools, students are introduced to the arts due to the generosity of the PTOs.
Starting in November students will “Meet the Masters” in their classrooms.
“Since no art classes are offered until the fifth-grade, five times a year parent volunteers come into the classrooms and teach the students about some area of art,” Landwehr said.
Jana Filson, Sequoyah Middle School SPO president, works with 39 members on the SPO Board to meet the needs of the more than 900 students at Sequoyah.
“I am amazed at the generosity the parents are willing to give,” Filson said. “I think we are so lucky. The students see a good example set by their parents, and I think the example they see follows them to high school as they raise money for others during their fund-raising weeks.”
All three ladies agree it is the volunteers behind them that makes their organizations run smoothly and provide manpower for their activities.
“None of this could be accomplished without the help of the members as well as the committee chairs for each of our activities,” Landwehr said.
Principal Sizemore said the parents organize themselves around the school, become fast friends and provide a support group for each other.
“We couldn’t do nearly what we do for our children without them,” she said.
pmiller@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 171
Education
Related Photos
-
SARAH PHIPPS
-
SARAH PHIPPS
-
SARAH PHIPPS
Discussion
It’s not just about bake sales anymore
Edmond PTOs work for children’s, schools’ success
- Education
-
-
Edmond music educators bring home awards
Edmond has long been known for its high scholastic attainments, athletic achievements and an overall well-rounded education.
-
Memorial choir makes impression on principal
For many reasons, our January at school was wrought with emotional twists and turns. Both highs and lows wove throughout the month as we said hello to the promise of a new year and good-bye to the comfortable routines and faces of the past. It seemed to be a time to pull the wagons closer for shelter and consolation.
-
Memorial students get ready for 'Follies'
-
Board candidates discuss philosophies
Edmond Board of Education candidates for Seat No. 2 met in a candidate forum sponsored by West Field Elementary’s Parent Teacher Organization Thursday evening.
-
Edmond resident to lead DC 5th- and 6th-graders
Inspiring and empowering are two key words in the vocabulary of the new intermediate school principal recently hired by the Deer Creek School Board.
-
Edmond schools place in Future Cities
Judge Jim Miller questions Sequoyah Middle School students, from left, June Kim, Noah Frost and Isabella Mullaney, during the Future Cities competition at Oklahoma Christian University Jan. 14.
-
OCA wins academic tournament
The Oklahoma Christian Academy academic team placed first in the area academic tournament Jan. 14. Pictured are members Adam Jacob, junior; Matt Lowe, junior; Kara Drewke, senior; Mason Glidewell, senior; Riley Duckworth, senior; Kyler Hixson, senior; and Chase Yager, junior. Not pictured is Coach Becky Campbell.
-
Chisholm Elementary celebrates tree dedication
-
Sequoyah recognizes students
-
Virtual public school plans Edmond information session
Oklahoma Connections Academy, a K-12 virtual public school, will have free information sessions in Edmond, Norman and Oklahoma City for families interested in learning more about its tuition-free online public school program and customized approach to learning. The school is expanding for the 2012–13 school year and will now offer a comprehensive and rigorous high school program.
- More Education Headlines
-
