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Falmouth Elementary PTO: Funding  

Fundraisers Enrichment Principals' Funds Staff Stipends Events

Fundraisers

 

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Enrichment

en.rich.ment (noun) - improving of somebody or something

Enrichment programs enhance the school curriculum and the learning experiences of our children.  Each year the teaching staff selects programs such as trips to Maine Audubon at Gilsland Farms for nature exploration, hands-on instruction by visiting artists, interactive theater performances and visits from authors and storytellers.  These programs are funded with the money raised by your support of the PTO. 

Enrichment Programs for 2007-08 included the following:

Kindergarten:  
October Chewonki - Owls of Maine: introduction to the owls native to Maine and New England using slides and live owls
January Audubon: field trip to study snow science
June Audubon: field trip to study pond life
Grade 1:  
May Chewonki - Fur, Feathers & Feet: teaches the differences and similarities between birds and mammals through hands-on activities
May

 
June Gray Animal Farm: field trip to observe animals native to Maine
   
Grade 2:  
February Northern Stars Planetarium
May Fort Western: field trip to 18th century America, with hands-on activities that show how people lived from day to day
   
Grade 3:  
November  
March  
April  
   
Grade 4:  
November  
March    
April  

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Principals' Funds

Beginning with school year 2006-07, the Elementary School PTO has changed the way it processes special funding requests from the school.  In the past school staff with a funding need would complete a mini-grant application before the fall deadline. The Elementary School principals would then review these requests before they were submitted to the PTO for funding consideration.  The PTO would meet in the late fall to approve applications based upon funds available and value to the student body, and checks would be issued accordingly.

These mini-grants have now been replaced by the Principals' Funds.  The amount allocated to these Funds remains unchanged as a percentage of the total PTO budget, only the process by which these funds are distributed has changed.  Specifically, the application deadline has been removed and the PTO no longer approves these requests.  It is now at the discretion of the Elementary School Principals to approve and issue this funding throughout the school year.  In addition to streamlining the process, this allows timing flexibility so that needs arising later in the school year can be considered for funding.

Here's a listing of requests approved for the 2005-06 school year:

  • Digital cameras and training for all Lunt teachers
  • Literacy manipulatives, activities and games to share between all first grade classrooms
  • Two complete and one partial listening centers (stereo/headphones) for two second grade classrooms and the special education room
  • A selection of texts and videos from the autism collection of Resources for Assessment, Treatment, Education and Parenting
  • Fifty permabound copies of the social studies text Maine: Hello U.S.A. for all fourth graders
  • 200 BARE books, one for each third grade student, to publish their own written work
  • A one-year subscription to Firm, Fair & Consistent, a newsletter sent to all Plummer-Motz parents
  • A recordable CD player and appropriate music CD's to develop a district-wide program encouraging rhythm and movement, motor coordination, sensory integration, focus and on-task behaviors
  • One eMac and one isight camera, for use in two third grade classrooms, enabling students to present a "newscast" of their completed research project. This will be shared with Mrs. Barry's seminar students
  • Kick balls for P.E. classes and playground use

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Staff Stipends

At the beginning of each school year the PTO provides teachers with a stipend check (up to $100) to help defray their out of pocket expenses for classroom supplies. Our school nurses also receive $100 to stock the snack closet for our children. The stipend amounts are approved each year based on the PTO budget and our goal is to maintain this funding level in future years, with incremental increases as warranted. Each teacher also receives a large container of snack food (e.g. pretzels), and a coupon for a refill, to distribute at snack time when students forget to bring their own. Your contributions to our fundraisers make the difference and allow the PTO to continue funding the needs of our teachers and students.

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Events
Ice Cream Social
We kick off the school year with a Welcome Back Ice Cream Social.  This is generally scheduled for the end of the first full week of school.  All Lunt and Plummer-Motz students, families, staff and friends are invited to the playground after school to visit, play and eat ice cream!  Volunteer parents scoop the ice cream and children assemble their own sundaes with a variety of toppings.  All children must be accompanied by and adult.
 
Staff Appreciation Luncheon
During the November and March parent-teacher conferences, the PTO organizes an "on the go" lunch of foods prepared by parent volunteers.  This allows the teachers to grab a quick bite to eat between their busy conference schedules and is a great opportunity for parents to express their thanks to the teachers.
 
Winter Craft Fair
The PTO holds its annual Winter Craft Fair on the first Saturday of December.  This is a fun family and community event where kids make their own crafts to give as gifts or keep for themselves.  The Lunt and Plummer-Motz gyms are lined with tables, each with their own child-friendly craft project and parent volunteers to assist as needed.  Popular crafts in recent years have included festive glass bulbs, photo buttons, gumdrop topiaries, "snowman soup" hot cocoa mix, jewelry and pet treats.
 
Bingo Night
Bingo Night is planned for an evening in late winter.  Its aim is to provide children and their families a fun break from the winter doldrums.
 
Math and Science Nights
To help promote the love of math and science in our children, the PTO hosts a third grade Math Night and a fourth grade Science Night.  The planned activities allow our children to experience how math and science are a part of our world while also having fun. Due to limited capacity, these events typically require pre-registration.

Together, third grade students and their parents enjoy family Math Night through an evening of fun math games and activities.  Under the direction of dedicated teachers and parent volunteers, this night is designed to help children and parents see that math is a language, and that language is a lot of fun.  Parents can further use these activities and ideas at home.

Star gazing has been the topic of choice in recent years for the fourth grade Science Night. Members of the local astronomy club join students and their parents for an enlightening evening of night sky exploration.  High-powered telescopes provide an awesome view of worlds light-years away. 
 
Spring Fair
The Spring Fair is like an end of the school year carnival for the Elementary students and their families.  There's face painting and games galore, with recent favorites including the cake walk, pony rides, balloon bounce and speed pitch.  Another highlight is the art parade by our second graders, led by Lunt art teacher Bonnie Taylor.  And, as with any carnival, you can feast on all the favorites: pizza, hot dogs, popcorn and drinks.  It's a fun time for all and a nice wind-down to the school year.
 
 
Fourth Grade Farewell
The PTO helps to fund the annual farewell to the fourth graders as they leave elementary school and head off to middle school.  The farewell is organized by a volunteer committee of fourth grade parents and usually consists of a morning "field day" of games, crafts, activities and lunch for the students and their teachers.

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