Klager PTO Starts Summer Playdate Initiative to Increase Sense of Community

The primary focus of the PTO board for this year is to build a better sense of community at Klager.  The Klager PTO is reaching out to parents and community members in a number of ways in the upcoming year.  Not unlike other groups/organizations, participation at monthly meetings and finding volunteers for events is a challenge.  The PTO is often faced with begging for volunteers to avoid canceling events due to lack of parent participation.  To avoid the problem, this year the new PTO board is on a mission to change the atmosphere at the Klager PTO.

This summer for the first time ever, the PTO board has organized a series of summer play dates.  All elementary-aged kids are welcome to attend.  The purpose is for students to see their old classmates, meet new friends, and just enjoy themselves at the park.  It’s a time for the parents to come together on a social level as well, possibly reaching out beyond their usual crowd and meet other parents.  Snacks and water is provided by the PTO and of course, board members will be present if you have any questions or concerns to discuss.

• Saturday, July 19 at Chi-Bro Park from 2-4pm
• Sunday, August 3 at Carr Park from 2-4pm
• Sunday, August 17 at Chi-Bro Park from 2-4pm

Another way the PTO is trying to connect with Parents and the community this summer is by having a booth at the Manchester Street Festival. The booth will be in the Festival Marketplace and they will have the newly designed Klager t-shirts for purchase.

New this school year, the PTO is organizing a number of breakfasts.  One breakfast, commonly known as the “Yahoo-Boohoo” breakfast, is for all parents of kindergartners and will be held in the Klager cafeteria on the morning of the first day of school, Tuesday, September 2 from 7:45am – 8:10am.  Whether you are elated (Yahoo!) or deflated (Boohoo!) that your child is starting school, parents of kindergartners are invited to join PTO Board members, other parents, and their kindergartners for juice, bagels, fruit, socializing, or tissues (if needed).  In addition to the Yahoo-Boohoo breakfast, there are three all-school breakfasts planned during the year, once each trimester.  Specific dates have not been set at this time.

Another new thing The PTO Board is thinking of trying this year is to start a series of after school classes led by parent volunteers.   Details are not complete, but the board is in discussions with Jennifer Mayes, Klager Principal, and Kelly Ball, Director of Community Education, with the goal of enriching the experience of Klager students. The PTO is searching for volunteers who would be willing to spend an hour or two to teach students about their own special skills or interests.  So, whether your specialty is botany, card games, chess, drama, gardening, knitting, science, or yoga, if you’re willing to share your knowledge, the PTO would love to hear from you.  Contact the PTO here if you are interested in volunteering.  Volunteers do not have to be Klager parents, but would need to have ICHAT clearance.

Of course, in order to provide all of the fun activities for Klager students, there has to be some fundraising. Klager has chosen a “Fun Run” as the annual fundraiser.  PTO president Kathy Austin says “This is, honestly, the easiest fundraiser to have”.   This year’s Fun Run will also introduce a new school mascot!  The PTO has adopted a new Dalmatian mascot that will serve as the Fun Run icon as well as be present at other Klager events.  The PTO is looking for a  name for the mascot and you can share your suggestion by going to the survey link is here.

The Klager PTO is an organization designed to work as partners with the administrators, faculty and staff to ensure that Klager Elementary continues to be a great place for our children to grow and learn. Klager PTO meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month during the school year with the exception of December (third Tuesday of the month this year) and you are encouraged to contact any Board member with your comments, questions or concerns.

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by News News