October 2, 2023 • 17 mins
Strong Family & Community Partnerships is one of our district values and there are many examples of this because our community truly embraces this value. One such example is our Parent Teacher Organizations. Today we’re meeting up with Nicole Dengel (Brooklyn Elementary PTO President), Chessie Totaro (Forest Edge PTO President), and Julie Klein (Oregon PTO President - NKE, PVE, RCI), to learn a little bit more about these organizations and how you can get involved.
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SPEAKER1:
Strong family and community partnerships is one of our district values. (00:01):
undefined
And there are many examples of this because our community truly embraces thisvalue.
One such example is our parent teacher organizations.
Today we're meeting up with Nicole Dengel from Brooklyn Elementary PTO.
Jesse Totaro from the Forest Edge PTO, and Julie Klein, the Oregon PTOrepresenting schools Netherwood, Prairie View, and RCI.
(00:29):
All three of our guests are presidents of their respective PTO, and we'remeeting today to learn a little bit more about these organizations and how you
can get involved.
SPEAKER2: Welcome to this episode of Inside the OSD podcast, where it's all about the kids. (00:42):
undefined
Here is your host.
Lifelong educator, and our superintendent, Dr.
Leslie Bergström.
SPEAKER1: Welcome to all of you. (00:56):
undefined
I know our listeners are going to be excited to hear about what's going on withour parent teacher organizations or PTOs.
So let's get started.
We'll begin by having each of you introduce yourself, the PTO you'rerepresenting, and how long you've been a part of the OSD community.
SPEAKER3: My name is Jesse Totaro and I'm representing the Forest Edge Elementary School, which my eldest out of three started in 2020-2021 school year. (01:12):
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SPEAKER4: Nice. Yes. (01:21):
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I'm Nicole Dengel. I'm representing the Brooklyn PTO and my only one is infirst grade, so I've only been involved with PTO for about a year.
Okay.
SPEAKER1: And I'm Julie Klein, representing the Oregon PTO. (01:34):
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Our PTO supports Netherwood Knoll Elementary School, Prairie View ElementarySchool and Rome Corners Intermediate School.
My oldest daughter just started second grade, so I've only been a part of theOSD community for a couple of years.
Oh my goodness. All of you are in the early parts of your children'seducational career.
(01:55):
That's nice.
So I know that you're focused on similar objectives, supporting and enrichingeducational experiences for students, and you all have varying efforts that you
work on in each of your schools.
Everything's a little bit different, but could you explain at a high level thepurpose of a PTO organization and why it's important for these organizations to
be part of the school community?
(02:17):
Now, I know that you all probably have a slightly different answer, but whowould like to start?
SPEAKER5: So go (02:23):
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SPEAKER1: right ahead. (02:24):
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SPEAKER4: I think the PTO is really important because it's a way for teachers and parents to really work together to enrich our kids' educations and (02:26):
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really benefit the school communities.
We can all do our own part, but when we combine together, we have a muchgreater impact.
So that's why I think the PTO is really important because everyone has a way tokind of find their niche and contribute in their own special way.
SPEAKER1: Oh, that's nice. (02:52):
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Right. Everybody brings something different.
SPEAKER3: So and I'll just add on to that because I think that's perfect. (02:55):
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I think the main thing to your point is the partnership between the teachers and parents.
And you know, a lot of times you get to know the teacher that your child has orthe students in your child's class.
But this gives you a much broader perspective and ability to have an impact onthe school and a broader sense.
And so I think that's a big part of the PTO overall.
(03:15):
Thank you.
SPEAKER1: Yeah, I'll just chime in and say that our PTO tries to support our three schools in several different ways. (03:16):
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You know, providing volunteers which are critical at different points duringthe school year for all of the teachers and all of the staff.
We try to find a way to treat the teachers, you know, put a little smile ontheir face during teacher appreciation.
(03:38):
They really do love that.
And the conference nights, I mean, organizations do great things for them onconferences.
Yes. You know, the staff have been at school likely since early in the morningand they're there for the entire school day and then they're staying late.
So any way we can just put a little extra smile on their face.
And then, you know, for our organization, we really strive to raise funds forthe schools themselves and for the individual staff members to buy things that
(04:04):
their classroom needs. So as you said, you know, we're all in it together,however we can help and make things better.
That's true.
SPEAKER3: Can I add one more thing? Please do. (04:10):
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Because I think that made me think of something with Forest Edge being a newerschool.
I think in addition to what you mentioned, creating that community and likeestablishing the community across families through events or through activities
that we do is in addition to kind of like the teachers and the individualstaff.
SPEAKER1: For sure, bringing people together. (04:27):
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SPEAKER3: In the community. (04:29):
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SPEAKER1: Yes. Because everybody cares about their student's education. (04:29):
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Right? So bringing people together on something that is uniting.
Yeah. Has a lot of power.
So you all serve in the role of president for your organization.
So what's your what was your path to this role?
I want to start with you, Julie. Yeah, I'd be happy to.
My oldest daughter started kindergarten.
(04:50):
I was looking for ways to get involved to kind of give back.
I'm currently a stay at home mom, so I have a little more flexibility in my daythan some of my counterparts who are in the office all day.
So I started as the vice president of the organization her kindergarten year.
Talk about a jump right in.
Wow. So one year is vice president.
Then I transitioned to president last year and now I'm just starting my secondterm as president this year.
(05:14):
Wow. Thank you.
SPEAKER3: Yeah. Yeah. (05:15):
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SPEAKER4: So I started out just as a member when my son started kindergarten and and when they had a need to help make (05:18):
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lunches for teacher conferences, I was like, "Hey, I have some flexibility withwork.
I'm going to jump in and get my hands dirty, literally, and just kept findingways to be involved." So by March, a couple people were like, "Our
(05:42):
president is stepping down.
You should think about it." And I'm like, "I keep saying, I'm not going to takeon like yet another.
.." Yes, trying to draw a boundary.
But, you know, it's just it's such a good group of people to work with andseeing like really tangible results of the things we do.
I couldn't say no.
So that's wonderful.
(06:04):
So, yeah, I caved into some positive team pressure and said I would do it.
And so now I'm now you're it.
Now I'm the Brooklyn president.
SPEAKER3: Awesome. With Lucas or my child starting kindergarten during Covid year, it was -- I started going to meetings as a way just to connect and be more aware (06:16):
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and then similar.
You know, you offer one thing, you kind of -- you kind of get the ball rolling.
So I then joined on as the fundraising chair two years ago for the last twoyears and then with the president, former president moving on to do other things
(06:40):
similar, similar positive pressure to kind of join in.
And I've enjoyed it thoroughly.
So also great group of people and I was happy to take on kind of a expandedrole in the PTO.
SPEAKER1: Well, it's nice because it's obviously a great way to do good things for -- for your own children, but for more than that, right? (06:51):
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For a whole community?
But it's also a nice way to make friends.
Yes. You know, to meet people who care about things that you care about.
SPEAKER3: Exactly. And it's a great way to to learn about things going on at the school and thing-- I've learned so much through being participating through the PTO (07:06):
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that I would probably never have been aware of or had to really seek out.
So I think there's a lot of selfish benefits for the parents as well, that itjust -- it connects you to the school and what's all going on.
So.
SPEAKER1: Well, that's that's a very good point. (07:25):
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And usually the principals attend or if not a principal, there's a staff memberthere at all of your meetings, right?
So that if you have questions, there's always somebody there to to answer them.
That's really nice.
So PTOs are a volunteer organization and we we all know that leading that takesa lot of time and a lot of dedication.
(07:47):
So what is it that makes you want to spend your free time volunteering thisway?
And we got into that a little bit, but what would you like to add?
SPEAKER3: I can go this way. I think that having the connection and spending the time on something that obviously our children are probably the highest priority in our (07:55):
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lives. So having something that I can spend time on that benefits them andmyself and kind of allows us to connect a lot of activities kids and parents get
to go to. So I just think that for me, meeting the people, getting theinformation and putting my time towards something I feel good about is has been
(08:21):
worth it for me.
SPEAKER6: So yeah, I (08:22):
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SPEAKER4: definitely agree with that. (08:24):
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I wanted to be able to meet kind of like minded parents.
And one of the greatest benefits I get from it is actually being able to seethe impacts on the local community.
Yeah. Brooklyn PTO helped sponsor Opera for the Young last school year andhearing how many of the kids loved
(08:45):
it. Yes. And my son was talking about it for a month.
And then when I told him like the PTO worked on it, he's like, "Mom, youbrought the opera to school?" Yeah.
SPEAKER7: Sure, I'll take credit for it. (08:56):
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SPEAKER4: So just really seeing like the students and the teachers enjoying like the end result of all the work really makes it worthwhile for me. (08:59):
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Yeah, that's great.
SPEAKER1: Yeah, I'll kind of echo everyone's sentiments. (09:10):
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Jesse said it best. You know, you are selfishly trying to do what's best foryour own children, and that's just, you know, as a volunteer on a field trip or
whatever that is.
And then you can see the impact of your participation and you get to know yourchildren's friends and your children's teachers sort of in a way that you might
(09:32):
not otherwise.
You know, my husband and I built our house for the school district.
You know, we intentionally chose to live in Oregon because we knew the schoolswere so amazing.
And so spending my free time on something that I believe in so strongly, itdoes take a lot of time.
Absolutely. But it's -- it's time well spent.
Yeah. Thank you.
(09:52):
That was that was really nice to hear because I understand how much time ittakes.
So I'm glad.
It just it's really nice to hear this from you.
So what kinds of volunteer opportunities are available for those who arelistening and might want to get involved just like you did?
SPEAKER4: So one of my big goals as president this year is to really find a lot of different ways that people can contribute. (10:08):
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Because whenever I start talking about to my friends about PTO, like, "Hey,come on, like you should do this," I hear, "Oh, I don't want to commit and then
not be able to fulfill it." So I really started thinking about it is a hugetime commitment, going to a meeting every month, running a project, being
(10:34):
an officer.
But we're trying to really break down kind of like small bites of ways thatpeople can contribute.
So volunteering to run or assist with a single fundraiser instead of committingto the fundraising committee and doing every meeting,
we're looking at redesigning our website so people who have skill in that wouldbe able to contribute.
(10:56):
If someone's great at social media, they could join our social media team.
They could choose to coordinate a single project or even if the way people feelthey can best contribute is like donating to the teacher meals.
We love that because when we can do different meal themed meals for ourteachers, they really enjoy it.
(11:17):
Like we had mock margaritas for Teacher Appreciation Week last year because itwas on Cinco de Mayo.
So even like donating some juice or some tortillas or things like that, there'slots of little ways to get involved without committing to
every PTO meeting and every fundraiser and everything like that.
SPEAKER1: Thank you for thinking about access points because not everybody is ready to jump right in the way all three of you did becoming presidents in a couple of (11:37):
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years.
SPEAKER3: No, I would just completely echo. (11:45):
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I mean, I think that there's -- that's a focus on ours because everyone'sscared to sign up for and be like stuck in something.
But I think I'm just going to echo it and say in a different way.
I mean, there's you can participate in fundraisers that are going on.
Last night we had a dine out.
I know other schools do.
I mean, it's as simple as going to eat somewhere and and that's so easy.
And to your point, otherwise contributing items, coming to the meetings andreally getting involved in the committees and chairs is is in one extreme for
(12:13):
sure. But there's so many little ways.
And I just want to emphasize that even just being aware of what's going on andfiguring out what's important to you and putting a little bit of time to.
It's those items that that really hit you.
Is is enough to start.
It doesn't have to be this huge thing.
Yeah.
SPEAKER1: Yeah, absolutely. The only thing I'll add is that we also will try to recruit volunteers for specific events at the schools. (12:30):
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So last fall, Netherwood did a back to school night and the principal reachedout and said, "Could you help recruit eight volunteers?" So it wasn't something
specific for our PTO, but we were helping run back to school night on behalf ofthe teachers and staff at Netherwood.
(12:54):
So there are certainly fundraisers and fun runs and little projects here andthere that are PTO specific.
There are also ways to be directly at your child's school helping with this,helping with that, back to school nights, those kinds of things that are a great
way to meet teachers and staff and connect with families in a different way.
SPEAKER3: I'm just going to pull it all together. (13:14):
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I just want to emphasize, to not be scared to like dip your toe in.
You will not be sucked in.
You will not be forced to sign up for a million things.
But I would just say that everyone I have met and why I'm the president now hasbeen very welcoming, very gracious and and very understanding that everyone has
a lot of a lot going on.
So we're just looking for as much as people want to do or as little as peoplewant to do.
SPEAKER1: Thank you. And I also think sometimes the first step is just getting people comfortable coming into the building, because not every family has experiences (13:39):
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in their background that makes school a comfortable place for them.
So when you're doing the many things that you do that invite participation,oftentimes that's the very first step.
And then when they feel they've had a good experience and they've been warmlywelcomed, they might be willing to take the next step.
(14:02):
So thank you very much for that.
And then any specific steps you recommend for those who want to learn moreabout PTOs?
SPEAKER3: I'll start because I'm a strong one. (14:12):
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I think just following on social or signing up for the newsletter, just to beaware, you literally have to do nothing but just if you're aware and then kind
of allows you to get more familiar.
I think that's the first step.
And specific to Forest Edge, we because of what we're just talking about, westarted doing quarterly meet ups that aren't no agendas, no topics as a way kind
(14:34):
of to your point of like just trying to get if someone's a little bitinterested, just come see what it's about.
No pressure. So I would say definitely sign up, follow on Instagram andFacebook.
Any of the PTOs is a perfect way to start and then you can figure out a littleway to see what you're interested in.
So I think I'm going to
SPEAKER4: have to steal that "No agenda quarterly" (14:51):
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SPEAKER7: That's a (14:54):
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SPEAKER1: nice one! (14:54):
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SPEAKER4: So for Brooklyn, you can follow us on Facebook, you can email PTOpresident@Brooklynpto.com. (14:56):
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You can go to our website Brooklynpto.com.
I am almost always around school.
You will know me by all the kids yelling "Hi Finn's mom" at
SPEAKER7: me. (15:14):
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SPEAKER4: And then you can always join us at school for our meetings in person. (15:15):
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We're back from remote the third Monday of every month at Brooklyn ElementarySchool Cafeteria.
SPEAKER3: Sorry, I'm just going to go back. (15:27):
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We're also the third Monday of every month before, so.
Okay, perfect. Okay, sorry.
No problem.
SPEAKER1: I think we probably all have exactly the same things to say. (15:33):
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I said a very easy step would be to follow us on social media.
That's where the most up to date information.
We're on Facebook as the Oregon parent teacher organization and new toInstagram @OregonPTO by visiting our website
OregonPTO.Org.
(15:55):
You can subscribe to emails and find out our meeting schedule.
We have opted sort of for a hybrid meeting option.
The bulk of us will attend in person in the Netherwood library, but we alsohave a virtual option via Google meet for anyone who wants to join in remotely.
We found for our principals who have so many meetings and really need time athome with their families, they will often connect remotely from home.
(16:20):
Okay, so that it's not just one more trip back to school, one more eveningcommitment for them.
And then certainly we've had parents connect in that way too.
It's just sometimes easier with spouses traveling or work schedules or whatnot.
Yeah, that's a nice accommodation for people.
Thank you. Yeah. So thank you all for your service and your efforts for ourstudents, our schools, our staff.
(16:42):
It's very appreciated.
Remember that you can find links to all episodes of Inside the OSD and submittopic ideas on our website at
OregonSD.Org/Podcast. You can find this podcast anywhere you can find podcasts.
Make sure to subscribe if you're listening on one of these apps to getnotifications on the most recent episodes.
(17:06):
We'll see you next time on Inside the OSD, where it's all about the kids.
undefined
And there are many examples of this because our community truly embraces thisvalue.
One such example is our parent teacher organizations.
Today we're meeting up with Nicole Dengel from Brooklyn Elementary PTO.
Jesse Totaro from the Forest Edge PTO, and Julie Klein, the Oregon PTOrepresenting schools Netherwood, Prairie View, and RCI.
(00:29):
All three of our guests are presidents of their respective PTO, and we'remeeting today to learn a little bit more about these organizations and how you
can get involved.
SPEAKER2: Welcome to this episode of Inside the OSD podcast, where it's all about the kids. (00:42):
undefined
Here is your host.
Lifelong educator, and our superintendent, Dr.
Leslie Bergström.
SPEAKER1: Welcome to all of you. (00:56):
undefined
I know our listeners are going to be excited to hear about what's going on withour parent teacher organizations or PTOs.
So let's get started.
We'll begin by having each of you introduce yourself, the PTO you'rerepresenting, and how long you've been a part of the OSD community.
SPEAKER3: My name is Jesse Totaro and I'm representing the Forest Edge Elementary School, which my eldest out of three started in 2020-2021 school year. (01:12):
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SPEAKER4: Nice. Yes. (01:21):
undefined
I'm Nicole Dengel. I'm representing the Brooklyn PTO and my only one is infirst grade, so I've only been involved with PTO for about a year.
Okay.
SPEAKER1: And I'm Julie Klein, representing the Oregon PTO. (01:34):
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Our PTO supports Netherwood Knoll Elementary School, Prairie View ElementarySchool and Rome Corners Intermediate School.
My oldest daughter just started second grade, so I've only been a part of theOSD community for a couple of years.
Oh my goodness. All of you are in the early parts of your children'seducational career.
(01:55):
That's nice.
So I know that you're focused on similar objectives, supporting and enrichingeducational experiences for students, and you all have varying efforts that you
work on in each of your schools.
Everything's a little bit different, but could you explain at a high level thepurpose of a PTO organization and why it's important for these organizations to
be part of the school community?
(02:17):
Now, I know that you all probably have a slightly different answer, but whowould like to start?
SPEAKER5: So go (02:23):
undefined
SPEAKER1: right ahead. (02:24):
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SPEAKER4: I think the PTO is really important because it's a way for teachers and parents to really work together to enrich our kids' educations and (02:26):
undefined
really benefit the school communities.
We can all do our own part, but when we combine together, we have a muchgreater impact.
So that's why I think the PTO is really important because everyone has a way tokind of find their niche and contribute in their own special way.
SPEAKER1: Oh, that's nice. (02:52):
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Right. Everybody brings something different.
SPEAKER3: So and I'll just add on to that because I think that's perfect. (02:55):
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I think the main thing to your point is the partnership between the teachers and parents.
And you know, a lot of times you get to know the teacher that your child has orthe students in your child's class.
But this gives you a much broader perspective and ability to have an impact onthe school and a broader sense.
And so I think that's a big part of the PTO overall.
(03:15):
Thank you.
SPEAKER1: Yeah, I'll just chime in and say that our PTO tries to support our three schools in several different ways. (03:16):
undefined
You know, providing volunteers which are critical at different points duringthe school year for all of the teachers and all of the staff.
We try to find a way to treat the teachers, you know, put a little smile ontheir face during teacher appreciation.
(03:38):
They really do love that.
And the conference nights, I mean, organizations do great things for them onconferences.
Yes. You know, the staff have been at school likely since early in the morningand they're there for the entire school day and then they're staying late.
So any way we can just put a little extra smile on their face.
And then, you know, for our organization, we really strive to raise funds forthe schools themselves and for the individual staff members to buy things that
(04:04):
their classroom needs. So as you said, you know, we're all in it together,however we can help and make things better.
That's true.
SPEAKER3: Can I add one more thing? Please do. (04:10):
undefined
Because I think that made me think of something with Forest Edge being a newerschool.
I think in addition to what you mentioned, creating that community and likeestablishing the community across families through events or through activities
that we do is in addition to kind of like the teachers and the individualstaff.
SPEAKER1: For sure, bringing people together. (04:27):
undefined
SPEAKER3: In the community. (04:29):
undefined
SPEAKER1: Yes. Because everybody cares about their student's education. (04:29):
undefined
Right? So bringing people together on something that is uniting.
Yeah. Has a lot of power.
So you all serve in the role of president for your organization.
So what's your what was your path to this role?
I want to start with you, Julie. Yeah, I'd be happy to.
My oldest daughter started kindergarten.
(04:50):
I was looking for ways to get involved to kind of give back.
I'm currently a stay at home mom, so I have a little more flexibility in my daythan some of my counterparts who are in the office all day.
So I started as the vice president of the organization her kindergarten year.
Talk about a jump right in.
Wow. So one year is vice president.
Then I transitioned to president last year and now I'm just starting my secondterm as president this year.
(05:14):
Wow. Thank you.
SPEAKER3: Yeah. Yeah. (05:15):
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SPEAKER4: So I started out just as a member when my son started kindergarten and and when they had a need to help make (05:18):
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lunches for teacher conferences, I was like, "Hey, I have some flexibility withwork.
I'm going to jump in and get my hands dirty, literally, and just kept findingways to be involved." So by March, a couple people were like, "Our
(05:42):
president is stepping down.
You should think about it." And I'm like, "I keep saying, I'm not going to takeon like yet another.
.." Yes, trying to draw a boundary.
But, you know, it's just it's such a good group of people to work with andseeing like really tangible results of the things we do.
I couldn't say no.
So that's wonderful.
(06:04):
So, yeah, I caved into some positive team pressure and said I would do it.
And so now I'm now you're it.
Now I'm the Brooklyn president.
SPEAKER3: Awesome. With Lucas or my child starting kindergarten during Covid year, it was -- I started going to meetings as a way just to connect and be more aware (06:16):
undefined
and then similar.
You know, you offer one thing, you kind of -- you kind of get the ball rolling.
So I then joined on as the fundraising chair two years ago for the last twoyears and then with the president, former president moving on to do other things
(06:40):
similar, similar positive pressure to kind of join in.
And I've enjoyed it thoroughly.
So also great group of people and I was happy to take on kind of a expandedrole in the PTO.
SPEAKER1: Well, it's nice because it's obviously a great way to do good things for -- for your own children, but for more than that, right? (06:51):
undefined
For a whole community?
But it's also a nice way to make friends.
Yes. You know, to meet people who care about things that you care about.
SPEAKER3: Exactly. And it's a great way to to learn about things going on at the school and thing-- I've learned so much through being participating through the PTO (07:06):
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that I would probably never have been aware of or had to really seek out.
So I think there's a lot of selfish benefits for the parents as well, that itjust -- it connects you to the school and what's all going on.
So.
SPEAKER1: Well, that's that's a very good point. (07:25):
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And usually the principals attend or if not a principal, there's a staff memberthere at all of your meetings, right?
So that if you have questions, there's always somebody there to to answer them.
That's really nice.
So PTOs are a volunteer organization and we we all know that leading that takesa lot of time and a lot of dedication.
(07:47):
So what is it that makes you want to spend your free time volunteering thisway?
And we got into that a little bit, but what would you like to add?
SPEAKER3: I can go this way. I think that having the connection and spending the time on something that obviously our children are probably the highest priority in our (07:55):
undefined
lives. So having something that I can spend time on that benefits them andmyself and kind of allows us to connect a lot of activities kids and parents get
to go to. So I just think that for me, meeting the people, getting theinformation and putting my time towards something I feel good about is has been
(08:21):
worth it for me.
SPEAKER6: So yeah, I (08:22):
undefined
SPEAKER4: definitely agree with that. (08:24):
undefined
I wanted to be able to meet kind of like minded parents.
And one of the greatest benefits I get from it is actually being able to seethe impacts on the local community.
Yeah. Brooklyn PTO helped sponsor Opera for the Young last school year andhearing how many of the kids loved
(08:45):
it. Yes. And my son was talking about it for a month.
And then when I told him like the PTO worked on it, he's like, "Mom, youbrought the opera to school?" Yeah.
SPEAKER7: Sure, I'll take credit for it. (08:56):
undefined
SPEAKER4: So just really seeing like the students and the teachers enjoying like the end result of all the work really makes it worthwhile for me. (08:59):
undefined
Yeah, that's great.
SPEAKER1: Yeah, I'll kind of echo everyone's sentiments. (09:10):
undefined
Jesse said it best. You know, you are selfishly trying to do what's best foryour own children, and that's just, you know, as a volunteer on a field trip or
whatever that is.
And then you can see the impact of your participation and you get to know yourchildren's friends and your children's teachers sort of in a way that you might
(09:32):
not otherwise.
You know, my husband and I built our house for the school district.
You know, we intentionally chose to live in Oregon because we knew the schoolswere so amazing.
And so spending my free time on something that I believe in so strongly, itdoes take a lot of time.
Absolutely. But it's -- it's time well spent.
Yeah. Thank you.
(09:52):
That was that was really nice to hear because I understand how much time ittakes.
So I'm glad.
It just it's really nice to hear this from you.
So what kinds of volunteer opportunities are available for those who arelistening and might want to get involved just like you did?
SPEAKER4: So one of my big goals as president this year is to really find a lot of different ways that people can contribute. (10:08):
undefined
Because whenever I start talking about to my friends about PTO, like, "Hey,come on, like you should do this," I hear, "Oh, I don't want to commit and then
not be able to fulfill it." So I really started thinking about it is a hugetime commitment, going to a meeting every month, running a project, being
(10:34):
an officer.
But we're trying to really break down kind of like small bites of ways thatpeople can contribute.
So volunteering to run or assist with a single fundraiser instead of committingto the fundraising committee and doing every meeting,
we're looking at redesigning our website so people who have skill in that wouldbe able to contribute.
(10:56):
If someone's great at social media, they could join our social media team.
They could choose to coordinate a single project or even if the way people feelthey can best contribute is like donating to the teacher meals.
We love that because when we can do different meal themed meals for ourteachers, they really enjoy it.
(11:17):
Like we had mock margaritas for Teacher Appreciation Week last year because itwas on Cinco de Mayo.
So even like donating some juice or some tortillas or things like that, there'slots of little ways to get involved without committing to
every PTO meeting and every fundraiser and everything like that.
SPEAKER1: Thank you for thinking about access points because not everybody is ready to jump right in the way all three of you did becoming presidents in a couple of (11:37):
undefined
years.
SPEAKER3: No, I would just completely echo. (11:45):
undefined
I mean, I think that there's -- that's a focus on ours because everyone'sscared to sign up for and be like stuck in something.
But I think I'm just going to echo it and say in a different way.
I mean, there's you can participate in fundraisers that are going on.
Last night we had a dine out.
I know other schools do.
I mean, it's as simple as going to eat somewhere and and that's so easy.
And to your point, otherwise contributing items, coming to the meetings andreally getting involved in the committees and chairs is is in one extreme for
(12:13):
sure. But there's so many little ways.
And I just want to emphasize that even just being aware of what's going on andfiguring out what's important to you and putting a little bit of time to.
It's those items that that really hit you.
Is is enough to start.
It doesn't have to be this huge thing.
Yeah.
SPEAKER1: Yeah, absolutely. The only thing I'll add is that we also will try to recruit volunteers for specific events at the schools. (12:30):
undefined
So last fall, Netherwood did a back to school night and the principal reachedout and said, "Could you help recruit eight volunteers?" So it wasn't something
specific for our PTO, but we were helping run back to school night on behalf ofthe teachers and staff at Netherwood.
(12:54):
So there are certainly fundraisers and fun runs and little projects here andthere that are PTO specific.
There are also ways to be directly at your child's school helping with this,helping with that, back to school nights, those kinds of things that are a great
way to meet teachers and staff and connect with families in a different way.
SPEAKER3: I'm just going to pull it all together. (13:14):
undefined
I just want to emphasize, to not be scared to like dip your toe in.
You will not be sucked in.
You will not be forced to sign up for a million things.
But I would just say that everyone I have met and why I'm the president now hasbeen very welcoming, very gracious and and very understanding that everyone has
a lot of a lot going on.
So we're just looking for as much as people want to do or as little as peoplewant to do.
SPEAKER1: Thank you. And I also think sometimes the first step is just getting people comfortable coming into the building, because not every family has experiences (13:39):
undefined
in their background that makes school a comfortable place for them.
So when you're doing the many things that you do that invite participation,oftentimes that's the very first step.
And then when they feel they've had a good experience and they've been warmlywelcomed, they might be willing to take the next step.
(14:02):
So thank you very much for that.
And then any specific steps you recommend for those who want to learn moreabout PTOs?
SPEAKER3: I'll start because I'm a strong one. (14:12):
undefined
I think just following on social or signing up for the newsletter, just to beaware, you literally have to do nothing but just if you're aware and then kind
of allows you to get more familiar.
I think that's the first step.
And specific to Forest Edge, we because of what we're just talking about, westarted doing quarterly meet ups that aren't no agendas, no topics as a way kind
(14:34):
of to your point of like just trying to get if someone's a little bitinterested, just come see what it's about.
No pressure. So I would say definitely sign up, follow on Instagram andFacebook.
Any of the PTOs is a perfect way to start and then you can figure out a littleway to see what you're interested in.
So I think I'm going to
SPEAKER4: have to steal that "No agenda quarterly" (14:51):
undefined
SPEAKER7: That's a (14:54):
undefined
SPEAKER1: nice one! (14:54):
undefined
SPEAKER4: So for Brooklyn, you can follow us on Facebook, you can email PTOpresident@Brooklynpto.com. (14:56):
undefined
You can go to our website Brooklynpto.com.
I am almost always around school.
You will know me by all the kids yelling "Hi Finn's mom" at
SPEAKER7: me. (15:14):
undefined
SPEAKER4: And then you can always join us at school for our meetings in person. (15:15):
undefined
We're back from remote the third Monday of every month at Brooklyn ElementarySchool Cafeteria.
SPEAKER3: Sorry, I'm just going to go back. (15:27):
undefined
We're also the third Monday of every month before, so.
Okay, perfect. Okay, sorry.
No problem.
SPEAKER1: I think we probably all have exactly the same things to say. (15:33):
undefined
I said a very easy step would be to follow us on social media.
That's where the most up to date information.
We're on Facebook as the Oregon parent teacher organization and new toInstagram @OregonPTO by visiting our website
OregonPTO.Org.
(15:55):
You can subscribe to emails and find out our meeting schedule.
We have opted sort of for a hybrid meeting option.
The bulk of us will attend in person in the Netherwood library, but we alsohave a virtual option via Google meet for anyone who wants to join in remotely.
We found for our principals who have so many meetings and really need time athome with their families, they will often connect remotely from home.
(16:20):
Okay, so that it's not just one more trip back to school, one more eveningcommitment for them.
And then certainly we've had parents connect in that way too.
It's just sometimes easier with spouses traveling or work schedules or whatnot.
Yeah, that's a nice accommodation for people.
Thank you. Yeah. So thank you all for your service and your efforts for ourstudents, our schools, our staff.
(16:42):
It's very appreciated.
Remember that you can find links to all episodes of Inside the OSD and submittopic ideas on our website at
OregonSD.Org/Podcast. You can find this podcast anywhere you can find podcasts.
Make sure to subscribe if you're listening on one of these apps to getnotifications on the most recent episodes.
(17:06):
We'll see you next time on Inside the OSD, where it's all about the kids.
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