THE PARENT (family)-TEACHER ORGANIZATION

1. Group Membership and Participation

All CDL parents/guardians and staff are automatically members of the PTO and are encouraged to participate at some level.

2. Function

The PTO serves as a forum for individuals to become involved in the program and to provide meaningful support to staff, children and families. The PTO plans several events (social and or educational) each year. Some events from past years (for example) include: organizing a staff appreciation luncheon, organizing a center work/cleaning day, organizing volunteers to fix or mend broken toys, inviting a guest speaker to talk on a relevant child development topic, and organizing a potluck dinner or pizza party. Some events are designed to raise funds to support the activities/projects planned by the group. Past fundraising proceeds have been used to purchase such things as: program equipment (e.g., bike helmets, a digital camera, toddler loft) or to pay for special resource people or guest speakers. Examples of fundraisers include a T-shirt sale, raffle, toy sale, cookbook sale, and bake sale. The other function of the PTO is to give input to the program on policies and procedures. This is done twice a year with a formal written evaluation tool and through specially called meetings or forums, as needed.

3. How Does the PTO Work?

1. All staff and families are made aware of the PTO through an announcement in the first fall letter or parent orientation. Information is also included in the Family & Staff Handbooks.
2. The PTO coordinator from the previous year is introduced, or if there is no coordinator identified, then a volunteer is solicited. A parent/guardian must hold this position. The role of PTO coordinator is to facilitate the planning of PTO events for the year. The PTO coordinator may delegate responsibilities to other parents/guardians with approval from the Director. The commitment is for one year.
3. Individuals interested in serving as coordinator contact the Director and submit their name and other information by way of introduction to the other parents/guardians and staff. If more than one person volunteers, the position is shared.
4. With input from other parents/guardians and staff, the PTO coordinator identifies the initial events the group will sponsor for the year. Additional events may be added as people express an interest.
5. The PTO coordinator explains PTO planning events to parents/guardians and staff via a letter, meeting or email.
6. The PTO coordinator or designee puts sign-up sheets for each event.
7. Once each subgroup of volunteers is identified, it is up to those individuals to determine a leader, the timeline, and the specifics of their event. One person in each subgroup is asked to keep minutes of meetings and send them to the director for approval before sending to the family listserv and the groups should also keep the coordinator and director informed of plans.
8. The PTO coordinator is responsible only for initiating the sign- up process and for coordinating/advising each group on how to proceed, not for taking charge of every event.