The PTO provides volunteers and funding for various cultural programs, as well as funding to purchase technology and other items for our schools. The town budget and the tax dollars you pay toward education primarily cover teacher salaries, grounds/building maintenance, utilities, books and some school supplies. Take a look at the list of activities below to see why the PTO is so important and how we spend the money we raise.
PTO Meetings are typically held the second Tuesday or Thursday of each month from September through May (with the exception of December). We know your schedule is busy, so we make every effort to keep our meetings under 1 hour. We also provide childcare for all meetings through the High School Interact Club. You have a say on how we raise money and what we spend that money on so attend a meeting and be an active participant in your child's education!
Meeting notes
About the pto
Who we are and what we do
Memorial School & Center School
East Hampton, CT
The East Hampton Elementary PTO is comprised of parents, teachers and administrators for Memorial School and Center School. The PTO is led by an executive board of elected officers. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that raises funds and provides programs to enrich the student's educational experience at our schools.
Programs We Supported in Past Years
Pre-School
Mini grant for painting with Miss Amy
Kindergarten
Literacy Centers – purchased sight word materials to promote reading for Kindergarten students
Ice Cream Social - Kindergarten students and their families enjoyed a fun ice cream filled evening
Curious Creatures – students were treated to a hands on, interactive animal exhibit which teaches respect and appreciation for exotic and unusual animals
First Grade
Young Audiences – connects students in grades 1 & 2 to specific national core standards and integrates them into arts performance workshops
Bus transportation - to the CT Science Center for grades 1 & 2
Literacy Camp - Students and their families were invited to come to a reading event at the school were books were provided for students to read with their families
Second Grade
Mystic Seaport – the PTO paid a portion of the admission for each student to attend
Book Club – Families were provided with books to read and a night was scheduled for book discussion
Young Audiences – connects students in grades 1 & 2 to specific national core standards and integrates them into arts performance workshops
Third Grade
Anansi Puppet Show – 3rd graders were treated to comical African folktales featuring a dynamic blend of African design, infectious music and fabulous puppetry
Reading Frenzy – Students were challenged to read as many non-fiction books as possible during January and February. Students received raffle tickets for each book they read and prizes were raffled off at the end of the frenzy!
Wolf Program – Visit & Assembly from the NY Wolf Conservation Center to teach the students more about wolves and encourage non-fiction reading
Fourth Grade
Newton in a Nutshell - 4th graders received quality science education and enrichment programs that ignited a child’s natural curiosity about science and helped to build problem-solving skills, self-esteem and the confidence to try something new
Eli Whitney Workshop – Center school students participate in hands on science experiments
Fifth Grade
Reading Initiative – initiative to encourage students to read non-fiction books
Eli Whitney Workshop – Center school students participate in hands on science experiments
Memorial School
Mad Science for SHINE - students who were recognized as Shine–a-riffic attended a Mad Science assembly. Mad Science is a leading science enrichment provider delivering unique, hands-on science experiences for children that are as entertaining as they are educational.
Math Night – a night of fun math learning Shine Treasure Chest – gifts for students presented with SHINE awards
Brain Show – an exciting interactive trivia game show presented to students and their families as a kick off to the CMT’s
Play – “Ramona the Pest” to reward the students for reading the book!
Yearbook – The PTO organizes and puts together the yearbook our Memorial School Students enjoy
Mascot Costume – The PTO purchased the costume for the new Cheetah mascot
Art Boards – Donated money for the art department to build display boards for student artwork
Center School
Author visit – Jacqueline Davies visited and spoke to the students and signed books for them
Math Night – a night of fun math learning Ice Cream Social - students and their families enjoyed a fun ice cream filled evening
Senior Day – a program connecting students with senior citizens in our community Playground
Playground Equipment – With money the Penny Wars and year end gift Center School will be able to install the playground equipment
Technology
iPads – The PTO purchased two iPads at the start of the year to launch a program to use them to deliver instruction in Language Arts and Math. Through our Scrip program, the PTO will be donating approximately $500 to purchase additional iPads for our students to use in the classroom next year.
Classroom technology – The PTO will be making year end gifts to both schools so they can purchase needed technology such as smartboard and projectors. Memorial school received approximately $13,000 and Center school will receive approximately $7,000 (the PTO designates a total year end gift amount and divides it between the two schools according to the number of students at each school).
Technology Presentation – The PTO hosted a technology presentation at our March meeting to demonstrate the technology used in the classrooms. We are looking to expand on this at our meetings next year and offer more opportunities for parents to see how our children learn!
Community Outreach
PTO Scholarship – awarded to an outstanding EHHS senior
Teacher Appreciation Breakfast – The PTO coordinates breakfast for our teachers during teacher appreciation week
Teacher Conference Dinners – The PTO coordinates dinner for our teachers one evening during fall and spring conferences
Bus Driver Breakfast - The PTO purchases breakfast for our wonderful bus drivers
CAS Volunteer Recognition Dinner – The PTO sends outstanding volunteers to a awards/dinner event recognizing their hard work and dedication
Arts & Crafts Festival – The PTO held holding this event in conjunction with the Lions Club as a fundraiser for our schools and Lions Scholarships
Holiday Gifts for Teachers – a program where students purchase books for the school library as a “gift” for a special teacher
Box Tops for Education – Collection program and year end celebration for winning classroom
Friday Afternoon Club – students participated in learning activities every Friday after school in January & March