A local PTA - or parent teacher association - is associated with the national PTA, a formal membership organization. Local PTA groups receive various types of support from the national PTA, but must also pay dues to the national organization and abide by state and national group rules. A PTO, on the other hand, is an independent, unaffiliated group. Each PTO has its own set of bylaws which govern the organization's activities. A PTO does not pay dues to any national organization. According to the magazine PTO Today, about 25% of all local parent-teacher groups in the U.S. are affiliated with the National PTA.

 
What is the Ellisville Elementary PTO all about?

We are about men and women working together toward a common goal.  That goal, simply stated is to provide our school with resources, programs, and services that will enrich and maximize the education of every child who attends Ellisville.

 
What exactly does the Ellisville Elementary PTO do?

The PTO provides volunteer and financial support for many grade-level and curriculum-based activities including assemblies, field trips, classroom parties, room parent expenses, year-end field day celebrations, Lunch with the Principal, and other hands-on, interactive experiences, beautification for the school, multiple social events including Fall Carnival, Donuts with Dad, Principals’ Coffees, back to school activities, new family events, kindergarten round up, and a variety of other special presentations and workshops.  The PTO also plays a vital role in providing feedback, information, and guidance to the principal and other staff, when appropriate.

 
How does membership in the PTO work? How do I become a member?

If you are the parent or guardian of a child attending Ellisville Elementary school, you are already a member of the PTO! There are no dues to pay, no membership forms, and no secret handshakes. Come to a meeting and find out how you can help make your child's school even better than it already is.

What does it mean to be a member?

That depends on you. We invite you to become an active participant in your student’s education by being an active participant at Ellisville Elementary. Your level of involvement is up to you!  

Why should I be a participating member?

Over 500 independent studies related to parent involvement show that when parents get involved in their children’s education grades go up, test scores improve, children are more likely to attend better schools after high school, they have fewer discipline problems, and they’re less likely to use drugs and alcohol.  And Rockwood School District acknowledges these benefits and highlights ways that you ALSO benefit - http://www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/parent/Parent%20Involvement%20Downloads/Benefits%20of%20Volunteers.pdf.  We are a busy group and also understand that it is increasingly more difficult to find time to give, but we have so many different opportunities in which you can participate, there is likely something that will perfectly fit your schedule!

How Can I Get Involved/Volunteer?

At the start of every school year the PTO Board prepares a “PTO Involvement Summary & Committee Descriptions” Packet that is distributed in one of the first Friday Tiger Folders.  This packet is also available on the PTO website (http://www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/ellisville/pto/Pages/Volunteer.aspx), The Source parent information handbook under the Downloads link on the PTO Home page and also distributed to all new families who attend the annual New Family Night, or download the Volunteer Interest Form from the Forms Download tab on the PTO website.  

In the packet is a hand-out providing details on each committee of the PTO.  Read the handbook and find the committee/activities that fit your interests and schedule. Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form found in the packet and return it to school with your child to the attention of the Parent Involvement Coordinators.  Opportunities may also be included in the weekly Friday Tiger Folders, listed in the monthly PTO newsletter or on the website.  Also, at any time during the school year, please feel free to contact one of the PTO Board Members to let them know you would like to volunteer. Parent involvement is encouraged and appreciated!

 
What happens at PTO Board meetings, and when are they held?

Meetings are held generally on the first Monday of each month at the school, from 9:30am-11:00am.  Each meeting follows a specific agenda, which typically includes updates on past business and Board member activities, reports from the Principal and Teacher Representative, and a report from the Treasurer.  Time is also allotted for special visitors and to suggest and discuss new ideas/activities.

 
What is a General Meeting and what is a Board Meeting?

Both are PTO meetings.  There are four General Meetings per year (called Principals’ Coffees), where anyone within the Ellisville Elementary School community is invited to attend and during which items may be presented to the general membership for vote, per the PTO Bylaws, such as the annual PTO budget and the annual slate of PTO Board candidates.  The other PTO meetings are Board Meetings during which only the Board may cast a vote. 

 
What are the benefits of attending PTO meetings?

Participation through attendance at PTO meetings gives you a voice.  You can provide valuable input that will help decide what we do as a group.  You help decide where the money should go.  You have the knowledge that, with your participation and involvement, the educational and social experiences of all students at Ellisville Elementary have been greatly enhanced.  If you are new to the Ellisville family, the established families are available to answer questions and ease your transition into becoming a school family. If you are new to our community, we’re always happy to help wherever possible.  An added bonus is that you have the opportunity to meet wonderful people who can become great friends.

 
Isn’t the PTO only about fundraising?

The Ellisville Elementary PTO is more than just fundraising.  Fundraising is really just a necessary task as school budgets are experiencing more and more cuts. It is our privilege, through the generous support of Ellisville families, that we are annually in the position to provide the supplies, equipment and activities that our school budgets can no longer cover.  We are only able to do that through our Ellisville families’ willingness to participate in our fundraisers.  Through the generosity of Ellisville families, not only have we maintained our annual level of support to the school, but in the last seven years, the families of Ellisville through your PTO, has gifted at year-end over $117,000.00 cumulatively for additional needs the school has had.

 
What are Friday Folders?

Friday Folders are the PTO’s weekly communication tool that is distributed via weekly AlertNow emails.  This communication contains all of the information from your PTO, your child’s room parents, occasionally from your child’s teacher, the District and from the school office, when appropriate.

 
How can I get information about the school during the summer months?

We are very proud of our school website and use it to communicate a variety of information to our families.  Newsletters, calendars, supply lists and other invaluable information about school are posted on this site. We encourage you to bookmark the site and visit it often for the latest information. http://www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/schools/Elementary/ellisville.htm

 
Other questions?

Do you have a question that isn't listed here? We love questions! Please email a PTO Board Member with your specific question.