Chairpeople for 2011/2012 are in red. Please contact them with questions or for volunteer opportunities.


All SCHOOL PARTY – The All-School Family Party is held at the end of October. Chair coordinates publicity, arranges music, decorations, refreshments, and volunteers. Volunteers are needed to assist with arrangements and staffing the party.   To sign up to volunteer for All School Party click here.

ART ADVENTURE – An enrichment program sponsored by the Community Resource Pool in conjunction with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Coordinator recruits and schedules volunteers. Volunteers give oral presentations and provide a supporting art project for classroom students. Six presentations per year, approx. 30 minutes each. Training and support materials are provided.   If you are interested in leading an Art Explorer's program in your child's classroom, click here.
Annie Schilling 952-926-1617  annieschilling@msn.com

ARTSONIA ONLINE ART- Artsonia is a website that Countryside uses as a fundraiser to turn each child’s individual full color artwork into a variety of unique and personal custom gifts for the whole family!  This encourages children’s interest in the arts  Creating a variety of keepsakes also helps build their self-esteem and creates lasting memories.  This job entails working with our art teacher, getting the order forms out, placing the orders and helping to distribute the final products. 

Elyse Cohen 952-938-1188 elyse.cohen@comcast.net

BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT – This event provides students and families with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with classrooms, get acquainted with classmates, deliver supplies to school, and meet other Countryside families. The Back-to-School Chair works with the New Family Committee on promotion, signage, light lunch, set-up, and volunteers. Volunteers are needed at the event to greet families and answer general questions. 
Greta Golfis  952-926-3886

Back to School Event Lunch:  Gretchen Johns - 612-929-3861 gretchenjohns@earhlink.net

 

CARNIVAL – The school’s major fundraising event which is held in the spring. School community gathers for fun, games, and food all in a carnival atmosphere. Co-Chairs coordinate and recruit volunteers to head up various sub committees. Chairs act as overseers and advisors for the event.   

EDINA EDUCATION FUND LIASION – The co-liaisons work with the Ed Fund to provide information to the staff on grant writing opportunities. As well as, helping promote the Ed Fund events throughout the year. 

FAMILY MATH NIGHT - Math Night is an opportunity for families to learn the "Chicago Math" games that the children learn in class so they can play and practice a t home. We also have  board games available  that build math skills. It is a casual evening--come for a short time or stay the evening. Refreshments and help with games are provided!!

 

FIFTH GRADE RECOGNITION – Co-Chairs coordinate graduation ceremony and celebration. Held on the last day of school. Volunteers assist Chairs with arrangements and on the day of the event.

 

FRIENDLY FRIDAYS  - see Staff  Hospitality

 

GIFT WRAP SALE – A popular fall fundraiser in October. Chair handles publicity, distributes sales information, processes orders, and distributes product in mid November. Volunteers needed to assist with distribution. 
Paula Glieden - 952-929-1600 gliedenfamily@yahoo.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

GREEN TEAM – New to Countryside this year! This team will work in three capacities. 1)to provide outreach and education to our students and families 2) green care and beautification to our school and the school grounds 3) introduction and running of lunch composting program.

HIP HAPPENINGS

JUNIOR GREAT BOOKS – An interpretive reading enrichment program based on shared inquiry discussion offered to students in grades 2-5. Volunteers lead small, student-group discussions once weekly for eight week starting in February. Discussions can be schedule before school, during lunch/recess or after school to accommodate leader’s schedule. Chair recruits parent facilitators, arranges for their training and orders materials. Volunteers must attend a one-day, one-time training session paid for by the PTO.

KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION NIGHT – Arrange refreshments and set up before event. Assist office staff as needed and attend function as an ambassador of the school. 
Lori Porth 952-952-897-3970  lporth@yahoo.com

IMPACT LIVES (KIDS AGAINST HUNGER) - 

 

LEGISLATIVE LIAISON – A communication liaison to the district, organized lobbying group. Responsibilities include updating PTO membership of current and proposed legislation concerning education. The chair also activates telephone and letter-writing campaigns to legislators regarding educational issues.

Sarah Sullivan - 952-948-0873 sks0873@msn.com


MEDIA CENTER – Assist the specialist in shelving books weekly or bi-weekly, about a 1 hour time commitment. Help with special events such as book orders, author visit and I Love to Read Month.

Cathy Lee - 952-938-1685  cathylee1@comcast.net


NEW FAMILY WELCOME COMMITTEE– An orientation and welcome for new families and follow up fun event with Q and A for parents. Delivers welcome packet to new families, takes photographs of new students, and connects new families to their classroom room parents. Volunteers needed for help in planning the event.


NEWSLINE SUPPORT – Solicit articles and information from teachers and committees to include in the weekly newsline. Help get important communication together for our school community.
Jason Banks (staff)

PARENT COMMUNICATION NETWORK (PCN) – PCN is an organization serving the community by providing forums for parents on topics of interest specific to parenting, current issues and the social and educational development of students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Co-chairs act as liaison between the organization and Countryside families. 

ROOM PARENT – Helps coordinate classroom activities for teachers and the PTO as needed. Activities may include arranging room parties, field trip chaperones, classroom volunteers and a welcome contact to new families in the class. Room parents are also responsible for soliciting classroom parents to work Carnival. Chair recruits and trains volunteers. Volunteers needed for specific room assignments. 
Jen Copeland - 952-922-5505  jencopeland@msn.com    

SCHOOL DIRECTORY – Chair supervises compilation, production, ordering, and distribution of PTO Student Directory. Volunteers needed to assist Chair.
Roger Olson 952-938-6435  ro@prodsg.com


SCHOOL PICTURES – Chair negotiates or renews contract with professional photographers, schedules dates, arranges retakes, coordinates volunteers and processes orders. Volunteers needed to help children on picture day.
Cathy Winter 952-926-1535  cathy.winter@gmail.com


SCHOOL STORE – Considered both a school spirit and fundraising endeavor, Co-Chairs select and order merchandise. Maintain inventory control. Volunteers needed to work store on a periodic basis. 
Kaki Hauge 952-939-0761  kakihaug@comcast.net
Carrie Kilberg 952-920-9719 clkilberg@aol.com 


SCHOOL SUPPLIES – Chair solicits teachers for class supply lists. Negotiates with distributor and solicits school community for orders. Collects orders and distributes supplies at Back to School Day. Volunteers needed to distribute supplies at Back-to-School Event.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR/BOOK FAIR DINNER– This fundraising event requires Co-Chairs to work with Scholastic Book representatives on planning and advertising annual fall book fair. Volunteers assist chairs with set-up, event sales, and clean up.
Lisa Simon 952-933-6616  lisa@simon.org
Krin Reid 952-935-5249  krinandsam@aol.com

    SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR FAMILY DINNER     Renee Mitchell - 952-944-3383  mitchellsmn@msn.com

SCIENCE FAIR/CELEBRATION OF LEARNING– An evening enrichment event where student work shines! Exhibition of student science projects and hobby displays. Projects are created at home. Chair coordinates communication with staff, handles publicity, sets up tables and signs, and gives certificates to participants. Volunteers needed for organizing food, set-up and clean-up.

SILENT FUNDRAISERS (KEMPS MILK TOPS, BOX TOPS, GIFT CARDS & INK CARTRIDGES/CELL PHONES) – Sponsored silent fundraisers in which milk caps, box tops and ink cartridges are collected and returned to sponsors for cash donation to PTO or for the purchase of school merchandise. Chair handles publicity, collecting and forwarding donations, and assisting with purchases.

STAFF HOSPITALITY / FRIENDLY FRIDAYS – As a sign of parent/student appreciation, Chair coordinates faculty luncheons at the beginning and end of the school year. Also arranges for once-a-month snack in the faculty lounge. Volunteers needed to work luncheons.
Brenda Francis - 952-933-2144  brenfran@comcast.net

TRANSITION TO MIDDLE SCHOOL – Coordinate speakers to present information and answer questions on the transition from elementary to middle school.
Barb Bloom - 952-935-5149  barbbloom@mac.com

 

 

VOLUNTEER BREAKFAST  - Complimentary breaksfast thanking all of those  who have volunteered for Countryside during the school year.

WEB MANAGEMENT – Chair responsible for updating PTO portion of school website. 

YEARBOOK – Chair collects pictures, edits, and coordinates layout of annual memory book. Volunteers are needed to assist chair.
Cathy Winter 952-926-1535  cathy.winter@gmail.com