How to Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved and be a part of the Central School District 51 PTO. Everyone is welcome to attend PTO meetings, which are usually held the first Thursday of every month in the CIS library. If you are looking for a way to be more involved, consider reaching out to any of our committee chairs. A brief description and contact information for each committee is below.

CPS Activities

The CPS Activities committee is focused on organizing events such as the Fall and Spring VIP Breakfasts for ECE-4th grade students. Historically, this committee has also organized Grandparents' Day. New this year is "Family Movie Night" which took place in January. We hope to make this an annual event. 

If you are interested in helping with any of the events listed above, contact either of the following:

CIS Activities

This committee is focused on brainstorming and executing fun activities for CIS students. Committee heads meet multiple times a year to plan various events/activities that are held throughout the school year. They focus on wide-reaching activities that are low-cost/high-fun. Recent examples include: homeroom bingo, Trojan Treats, and R.O.C.K. (Rewarding Outstanding Central Kids). This committee also historically helps with Field Day and provides items for the CIS playground. If you are interested in helping with any of the events listed above, contact: 

Fundraising and REwards

Fundraising

The PTO typically plans two fundraisers per year. The Trojan Trot committee starts meeting over the summer in the evenings. We plan the fall fundraiser which runs two weeks before the event; the event itself is held on the Friday of Homecoming. We plan the event with the goal to make it as fun for the kids as possible. We are always looking for new members and new ideas! 

The spring fundraiser allows students to practice their sales skills. Students have the option to sell pastries to friends and family. Pastries are available for pick-up prior to the Easter holiday. The money raised through both fundraisers is set aside for the next year's budget.

Rewards

Participating in the following programs helps raise additional funds for the Central District 51 PTO:

Teacher Appreciation

The Teacher Appreciation Committee has the wonderful responsibility of showing appreciation for all Central staff members. We help plan a dinner for teachers during fall conferences, provide a holiday treat, and organize the fun events of Teacher Appreciation Week in May. Throughout the year, we try to find a few other ways to show our support. This committee typically meets a few times each semester. Often, the help needed is in the evening hours or later in the day, so this can be a great committee to consider participating in if you are a working parent. Please contact any of the following individuals with questions regarding this committee:

**2024: Teacher Appreciation Week is the Week of May 6.

This Year's Theme: It's Totally 90s

Room Coordinators & Library Volunteers

Room Coordinators

Room coordinators committee heads are responsible for choosing Room Coordinators for each classroom. The selected Room Coordinators are responsible for (1) coordinating classroom parties and/or treats for Halloween, Winter and Valentine’s Day in their child’s classroom, (2) assisting the teacher in finding additional classroom volunteers as needed.  More information about how to volunteer as a Room Coordinator will be sent home the second week of school.  

Library Volunteers

Library Volunteers assist the librarian with check-in/check-out, shelving books, lesson activities, and even reading stories to the students. We do ask for a minimum shift of 25 minutes. We will schedule according to your availability. No experience necessary, we will train you!  

AR Prize Patrol

Prize Patrol is a reading incentive program for students in 3rd through 5th grade. Students read books and take a computer quiz in their classroom. The teacher keeps track of the points students accrue. Once a month, each student has an opportunity to go to the PTO Prize Patrol table to purchase prizes with the points earned. 

Contact: Heather Brattrud at (712) 240-2837 (feucht_heather@hotmail.com)

School Supplies and Spirit Wear

School Supply Kits – This is an option offered for parents to make Back To School shopping easier. The committee head is in charge of obtaining services of the school supply company of choice. They communicate with the school principals, teachers and staff to update grade level supply lists, make changes necessary, and ensure the supplies are cost effective and of good quality. They coordinate the distribution of the supply boxes before the start of the school year, including getting volunteers to help.

Contact: Heather Faga at (309) 369-8557 (thfaga@gmail.com)


Spirit Wear – Spirit Wear will be made available for purchase in the Fall.  The committee head contacts administration to see if there are any special requests. 

Contact: Elizabeth Miller at (309) 678-9837 (lilbit0682@yahoo.com)