October Newsletter

Q: Hi Angela and Ava! Thanks for sharing a little bit about yourselves for our newsletter. Please describe your families for our PTO members.

Angela: My husband is Andy and we have two girls at Meadows. Ella is in 3rd grade and Claire is in 1st.

Ava: We're a family of 4. Brooklyn is in 1st grade, Brayden is in 3rd. I also teach barre classes part-time in Burlingame. My husband Chris is a partner of a restaurant in Union City.

Q: What is your role on the PTO Executive Committee?

Both: This is our second year as Co-VPs of Fundraising. We also serve as MEF Liaisons for Meadows.

Q: What do you love about Meadows?

Ava: I love the sense of community at Meadows. Our teachers are amazing and the kids look forward to going to school.

Angela: The community is great, no matter what events you're at, big or small, there is always a friendly face. There is always someone new to say hello to. Every staff member is fantastic. From Mr. Alfredo to all the teachers.

Ava: You develop relationships without knowing you're developing relationships. You talk to people again and again. You have to put yourself out there. It's hard not knowing anyone, but once you put yourself out there, it's amazing.

Q: What motivates you to be involved in the PTO?

Angela: It's my way of giving back. The staff and teachers give so much energy and love into teaching our kids. It's my little way of helping them in any way that I can. Seeing the smiles on the kids faces when they have their parties or helping out at the Book Fair. Seeing them happy and growing at school, and supporting the teachers.

Ava: I agree with Angela, and at the same time, I also want to teach the kids the importance of helping out and the value of teamwork. We all have one common goal and that is to support the school. Supporting the school means supporting our kids. That motivates me. Plus I always want to be involved!

Q: Let's talk about fundraising! Can you please share with our members why fundraising is still important this year, despite being in a virtual learning environment?

Ava: It's so important, even now, because our school still has a need. Fundraising ensures we can support all the activities we have. All the teachers, all the students. We have a pretty strong fundraising team and fundraising community. We don't know what's going to happen next, but we know we still have a need. It's especially important so we can keep the things that we have, whether we use it this year or next year, or we try something new virtually.

Q: No Crab Feed, no Fall Carnival, no Hawaiian Cookies. It has to be really hard to find some virtual fundraisers! What fundraisers do we have planned for this year?

Angela: That's a good question. Our first big virtual fundraiser is going to be Raise Craze, a unique fundraiser based on performing acts of kindness. We'll also have Scholastic Book Fair and we always have our continuous fundraisers - Amazon Smile, Good Eggs and Box Tops. Maybe in 2021 we'll be able to do an online auction or maybe something in person. Our fundraising ideas and needs will change with what comes in the future months.

Q: Raise Craze sounds awesome! Can you share a little bit more about this unique fundraiser?

Ava: I'm really excited about Raise Craze. What's great is that there is no formal training to be kind. Anyone can be kind, doesn't matter how big or small. I like and believe in the message it gives. It feels good to be kind to someone. The person receiving the kindness feels good when someone does something nice for them. We don't know what everyone is going through, so a random act of kindness, for someone who is going through something, makes life easier.

Q: Any tips for families new to virtual fundraising?

Ava: Utilize social media! We have the Meadows PTO page, Instagram, and each grade has a Facebook group. Being connected and going through all the channels we have is a great way to stay connected. Everyone is super helpful for asking questions and can share tips along the way.

Q: In the past, we've had so many wonderful volunteers help out with fundraising. Do you still have a need this year? What can our families do to get involved with fundraising?

Angela: We always have a need. This year volunteering will look different. We don't need the hands on big volume that we do for something like the Fall Carnival, but we always welcome any ideas, big or small. Networking helps in this time of virtual everything. If someone wants to get involved, just contact us. Would love to have another head to bounce ideas off of.

Q: Switching gears now, this has been a very stressful time for many families. How are you managing all the additional home and life responsibilities?

Ava: We're all resilient. Kids are resilient. When faced with this unprecedented situation, everyone learns to adapt. Some people need more time. Personally, I am thankful to be able to hang out with my family and spend time with the kids.

Angela: Patience is the big key. And even when things are stressful or feel overwhelming, try to find something fun. If things aren't going right with Zoom, shut it off and do something fun. Relax for a few minutes.

Q: What are you looking forward to the most when we are able to return to school?

Ava: I'm looking for some sense of normalcy. The kids miss being in class, they miss seeing their teacher and their friends. I know it's not going to happen overnight, it's going to be a long road ahead. The kids really miss being in class.

Angela: I'm really looking forward to seeing the friendly faces and being able to connect with people. Getting the kids to see all their friends and teachers. Being back and being able to just hang out again.

Q: Anything else you'd like to share?

Angela: I hope we all get to see each other in person soon!

Ava: Super excited for this year still. We are all making the best of it. Really super excited about our new fundraiser and I love that anyone and everyone can spread some kindness. It doesn't have to end when our fundraising ends.