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Who Are We?
The Balch Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) consists of parents and teachers working together to enhance the educational experience of our children. Our PTO sponsors numerous events and programs throughout the school year with the help of many dedicated volunteers.
2025-2026 Balch PTO Board
2025-2026 Balch PTO Board
President: Julia Leone
Vice-President: Sarah Lane
Secretary: Sarah Riviere
Treasurer: Julia Leone
Enrichment Coordinator: Lauren Davila
Parent Outreach Coordinator: Emily Hoadley
Contact Us
Contact Us
The PTO Board can be reached via email at thebalchpto@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/balchpto/
2025-2026 Upcoming Events
Parent Social
When: Saturday, November 8th, 7-9pm
Where: Irish Brewing
Book Bingo
When: Thursday, December 4th
Where: Balch School Cafeteria
More info to come!
Pancake Breakfast
When: Saturday, December 13th
Where: Balch School Cafeteria
What: Pancake breakfast (pancake, sausage, & juice)
Admission: $7 per person
Want to help?!
We will post a SignUpGenius for donations of good and volunteers.
Afterschool Enrichment "KidsClub"
6-week classes for afterschool enrichments that will run for one hour from 2:05-3:05 this fall.
Enrollment completed and classes are running through November 17th
Meeting Times and Dates
Meeting Times and Dates
We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month school is in session at 7pm. Some meetings are held virtually, while others are held in person at the school library. Please check “Balch Bits” or the Balch School website for details. Below is a listing of some of what we do. We welcome new ideas and feedback too.
2025-2026 Meeting Schedule
September 16
October 21
November 18
December 16
January 20
February 24
March 17
April 14
May 19
June 16 - Year-End Volunteer Celebration & Social!
What We Do
Fundraising
Annual Dues: In our efforts to continue providing an enriching educational environment for the students we ask families to make a one-time annual contribution to the Balch PTO.
Grants: We solicit grants for support from various local entities including Norwood Cultural Council (through Mass Cultural Council), Boch Fund through the town, and various local businesses.
Fun Run: We fundraise through an online platform to raise funds for field trips. This is a great way for grandparents, friends, and extended families to monetarily support our school. At the end the kids get to run around and celebrate their success.
Election Day Bake Sale: Sell homemade and store-bought baked goods during polling hours (dependent on town/state elections).
“Kids Club” After School Enrichments: Organized six-week after school enrichment clubs at a low cost to families. Class offerings vary, but may include board games, crafting, foreign languages, sports.
Mustang Winner Wheel: Host LIVE raffles on Facebook. Prizes vary from local restaurant gift cards, technology, retail gift cards, and more.
PTO Sponsored Balch School Community Events
Monster Mash: Students with their guardians are invited to this outdoor event in October. This is an evening event where the PTO provides a live DJ, games and lights. Food & drinks are available for purchases at a reasonable price. Students are welcome to dress in costumes and have a wonderful time dancing and playing with friends. This is a great opportunity to meet your child’s friends and socialize with other parents.
Family Game Night: Hosted in the school cafeteria we usually play bingo with snacks available.
Pancake Breakfast: This event usually takes place on a Saturday in early to mid-December. Pancakes, sausages, juice and coffee are served. There are always crafts for the kids and usually a special visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Multicultural Dinner: 4th graders are put to work as hosts and servers to bring pasta dinner and multicultural desserts to attendees. The proceeds from this event support 4th grade activities including yearbook, t-shirts, and a year-end celebration.
Luau: An annual Hawaiian themed party on the hardtop of the Balch. This event is usually in May with a live DJ, games and crafts. Very similar to the Monster Mash.
PTO Sponsored
PTO Sponsored
In School Enrichments
In School Enrichments
We aid to schedule one in school enrichment program each month for the students to experience and learn something different. Our in school enrichment activities vary from musical and cultural performances, wild animal visits to anti-bullying speakers.
Support Students, Families, and School
Field trips: The PTO helps to keep the cost of field trips low through fundraising. For the 2024-25 school year, we were able to cover all the transportation costs (buses are expensive) and cap the cost to families at $10.
Scholarships: The PTO funds two scholarships to current high school graduates with connections to the Balch.
Support of Move Up/Graduation Ceremony: The PTO has a subcommittee for supporting the year end celebrations for the top grade (historically the 5th grade, now the 4th grade). These year-end activities include yearbooks, field day supplies, awards, celebratory food, and more.
Other Support: Each year we consult with the Principal on how best to support other areas in the school. Some examples of recent support include mats for the playground swings, gardening supplies, teacher lounge refresh.
Teacher & Staff Appreciation
Meals: The PTO provides catered or delivered meals for the whole Balch staff, to show our appreciation for their hard work. We usually provide these on long days such as parent-teacher conference nights or to welcome the staff back in September.
Lounge Restocks: Provide teachers with snacks and coffee supplies for their teacher’s lounge periodically.
Appreciation Gifts: Acknowledge teachers hard work and commitment to our children with small gifts of appreciation.
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