Mount Desert Elementary School
Friends + Families (PTO)
COLLECTIVELY, WE MAKE CHANGE.
WONDERING WHAT THE PTO DOES?
MDES parents started the PTO in 2012 to promote parent, teacher and community involvement in our school and to support the quality of education and community for our children. In 2021, we offered teacher grants to provide additional educational experiences for our students, especially during the year of Covid-- ERMA supplies for Thursday afternoon activities, an increased garden area and programming, and a re-envisioned Arts Week. We supplemented winter gear, replaced lost library books, planned staff appreciation activities, and donated to the 8th grade graduation ceremonies and the Future of Maine Scholarship. We meet once a month, via Zoom, and it's a rare opportunity for community dialogue with staff and teachers who participate too. We look forward to seeing you in person at our traditional community events as soon as it is safe to get together!
The funds we raise support MDES Staff to be flexible and creative in their planning, which enriches the educational opportunities for ALL our students. If we received a donation of $25 per child, we would exceed our goal for the year.
Our goal is to raise a total of $4,000: $2,000 from the school community, and $2,000 in matching grants from our larger MDI community.
STAFF GRANTS
Examples of projects we have supported in 2022-23: birdhouses for migratory bird study, Wabanaki Traveling Trunk, after-school improv workshop, eclipse sunglasses, seeds and small tools for garden, science rocket launch project, art residency for arts week, books and welcome bags for pre-k program.
GOAL: $2,000
STAFF APPRECIATION
Flowers, meals, snacks, letters postive experiences that make our staff feel appreciated and supported.
GOAL: $1,000
GENERAL FUND
This supports programs such as: CPR babysitting training, garden supplies, recess supplies, replace library books, Future of Maine Scholarship, 8th grade graduation support.
GOAL: $1,000
THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO HELP, TOO, AND EVERY BIT ADDS UP:
Reduce, Reuse, RECYCLE.
- The MDES PTO has a CLYNK account and you can pick up tags + bags in the school office.
- Another method is to turn those cans into the CLYNK! recycling program and send money to the MDES PTO directly! From your individual account online, select DONATION> search for Mount Desert Elementary PTO> and donate your savings to the school!
- And, if you know of an individual or business who would like to donate their returnables, please contact Katherine Emery: kaemery@gmail.com