What is Natcher Elementary PTO?

PTO stands for Parent Teacher Organization. The Natcher PTO is a nonprofit group comprised of parents, teachers, and staff dedicated to improving the educational experience of all students at Natcher Elementary School. Our goals are to encourage interaction between family and school, serve as a source of support, and work with teachers, staff, and the community at large to improve our children’s educational experience. The PTO works closely with the school administration to meet this goal.

What does the PTO do, exactly?

If you look up “PTO” in the dictionary you might find words like: organize, support, help, and volunteer. The PTO organizes special events such as the Fall Festival, Truck or Treat, School Fundraisers, Teacher Appreciation Week, Spirit Shirt designs and sales and MANY others!

Who can join PTO?

Any parent or guardian of a current student of Natcher as well as all current faculty and staff

How do I become a member?

All you have to do is complete our membership form!

Are there annual dues or fees?

No! There are no annual dues or fees, but donations are ALWAYS accepted and appreciated! All donations go directly back to our school and students!

What are the benefits of membership?

First it gives you a voice! Volunteering your time allows you to have a positive impact on your own student, but all of our students and staff at Natcher!

What programs does PTO fund and support?

• Designing and Selling Spirit Shirts and Hoodies

• Raising Funds for Playground Equipment and Campus Improvements

• Operating the School Spirit Store

• Raising Funds for New Technology for Students

• Putting on Fall Festival

• Field Day Inflatables

• Teacher Appreciation Luncheons and Treats

• Box Tops for Education

• Kroger Share Card

• Selling and Distributing Pre-packaged school supplies

• Bundt Cake Fundraiser and the Fundraiser Celebrations that follow

• World's Best Chocolate Fundraiser and Fundraiser Celebrations that follow

• Penguin Patch at Christmas

• Sponsoring various other requests as needs arise

When and Where are the PTO Meetings?

• Meetings are held monthly, usually on the 3rd Monday of the month. We offer both in person meetings, as well as being about to join meetings virtually!

Why should I come to PTO Meetings?

• The number one reason is to benefit your child. In doing so, you also help our school. The PTO is a great opportunity to become involved in your child’s education at NES.

• Get connected! There is no better way to get involved in what is happening or is going to happen at NES.

• Stay informed. By getting involved at NES, you will be part of the team helping to make positive changes.

• Tap into a network. Come and share ideas, concerns, and experiences with other parents and educators in the community. PTO functions are an opportunity to meet other parents and teachers, build rapport and be informed.

• Be a role model. By becoming active in the PTO, you will be demonstrating to your child the importance you place on education. Studies show children do better in school when parents are involved.

• Speak Up. PTO offers a forum for exchanging ideas as well as making suggestions. PTO can be a way for you to more effectively express change at NES.

How can I make a difference at Natcher?

The PTO believes that parent involvement is an essential ingredient to a student’s success. We strongly encourage all parents and faculty to join the PTO. Joining the PTO is a great way for you to show support for your child and to ensure he/she receives the best education possible. You can attend the PTO meetings, volunteer your time for PTO events and support the fundraising events to help educate your children. Your input is important to us.

How can I help?

Please consider helping in any way that fits your schedule. There are many things that you can do to help. Perhaps what works best is to show your support through making a financial contribution. Maybe you can dedicate several hours to a special event or fundraiser. The amount of time you spend participating in PTO activities is up to your discretion. The important thing is that you become involved in your child’s educational experience. You may contact the PTO office or any of our Officers and let them know you are interested in volunteering and they will gladly help you find the perfect place. Even if the school year is underway, it is never to late to get involved! Natcher needs you!

How can I help raise funds and support NES?

There are several easy ways to help.

• Make a donation.

• Support our Fall Festival, Chocolate Sales, and Bundt Cake Sales. These are our largest fundraisers of the year, so we need your support!

• Saving Box Tops

• Linking your Kroger Card to allow a portion of your sales to be donated to our school!

How does the PTO acquire the necessary funds to sponsor so many projects?

Fundraisers and donations. The Fall Festival, and our Chocolate and Cake Sales are our biggest fundraisers. Your support of these events is vital to our success as a PTO!

What happens to the money raised by the PTO?

Each year a budget is created and voted on by our members. From this we decide where the funds will go. Each year the PTO strives to raise at least enough funds to meet some of the items on the wish list of the school administration. While fundraising is not our primary goal, it is an important aspect of the PTO. Money raised by the PTO sponsored events helps purchase supplemental materials for NES students and staff. One hundred percent of the money raised through PTO goes directly back to benefit the NES students. PTO’s role has become even more critical as we raise funds to supplement the cost of the schools’ needs. One of our main focuses has been supplementing the budget cuts incurred due to increased funds beings directed other places, The PTO gladly works to provide some of the extras that our students and teachers receive. In the past, some of these extras have included:

* Additional resources for the media center

* Playground equipment

* Social events

* Family Nights

* Teacher appreciation week

* Open house night

* Recess equipment

* Field Day Supplies/Inflatables

* New Technology

How do I become an officer?

In order to be eligible for officer nominations, one must currently have a student enrolled at Natcher Elementary who will still be a student at our campus during the entire term. Officers must also complete a background check, completed Volunteer Training, and be Covid-19 compliant! If you meet all these requirements simply complete the “Officer Nomination” Form that is available in the spring. Once all forms are submitted the Nominating Committee will select a slate of officers to be presented and voted on by the PTO members in April. New and returning officers will be announced at the May PTO Meeting.