ROME, GA—The school year is in full swing at West Central Elementary and Principal Jennifer Uldrick and staff are full steam ahead with family events planned and in motion. Ask Uldrick anything about how to get involved in West Central’s PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) and she will confidently direct you to Instructional Specialist Erin Hall, a 13-year veteran of the school.
Hall has been PTO president for several years and she and other teachers like Beth Anderson, fourth grade teacher, and Brandy Riddle, Reading Interventionist, who have been organizing PTO activities are eager to welcome new families and pass the leadership torch to parent members who are willing and take interest.
“We want to give parents the opportunity to help because we know we have a lot of parents who will. We will still be there to help, too,” said Hall.
A mix of new and longtime West Central families were in attendance on Aug. 18, for the first PTO meeting of the year, and representation was diverse. Parents were hosted in the media center while children were invited to enjoy supervised playtime with popsicles on the playground.
Hall and Karla Hernandez, Family Engagement Coordinator, facilitated the meeting and explained that past PTO sponsored events have had a wonderful show of support by families. They and the current PTO teacher representatives are hoping some of the parents who enjoy these events will take interest in being a part of planning future ones. They stressed that a robust and active PTO plays an important role in the life and culture of the school.
Hall and Hernandez shared some examples of successful PTO events in past years including spirit nights at local businesses such as El Zarape, Dairy Queen, Chick-fil-A, and Big Dan’s Car Wash, as well as a direct sales fundraiser in which students sold pizzas and cookies, which raised $4,000 for the school. Additionally, various school dances that incorporate family fun and Kona Ice fun days during school hours have historically received high turnout and positive reviews. On the very day of the meeting, students had enjoyed shaved snowballs from Kona Ice, which raised $377 to go towards future enrichment needs for the West Central Wolves.
Hall and Hernandez highlighted for parents how PTO fundraisers have benefitted the environment of West Central for the students. Funds from last year’s events contributed to the purchase of top-quality soccer balls, for example, which are a high-use recreational item during outdoor playtime. Additionally, they were able to add a cement slab and in-ground basketball goal to the playground which has been a hit with the kids as well. New books and updates to visual displays in the media center, reading incentive prizes for the little Wolves, and teacher appreciation gifts are other ways funds were used for good.
West Central PTO already has several family events and fundraisers in place for the current year and teacher representatives welcomed interested parent members to bring new and fresh ideas for the future. Upcoming events include Breakfast with Santa in December, Mother/Son game night in January, and a Father/daughter dance in February, in addition to spirit nights at local restaurants and fun treats such as Kona Ice and Frios during the school day. Hall and team’s hope is for more involvement from parent partners. “We have a great family atmosphere at West Central and we just want to nurture it,” she said.
Contact information forms were provided for interested parents, as well as information about RCS Volunteer Training which will occur at West Central on Aug. 31, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Volunteer Training is required for all PTO parent volunteers and is valid for three years from the date of completion. Additional training dates are available at other RCS schools, and parents can attend where and when most convenient.
Before wrapping up and joining the kids for a cool treat on the playground, Hall and team expressed their gratitude for the parents’ show of interest in partnering with the school through PTO. “We think West Central is the best school around,” she said, “and we want the city of Rome to know what wonderful children and families we have.”
Greatness grows when the village works together.
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