About PTO
What is the PTO and who can be a Member?
The PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) consists of several board officers, committee chairpersons, and our wonderful school staff and volunteers. As a parent/guardian of a student at Sam Houston, you are automatically a PTO member! No dues are required to participate.
What does it mean to be a Member?
That depends on you! We invite you to become a participant in your student’s education by being an active participant in the PTO. The level of involvement is up to you! Whether your involvement is serving as an officer, chairing or participating on a committee, volunteering at events or in the classroom, supporting fundraisers, attending Friday Morning Meetings, reading with your child at night, or visiting to eat lunch with your children, you play an essential role at our school.
Why should I be a Participating Member?
"When schools, families and communities work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer and like school more." That’s one finding of a January 2003 report from the National Center for Family & Community Connections with Schools at the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory.
Other research shows that it pays to get involved. Participation through volunteering allows you to be "hands-on" with your child’s education. Our children love to see us in this environment where they spend so many hours a day. You get to know school staff, your children’s teachers, and your children’s friends.
What happens at PTO Meetings, and when are they held?
Each meeting follows a specific agenda, which typically includes reports from the PTO board and treasurer, the Principal, and committees. If there are decisions that require member approval, we vote on them during the meeting. Time is also allotted for discussion of new ideas and questions. Meetings are held in the school library at 6 PM on the first Tuesday of each month during the school year, unless a school holiday falls on that Tuesday, in which case the meeting will be the following Tuesday. Any PTO member is welcome and encouraged to attend!
What are the benefits of attending PTO Meetings?
Participation through attendance at PTO meetings gives you a voice. You can provide valuable input that will help decide what we do as a group. You have the knowledge that, with your participation and involvement, the educational and social experiences of all students at Sam Houston Elementary have been enhanced. If you are new to the Houston family, the established families are available to answer questions and ease your transition. If you are new to our community, we’re always happy to help wherever possible. An added bonus is that you have the opportunity to meet wonderful people who can become great friends.
PTO Programs & Fundraising
Our primary objective is to provide our school with funds, programs, resources, and services that will enrich and maximize the education of every child and benefit the school. To meet this important objective, we fundraise. Here are just a few of the programs that we sponsor and/or support:
🚌 Field Trips - We provide every student the opportunity to attend field trips free of charge.
👕 Spirit Wear - We hold a student design contest and solicit sponsorships for each year’s spirit t-shirt.
🎉 Class Parties - We subsidize costs so each class has a yummy treat and fun activity to celebrate the holiday.
📚 Book Fair - We host an annual book fair to promote literacy and support our school and classroom libraries.
🍎 Staff Appreciation - We love our teachers and staff and make sure they know it throughout the year.
🥇 Field Day - We pump up the fun by booking inflatables and serving snow cones.
🎓 4th Grade Activities - We send our 4th graders out with a bang by funding their class shirts, class trip, graduation, and end-of-year picnic.
💸 Scholarships - We award four $200 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who attended Sam Houston Elementary.
🎅 Special Events - Since 2017, we have hosted "Breakfast with Santa" for our school families, including pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, card-making, entertainment, train rides, and silent auction.
💻 School Improvement Projects - We fund big-ticket items like the cafeteria sound system, computers on wheels, and our mascot costume.
🏆 Student Rewards/Incentives - We help stock the Raven Cart with behavior incentive prizes and fund the Essential 8 Student of Character t-shirts.
There are several ways you can support our school with the money you already spend! Check out our Ways to Give page for more information.
Become a Volunteer
We are an important source of volunteers for the school and would love your help in whatever way you can serve – no contribution is too small! PTO is a team effort in which we cannot succeed on our own. Visit the Volunteer page to see how you can get plugged in! Make sure you're subscribed to our email list so you receive invites for volunteer opportunities through Sign Up Genius. Parent involvement is encouraged and appreciated.
Please join us and help make this school year a great one!
In Raven Pride,
Sam Houston Elementary PTO
Lauren Bouse, President