Falmouth Enterprise November 12, 2004

by Nadia C. Harmsen

Climbing Wall, Trips, Pencils & Paper All Funded through the Teaticket PTO

A video surveillance system for the Teaticket Elementary School is just the latest contribution from the school PTO, whose donations have ranged from pencils, paper cutters, new kindergarten slide to a portable defibrillator and a rock-climbing wall.

In May of 2003, the PTO raised more than $3450 to purchase a rock-climbing wall for the school gym.

Physical education teacher Carrie Shanahan, who is on maternity leave, wanted students to be able to work on upper body strength during the winter months, said PTO President Lori S. Raber of Monhegan Road.

Ms. Raber, mother of Rebekah, a second grader and of Jeremy, a preschooler, as been volunteering for the Teaticket PTO for four years. Last year she served as the organization's treasurer.

The main goal for Ms. Raber and the 35 other parent volunteers is to continue funding field trips, a large expenditure for the PTO, but the group also provides the school with supplies whenever possible. "They do so much fundraising for our school. It is hard to find a way to compliment them for all of the hard work that they do," said Teaticket School Principal Michael J. Arth.

Most of the organization's time is spent coordinating and running the many fundraisers it hosts throughout the school year.

Selling tubs of frozen cookie dough and gourmet coffee beans, pizza nights, recycling fairs are some of the ways the group raises funds.

The Kathryn Beich Fundraiser is in its fifth year and is a significant contributor to the PTO budget. The sales of microwave covers, coasters, candles, gift wrap and many other items make the fundraiser profitable.

A lucky member of the PTO won 10,000 box tops when she logged onto the "Box Tops for Education" web site, raising an extra $1000 said Ms. Raber.

The General Mills "Box Top for Education" program gives 10 cents to the PTO for each cereal box top received.

At the PTO's annual spaghetti dinner, Teaticket teachers, staff and parents make pasta dinners to sell at a reasonable price.

For the last six years at the dinner, the Massachusetts Free Masons have offered CHIP, a child identification program, where children are fingerprinted, videotaped and measured for an identification kit for parents.

Successful fundraising has allowed the PTO to further develop programs it already provides and to create new ones.

The Teaticket art show is one of the social programs that allow students, teachers, and parents to meet and enjoy student's art and ice cream.

Art teacher Nancy Sweeney hangs up some of the students' best work while parents and teachers scoop out the ice cream sundaes.

Last year's parents-versus-teachers soccer game had students torn between cheering for their parents or their teachers. The parents claimed the game victory at the first-ever soccer and bike safety day.

Halloween parties have helped raise money for the PTO and allowed parents and students to decorate mini pumpkins have their faces painted, decorate trick-or-treat bags, and other fund activities.

People attending the party also brought non-perishable goods to be given to the Falmouth Service Center.

Teacher Appreciation, the Missoula Children's Theatre acting workshop, "Spring into Reading" program, art appreciation, holiday fairs and a fourth grade school newspaper are some of the programs the PTO funds and offers to students.

"I would love to have a few more academic fun nights like a math or science night," said Ms. Raber.

In years past, teachers and parents have made a yearbook for fourth-grade students. This year, the PTO will fund the yearbook and, in a joint effort with teachers, fourth graders and parents, help create it.

The Teaticket PTO will have a holiday Toy drive starting November 29 and running through December 3. New unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at the school. The gifts will be given to Teaticket and Falmouth families in need.

The next PTO meeting will be December 1 at 6:30 PM at the Teaticket School library. Childcare will be provided by Falmouth High School National Honor Society students.

More info oration is available by contacting Ms. Raber at 508-457-0246.