The PTO Executive Board, as well as our committee chairs and members, are hard at work to make sure that the 2018-19 school year is full of fun, exciting programming and educational experiences for PreK–Grade 5 students and their families. We need your help to ensure our success. You can support the PTO financially and/or by donating time to one or more committees and projects. Please mark your calendars and join us for one or more quarterly meeting: 10/1; 1/14; 3/11 and 6/3. Meetings are held at the Wells Road Intermediate School Media Center at 6:30 p.m.
FUNdraising
This year’s major fundraiser will be a combined Jog-a-Thon/Fall Fest, to be held from 9 a.m – 3 p.m. at Kelly Lane Primary School on Saturday, October 20 (October 27 rain date). In addition to walking/running/jogging laps to some rockin’ tunes provided by DJ Doug E. Fresh, students, families and community members can enjoy face painting, a Gaga Pit, an obstacle course, food trucks and a small farmer’s market/vendor fair. This event is open to the entire Granby community and surrounding towns. Spread the word — it is sure to be a fantastic day.
Our goal for this fundraiser is $25,000. Profits from the Jog-a-Thon will be used to fund PTO initiatives such as the 5th Grade Picnic, High Tech/High Touch, Nature’s Classroom, STEAM equipment, cultural enrichment programs and much more. As in the past, 10 percent of the money raised by each classroom will be given back to that classroom to be spent on an item or items voted on by the teacher and students! Please check out the Fundraising section of the PTO website for instructions on making donations.
We have a number of incentives for students who participate in the Jog-a-Thon fundraiser. Classes that raise the most money at each school will get to create a custom cupcake at Granby’s newest sweet addition, the Cake Gypsy. New this year, the individual at Kelly Lane who raises the most money will receive a ride to school in a fire truck and the individual at Wells Road who raises the most money will receive a ride to school in a police car. Classes that have the highest participation at the event on October 20 will receive the coveted Golden Shoe trophy.
This year custom Jog-a-Thon tee shirts are available in our online store. Cost is $10 for cotton or $15 for moisture wicking. Place your order at the Store section of our website: granbypto.org. All money raised from T-Shirt sales will help us reach our fundraising goal.
In addition to the Jog-a-Thon, families and community members can help support the PTO financially in the following ways:
• Shop through Amazon Smile and choose Parent Teachers Organization Granby as your charity of choice;
• Identify Parent Teachers Organization Granby as your charity of choice in your company’s matching gifts program;
• Send (or mail) all Geissler’s receipts over $35 to the front office at either Kelly or Wells. Geissler’s gives us money back on each receipt and it really adds up. Last year alone they gave us in excess of $12,000. Thank you Geissler’s!
• Cut out and send in Box Tops for Education. Visit granbypto.org for a list of participating products and for a graphic showing how much money we can raise through this project.
Volunteering
There are several ways to be involved and make a difference in our children’s education.
Currently there are openings on theFamily Activities Committee, as well as the Wells Road Scholastic Book Fair Committee and Wells Road Teacher Appreciation Committee. To sign up for a committee, or to add your name to a volunteer bank that is utilized for non-recurring events/volunteer opportunities, please email secretary@granbypto.org.
Programming
The PTO is excited to bring back Chess Club for grades 1-5. Instruction will be provided by award-winning coach, Alexander Lumelsky. More information can be found on our website.
The Family Activities Committee is coordinating discount tickets to WWE Live at the XL Center in Hartford on Saturday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. Check the Store section of our website in the coming weeks for ordering information. Check back frequently for updates on discounted tickets for a number of fun family events for 2018-19. Anyone may purchase these tickets, not just Kelly and Wells families, and every purchase supports our PTO. Please spread the word!
Susan Hood, author of Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, will be visiting Kelly Lane on October 11 and Wells Road on October 12 courtesy of the PTO. What a fantastic opportunity for the children to interact with this amazing author.
Please visit our website for other upcoming programs and initiatives.