Pinnacle Peak Elementary
School PTO
School PTO
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October 23, 2008
Dear Pinnacle Peak Families,
My goal as Pinnacle Peak Elementary School PTO President was to take the business out of PTO and bring the community together. I believe I have accomplished these goals over the past year and half, but I am concerned that some in our community may feel as if PTO has “nickel and dimed” them. The PPES PTO supports many activities, events and programs that may or may not generate funds for school use. I would like to review the official stand of the PPES PTO board in the following explanation.
The PTO Membership Drive is one of our largest fundraisers of the year. Although you are a ‘member’ of the PTO, you are not committed to volunteer, work or purchase anything that the PTO supports. You are essentially buying a $25.00 PPES School Directory. As a matter of fact, families that don’t join the PTO are able to attend any event the PTO sponsors.
After not using Sally Foster catalog sales last year, they returned due to an overwhelming request by our families. We did not want to apply pressure to students and families, therefore we eliminated a “Kick-off Assembly” and any classroom awards for the number of participants that sold items. We have diligently tried not to put any pressure on you or your family to spend any money.
There are a few activities that the PTO sponsors, that are designed to support families and enhance our community. These include: School Pictures, the Book Fair, the two curriculum nights, and the two dances which are scheduled, set-up and run by PTO volunteers and although we receive a small rebate for some of those programs, we feel they are community events to benefit the family. At no time is a family obligated to purchase school pictures or spend money at the Book Fair.
Another example is the annual Fall Festival. For those who were in attendance this year, it goes without saying, it was a huge success. Although the PTO made money, as we have in the past, we don’t feel it is a fundraiser but more of a fundraiser and we were able to make a little money while having a blast.
This brings me to the Entertainment Book SAV-A-THON. Again, there was no pressure put on the students, classrooms or our families to purchase a book. The company gave the 2 for 1 offer to help. As President, I did support this program, because I hoped our families could save some money thus… benefiting by using them.
Due to the overwhelming feeling from many families of the constant asking for money, we have tentatively postponed the Cookie Dough sale scheduled to begin this week. We will re-examine it again after the holidays and make a final decision then. Please understand, the board and my intentions are NOT to nickel and dime our families, but to raise funds to help our students get the best education we can possibly give them.
I have been asked by parents that in lieu of participating in fundraising efforts, could there be an “opt-out” amount they could donate. I can’t put an amount on any such idea; however, there is always the option to donate any amount you feel comfortable giving instead of participating.
If you are looking for ways to help support PPES, please consider using the SCRIP Program for your daily spending, the Grocery Reward Program, as well as Box Tops, Campbell Labels and Tyson Food labels. These are all everyday ways our families can help!
Your support is greatly appreciated. A day does not go by that someone goes out of their way to tell me how pleased they are with some area of our school, and the board and I take pride in that.
Again, thank you for your support,
Stephanie Arnold
PPES PTO President
Dear Pinnacle Peak Families,
My goal as Pinnacle Peak Elementary School PTO President was to take the business out of PTO and bring the community together. I believe I have accomplished these goals over the past year and half, but I am concerned that some in our community may feel as if PTO has “nickel and dimed” them. The PPES PTO supports many activities, events and programs that may or may not generate funds for school use. I would like to review the official stand of the PPES PTO board in the following explanation.
The PTO Membership Drive is one of our largest fundraisers of the year. Although you are a ‘member’ of the PTO, you are not committed to volunteer, work or purchase anything that the PTO supports. You are essentially buying a $25.00 PPES School Directory. As a matter of fact, families that don’t join the PTO are able to attend any event the PTO sponsors.
After not using Sally Foster catalog sales last year, they returned due to an overwhelming request by our families. We did not want to apply pressure to students and families, therefore we eliminated a “Kick-off Assembly” and any classroom awards for the number of participants that sold items. We have diligently tried not to put any pressure on you or your family to spend any money.
There are a few activities that the PTO sponsors, that are designed to support families and enhance our community. These include: School Pictures, the Book Fair, the two curriculum nights, and the two dances which are scheduled, set-up and run by PTO volunteers and although we receive a small rebate for some of those programs, we feel they are community events to benefit the family. At no time is a family obligated to purchase school pictures or spend money at the Book Fair.
Another example is the annual Fall Festival. For those who were in attendance this year, it goes without saying, it was a huge success. Although the PTO made money, as we have in the past, we don’t feel it is a fundraiser but more of a fundraiser and we were able to make a little money while having a blast.
This brings me to the Entertainment Book SAV-A-THON. Again, there was no pressure put on the students, classrooms or our families to purchase a book. The company gave the 2 for 1 offer to help. As President, I did support this program, because I hoped our families could save some money thus… benefiting by using them.
Due to the overwhelming feeling from many families of the constant asking for money, we have tentatively postponed the Cookie Dough sale scheduled to begin this week. We will re-examine it again after the holidays and make a final decision then. Please understand, the board and my intentions are NOT to nickel and dime our families, but to raise funds to help our students get the best education we can possibly give them.
I have been asked by parents that in lieu of participating in fundraising efforts, could there be an “opt-out” amount they could donate. I can’t put an amount on any such idea; however, there is always the option to donate any amount you feel comfortable giving instead of participating.
If you are looking for ways to help support PPES, please consider using the SCRIP Program for your daily spending, the Grocery Reward Program, as well as Box Tops, Campbell Labels and Tyson Food labels. These are all everyday ways our families can help!
Your support is greatly appreciated. A day does not go by that someone goes out of their way to tell me how pleased they are with some area of our school, and the board and I take pride in that.
Again, thank you for your support,
Stephanie Arnold
PPES PTO President
What's New:
Remember to order your SCRIP grocery cards for your Thanksgiving purchases!
Birthday Book Celebration
Remember to order your SCRIP grocery cards for your Thanksgiving purchases!
Birthday Book Celebration
Next PTO General Meeting:
9:15am, PPES Teachers' Lounge
November 20, 2008
2008-2009 Meeting Schedule
9:15am, PPES Teachers' Lounge
November 20, 2008
2008-2009 Meeting Schedule
Officers of the 2008-2009 PTO Board:
Stephanie Arnold, President
Rene Brofft, Treasurer-PTO
Amy Skeptaris, Treasurer-School
Pam Baumann, VP Membership
Kristen Rock, Fundraising-VP
Tracy Stupi, VP Activities
Suzy Distler, Hospitality
Lara Nelson, Secretary
Pinnacle Peak Elementary School Site
Paradise Valley District Site
Pinnacle Peak Elementary School
7690 E. Williams Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Office: 602-449-6700
Attendance Line: 602-449-6701
Stephanie Arnold, President
Rene Brofft, Treasurer-PTO
Amy Skeptaris, Treasurer-School
Pam Baumann, VP Membership
Kristen Rock, Fundraising-VP
Tracy Stupi, VP Activities
Suzy Distler, Hospitality
Lara Nelson, Secretary
Pinnacle Peak Elementary School Site
Paradise Valley District Site
Pinnacle Peak Elementary School
7690 E. Williams Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Office: 602-449-6700
Attendance Line: 602-449-6701