There are many activities held throughout the school year. Please contact a PTO Board Member or the Chairperson if you wish to participate in any committee. Please note: all school volunteers MUST fill out the required state background check form, and be cleared before participating in any activity.
President
Maria Kurdi
Vice President
Jennifer Engquist
Treasurer
Mary Ruffner
Secretary
Amy Farkas
Trustees
Bridgette Barton
Gene Olson
Executive Committee
Monroe Reading Challenge
Chairperson: OPEN
Last year the students of Monroe Elementary were challenged to read ten minutes or more a day. Each week three classes were rewarded a Wonka Bar based on various participation criteria. On May 6th, teachers opened their "Wonka Bars." Mrs. Asher was the lucky teacher who found a Golden Ticket and received the honor of sliming Mrs. Wilson with Chocolate Goo!
The Next Reading Challenge will begin November 1, 2011.
Santa Shop
Chairperson: Jennifer Engquist
The Santa Shop is a 2nd-hand regifting sale for Monroe students. Santa Shop is designed to give students the experience of shopping on their own in an inexpensive way, while raising money for the school. The gift shop items are donated by our families and range from ordinary (25¢-50¢) to extraordianary ($1.00-$2.00).
Teacher Appreciation Week ...
Chairperson: Maria Kurdi
In 2011, parent volunteers put together a Cinco De Mayo luncheon for the staff of Monroe Elementary. The staff was very complimentary and really appreciated all the love bestowed upon them!!! Please contact the PTO if you have any ideas or would like to volunteer for the next Teacher Appreciation Day in May 2012.
James Monroe PTO
A Parent-Teacher Organization for James Monroe Elementary School in Wyandotte, Michigan
Scrip Sales ... Chairperson: Mary Ruffner Co-Chair: Stephanie Antko
Buy gift cards from the PTO (to do your regular shopping or for others), and the school earns money by receiving donations from those businesses.
Click here to view all Cards Available for Purchase
Click here to Sign up for Online Ordering (use school code 98D8L74211L2)
Click here for a Paper Order Form of Local Businesses
Market Day ...
Chairperson: Jen Engquist
Market Day is a company that sells convenience foods, and donates a percentage back to our school.
Box Tops ...
Chairperson: Tammy Vallade
Look for our next Box Top incentive or contest. Box Top collections earned our school over $2300 for the school year.
5th GRADE Graduation Banquet & Overnight Trip
Chairperson: OPEN
The 5th Grade Committee is not officially part of the PTO organization. It is a school-based organization ran by the 5th grade parents and staff. The PTO does, however, allocate some PTO funds to the 5th Grade Parent Committee for their year-end festivities. All parents of 5th grade students are welcome and encouraged to join this committee.
Here are some 5th Grade Fundraiser ideas that have been done in the past:
- Nachos
- Popcorn Sales
- Smencils
- Spare-A-Dollar
- Lucky Lunches
- SCRIP Sales
The 2010-2011 committee raised $4,300 in class fundraisers, $505 in Student Self-Fundraisers, and collected $1,429 in parent out-of-pocket donations. The money was spent on:
EVENTS
- A banquet at Arnoldo's for all 5th graders plus two adult guests each, and Monroe staff.
- A YMCA overnight lock-in event
GIFTS
- Memory/Autograph Booklets
- Monroe Mustang Pens
- Monroe Mustang T-shirts with all the 5th grade classmates' names imprinted
- Monroe Mustang Chocolate Bars
LEFTOVER FUNDS
- Six 5th Grade committee T-Shirts were purchased and used during the YMCA lock in event
- Part of the leftover money in the 2011 5th grade fund is being used to improve the school exterior and landscaping, as well as to purchase playground equipment, such as basketballs, jump ropes, hoola hoops, etc.
- Any remaining leftover money will be turned over to the PTO General Fund for the 2011-2012 school year.
Book Fair ...
Co-Chairs: Amy Farkas, Mary Ruffner & Sakura Keast
The Book Fairs earned over $10,000 in free books for our school in 2010-2011
Assemblies ... Chairperson: Maria Kurdi
The PTO loves to find exciting assemblies to help enhance the students' learning experiences. Assemblies have often been described as a field trip brought to the school. They are filled with fun facts and hands-on experiences that excite children about various subjects such as Science, Math, and the Arts. If you have any suggestions about a particular Assembly company, please forward information to Maria Kurdi, PTO President.
Special Assemblies for the 2009-2010 School Year included: Rain Forest, Math Maniac, and How to Deal with Bullies
The Mustang Club
Chairperson: Jen Engquist
The Mustang Club is a way for parents to make a cash donation to the school, instead of participating in fundraisers that require buying or selling items.
Restaurant Fundraisers ... Chairperson: OPEN
The PTO selects one restaurant a month to host a Monroe Elementary fundrasier. Families eat out at the restaurant on the scheduled fundraiser day, and our school receives a percentage of the sales. Please contact our PTO if you have suggestions or if you would like to help coordinate one of the events.
Past Fundraisers:
Amigo's
Buffalo Wild Wings
LTB in Wyandotte
Chuck E. Cheese
McDonald's
Big Boy in Wyandotte
Old Chicago
Science Fair ... Chairperson: Mrs. Parlette Co-Chairperson: OPEN
The PTO sponsors the science fair. The students are video-recorded when they give their presentation starting in Kindergarten through 5th grade. The DVD is presented to 5th graders as a parting gift when they graduate to middle school. Parent volunteers help with set up and tear down of the fair, and also video-recording the students giving their science presentations.
Fall/Spring Fundraiser
Chairperson: Jennifer Engquist
The Fall Fundraiser is Little Caesar Pizza Kits. Order forms were sent home with all students. Additional forms are available in the school lobby. Orders and payment are due September 28. Pizza kit pickup is October 4th.
Dr. Suess Week
Thing One & Thing Two make their appearance (and make mischief) in the halls of Monroe Elementary on Dr. Suess' Birthday. It's a fun little break for the kids! Pictured here are two of our parent volunteers: Jenny Engquist & Jeff Bain.
Family Fun ... Chairperson: Maria Kurdi Co-Chairperson: OPEN
The PTO sponsors Family Fun Nights as an affordable way for families to spend time together doing an enjoyable activity. Family Fun Nights are tentatively scheduled for September, October, December, January, March & May. (See Calendar for more details.) If you would like to join the planning committee or volunteer for any future event, please email MyMonroePTO@yahoo.com.
Arbor Day
Chairperson: Open
In the month of April, on President James Monroe's birthday, we celebrate by engaging the students in a school-wide cleanup outdoors, followed by an ice cream treat.
Flower Basket Sale
Chairperson: OPEN
Beautiful Flowering Hanging Baskets are sold for Mother's Day, and the school earns $3.50 for each basket sold.
Candy Grams ... Chairperson: OPEN
Occassionally candy grams are sold for $1.00. Parents and Teachers can order a candy gram and write a special message to their student(s). Parent volunteers take the hand-written messages and create a lovely card, attach a candy treat, and deliver it to the students during the school day. This is a fun and inexpensive fundraiser. Candy grams are typically sold in November (Turkeys) and February (Valentine Hearts).
Committees
Spirit Week ... Co-Chairpersons: Maria Kurdi & Jennifer Engquist
Some fun activities will be planned for Spirit Week. More details to follow.
