Please Read

Dear Parents, Patrons and Students:

Recently, the Jefferson-Farnsworth Elementaries Parent Teacher Organization sent out a SurveyMonkey survey asking for feedback about a possible upcoming school supply fundraiser.  The number of responses we received was extraordinary, and we truly appreciate all the comments that were left, both positive and negative.  We rely on your feedback to give us direction, and it was fantastic to get your input.

Based on some of the comments that were left, we as the PTO wanted to address some misperceptions about who we are and what we do.  The Jefferson-Farnsworth PTO is a completely volunteer driven organization.  Our board consists of a President representative from each school, a Vice President from each school, secretary, treasurer, and teacher liaison.  We also have numerous parent volunteers who help out with our many events and fundraisers.

We are a non-profit organization.  We currently are not tax-exempt, but are working with the IRS to earn that status.  Because we are completely volunteer run, nearly all of our proceeds go back into our schools, with a very small amount covering the costs of project supplies, etc.  We work closely with both schools and the school district to ensure that we are working towards a common goal.  The PTO, Jefferson and Farnsworth all have the same goal; providing the best education possible, while working towards the betterment of our student body as a whole.  The PTO is NOT a part of the school district.  We are a completely separate entity.  The district has no operational control over our organization, and the PTO has no control over the decisions made by the district, although we work closely to avoid duplicating our efforts and to ensure we are both in compliance with State and Federal laws.

The PTO has made some missteps in the past.  We started this school year with an entirely new board, new organizing by-laws, and a determination to make right as many of the wrongs of the past as possible.  This school year, we set the goal of raising $7,000 to purchase playground equipment, books for the libraries, gym equipment, and some other school items that the district just doesn’t have the money to buy.  The split of our two schools left both needing a lot of the essentials and our goal this year is to replace as many of those items as possible.

We are always looking for volunteers, donations, and fundraising ideas.  We welcome any and all comments, both positive and negative.  We want to improve and above all, we welcome you to join us!

Please join us at our monthly meetings, which are announced on our Facebook pages, as well as through the School Messenger system.  You don’t have to volunteer but we always welcome parent input!  You can also visit our blog for updated information as it becomes available.  We try to publish as much information about both the PTO and our schools as we can.

http://www.bulldogsandpatriots.blogspot.com/

Jefferson Contact-  Rachelle Bosh, President:  jpto@sd251.org or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RigbyJeffersonPatriots

Farnsworth Contact- Emily Peterson, President:  farnsworthpto@gmail.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/farnsworthelem

 

Thank you for your support!

Jefferson-Farnsworth PTO