PTO Sponsored Activities

Programs, Services and Fundraisers
The PTO at Carey Ridge actively works to bring great programs to the students and teachers, provide services to the school, and operate fun and profitable fundraisers to pay for it all!  Listed below are brief descriptions of what we do.  Please contact a board member, or committee chair person for more information on a specific activity.

 

Academic programs

Everybody Counts
This program teaches students compassion and respect for people with psychological, social, and physical disabilities. Students experience various disabilities and meet people who have overcome their disabilities. This program is scheduled in October. It’s already very well planned, but we need at least 5 volunteers per day to help each grade go through “stations’ and complete activities during the week. This committee also needs a co-chairperson.

Readers Are Leaders
This 3 week program encourages family reading time and awards incentives like free books and book gift cards to those who complete the program.

Leveled Library
The Leveled library continues to grow, so we are again providing support to purchase materials this year. This library of books is used in the classroom during Literacy Time, and are leveled helping all our students become great readers.

Math Bowl, Spell Bowl Teams, SAFARI, Teacher amp; Principal Funds
We sponsor both the Math Bowl and Spell Bowl teams for Carey Ridge, including entry fees and shirts for the team. We provide the financing for the SAFARI counseling materials every year. The PTO provides each teacher with funds to purchase classroom supplies each year. Over half of these dollars come from our Market Day proceeds.

School Support and Services

Hospitality
The hospitality committee hosts monthly meals and snacks for the Carey Ridge staff, and provides food and drinks for parents and kids during PTO meetings. Hospitality also steps in when special recognition or help is needed by a staff member.

Nettrekker, Young Audiences, Library Fund, Leveled Library
The PTO funds the annual subscription to the Nettrekker software each year and financial support to Young Audiences. The PTO provides funds for the Library services each year, as well as ongoing support to build the Leveled Library.

PTO Directory
The PTO provides a directory for the PTO members.

Teacher Appreciation
The PTO sponsors and underwrites the majority of the Staff Appreciation week.

Supply Kits *
Each spring, the PTO gives parents the opportunity to purchase “school supplies in a box”, to be delivered to the school in time for the next fall.

Spirit Wear

The PTO Spirit Wear committee designs and sells Carey Ridge and Westfield spirit wear during the year. Be sure to show your pride on Spirit Days (the last Friday of school each month).

Giving Tree
The Amanda Strong Foundation works with Hamilton County agencies to help less fortunate families have a happy holiday. In November, students, with a parents permission, may select an “ornament” from the Giving Tree containing information about a gift needed by a child in the program. Parents purchase gifts and send them to school, where Amanda Strong Foundation volunteers pick them up and wrap them for distribution.

Workroom
PTO volunteers help out our teachers by making copies and preparing materials for classrooms each day. This is a great place for parents to make a contribution with only a small commitment of time.

Community Outreach
The PTO would like to help support various charities in our community. They will partner with Spirit Day and come up with creative ideas to also qualify for Spirit Day! This committee will also support any families within our school that may need assistance.

Events

After School Party *
This party hosted by the PTO after school in January features a DJ, games and snacks for the kids. It is chaperoned by parents and teachers. The kids have a lot of fun!

Ice Cream Social
The annual Ice Cream Social, sponsored by the PTO, is held before school starts. This is an opportunity to find your child’s classroom, meet teachers, administrators and bus drivers, and learn about activities in the community, all while enjoying an ice cream.

Trunk or Treat

In the month of October, PTO plans and provides a safe, family evening environment for dressing up in costumes, decorating cars, contests, and passing out of candy.  A background check for every participating adult must be on file with the office.

Fundraisers

Walk-a-thon – CRES PTO sponsors a WALK-A-THON in lieu of children selling items.  The students all participate with the staff and parent volunteers.

Shopping Cards
You can purchase gift cards for many local shops as you need them. Order forms come home twice a month. Great way to budget your expenses and help your school at the same time. Retailers give a percentage to the school when cards are purchased (2%-25%). Kroger cards can be reloaded at the store using your credit card with the 5% donation still coming back to Carey Ridge. Marsh, Kroger, Mike’s Express Car Wash, Panera Bread, Starbucks and Kohl’s are also available daily in the office for those spur of the moment trips.

Movie Night
A few times a year, the PTO hosts a movie night for the students of the school. Registration is required. Parent and teacher volunteers chaperone during the event.

Winter Carnival
This carnival and silent auction provides lots of entertainment for the whole family, while raising money for Carey Ridge.

Marsh Fresh Ideas for Education
Register your Marsh Fresh Idea Card at www.marsh.net School code 28501. We earn points for every dollar you spend at Marsh. At the end of the year, we are able to use those points to purchase items for the school. In past years, we have purchased microscopes, DVD players and educational games.

Coke Rewards

My Coke Rewards for Schools is a way for parents, friends, and others in the community to support local K-12 schools by donating My Coke Reward points which can be earned from hundreds of participating Coca-Cola products.  Send the bottle caps and codes inside packaging into school and the PTO will submit the points. – Or any My Coke Rewards member can submit points and then donate them to Carey Ridge.  Visit www.mycokerewards.com/schools for more information.

Community Partner Events

The PTO partners with local restaurants and businesses to offer Carey Ridge fundraising days at the business or restaurant.  The PTO earns 10-20% of each sale from every Carey Ridge family that participates.  Our community partners this year are:  Big Hoofa’s, Yogo Passion, Hot Box, Marco’s Pizza, Greeks, Pizzaria, Chick-fil-A, City BBQ, Boombozz, Gigi’s Cupcakes, Kits and Kaboodle, Beauty + Grace, and the Indiana Pacers.