PTO HOTLINE #472-1958

or e-mail us at MendozaPTO@yahoo.com

Parent Involvement Helps Students Succeed in School and in Life- Research shows that the most accurate predictor of a student’s achievement in school is not income or social status, but extent to which that student’s family is able to become involved in their children’s education at school and in the community.

Who belongs to the PTO? MendozaPTO is a nonprofit organization with 501 (c) 3 status. By being a parent or guardian of a Mendoza student or Mendoza staff member you automatically become a member of the Mendoza PTO.  We encourage you to become involved in your student’s education by being involved in the PTO and its many activities. No need to join, just come to the monthly meetings.

When and where does PTO meet? Mendoza PTO meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Mendoza Media Center. Meeting announcements are printed in the Mendoza PTO Paw Print Newsletter. PTO meetings are open to any Mendoza parent or teacher. If you can’t attend the meetings but would like to volunteer your time to help at either school functions or events please call the PTO hotline, or contact any PTO member for a volunteer form.

Who is in charge of the PTO? The PTO Board consists of 7 executive officers, the school principal, and two teacher representatives. Committee Chairs lead the various committees. Any parent is encouraged to serve on the Board. The 2006/2007 officers are:

Co-presidents: Renee Rarcell & Kristina Carr

Vice President: April Welch

Secretary: Erica Felsman

Treasurer: Andrea Spain

Member at Large: Pam Cavanaugh

Volunteer Coordinator: Melissa Veres

What are the benefits? Being involved with the PTO is easy and definitely worthwhile. It allows you the opportunity to become involved in your child’s education through the many activities that are sponsored by the PTO. PTO helps keep parents and teachers informed on local school issues.  This is also an avenue where you can express your opinions on your school issues, programs, and help to promote the growth of Mendoza Elementary and its students. A parent new to the school benefits from contact with other parents. Anyone who has worked on a PTO committee knows that you don’t just walk away from the experience with the sense of a job well done; you meet and often befriend other parents.

PTO Fundraisers: The PTO is not an organization that exists to raise money; however, we do have some fundraisers that are used to better the educational experience for our children. We provide teachers with funds not in the school budget to buy additional materials for the classrooms. We also use the funds to provide fun activities for the students. We make sure that our playground is being maintained properly so that no child is hurt by damaged equipment or a lack of general maintenance. The PTO helps sponsor the Mendoza Summer School Program, Monthly Awards, Accelerated Reader programs, Birthday Balloons. These are just a few of the ways that the monies raised by the PTO are used. Click here to visit our Events Calendar.

Mendoza Student Store This year the store will be selling a newly redesigned Mendoza shirt.  Show your school spirit and wear a Mendoza T-shirt on spirit days, always the third Friday of the month, The store always has lots to offer students, you can find supplies, drinks, snacks and other fun items. Hours will be Wednesday 8:00am to 8:25am, Friday 2:15pm to 3:15pm and during some special events. So support your school and shop at the student store.

Balloon Grams- You can also order your Balloon grams through the student store. The Balloon grams are $3.00 each and contain a card, 3 balloons, a pencil and treat. This is a great way to celebrate your child’s birthday or a special achievement. Since these are delivered to your child’s classroom by parent volunteers, please order in advance to ensure we will have a volunteer available for delivery.

Easy ways outside of school to help raise funds for Mendoza:

Earning cash for our school has never been easier. With Box Tops for Education, sponsored by General Mills, you can support our school with everyday activities -- like buying groceries, shopping online and making purchases with a credit card.

For more than 30 years, Campbell's Label for Education has been giving schools free educational equipment in exchange for labels from Campbell family of brands. It’s a fun, easy program where students, families, and members of the community work together for a common goal. All we ask of our Mendoza community is to collect labels and send them in to your child’s teacher. PTO does all the rest.

Clip and save Tyson Project A+ labels from participating Tyson products. Turn in labels to your child’s teacher.  PTO will redeem them for cash to go towards classroom needs.  Each Tyson label is worth 24 cents.  To get a list of Tyson products go to the website www.tyson.com/projectaplus.

Grocery Store Script:  There are various grocery stores in the valley that support schools.  Each store donates a percentage of purchases to our school.  Ask a PTO member for further information.

Harkins Movie Cups:PTO still has a few cups left for 2006. They can be purchased through the student store, while supplies last. 2007 cups will be available for purchase in December of 2006.  Please look for more information to come home with your child.  PTO makes a percentage off the sales of these cups.  They are $3.75 apiece but you can enjoy dollar refills at the movies every time you go to the movies during the year.