Welcome to Incoming 8th Grade Orientation for The Wheatley Class of 2022! I am Gabrielle Karikas, the Wheatley PTO co-president along with Diane Cumming. I would like to introduce our amazing board, Debbie Soleimani, our VP, Denise Deodato, our secretary, Dana Katz, our Treasurer, and Jasmine O Connell, our member at large. As families work their way through the three schools, we have noticed a diminished engagement within the PTOs lots of excitement and involvement in North Side, much less so by the time families reach Wheatley. We are asking for your help in changing this dynamic! Please consider participating with a committee or with fundraising. These activities can require only a small amount of your time, but they have an important impact on our children! Attached is the descriptions of the various committees we have. Why not fill out the form tonight? Aside from the committees, we are asking for help with fundraising. In the absence of the District Grant Dinner, we need creative approaches to raising funds to support our children. One of the fundraising challenges at Wheatley is that we do not want to compete against the many fundraising activities held by Wheatley s student clubs and organzations. One of our newest fundraising ideas is the PTO ebay store! In just a few weeks, we have already raised over $700! Are you looking to declutter? If so, PLEASE consider donating gently used items (e.g., iphones, electronic devices, purses, clothing and jewelry) to our PTO ebay store! All proceeds will benefit out students and our school. To donate, email the PTO (wheatleypto@gmail.com) so we can make arrangements to accept the donation. We understand that every family is different as it relates to time constraints. We encourage and appreciate involvement at any level, whether it s an hour a year or an hour a week! It all makes a difference! Here are a few highlights from the last school year that were made possible by the PTO volunteers: Class Showdown prizes and support Provided hospitality for Meet Your Teacher Night and other evening programs Organized a Staff Recognition Luncheon for teachers and staff Compiled Student Directory for distribution Helped organize the third annual District Wide Fundraiser in April 2016 Attended and participated in Board of Education meetings Awarded Mini-Grants to support the Life Skills Program, the Midterm Experience, the Day of Service & Learning, the music department, WSTV (the school news station). Offered a self-defense program for our female students Purchased new fitness equipment for the redesigned fitness room Provided food sales during mid-term and finals week when the cafeteria is closed to students Planned and facilitated the Annual Senior Party Provided and served the annual senior brunch Provided food sales after school for students who stay after for sports and other activities Provide scholarship and awards to Students at the annual awards ceremony The PTO recognizes that we are all an important part of our children s education, and we are proud to provide the support and funds. We need help in continuing to these wonderful traditions.
We have attached a list of our committees and a brief description of the responsibilities of each one. Please feel free to contact us at any time@ wheatleypto@gmail.com We are looking forward to getting to know all of you next year! Gabrielle Karikas Diane Cumming 516-743-2000 516-547-0855 gdkarikas@gmail.com cummingclan5@gmail.com Please fill out the sign up form here tonight. However, if you are unable to complete it tonight, please fill it out and return it to the Wheatley School. The address is on the form.
Wheatley PTO / wheatleypto@gmail.com 2017-2018 - Wheatley PTO Committees Bake Sale (3-4): Organize and host the 2 PTO bake sales (Fall and Spring) Cafeteria/Nutrition/Health Committee (2): Attend district wide meetings and help plan district wide health related activities for students Directory (1): Produce and distribute school directory in September District Wide Fundraiser (4): Help committee members from Northside and Willets plan and execute a dinner to be held in April Exam Week/Day of Service Food Sales (4): Coordinate food sales during exam weeks and Day of Service & Learning. Please note the need to be available at school from 7am for several days. Fundraising (4-5): Help brainstorm and execute ideas for fundraising events Meet Your Teacher Night (2): Provide refreshments for Meet Your Teacher Night Membership (1): Collect and record PTO dues from parents throughout the school year Pizza Sales (2-4 each day Tues. or Thurs.): Organize and host the pizza sales after school on Tuesdays or Thursdays, choose which day you prefer Performing Arts (1): Provide support and organize refreshments for the Wheatley Theater Group during rehearsals and performances Safety for Building & District (2): Serve as a representative at district wide or building Safety Committee Meetings Senior Breakfast (4-Senior Parents only): Plan and execute the brunch prior to graduation rehearsal Senior DVD (1-Senior Parent): Coordinate DVD orders for graduation and the senior party Senior Party (4-5 Senior Parents): Plan and organize the Senior Class Party to be held in June Staff Recognition Luncheon (5 Parents): Plan and organize the luncheon for the Wheatley Staff in March Showdown (2): Provide game prizes and refreshments for the Showdown Finale in March Welcoming Committee(1): Provide new families information regarding the district; work with chairperson from Northside and Willets Road Wing Wong Wednesday (2-3): Organize and host Chinese food sale after school on Wednesdays
Wheatley PTO Committee Sign up Form Thank you so much for volunteering to be a part of The Wheatley School PTO. Your help and dedication to the students of Wheatley are greatly appreciated. Please indicate which committee(s) you would be interested in participating. We will contact you in May to confirm your availability. Thank you for your continued support of the PTO. Sincerely, Diane Cumming cummingclan@optonline.net Gabrielle Karikas gdkarikas@gmail.com Committee: 1. 2. 3. Your Name: Email: Cell number: Children s name(s) and grade(s): Please return the form this evening or send the form to: The Wheatley PTO c/o The Wheatley School 11 Bacon Road Old Westbury NY 11568