FAQs

Parent Teacher Organizations are made up of volunteer parents, teachers, students, the school principal, and anyone with a vested interest in their cooperative goal to provide special programs, equipment and opportunities that enhance children’s education.

Our PTO, as is typical, holds a meeting once a month that is open to all interested. Your having a student at Lakewood makes you a member of the PTO and your involvement depends on your interest and your time.

PTOs run independently, set their own policies and goals, and control how their funding is used. PTAs are part of a larger organized network working toward making an impact on decisions that go beyond their own schoolyard, while PTOs focus more on issues specific to their local school or school district. The PTA has a hierarchical structure that climbs all they way to a national headquarters; they have a presence in Washington and follow a single set of bylaws. PTAs pay dues, though this allows them access to additional resources and aid not provided to PTOs. PTO fundraising, on the other hand, all stays within their community and is spent at their discretion. With the abundance of resource access on the internet, PTOs and PTAs have began to look less distinct from each other.

PTO fundraising allows for our Lizards to participate in many fun and enriching opportunities. Some examples include: assemblies, field trips, International Night, Robotics, special breakfasts, Field Day, festivals, Lizard swag, and many more! The PTO provides financial support for teachers to purchase supplies, run events like Kindergarten Roundup, and has paid for additional teacher certifications and education.

The PTO raises these funds in four primary ways:

• the Auction – when held, it is our single biggest fundraiser of the year!
• Other events like March Read-A-Thon and the fall Fun Run
• Direct donations
• Smaller fundraisers that add up – Dominos, Kroger, Restaurant Fundraisers, etc.

Most parents are surprised to learn that the PTO spends approximately $200 per student each year! Of that, $135 goes directly to student enrichment, events, and academic support, among other things. For every student, $65 fully funds all field trips so that no children are asked to pay to participate. With over 300 students, that’s $60,000 that the PTO collects each year to meet its goals. Please know that ANY amount assists us in creating a better experience for the students of Lakewood – your children!

If you are a parent or guardian of a child in attendance at Lakewood Elementary School, a teacher or official of Lakewood Elementary…

Congratulations, you’re already a member!

You can formalize your membership by joining our email list and you have voting rights for all decisions made during meetings as long as you’re in attendance.

• Connecting. There’s no better way to know what’s happening in your school.
• Tapping into a network of parents like you. PTO functions are opportunities to meet other parents and teachers. You can share ideas, concerns, and experiences.
• Watching yourself grow. By volunteering with your PTO, you put your skills and hobbies to use for your child and all children in the community.
• Speaking up. The PTO can be a way for you to effectively suggest change at your child’s school.
• Witnessing the improvement. By getting involved at your child’s school you’ll be part of the solution, helping make positive changes. Our PTO plays an important role by supporting building improvements through advocacy and play an important role in fundraising for curriculum based programs and social/family events.
• Being a role model. By becoming a PTO member, you’ll be demonstrating to your child the importance you place on education.

We always need help from Lakewood’s parents to make activities possible. Please consider signing up to help with at least one event. You can sign up by filling out an individual event’s sign up website that is emailed leading up to events, by submitting the interest form at the bottom of the home page, or by emailing: a2ptolakewood@gmail.com

Additionally, donations can be made by cash or check (made out to: Lakewood Elementary School PTO) and turned into the school office or online through our Zeffy account! If you donate by envelope to the school and would like a receipt, please make sure to indicate this and include your name and address.

We look forward to working with you this year and would love to see you at a PTO meeting. All meetings are open to all!

The Lakewood Elementary School PTO was established as a non-profit
501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax-deductible under the EIN 38-3627453.