18 SEPTEMBER 2022 By Mallory Gleich Behind every successful school is a hardworking and dedicated Parent Teacher Organization. Read on to see what our area schools have planned for the 2022-23 school year. ARCADIA HIGH arcadiapto.org Kim Kleski returns as Arcadia High’s PTO President for the 2022-23 school year. “Building on our successes from last year, we plan to continue our dedication to support the community and make this a great year,” Kleski said. Arcadia’s PTO has two fundraisers: a membership drive in the fall and an auction in the spring. The membership drive has seven levels, starting at $25, and Kleski said that this year’s auction will hopefully be an in-person event. Also new to the membership drive is an online swag store where members can get a coupon code for items. Upcoming events include Homecoming – with the signature parade – Future Titan Night, and various staff appreciation events. AHS is also looking for parent volunteers to help with multiple facets, including monthly teacher meals, Saturday catch-up days, One Lunch and Project Grad. BILTMORE PREP creightonschools.org Co-Presidents Jane Hendry and Jenna Erickson said they are super excited for this school year: “We can’t wait to bring back a few events that haven’t been able to happen in the past couple of years,” Hendry said. Those events include their Fall Soccer League in September, a Fall Festival planned for early November and a Sweetheart Dance for Valentine’s Day. “In addition to our events, we will be planning monthly dine-outs, organizing spirit wear sales, a Read-A-Thon and supporting our teachers and their classroom needs,” Hendry said. CHRIST LUTHERAN clsphx.org While CLS doesn’t have a parent-teacher organization, the faculty and students are keeping plenty busy this year! On September 30, Phoenix’s Detour Acting Troop will perform for the students. CLS will also be hosting a Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 11. The students have been busy filling bags for people experiencing homelessness as well as starting their own recycling program. “I am excited to watch our students grow as leaders and to watch them love and serve those around them,” Outreach Director Megan Gotshall said. ECHO CANYON echocanyonpto.com Echo Canyon’s PTO President Jessica Scordo said they’re a newer group, so they are excited to bring back events to help families connect. “Our other priorities include supporting teachers and students to enhance the educational experience, as well as spreading the word to community members about our wonderful school,” Scordo said. Upcoming events include Color Run, Read- A-Thon, Spring Family Dance, Holiday Shop, participating in Parada del Sol and Field Day. HOPI ELEMENTARY hopipta.com This year’s PTA theme is “The journey starts here.” “As a strong advocate of the growth mindset with my own children, I love the idea of education as a journey to both be respected and enjoyed,” President Anna Zollman said. “I believe in progress, not perfection.” Upcoming events include Family Fun Night in September, Used Book Fair in November, Hopi’s Variety Show, and more: “Parents can join the PTA to help provide classroom aides, fund educational classroom materials, and support school programs and events for the whole family,” Zollman said. “Hopi encourages families to register, which will allow them to receive the weekly Hopi Highlights newsletter, a free t-shirt and purchase Hopi Gear. We’re always looking for volunteers!” INGLESIDE MIDDLE inglesidepto.com Cindy Krawczyk, who served on boards for Hopi, Ingleside and Arcadia in the past, is this year’s PTO president. “Our board is made up of determined and involved parents, and we are willing to do the work to make sure that Ingleside thrives,” Krawczyk said. “We are also very excited to have Hopi fifth-grade teacher Andy Bannister serving as our Dad’s Club President this year!” Upcoming events include “Mocha with Dr. Michael” visits, Mock Trial, community and Dad’s Club events and assemblies. Krawczyk also mentioned that the board is advocating for additional security on campus and that Dr. Michael and Vice Principal Masteropolo have adopted the “No Place for Hate” policy. “We want to make sure that our kids feel safe and secure; they shouldn’t have to worry about being bullied at school,” Krawczyk said. ST. THERESA CATHOLIC stcs.us PTO President Robin Swenson said that everyone at St. Theresa is looking forward to a great year. In August, the school held a party to welcome new families and give students a chance to meet their teachers and other faculty before the school year began. “We are very excited for our annual Trunk or Treat night in the fall, plus the school auction,” Swenson said. “We are a very social school and love all events where we can come together as a community. There will also be a new event: Trivia Night!” The Father/Daughter Dance, Mother/ Son event and community parties are in the spring. St. Theresa is also bringing back their school musical after a three-year hiatus. ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE staphxschool.org Laura Louis and Angela Isacksen are the co-PTO presidents this year at STA. Upcoming events include Dad’s Club Oktoberfest and Father/Daughter Dance in October, School Carnival and Heritage Mass in November and St. Nick’s Workshop and a Christmas Program in December. “We are always excited for our annual school carnival, which is great family fun for our wonderful community,” Isacksen said. “Our carnival chairs, Jackie Baumgarten and Catherine Western (and their team of volunteers) are preparing a 50s-themed day with rides, games, food and more!” TAVAN ELEMENTARY tavanpto.com Perla Rivera is serving her second term as president of the Tavan PTO. “Our school has so much diversity, and my goal is to unite our teachers, students and families to create a ‘family community’ where we can appreciate each other’s backgrounds,” Rivera said. The PTO is working on a few indoor and outdoor projects, including new shade structures, adjustable outdoor basketball hoops, raised garden beds, an additional mister system, and a golf cart for the maintenance crew. “Our board is in full swing and has started planning for our two biggest events of the year, Hi Jinx and Twinkles. Hi Jinx will be held on Saturday, October 22 and is the ‘be seen at Halloween’ event of the season,” Rivera said. Tavan welcomes the neighborhood to dress up and celebrate the holiday on campus with games, prizes, and Trick or Treat Row. Tavan Twinkles is a holiday shopping event in December featuring local vendors and young entrepreneurs. VERITAS PREP veritaspreppso.com Nichole Weems and Meeghan Seoane are co-presidents for the Veritas community PTO. “We are excited to carry the momentum from last year’s events into a new school year,” Seoane said. “This is Veritas’ 20th year, so we look forward to celebrating this milestone with our community!” Upcoming events include the third annual Dodgeball Tournament on September 17 where students and faculty compete and win different categories with fun prizes for costume, school spirit, etc. The middle school dance will be held in October, and Spirit Week starts October 24 with dress- up days, a pep rally for the Homecoming football game and the Homecoming Dance for high school students. Annual PTO round-up for area schools at $25, and Kleski said that this year’s auction will hopefully be CLS will also be hosting a Veterans Day Parade on Friday, been busy filling bags for people Father/Daughter Dance in October, School Carnival Burgers, Dogs, Burritos! 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