Pima Butte organizes first PTO and elects officers

Pima Butte Elementary opened its doors to students for the very first time last month. Like every new school, it needed a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) to provide support for students, staff, and parents.

On Tuesday, August 2, Santa Rosa Elementary PTO President Inez Ramirez and members of her group were at Pima Butte to help with the election of the new PTO board.

The new Pima Butte PTO officers are president, Alex Ascensio, president-elect, Gina Segarra, treasurer, Ellen Hauck, secretary, Lee Marshall and recorder, Kerry Fulton.

Pima Butte’s new PTO officers are (standing, left to right) Ellen Hauck, Kerry Fulton and Lee Marshall. Gina Segarra and Alex Ascensio are seated in front.

This board met on Monday to discuss their future plans and goals for the school year. At the end of October, they will sponsor a catalog fund-raising project. Candles, baked goods and many specialty items will be featured through QSP Reader’s Digest. Ordering will take place over a ten-day period with profits earmarked for teacher supplies and equipment at Pima Butte.

October’s Vendor Expo will also be donating raffle proceeds to the Pima Butte PTO.

Pima Butte’s first general PTO membership meeting will be held at the school’s multi-purpose room on Tuesday, August 30, at 7 p.m. Parents and grandparents of Pima Butte students are urged to attend and to get involved in their children’s educational activities.

Pima Butte has an enrollment of approximately 470 students with more entering each day. According to Principal Janelle Lowey, “The school year is off to a great start.”

Movie night will be Tuesday, August 23. The evening will feature Herbie the car starring in The Love Bug. On the following Thursday, August 25, the first Pima Butte Student of the Month assembly will be held. Curriculum Night, which will highlight math and reading programs, has been moved to Thursday, September 8.

August 10 was the first every Wednesday, after lunch, Otter Pop sale. According to Lowey, “It was a huge success. The cost is fifty cents, and all profits will be used for instructional materials for the school.”

Pima Butte needs volunteers. Any parent volunteering in his or her child’s classroom or at the school must be fingerprinted and go through the district’s volunteer orientation. Another orientation date has been set for Wednesday, September 21 (see related story).

Lowey indicated that all donations of Otter Pops for the Wednesday sales would be greatly appreciated. Additional copy paper is always needed. Any items that parents can supply should be dropped off at the school’s main office.