PTO Corner February 12th, 2023

Follow the PTO on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/GeistElementaryPTO

February 17 - eLearning Day

February 20 - Presidents’ Day/NO SCHOOL

February 21 - School IN Session due to Snow Day (1/25)

February 24 - Science Fair

March 13 - Flex Day

March 21 - International Fair

March 31-April 7 - Spring Break

May 23 - Field Day

Geist Gator families often ask “where does the money go?” Referring to the money that is raised via the various PTO fundraisers throughout the school year. Great question! The money goes directly back into the classrooms and ultimately the students! The PTO funds two types of grants per school year, grade level grants and special project grants.

Grade level and special project grants are a few of the most important items the Geist Elementary PTO funds. Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded per grade level and we currently have $5,000 allocated towards special project grants. All grade level grants are awarded for grade level collaboration, not individual teachers. All grade levels (K-4) and the CFL area are encouraged to submit an application for a grade level grant. Our purpose is to serve as many students as possible with each grant. All GES teachers, special services and related arts teachers are able to apply for a special project grant. The grant request must be aligned with HSE21 Best Practices of Teaching and learning and be instructional in nature.

This is why our fundraising is so important: Gator Gallop, Fall Festival, Flower and Spirit Wear Sales, and Dine to Donate all help support these opportunities and others.

Below are more details on one of the special project grants that is currently being utilized by students and staff!

The Geist Elementary PTO Board

A recent special project grant that was submitted by 2nd grade teacher, Elicia Diamond, was approved and set into motion. Diamond’s special project grant requested pickleball courts and equipment to be utilized by staff and students. Within the proposal Diamond stated the following were the benefits of having pickleball,

PE curriculum

• Will give students and faculty social interaction and team building opportunities to

improve school morale

• Improves mental health and physical wellness

• Improves balance and agility

• Promotes and teaches a family bonding sport to students, staff, and families

• Promotes strategizing in different scenarios

The pickleball courts are currently being used during PE classes. PE teacher, Rod Sutherlin, is having fun learning about the game alongside the students. Sutherlin has K-1 students practicing their pickleball skills with beach balls, 2nd grade students with dodgeballs, and 3rd/4th grade students with the pickleball. Ask your child about their pickleball experience!

GES staff have also enjoyed the courts. They meet Friday afternoons after school to play. 1st grade teacher, Alex Savin, stated he has been going every Friday for the past month and is really enjoying the sport and time with his colleagues.

Diamond stated, "I'm so excited that Geist PTO has provided staff and students with an opportunity to learn how to play pickleball. Teachers are enjoying the time after school to mingle, exercise, and build relationships with one another."

Our annual Science & Engineering Fair and Science Night will be held on Friday, February 24th and we need YOUR help! We are in need of adult judges for the fair from 8am until noon on Friday. We are also in need of junior high/high school or adult volunteers to assist on Science Night from 5pm-8:30pm. Our students look forward to these events every year - please consider volunteering your time to make them a success!

https://signup.com/go/kkDEbai

https://signup.com/go/ZTArEhO

January staff appreciation included breakfast to kick start a great day!

Quick Links & Contact Information:

Here are quick links to our "Stock the Lounge" Amazon Wishlist and Staff Favorite List.

If you are interested in sponsoring a staff appreciation event please reach out to geistptotreasurer@gmail.com. Thank you for your continued support!

Last week we recognized and celebrated the hard work and dedication of our amazing school counselor, Lisa Keller, as well as all of the counselors across the district. We appreciate all you do to help our students succeed!

Do you shop at Amazon or Kroger? If so, there is an easy way to donate a portion or percentage of your purchases to Geist Elementary. Although the percentage may seem small, the total amount back to GES adds up significantly the more people that register! These rewards programs do not cost anything to sign-up and are easy to register by using the following steps:

Amazon: Anytime you make a purchase on Amazon, go to Amazon Smile to shop at www.smile.amazon.com. Choose Geist Elementary PTO, Inc as your supporting organization and GES will receive 0.5% of your total purchases.

Kroger: Register your Kroger Plus Card at www.Kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow. Then, sign into your Kroger account and link your card to GES’s organization number which is GU130. Then, shop and swipe your Kroger Plus Card at the checkout and GES will earn cash! We had about 140 registered cards last quarter and GES earned over $4400 last year!

Thank you for registering and giving back through these programs!

If you are a soda drinker, Coke Rewards can be used to benefit Geist PTO! When you make Coca-Cola purchases, you simply enter the product codes here: Coke Donations (or google Coca Cola Gives)and our school receives a donation.