August
(before school starts)
Prepare a welcome packet: Fill it with useful information about the school, PTO events, and how to get involved. Include:
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What the PTO does
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Officer email addresses and phone numbers
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Scheduled events
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Volunteer sign-up form
How To Create a Welcome Packet
Hold a back-to-school fair: Welcome families and help them get organized for the new school year.
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Give tours to families new to the school.
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Don’t push too strongly for involvement, but mention some of the key things the PTO does.
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Hand out the welcome packet.
Update the PTO bulletin board: Highlight past accomplishments and give contact information.
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Provide an overview of what the PTO does.
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Display photos of parents and kids having fun at PTO events.
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Highlight an upcoming event.
September
(after school starts)
Ice cream social: Start the year off with family fun and connect with parents.
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Parents and students make name tags indicating the grade level and teacher’s name.
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Parents receive the welcome packet, if they haven’t gotten it already.
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The PTO collects parent contact information, including email addresses.
First PTO meeting: Running the meeting efficiently shows parents that the group is well-organized.
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Greeters welcome parents as they arrive.
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Officers introduce themselves and avoid any insider talk.
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Child care is provided so more parents can attend.
Have a Successful First Meeting
19 Ideas for Better PTO and PTA Meetings
Parent interest survey: A good survey helps match volunteers to roles.
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Gather information on parents’ skills, interests, and availability.
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Emphasize that all help is welcome, whether for one hour or 10.
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Follow up promptly by email with parents who say they would like to get involved.
Coffee with the principal: Give parents a chance to talk with the principal in a casual setting.
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Greeters thank parents for coming.
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The PTO provides coffee and doughnuts.
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A door prize can help draw more attendees.
October
Fall fundraiser: Held after the PTO has been able to connect with parents.
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Get parents on board by sharing how the money will benefit the school.
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Publicize the results of the fundraiser and thank volunteers.
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If possible, take photos to show how the money raised is being used, then publish them in the newsletter and post them on social media.
PTO meeting: Tap into Digital Citizenship Week.
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Plan a free Family Tech Talk Night to educate families about Internet safety, online privacy, being kind online, and more.
Spaghetti dinner: A free family event that helps build a sense of community.
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Have a short meeting first to share the PTO’s goals and accomplishments.
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Publicly thank all the behind-the-scenes volunteers.
Flyer distribution/email blast: Family schedules fill up fast around the holidays, so ask parents now to save the date for events.
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Tell parents about all the activities coming up in the next few months.
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Include the PTO website address and how to subscribe to the email newsletter.
November
Book bingo and book fair: A free family event that promotes literacy.
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Attendance is free with donation of a gently used children’s book; these books can be given as bingo prizes or donated to another organization.
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Families can buy a low-cost dinner at the event.
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Kids can pick out new books at the book fair.
Spirit night at local restaurant: A fun way for families to socialize outside of school.
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Ask a few teachers to make an appearance.
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Plug upcoming family events.
Resources for restaurant nights
Parent Involvement Day (Nov. 19): Offer parents low-pressure volunteer opportunities.
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Invite parents to help out that day in the classroom, in the cafeteria, or on the playground. Take a “class picture” of the volunteers and give out certificates of appreciation.
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Write a newsletter article or send a letter or email asking parents to pledge to volunteer at least two hours for the school during the year.
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Emphasize volunteer jobs that people can do outside of school hours and from home.
27 Easy Jobs for School Volunteers
PTO meeting
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Provide donated food and plan a performance by students to draw more parents.
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Share meeting minutes and any major decisions from the meeting by email or online.
December
Winter coat drive: Collect coats, hats, and mittens to keep kids warm over the winter months.
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Help build school spirit.
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Teach students about giving back.
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Show parents that the PTO is about helping others.
Parents’ day off: Provide an afternoon of child care so parents can do holiday shopping.
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Ask high school students needing volunteer hours to lead younger students in games.
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Provide materials for kids to make their own holiday cards.
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Show an age-appropriate movie.
Breakfast with Santa
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Round up volunteers to take charge of a pancake breakfast.
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Children take photos with Santa.
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Families can shop for gifts from local businesses that rent booths or at a holiday shop sponsored by the PTO (see below).
Holiday shop: A chance for students to buy gifts for family, friends, and pets.
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Download the free School Holiday Shop planning guide to get started.
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Run it as a fundraiser, price items at cost to break even, or let students “shop” for free as a community service event.
January
Roller-skating night: Families enjoy a night at the roller rink with discounted fees.
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Ease parents and students back into the school routine after the holiday break.
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The PTO builds its reputation as a fun group.
Mid-year review: Try to connect with more families.
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Look through volunteer sign-up forms and parent interest surveys again.
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Follow up with any potential new volutneers.
PTO meeting
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Invite a speaker to talk about preparing for college or another topic of interest to parents.
February
Multicultural night: A community-building and educational family event.
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Reach out to families from other countries.
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Attendees learn about different cultures.
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Families share foods from around the world at a potluck dinner.
PTO meeting
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Recognize all volunteers since the beginning of the year with student-made valentines and plenty of chocolate.
Cultivate leaders
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Start thinking about who might consider running for a PTO office.
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Lay the groundwork for nominations.
March
Pi Day: Celebrate March 14 with a STEM night for families.
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Choose activities based on theme, age range, or area of study.
Canned food drive: Collect donations for a local pantry.
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Provide a pizza party for the class that collects the most food.
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Invite the local newspaper to take pictures of the collected goods.
Family movie night: A low-cost event that’s just for fun.
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Before the movie starts, highlight upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
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Recognize the popcorn poppers, AV wizards, and all other volunteers.
April
Leadership transition
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Finalize nominees for PTO board members and committee chairpeople.
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Hold elections.
School work day: Build school spirit with a little spring cleaning and landscaping.
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Have projects for people of all ages.
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Take before-and-after photos and post them on the bulletin board and website.
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Serve sandwiches and cookies to volunteers as a thank-you.
May
New family outreach
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Invite parents of incoming students to a PTO meeting or event.
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Share information about family activities and school traditions.
Staff appreciation: Find ways for working parents to participate.
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Invite parents and students to write thank-you notes to teachers.
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Arrange for parents to bring special treats for the break room.
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Hold an awards ceremony with silly prizes for best dressed, celebrity look-alike, etc.
Volunteer appreciation: A genuine, personal thank-you will keep volunteers coming back.
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Plan a special event for parent volunteers.
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Send a letter to the local newspaper thanking volunteers.
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Create a tree out of butcher paper in the school hallway, with leaves bearing the name of each volunteer.
32 Volunteer Appreciation Ideas and More
Final newsletter
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Print photos and bios of the new PTO officers.
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Review the PTO’s accomplishments.
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Thank everyone for a great year.
