The Westbrook PTO holds one major fundraiser each October; the Walk for Westbrook. Many volunteers are needed to plan and coordinate this event.

Responsibilities:

• Over the summer to plan the theme and develop various activity stations for students to take part in as they walk around the school
• Contact local businesses to solicit for donations used as a raffle prizes
• Work with PTO executive board to coordinate donation system
• Help to promote the event and get the school community excited
• Execute "The Walk for Westbrook"

Westbrook Connections works to plan social events throughout the school year. Events are scheduled in the evening or on weekends outside school hours.

Responsibilities:

• Organizing and planning a late October "Trunk or Treat" for students and families.
• Organizing and planning a Westbrook Family Dance in February/March.
• Bringing other ideas to help strengthen connections between Westbrook and families.

The Staff Appreciation Committee helps to coordinate various events to show appreciation for the Westbrook Staff.

Responsibilities:

• Organize teacher snacks, lunches, and dinner during Fall Conferences. This includes contacting and coordinating catering with local eateries, organizing signup for parent donations, and setup/cleanup.
• Organize a "winter warmup" treat for teachers in February. This is usually a small breakfast comprised entirely of donations.
• Organize, plan, and coordinate Staff Appreciation Week activities, including catered meals, donated snacks, teacher gifts, etc.

The Room Rep Coordination committee serves as the leadership team for Room Reps. The committee helps to guide Room Reps and lead on the logistical aspects of classroom parties and other Room Rep responsibilities.

Responsibilities:

• Help to recruit and assign Room Reps for all classes
• Organize and coordinate volunteers for the Walk for Westbrook (October)
• Organize and coordinate the overall timing and structure of classroom parties (Halloween and Valentine's Day)
  • Choosing a PTO provided craft
  • Providing Room Reps with ideas for party activities and addressing any questions/concerns they might have
  • Purchasing and transporting pumpkins for Circle of Friends Pumpkin Patch Party; displaying pumpkins during Halloween parade
• Organize and coordinate door decorating by Room Reps during Staff Appreciation Week (May)
• Help recruit volunteers for Field Day (May)

The Special Lunch committee plans, purchases, and distributes vendor-provided lunches to first grade students once a month.

Responsibilities:

• Contact local eateries to make arrangements for special lunch
• Manage permission slips and fees
• ​Distribute lunches to students
• Create and manage parent volunteer signup list for Special Lunch days

The LRC committee ​works with the Westbrook librarians to organize and coordinate LRC volunteer signups.

Each fall, Westbrook hosts a Book Fair after school hours so that families can purchase books for their children. Teachers also create "wishlists" so that parents can contribute materials to their child's classroom.

Responsibilities:

• Work with outside vendor and administration to coordinate the fall book fair
• Setup and close down down book fair
• Contact teachers and create wishlists that are accessible to parents who attend the fair
• Work with the librarians to help students create their own wishlists during school hours. Coordinate a parent volunteer signup for this
• Coordinate volunteer signup for parents to help with setup, breakdown, and sales

Would you like to help keep Westbrook beautiful? The Beautification committee assists with planting and caring for planters around the school.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain planters around Westbrook throughout the school year
• Design and maintain front entrance display on a seasonal basis

The Spirit Wear Committee works with local vendors to create and purchase Westbrook spirit wear.

Responsibilities:

• Contact local vendors to work on design and prices for incoming student t-shirts
• Contact local vendors to work on design and prices for outgoing First Grader t-shirts

The Westbrook PTO Equity Committee is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and unity within our school community. Our committee plays a vital role in promoting understanding, collaboration, and equitable practices. Through thoughtful initiatives and proactive engagement, we work towards creating an environment where all individuals are valued and respected.

Responsibilities:

• Build inclusivity by actively involving parents, teachers, and students in equity-related discussions and projects
• Research and propose initiatives to address disparities and promote equity within the school community.
• Support and advocate for underrepresented groups, ensuring their voices are heard and needs are addressed.
• Collaborate with other committees to integrate equitable practices into various school events and activities.

To help to promote literacy and make students feel special,  the PTO provides books for the principal to give each child on their birthday or half birthday.

Responsibilities:

• Purchase and wrap books

The Reading Incentive Committee coordinates a reading program throughout the year in cooperation with Station 34 (similar to the “Book It” program of the 1990's).

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the incentive program with Station 34
• Distribute monthly tracking calendars to families
• Go through collected forms each month and distribute incentive (i.e. free kids pizza coupon)

The School Supply Committee works with school supply vendors and administrators to help parents purchase school supplies.

Responsibilities:

• Work with administration to get supply lists from Kindergarten and First Grade teachers
• Work with vendor to upload supply lists
• ​Distribute information to parents on how to order supplies with the chosen vendor

Tasty Bites is a program that gives students an opportunity to try a fresh fruit, vegetable, or herb during P.E. class.

Responsibilities:

• Devise a list of fresh fruits/vegetables/herbs for students to try each session
• Contact grocer about donations
• Distribute permission slips to all Kindergarten and First Grade families; ensuring that all families respond
• Create and manage a volunteer signup genius for ONE additional parent volunteer to attend and help distribute samples each session
• Cut and prepare food samples for students
• Attend P.E. classes where samples will be distributed.

The Welcome Committee hosts summer playdates and other events to welcome new and returning students to Westbrook

Responsibilities:

• Organize playdates for new and returning Westbrook students over the summer
• Plan and organize "Back to School Popsicle Party" for Kindergarten and First Grade families (Circle of Friends teachers plan their own event)
• Create promotional materials for the event and work with the PTO president to reach as many families as possible

The Executive Board positions include President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. To learn more about what these positions entail, please consult the PTO Bylaws.