HIAWATHA PTO
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the PTO meet?
The PTO meets on the second Tuesday of each month, from 6:30 p.m. to approximately 7:30 p.m., in the Hiawatha Staff Room. Childcare is provided (free!), either on the playground, weather permitting, or in the Learning Center. No infant care is available. However, your children are always welcome to stay with you at the PTO meeting if you don’t choose to use the childcare provided.
What is Four Winds?
Four Winds (formerly ELF, "Environmental Learning for the Future") is a program that trains parent volunteers to present monthly classes on science and nature themes in all Hiawatha classrooms. Volunteer workshops are held once a month, with training and activities provided by the Four Winds Nature Institute. Once trained, parent volunteers coordinate monthly presentations in their children’s classrooms. The PTO funds the Hiawatha Four Winds program, assisted by grant funds from North Country Federal Credit Union and IBM. Interested in being a Four Winds volunteer? Contact Julie Miller-Johnson at 878-0245 or Lauren Jordan at 879-4677. For more information about the Four Winds Nature Institute go to its website at www.fourwindsinstitute.org.
What is Odyssey of the Mind?
The Hiawatha PTO funds an Odyssey of the Mind (OM) program. Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities from kindergarten through college; kids apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state and world level. The Vermont OM program runs from December through March, and meets weekly after school to practice problems in anticipation of the annual Vermont tournament. This year’s Vermont tournament is scheduled for March 7, 2009. Interested in being an Odyssey of the Mind coach, or want to register your child in OM? Contact Aimee Cronin at 878-0255. For more information about Odyssey of the Mind go to its website at http://vt.odysseyofthemind.org.
What does the Wellness Committee do?
The Wellness Committee provides family-friendly, wholesome, fun, safe and FREE activities such as ice cream socials, movie nights, potlucks, bingo nights, ice skating events, etc. These community-building events allow Hiawatha kids and their families to socialize and have fun together in healthy ways. We encourage your family to attend as many of these activities as you feel reasonably possible. Students have enjoyable, meaningful experiences as a result of your involvement, and see the importance that you place on the school and Hiawatha community. Interested in helping out the Wellness Committee? Contact Tina Yates at 878-2575.
What does the New Parent Liaison Committee do?
This past August, the New Parent Liaison Committee organized a First Annual Ice Cream Social for incoming preschool and kindergarten students and their families. The New Parent Liaison Committee is a new committee, working to smooth the transition for students and families to Hiawatha. Are you a new Hiawatha family with questions about how things get done at Hiawatha? Call Laurie Morgan at 879-1906 or Jenah Friend at 879-5182 and they will help you make the connections you need to navigate through Hiawatha.
What does the Staff Appreciation Committee do?
The Staff Appreciation Committee organizes an annual staff appreciation week in May of each year. It also organizes teacher potlucks on parent-teacher conference days, and helps coordinate holiday gift giving. If you’d like to get involved, or have a great idea for a staff appreciation event, please call Laurie Morgan at 879-1906.