WHY DO WE NEED TO RAISE FUNDS?
The Angier PTO funds and supports programs and materials above and beyond those afforded by the City of Newton’s education budget, supplementing and supporting our children’s curriculum and cultural growth.
On an annual basis, the Angier PTO budget provides $225+ worth of support per student and contributes to the Angier experience in the following ways, all of which are not funded by Newton Public Schools.
WHAT KINDS OF THINGS AREN’T FUNDED BY NPS?
CREATIVE ARTS AND SCIENCES:
CASC is a K-5 program which carefully planned arts and sciences programming to students in Newton’s schools. Program selection and all funding is managed at the school level, and is funded entirely by the PTOs. For 2018-19, the Angier PTO spent $26,000, more than $1,000 per classroom; which is the PTO’s single biggest budget line item.
TECHNOLOGY:
While the NPS allocates some funding for technology in schools, that funding is not sufficient to meet their own minimum recommended level of access to technology, especially in the elementary schools. Instead, the NPS relies on PTOs to bridge the gap, and even includes PTO funding as a line item in its technology budget. Because of past generous support from Angier parents, we are currently at the highest standard for technology access in the classroom. Our ongoing Operating Budget includes an allowance to cover the purchase of new software initiatives (such as School-Pass and FastBridge), software, apps and other new technology. For example, the PTO recently invested in a 3D printer and provides for its ongoing maintenance.
EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT:
Angier PTO helps fund a variety of programs to enrich our students’ experience in the classroom and beyond. Programs include: Color Day, Invention Invasion, Angier Garden and Understanding our Differences.
SCHOOL SUPPORT and OPERATIONS:
The Angier PTO supports the teachers and staff to accomplish their goals and enrich our children’s elementary school experience. As such, the PTO helps to fund and organize the following:
- Library purchases
- Teacher and Principal discretionary funds (to be used for basic building/classroom supplies and materials – many spend personal money above and beyond what can provide!),
- Family Directories, Handbooks, Teacher Appreciation events, our communications infrastructure.
COMMUNITY BUILDING:
The Angier PTO funds and organizes a variety of events throughout the year to strengthen our community of parents and students. Some of our community building offerings (i.e. the Back-to-School pizza picnic, Fun Fridays, World Cultures Event, Coffee Connections, Boston Family Event, PJs and Pancakes, Dads’ and Moms’ Night Out and Incoming K/New Parents Welcome, 5th Grade Events) are net expenses to the PTO.
The Community Dinner and An Evening for Angier however, are considered hybrid events in that they are both community builders and fundraisers. We rely heavily on these two events to fund our $100,000 annual operating budget, with additional funds coming from a few smaller initiatives (i.e. community offerings, school pictures).
We hope this helps answer some questions about how your help is vital to your child’s experience at Angier, and yours!
