Gainfield PTO Committees

Schedules, organizes and runs non-fundraising family events such as Game Night, Bingo Night, and Movie Night. New ideas are always welcome! This committee is in need of a chairperson. Contact Information: contact Karen Reilly 267-7134 mkreilly7134@sbcglobal.net if you are interested in being the chair for this committee.

Coordinate a Gainfield family carnival. Includes coordination of food, volunteers, games and events for a June Carnival.  Chairpersons: Nikki Kulis, Cara Spath, Stacey Wilbur. Email gainfieldpto@gainfieldpto.org if you would like to volunteer to help with this event.

This program provides students that opportunity to participate in an after-school class or activity that they currently do not have access during the school day such as Video Animation, Cooking, Karate, Dance, Lego Engineering, Chinese and Spanish -- just to name just a few! The committee provides fee-based professionally taught activies and classes that will peak student interests in areas of math, science, and the arts. This committee is in need of a chairperson. Contact Information: Sherry Bova (203) 267-6760, email: rsbova@sbcglobal.net

Assists Ms. Pinto (GES Art Teacher) with many art projects throughout the year. Coordinates the spring art show volunteers. Contact Information: Cara Spath 262-6770 carpaint@charter.net

Twice a year, the Gainfield PTO sponsors a visit from a childrens' author and an illustrator. The published professional makes a presentation to each grade level, covering topics such as; how information is researched for a book, how much their artwork has improved over years of practice and specific strategies for how students can improve their writing skills. Over the years the author/illustrator program has proven to be a meaningful enrichment program for the students at Gainfield. Contact Information: Patty Windover mewindover@yahoo.com, Gabby Addison loripetera@aol.com, Maura Bergman mdesigns_ct@yahoo.com

Collecting box tops is a fun and easy way to raise money for our school. Gainfield earns 10 cents for every box top collected! Last year we raised $1536! Box Tops are available on over 330 General Mills products. For added fun, tape them onto this collection sheet. The class that collects the most box tops earns a treat!! Make sure you register on the Box Tops website to earn even more contributions for Gainfield. Each time you shop online via the Box Tops website, Gainfield will earn a percentage without costing you more! Contact Inforamtion: Tanya Labonia; 267-7445; LaBoniaT@aol.com;  Kathleen Bragg; 267-6717; katbrg122@aol.com

The group of parents help provide an understanding of the Region 15 annual budget including voting date and time as well as key components of the budget that will affect all Region 15 students. Contact Information: Steve Suriani 264-3548 steven_suriani@yahoo.com, Gabby Addison loripetera@aol.com

Contact information: Lynn Cummings / 262-8288  / jwclmc@aol.com

Brings 3 to 4 performing artits or groups to the school each year. Artists range from poets to dance troups to musicians. Previous performes included a science-based dance troupe and a musical trio who performed "Peter and the Wolf."  In the 2010/11 school year this committee is hoping to expose the students to the theatre and visual arts. Contact Information: Tammy Dagan, email: tammydagan@yahoo.com

"Dads and Doughnuts" is an annual, before school, breakfast event for Gainfield students and dads (or any other adult of the child's choice) held in the Gainfield cafeteria. For a small fee, students and guests can choose from a buffet breakfast of muffins, bagels, fruit, danish, coffee, milk, orange juice, and of course, doughnuts. Students and their dads (or other guests) can have their picture taken in front of our "Dads and Doughnuts" backdrop (free with your camera, $1 for a Polaroid). "Dads and Doughnuts" takes place in May, typically on the first Wednesday in May so dads can eat and then vote in the school referendum. Contact Information: Angela Holland 264-6717 angelaholland6@yahoo.com, Maria Sexauer 405-1184 masexauer@charter.net

Our Fall Fundraiser begins in early September. It is comprised of a Kathryn Beich wrapping paper/novelty gift sale and an Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough sale. Donors also have the option to make a direct financial donation to the PTO in conjuction with or in leiu of placing an order. This fundraiser subsidizes many enrichment and education programs. Contact Information: Sherrie Romano 405-1846 sherrieromano@hotmail.com

Fifth grade is a fun and exciting time for the students as they prepare to embark on a new journey towards Middle School. To celebrate that along with their memorable years at Gainfield school, a themed year end party is held for the 5th graders to enjoy. A group of volunteers/5th grade parents work together to create an impressive celebration for the graduating class. Contact Information: Karen Reilly (203) 267-7134 mkreilly7134@sbcglobal.net, Missy Paulsen (203) 638-0238 momoftwingirls@chartner.net, Cathy DeCarli (203) 267-1924 cathy@decarli.org, Donna Jensen (203) 267-1745 djenbloch@aol.com

The Gainfield 5th Grade Yearbook is published at the end of the year and includes class pictures and many photographs commemorating the graduating class. Committee members take photographs of school events throughout the year. The committee will also collect photos taken at events during the 5th grade class's kindergarten through 4th grade years at Gainfield. Each 5th grade student will receive a yearbook and will be given an opportunity to collect autographs from fellow students. Contact Information: Karen Reilly (203) 267-7134 mkreilly7134@sbcglobal.net, Ellen MacDougall (203-267-3888 emacdougall215@att.net

The School Scrapbook is a scrapbook for the kids here at Gainfield Elementary School. It is a great way for the kids to keep their experience and memories of GES alive. The scrapbook is kept in the library for children and parents to enjoy. Please send in photos of classroom activities, field trips, concerts, plays, field day, etc. to school. There will be an envelope in the office designated for scrapbook pictures. Only Photos pertaining to school events will be included. Contact Information: Sandy Vas (203) 262-8030 sandyvas@gmail.com

Organize an entertaining night of fun and games for Gainfield family and friends. Contact Information: Donna Lesch 262-6999 donnalesch@hotmail.com

The Holiday Fair is a PTO Fundraiser which is held over the course of two days during the first week of December. The media center is transformed into a holiday shoppe, where both homemade craft items and commercial merchandise are available for purchase. The fair provides an opportunity for children to holiday shop for family members and have a real life math experience. Gifts range in price from 50¢ to $10.00. Volunteers are on hand to guide children in selecting their items. This is a fun and festive event for everyone! Contact Information: Jody Diaz / 405-1254 / jodylizdiaz@gmail.com and Susan Puglisi / 264-4032 / spuglisi@emsysinc.com

Provides refreshments for PTO sponsored events as needed. Contact Information: Kathy Harwell 264-6024 kathleenharwell@aol.com

This fun and exciting event serves two purposes. First and foremost, it provides children a great opportunity to get gifts for mom without mom for once. Children are very excited to go through beautiful flowers and think about how much they will please their moms. Everyone should see their smiles after they choose. Second, it provides a chance to raise money for the PTO fund which provides resources for teachers and children. We can do this without charging the children steep prices by getting plants directly from a great grower in town. Last year, we added perennials and hanging baskets. This was a huge success. Realizing great demand, we are planning to have more of these varieties available. We always appreciate volunteers. It is a one time event, not a long commitment. Contact Information: Jeanette Santiago 267-7424 thegambles@earthlink.net, Tracy Watson 264-2066

In addition to recognizing PTO volunteers, the Newsletter cooridinator develops and distributes a recap of the PTO events and programs. Contact Information: Steve Suriani 264-3548 steven_suriani@yahoo.com

Gainfield's Annual Open House is held in late September. After an exciting evening of visiting classrooms, meeting teachers, and touring the school the PTO hosts an Ice Cream Social in the cafeteria. For $1.00 each, students and their familes can enjoy their favorite ice cream flavors! Contact Information: Cathy Callanan; 264-0264; CathyCallanan@aol.com

coordinate a friendly basketball game between parents and Gainfield Staff. A favorite event for children, parents and staff! Contact Information: Jen & Chris Barstrom barstrom@charter.net

This fund raises money for families in Region 15 who have extraordinary expenses for their child(ren) due to medical reasons or special needs. Some of the items the fund has purchased for Region 15 students have been special wheel chair, special scooters, orthotics. The fund has also provided monies to cover expenses, not covered by medical insurance when the family has a specific need for their child. Contact Inforamtion: Carole Nielson 264-4651 nielsc61@yahoo.com

Takes pictures of PTO events for publication in local media outlets. Creates and submits press releases to local media outlets in order to showcase PTO programs and events to the Southbury area community. Contact information: Greg Gibson 264-6832 greg.gibson@charter.net

Each year, the PTO starts out with a chance for old and new friends to get together for a good meal for the 1st PTO meeting. This is also the Gainfield family's chance to hear what the Principal's plan is for the new school year. Contact Information: Stacy Morice / 267-3465 / shaklee2k@yahoo.com

Manages and updates all PTO website content. Coordinates the PTO e-mail blasts as requested by the PTO Executive Board. Contact: Carrie Singer (404) 274-3914, email: csinger82003@yahoo.com

Each Winter, Gainfield has a Reading Incentive Program that motivates and excites the children to read. Reading Incentive week is kicked-off with a creative show by the teachers and staff. Each week your child will bring home a slip of paper to record their nightly reading minutes. On Friday, they hand in their slips for the week. Volunteers count up the minutes every Friday and whichever class has the most reading minutes by the end of the program recieves a special treat. Contact Information: 267-6717; katbrg122@aol.com

Attends all Region 15 Board of Education meetings and updates the GES PTO. Contact Information: Steve Suriani 264-3548 steven_suriani@yahoo.com

The PTO sponsors a morning "tea" at which you can meet your classroom head room parents and sign up to volunteer for classroom events and activities. The tea is held in early September. Contact Information: 262-6770; carpaint@charter.net

The PTO Scholastic Book Fair is held in the Fall and the Spring at Gainfield and is set up in the Media Center for two days. A large number of parent volunteers help to set up the book fair and provide assistance to students during the book fair. Students, parents, and staff are able to purchase new books, pencils, and novelty items at a discounted rate. The Book Fair provides an opportunity for students to enjoy and choose new and exciting books. Contact Information: Genia Brockett: 267-5838, fourofmine@sbcglobal.net or Mikelanne Phaneuf: 264-7216 , mikelanne@sbcglobal.net

The Spirit Wear Program is available so every child has an opportunity to share in Gainfield’s School Spirit. Each February the PTO offers a variety of clothing and other “spirit” items for everyone to purchase. In April, the spirit wear is delivered with anticipation of the School Spirit Day put on in May. Spirit Wear is a fundraiser for the PTO. However, we emphasize that it is more important that every child have an opportunity to be able to purchase a variety of spirit wear, so we do not make the prices of the clothing any more than one would find in a store and sometimes even cheaper. Contact Information: 262-6062, lesleymae@charter.net

During Teacher Appreciation Week, volunteers prepare dishes to serve to the teachers during their lunch period. If you would like to volunteer to send in a dish. Contact Information: Catherine Hirschauer 264-9800 cash914@sbcglobal.net

The teacher representative atteends PTO meetings and provides the PTO with the teacher perspective on issues. They will also keep the PTO informed of teacher needs at GES. Contact Information:264 -5312, nkulis@region15.org

Manages and recruits PTO event and program volunteers. Contact Information: Gabby Addison loripetera@aol.com

In March each year, Gainfield celebrates great women in history. Parents, teachers and staff portray women throughout history that have made significant contributions to our world. Students visit the media center where these women "come to life" through monologs about each woman's accomplishments and contributions. Contact Information: 264-3298, smoorez@aol.com