The Roadrunner

Central Elementary School PTO Weekly Newsletter: 11/7/2021

Important Dates

  • Thursday, November 11th - Virtual Veteran's Day Celebration
  • Wednesday, November 17th - Science Fair
  • No School (Conferences & Thanksgiving Break): November 22-26

About the PTO Newsletter

Hello Central Families!

We started the year by including our PTO newsletter in Mr. Gatz's regular weekend reporting. However, we are receiving consistent feedback that it would be helpful to families if they could absorb important principal/district updates separately from PTO events/volunteer opportunities. Thus, you'll now receive The Roadrunner on Sunday evenings.


Am I a member of the PTO?

As the parent of a Central student, you are automatically a member of our PTO. There are no dues to pay or forms to submit. The PTO Board, Committee Chairs and volunteers work together to provide supplemental learning experiences and a wide variety of social events for Central children and families. We'd love to have you join us at the next general meeting (Thursday, January 27th 6:30pm) or reach out to us if you'd like to volunteer in any capacity: centralptoboard@gmail.com.

REMINDER: In-School Volunteer Protocol

REMINDER: In-School Volunteer Protocol

A reminder that all PTO Volunteers must adhere to the in-school volunteer Covid protocol. Volunteers will be required to show a copy of their vaccine card to the Front Office, as well as show their drivers license for the Raptor Background Check. Vaccination verification should occur during normal school hours and in advance of your in-school PTO volunteer work.


If you are not vaccinated, but wish to volunteer, please contact Mr. Gatz directly for information. There are remote PTO volunteer opportunities available.

REMINDER: In-School Volunteer Protocol
School Directory

School Directory

An updated copy of the 2021-2022 School Directory was sent home this week. We apologize for any confusion and remain grateful to the volunteers who quickly corrected the technical issue that occurred during the original printing. Please recycle the red version and keep the yellow copy.
School Directory

Virtual Veterans Day Celebration

A special thanks to Mr. Howes and the Music Department for honoring veterans by creating a Veterans Day performance. Each class learned a movement activity or played an instrument for the celebration. On Thursday, November 11th, a link to Central's tribute video will be sent home. If you know someone who would enjoy the performances or is looking for a way to commemorate Veterans Day, please share the link with that person.

Science Fair Info

On behalf of PTO leadership and the co-chairs of the Science Fair, a huge thank you to the more than 80 Teams and Independent Scientists who signed up for the Science Fair on the evening of Nov. 17th.


With about two weeks to go, it's a good time for students to finalize their project name and begin planning their experiments! Please enter your final Project Name in the Registration Form by November 8th.


And if you need help picking a project or finding the latest information, see the many resources available on the Science Fair Website, including this helpful Planning Guide that includes a worksheet for kids to document their 5-step Scientific Method process.

Big picture
Call for 4th Grade Pumpkin Projects

Call for 4th Grade Pumpkin Projects

4th Grade Families -- we'd love to feature your child's pumpkin book report project in the 2021-2022 Yearbook. Please email pumpkin photos with the name and book to: centralptoboard@gmail.com.
Call for 4th Grade Pumpkin Projects
Final Week to Submit PTO Grant Application

Final Week to Submit PTO Grant Application

As a reminder: the PTO will fund $3000 for teacher and staff grants for Trimester 1 of the 2021-2022 academic year. Grants are intended to cover items that the school and District would not normally cover. In year's past, PTO grants provided opportunities for Central staff to incorporate extremely worthwhile and creative items into their classroom spaces.


Applications are due Friday, November 12th. The grant process includes reporting back to our membership what items were purchase and how they are used, so we'll showcase that in later editions of the newsletter.

Final Week to Submit PTO Grant Application

Spring Spirit Wear Sale

Spirit Wear orders were given to students on October 22nd! If you didn’t get a chance to place an order, keep a look out for another Spirit Wear sale in the spring! Thank you to everyone that supported the PTO with a purchase! If you have any questions about your orders, please email Beth Brouwer at beth@brouwer.com.

PTO Bylaws Update Available

We are so grateful to the following members who thoughtfully reviewed the 2013 PTO Bylaws and helped suggest changes to our governing document: Alejandra Alvarez, Jennifer Elkins, Sarah Levy, Andrea Lum, Sari Rosenberg, Mrs. Economos, Mr. Howes, Mrs. Kamp, and Mrs. Lyson. The PTO is required to allow the membership at least 30 days to review proposed Bylaws before bringing them forth at a general meeting for a vote. The proposed Bylaws can be found HERE and will be brought forth for a vote in January 2022.


  • Important changes include correcting the total number of elected board members
  • Adding an Assistant Treasurer position
  • Expanding the membership's protected classes and adding a civility clause
  • Adding clarifications to position names and duties
If you have any comments about the Bylaws, please submit them to: centralptoboard@gmail.com.

Box Tops for Education

DON'T HAVE THE APP YET? GET IT NOW!

Once you download the Box Tops app, you’ll be able to scan your store receipts and earn cash for your school. The app automatically finds participating products on your receipts and instantly adds cash to your school’s earnings online. Plus, you can invite friends to earn, get reminders to scan, give credit for your earnings and more!

Follow Central PTO on Social Media (Links Below)

About Us

About Us

About Us
Instagram @centralptoboard
61 Woodside Road, Riverside, IL, USA cetralptoboard@gmail.com 708-447-1106 centralptonews.org/