We decided to choose a color paper for our newsletter but also all other PTO business so when parents are sifting through the masses of papers sent home, when they see a red paper, they will know it is from our PTO.
We include:
1. Note from the President
2. From the Principal (Occasionally)
3. Meet the PTO - List names, phone numbers and email addresses.
4. Calendar of Events; including next PTO meeting
5. Parent Volunteer Opportunites
6. Teachers Wish List
7. Recipe from Family Fun
8. Volunteer Spotlight
9. Fundraising Update
10. Reminders on how to clip Box Tops, Tyson+ Program, Labels for Education, etc. as well as occasionally including a list of products that eligible.
11. Funny blurbs on 10 Reason to Volunteer, etc.
12. What the PTO has planned and what our needs are.
12. A special thanks column for individuals or companies who have donated or made a contribution.
13. We have a few local businesses who have asked to be included a small business ad in our newsletter for which we will charge $75.
When companies donate or contribute when sending a thank you card, we try to include a copy of the newsletter in which we have recognized them and thanked them.
We too do the upcoming events--with dates and times.And if we need volunteers for an event we put contact info for the parents on it. We let people know how the most recent event went--and thank the volunteers by name who helped. We put box tops reminders on it. This year I started what I call Officer Intros---every month a PTO officer will be the officer of the month--we tell alittle about ourselves, our family, what we enjoy most about being an officer, our favorite pasttimes, our family,etc---just to let people know alittle about each of us---after we are all introduced I will make it into something where we let them know what we liked best about the most recent events,etc. I have been an officer for 4 years so most people recongize me or know my kids but the new officers aren't very well known yet and I thought this may help parents & Teachers know alittle about them.
I have been publishing our monthly PTO newsletter for the last 3 years. I add clip art,birthday wishes,did you know....facts, I try to make it differnt every month. Its something I really enjoy doing!! Have fun with yours
We try to use the newsletter to get information out to folks that don't join our email list. We also do a lot of inhouse hi fives (we call a bobcat soundoff) to let folks know what we've done great. We do a article on a teacher with interesting information, an article about little known school policies, a president's column and recap articles on our events. You can view our newsletter at brentpto.com under the newsletter tab...d
Like Cindy, we start every Newsletter with a table of upcoming events. An easy date, event & time format so it can be a quick reference.
We then talk about specifics with what events we've had over the past month. We're sure to name each person (with a disclaimer hoping we didn't miss anyone)
Then there's the articles on what we need help with. I try to be specific with the type of help needed and who they need to contact.
I usually surf around on the web and find brainteasers, little known facts and such to use as small fillers in between our articles. I also try to use clip art with the articles to help designate what it's about. I also use calendars online for it's national ... month or a specific day for general did you know.
Writing the articles from a personal standpoint also goes over better than a dry "just the facts" IE: I was really excited at an event to have so many volunteers. While I was there I did a little happy dance. I put that into the article. I wanted people to know how happy and excited the PTO officers are when we have so many others helping us.
I never intended ours to be a kids Newsletter, but I'm learning that lots of kids read it on the way home looking for their parents names and doing the brainteasers.
I use Word to make ours. I set it two the two column format and that also helps with the look and a reminder to me when something might be getting a little too long.
For our newsletter we include upcoming events, Thank you to volunteers for specific events, reminders to save box tops, and to volunteer.
I would do one in English and the same in Spanish so both parent groups can enjoy.
Cindy
Cindy<br />
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<br>"People have the right to be stupid, but some abuse the privelege."
