Parent Connection (PTO)

Parent Teacher Organization: Longfellow School's Parent Teacher Organization has grown enormously over the last five years. The PTO has been a strong fundraising body and has a commitment to strengthening communication, fostering a sense of community for staff and parents. With the money that we raise we provide two services to the community of Longfellow School: enrichment of the public school education and community building. The PTO supports the Cultural Enrichment Committee, the Library Committee, and the Programs Committee. The PTO funds field trips and teacher and staff needs. The PTO holds two major fundraisers each year: the Wrapping Paper and Gift Sale in the fall, and the Auction in the spring.

The mission of the Longfellow School Parent Teacher Organization is twofold: to provide enhanced educational opportunities for the children of Longfellow School through funding and organizing activities involving cultural enrichment, science, literacy, nature and the arts; and to encourage community and shared experiences with the families and neighborhoods that surround the school.

PTO Meetings for 2009-2010: The PTO meets the first Tuesday of each month. Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. in the school library. Here are the dates for the 2008-2009 school year:

September 9th
October 6th
November 3rd
December 1st
January 5th
February 2nd
March 2nd
April 6th
May 4th
June 1st

PTO Bylaws (PDF)

PTO Officer Job Decriptions (PDF)

Cultural Enrichment Committee (PTO Committee):

Mission statement: To allow students to sample the artistic richness of the greater Portland community regardless of family background or income; to provide all students with the opportunity to work directly with a practicing, professional artist; to recognize and validate multiple styles of learning; to augment classroom instruction and supplement regular instruction in art and music by bringing into the classroom artists whose expertise is different than that of our staff; to provide students, staff and school community with an opportunity to develop historical and multicultural understandings as they make connections between themselves and their artistic community; to connect artist's residencies with state and local learning results and standards.

In the context of this mission, we provide grade level residencies in the arts; take students on field trips to performances and museums; and sponsor workshops, demonstrations and hands-on learning experiences in the classroom.

PTO Room Representatives: Each year there are 2-3 room parents per classroom who act as the Parent Room Representatives to the PTO. This is on a volunteer basis and we encourage parents to participate in this way. If there is an interested parent please contact the president(s) through the front office.

Ways to Help from Home: Box Tops For Education, Box Tops Marketplace, Hannaford Helps Schools.