August 2007

We have several pieces of exciting news to share with the Ames community as the new school year begins. First, Ames PTO has been given a $10,000 donation from a private family trust. This group has asked to remain anonymous, but they have made this generous donation to us because they are members of our extended Ames family with personal ties to our school. The trust administrators have asked that we consider using their donation to benefit our full-day kindergarten program, which they believe is an important asset to our community and a valuable opportunity for the children who attend it. Ames PTO has provided tuition reimbursement for early enrollment to families in this program for the first three years of its existence . This wonderful gift is an example of the greater community affirming the unique and special qualities of Ames Elementary!

We also want to encourage you all to save the date of our Ames Community Carnival and Silent Auction: October 6th from 1 pm-5 pm. This fun family event will be our biggest fundraising opportunity of the year. Come and enjoy the games and food, bid on silent auction items (including one-of-a-kind fine art pieces created by our students) and enjoy getting to know other Ames community members. Please invite your friends, neighbors and relatives for this special afternoon at Ames. You’ll be glad you made the time!

We have our first PTO meeting scheduled for September 13th, 6:30 pm. We will have a nutritionist speak to us about healthy and yummy school lunches and after school snack ideas. This will be a kid-friendly presentation and then a short business meeting will follow. We welcome all Ames community members to attend.

We are very excited about the coming year at Ames. With the excellent results of our CSAP testing, new and old friends to welcome and the flurry of events and opportunities the year has in store for all of us-- we are thrilled to say: Let the year begin!

Jen Jones and Ann Warner
Ames PTO Co-Presidents