Gilbert Education Support System (GESS) / PTO
Thank you for your interest in PTO/GESS! We are a group of parents that care about the Gilbert schools and we welcome anyone who wants to participate.
GESS is the acronym for Gilbert Educational Support System. This group functions as the Gilbert Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
Our Goals:
Support classroom learning
Encourage learning in and out of the classroom
Encourage student support in community activities
Serve as a liaison organization between educators and parents
Our Objectives:
Establish a communication mechanism between educators, parents and district patrons
Provide financial backing for non-budgeted school projects
Recruit volunteers for various activities upon request of teachers and staff
Increase PTO involvement with staff
Compile an elementary and middle school directory for parents
VolunteerOpportunities:
We are entirely run by volunteers. If you want to get involved, meet other parents, or just want to know more about what is going on at Gilbert schools, please come to our meetings.
Click Here to complete the volunteer form online through Google Docs. If you can't open the form or wish to print and submit a paper copy form, click Here!
It takes MANY volunteers to make these things happen! In addition to the recurring ways we support the school, the teachers and administrators come to the PTO with requests throughout the year. We hear requests at our meetings and vote on whether or not to approve funding for them. During the school year, we funded all of these requests: field trips for every grade...three amplifier systems for the middle school...Opera Iowa for the elementary school...three new safety doors for the elementary school...local author, Eileen Boggess, speaking to 5th and 6th graders...new scooters for PE...special presentation for 1st graders on their zoo field trip...new organizational bins for the elementary school guided reading library...landscaping at the middle school (we funded an Eagle Scout project)
Meetingsfor the 2011-12 school year
We meet almost every month during the school year. Our meetings are on Thursdays at 7:30 PM in the commons at the elementary school. There are no dues and we have free child care available in the gym.
| Meeting Dates: |
| August 25, 2011 |
| October 13, 2011 |
| November 10, 2011 |
| January 12, 2012 |
| February 9, 2012 |
| April 12, 2012 |
| May 10, 2012 |
| |
| Meeting Minutes |
| January 12, 2012 |
| November 10, 2011 |
| October 13, 2011 |
| May 5, 2011 |
| February 3, 2011 |
| January 6, 2011 |
| November 11, 2010 |
| October 7, 2010 |
|
Fund Raising:
We have two major fund raising events at Gilbert. In the Fall, we have the Carnival. And in the Spring, we have the Plant Sale (APRIL/MAY). We also have a few ongoing fund raisers: Printer Cartridge Recycling, Box Tops Collections, and the SCRIP gift card program. There are MANY opportunities to get involved in these fund raisers. The best way to indicate an interest in helping is to fill out the PTO Volunteer Sheet that comes in the registration materials. These are also available at the school offices and on our web site (see above).
Gilbert Teacher Supply Fund
PTO/GESS continuously stocks a supply closet with needed items at the elementary and middle school buildings for teachers to use. If you would like to donate to this activity, please click HERE to download and complete the donation form. With your donation, GESS/PTO will send a card directly to your child(ren)'s teacher(s) for you. Thank you for your support!
We support the schools EVERY YEAR in these ways:
Back to School Social (August)
Teacher Supply Closet (year round)
School Directory (September)
Conference Meals for teachers (Fall and Spring)
Thanksgiving gifts for teachers (November)
Educational Event (varies)
Teacher Appreciation Week (May)
Contact Us!
If you have any questions about PTO/GESS or want to know how to get involved, please contact Jen Weber (268-0452) or email us at PTO@gilbert.k12.ia.us.
