Welcome Back

Welcome to the start of the 2011-2012 school year at Ox Bow Elementary! On behalf of The Concord Ox Bow PTO, I would like to extend a warm HELLO to those of you who are new to Ox Bow, and a “WELCOME BACK” to all of you who are returning.

I would like to take a moment and give a quick overview about Ox Bow’s PTO. Our PTO is a strong group of individuals committed to enriching the lives of students, teachers and parents of Ox Bow School. We are so much more than just an organization that does fundraising. We are a group of parents who help sponsor school assemblies, put on red ribbon week and fall harvest night. Fundraising is really just a necessary evil. As school budgets require more and more cuts, it is our privilege to provide the supplies, equipment and activities that our school community budgets can no longer cover. We are only able to do this because of your support and willingness to participate in our fundraisers like Exercise for Education and the Ox Bow Zaar.

Due to your tremendous support of last year’s events, PTO was able to purchase, a pulse oxmeter for the nurse, new wagons for the office, and more supplies for minds in motion room. We also bought weekly readers for the entire Kindergarten and 3rd grade classes, as well as donate money towards each grades study trips. Also watch for your child to bring home a birthday book that we as a PTO purchased, and look for a new summer reading program we are helping to launch. With your support of our fundraisers, we were also able to donate money to help improve the courtyard. And thanks to your support we will also be launching new programs such as poetry club, leadership team and a new PTO sponsored tutoring program.

We are looking to revamp grandparents day, spirit wear and the Jog-A-Thon this school year. We are even continuing on with Tower Tuesdays and adding a program called Pennies for Patients. Watch for most Family Event Nights to happen the 2nd Tuesday of every month.

As you may have noticed, there was again no ice cream social this fall. PTO is happy to announce that Fall Harvest Night is going to permanently stay in the place of the ice cream social. This evening will be a wonderful opportunity to enter Ox Bow, see the classrooms, walk around the school, deposit money into lunch accounts, pay book rentals, and learn more about school wide programs like Box Tops. We will once again be pre-selling Chicken BBQ and "pit"atoes tickets so families can grab a quick, delicious dinner on their way home. Watch for more info on this evening. This will also be our first Family Dinner Night for the school year.

Life is filled with many day to day tasks that consume so much of our time, but one thing will always remain the same, and that is the need for parental involvement at school. Statistics show that when parents become involved, students achieve more. I encourage you to find an hour or two to give of your time or talents to our wonderful school.

I invite you to come learn more about Ox Bow’s PTO. We meet the first Tuesday of every month at 7pm. Membership is free. Whether you are new to Ox Bow or a seasoned pro, we gladly welcome you. PTO is a wonderful way for adults to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and build lasting friendships all while having a voice in your child’s school. Make sure to Follow us on Facebook at Ox Bow Elementary PTO (Concord Community Schools). All you have to do is hit the like button and you will receive updates from the PTO.

No amount of time devoted to your child’s school goes unnoticed or unappreciated! Come make a difference. Please join us for our next meeting,Tuesday, October 4th. 7pm.  You won’t regret it.

Courtney Sponseller
PTO President