Well, not entirely free, but the Mississippi PTO has purchased computers, books, and even popcorn in year's past so that these items are FREE for your child to use at school.

➢   What is the Mississippi PTO?  PTO stands for Parent Teacher Organization.  The PTO is a group of parents and teachers from Mississippi Elementary; parents just like you with children that attend Mississippi Elementary and teachers that work with your children every day at Mississippi.

➢   Where does the PTO get the money to purchase items for my child to use at school?  The PTO coordinates many of the fundraisers you see coming home with your child and the profits from those fundraisers are the dollars the PTO is able to use to buy these items for your child's school.  This money comes from:
•   The box tops, milk caps, and soup labels you send in with your child.
•   The pizza you buy at Pizza Hut on Mississippi Elementary nights.
•   The Chip Shoppe & Butter Braids fundrasiers.
•   The items from the Chip Shoppe fundraiser that is just ending.
•   Direct donations from parents to the PTO.
•   The food perspectives, book fairs, and all of the other fundraisers we do each year.

➢   Where does the money from these fundraisers go?  Each year, the PTO listens to parents and teachers to get their ideas on how to spend this year's money.  The PTO then has to make the tough decisions on what can be purchased this year and what cannot.  Unfortunately, each year there are many good ideas and programs that could benefit our children but the PTO doesn't have enough money to fund them or volunteers to run them.  Of course, the more money the fundraisers take in and the more volunteers we have that are willing to help, the more the PTO is able to do.  That is why YOUR participation in the PTO through volunteering and/or participating in your child's fundraisers is so important.  The more you are willing to do, the more the PTO can do for  your child!

➢   I pay taxes and even voted for the school tax levy?  Why can't that money go towards these types of things?  The laws are very specific on what state dollars and levy dollars can go towards.  In addition, those sources just do not provide enough dollars to purchase some of the "extras" that make a school special.  Here are a few of the "extras" the PTO has purchased in recent year's to enhance your child's learning experience:
 
•   Books for Media Center
•   Grade 4 Orchestra Hall field trip
•   Climbing Wall in the gym
•   Crossing Guard/Bus Guard appreciation
•   Popcorn for class parties
•   Staff Retirement gifts
•   Summer Reading Program
•   Wheelchair for nurse's office
•   Anti-bullying games and prize money
•   Funds for Science Night
•   Books for ESL Department
•   Funds for "Kids Saving the Earth"
•   $500 Scholarship to former Mississippi student graduating from CRHS 
 
➢   Does the PTO do anything besides fundraisers and spending money?  Sure!  The PTO is also involved with many of the "fun" nights that are done each year at Mississippi including game night, science night, art night, etc.  We help put a float from our school in the Coon Rapids High School parade.  We help with school open houses, track and field day, and all sorts of fun things at the school.  

 "Mississippi Elementary PTO is about men and women working together toward a common goal.  That goal is creating a better school and a better educational experience for our children.  We strive to create an atmosphere where teachers and administrators can do their best work - and so can our children.  - Jim Besst, former Mississippi PTO president

Please consider joining us.  We NEED your help.  PTO-sponsored fundraisers and special events are suffering from a lack of parent support.  One recent example: A business in our community, Pizza Hut, has stepped up to donate dollars for our children's school as part of one of our favorite fundraisers: Pizza Hut Night.  Yet we only had two volunteers to help out this past Pizza Hut Night.  It would be a shame to have to cancel this once-a-month fun night and the dollars it brings to Mississippi School simply because we didn't have enough parents to help out.

We are asking that each family make just one 2-hour commitment per school year to help improve your child's learning experience by volunteering in some way at a PTO event.  PLEASE contact Principal Mark Hansen at (763) 506-3501 or via e-mail mark.hansen@anoka.k12.mn.us or Volunteer Coordinator Kathy Besst at (763) 506-3537 or via e-mail kathy.besst@anoka.k12.mn.us. Or fill out & return the signup below and return it with your child.  Your 2-hours will make a difference!
 
And remember, parents are always invited to come to our monthly PTO meetings on the second Thursday of each month to learn about activities and volunteer opportunities.  Free childcare provided during the PTO meetings!  Your kids will have fun in the gym while you learn about the PTO. 

On behalf of the entire PTO board, thank you for your interest and consideration.

Sincerely,

Pete Spielbauer, President Mississippi PTO

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____ I would like to have more information about PTO volunteer opportunities

 ___ I may not have the time to volunteer or participate in the fundraisers, but I would like to do my part by donating the attached check to the PTO to help fund some of the "extras" at Mississippi Elementary.

Parent's Name:_______________________ Phone:__________________

Children/grades:_____________________ E-mail:_________________
(Please submit to your child's teacher)