I would like to welcome everyone back to Bond Mill.  I am the PTO President and I am blessed to be able to represent such a wonderful school and to be able to work with such dedicated parents. Together the PTO and the school work together to give our children the best learning environment possible, filled with valuable learning opportunities as well as lasting memories.

The goal of the PTO is to help our school and teachers give our children the best education possible.  We have the luxury of having wonderful teachers and staff at Bond Mill.  We also have many committees that support the school as well as give our children access to many other aspects of education.  Another one of our goals this year is to open the lines of communications better between the board and the general membership.  One way we have approached this is by putting out a survey to get an idea from parents of alternative dates and times for the meetings.  If you haven't seen the survey please visit the website at 

Take PTO Meeting Survey Now.

I’m happy to let you know that the ice cream social was a huge success.  I would like to thank Jen Hendershot and her FANtastic committee. After the fun of the Ice Cream Social we all came back this week for the well attended back to school night where everyone had the opportunity to meet his or her child’s teacher.  We are lucky this year to have several highly qualified new teachers and we welcome them to Bond Mill. 

Please watch for the date and time of our annual room parent and PTO chairperson meeting in the media center.  Please attend to get helpful hints and information about being a room parent and a PTO chairperson.

All of the PTO programs (cultural arts, carnival, bookfair, hospitality, etc.) cannot take place if everyone does not join the PTO.  It only costs $10 per family to join.  There are no strings attached, you do not have to attend any meeting or join a committee.  The level of commitment is up to each individual.  Last year we had almost 90% participation.  Let’s try for 95% this year.  I know that we can do it. 100% of the money goes directly towards our school.

Please take part in the Sally Foster fundraiser.  Our goal this year is the raise $15, 000.  All of the monies raised are put back into the school to use for programs, materials, etc. for the teachers and students.  The fundraiser is due in September 21st. Also do not forget that the Bond Mill book fair will be October 3-10. Jennifer Hendershot and Crystal Tweedy are our chairpersons this year and if you are able to volunteer in any way please contact them.  You can reach them via email at bookfair@bondmillpto.org.  Don’t forget to register your Giant Card, Target Credit Card and turn in your box tops and Campbell soup labels.

PTO meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6pm in the media center.  However, this month the meeting will be held on Thursday, September 24th.  Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.  Please look in the multi-purpose room alcove in the next coming weeks to see the PTO bulletin board and our PTO website at bondmillpto.org.  It is a great place to find all of the important information regarding the PTO.

Last but not least, I am always available to answer any questions and hear any concerns.  There are several ways to get a hold of me:  my phone number is (301) 725-5850, email murphruiz@pmkinc.com or you may send a note in an envelope marked PTO and give it to your teacher.  

-Kristen

HELP NEEDED

We also need someone to be in charge of the Family Dinner Committee.  This committee will be in charge of coordinating the spring spaghetti dinner, securing a vendor, selling tickets, etc.   A list of the PTO committees is located on the PTO website at http://bondmillpto.org/joomla/pto-library/pto-committee-chairs.  If you are interested in any of these committees please contact Kristen Ruiz at murphruiz@pmkinc.com