Q&A Corral

The purpose of this section is to clarify misperceptions and answer questions that parents, teachers, or Sunset community members have regarding the Sunset Elementary PTO. If you have a question, please email us at ptosunsetelementary@gmail.com. Your question and the PTO's response may be shared in The RoundUp and in this blog. Some of the questions we received recently and our responses appear below.

Raffles

"...Add revenue by selling raffle tickets..." (2/26/2019, a suggestion from the 2018-19 Fundraising Survey)

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Boosterthon and Fun Run

Why does the PTO use Boosterthon to manage the Fun Run? (5/18/2018)

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Promoting Scouting (and Other Organizations) at Sunset

"Growing up there was a scouting day hosted at my school. There are HUNDREDS of dedicated Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who attend Sunset Elementary. These kids are all involved in community service and work hard to earn their badges and make the world a better place. I would love to help with or help to plan a scouting day at sunset where scouts get to wear their uniforms and are recognized. We could even sponsor a “make your school a better place” competition where Troops can perform a service project/fund raiser to benefit sunset elementary and middle schools and compete for awards (best idea, most profitable, most original idea, etc.). Scouting is good for any community and these kiddos need to be held up in the presence of their peers to encourage participation!" 5/8/2018

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Room Parent Obligations

"I was room mom this year and out of 24 sets of parents I had 4 that would volunteer to help with parties. I could not get donations, money, emails, or support at all. One parent said that I was responsible for using my own money to support the class. In 19 years of having kids in public schools and being room mom, this was definitely my first experience with a lack of support. I will go into the role next year with some clear expectations given out at back to school night!" 5/4/2018

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Feedback about Math/Art/Science Nights

"We enjoyed math night, but we thought the art area was confusing and the art work was a little expensive! We would have preferred just seeing all the kids art without the option to buy it. Our kids were upset we didn’t buy theirs, so next year we will try to avoid the art area, so our kids won’t question why we didn’t buy theirs. We heard a few parents say they only bought their kid’s art, b/c they felt obligated. One event not on this survey was Science night. My kids loved it, had a great time, and the High School kids seemed to enjoy it also! Hopefully we have it again next year, it’s advertised more, and more people attend, b/c it was a great event!" 5/12/2018

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School Play Performances

"My son was not involved in the play this year, but last. It was great--but lots of practice/work. With that in mind, the play should have been more than 1 night--at least two." 5/12/2018

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Muffins with Mom / Donuts with Dad Chaos

"While I love the idea of Muffins with Mom, it was so chaotic. Having it the same time as the Book Fair makes sense, but the same day as the Kindergarten program caused there to be many dads coming with families and increased the number of attendees. Would it be possible to split this event up over 2 days(different grade levels on different days) or at least don't have it in conjunction with any other programs at school." 5/4/2018

"I came for muffins with mom and there were just too many moms/kids. I couldn't even find parking! We went to Mamas Java instead and found another friend and his mom did the same thing! I'm not sure how to make that better except for staggering the times or the days maybe K-2 one day and 3-5 the next?" 5/4/2018

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Working full-time and volunteering

"Working full time makes day meetings hard. Would love to help more if there were more active opportunities for working moms (vs doing side tasks on our own being the only option because active event planning happens during the day.)" 5/4/2018

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School Supplies - Expensive and Unused?

"I don't like how the PTO does the school supplies: it is too expensive and where do the supplies not used during the school year go? the trash?" 5/5/2018

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