The mission of the Williams School PTO is to support the school staff, to help enrich the educational experience of our children, and to continue to foster the Williams community.
We would love all Williams parents to be involved! Take a moment to read the brief descriptions of the PTO committees, and contact the chair of a committee or anyone on the executive committee for more information. (Note: Commitment indicates the amount of time it takes to chair the committee, not to volunteer for the committee.) Below is the Slate for the 2019 – 2020 school year. The slate is usually presented for a vote to all parents on the last day of school.
Please note that you can always volunteer. We have a Sign-up Genius list with all open volunteer positions – you can sign up throughout the year! Most everything is open for additional help, therefore if you see an area where you want to help please don’t hesitate to e-mail us at presidents@williamspto.org.
PTO Board and Committees for the 2019-2020 School Year
Executive Board
Co-Presidents – Omer Mendelson, Sofia Hamula, Cristina MacMahon (left to right, also pictures Alix Mourier)
VP Fundraising –
VP Technology –
Treasurer – Alix Mourier
Secretary –
Past Presidents (with children still at Williams) – Angie Abend, Hagit Abraham Christine Lacey, Nancy Sweatt, Sarah White, Josh Krintzman
Committee Chairs
Communication Committee – Erwin Chuk
Art Room Volunteers Coordinator –
Library Volunteers Coordinator –
Room Parents Coordinator – Sarah Cheslock
Kindergarten Parent Liaison –
Annual Campaign – OPEN
Ice Cream Socials – OPEN
Book Fair –
Halloween Festival Committee – OPEN
BAOTG Sport Clinics – OPEN
Comedy Night/PNO – Erika Welch
Launch Trampoline, Plaster Fun Time or other off site play date events – OPEN
Multicultural Night –
Teachers’ Event Raffle – Sarah Cheslock
Color Day Coordinator –
NewtonSERVES –
Safe Routes to School –
Creative Arts and Sciences –
Directory –
Fifth Grade Committee –
PTO Photographer – OPEN
Gift Books –
Green Team –
METCO Liaison- OPEN
New Families Outreach –
Outdoor Improvements Committee –
PTO Council –
School Pictures – Sue Gormley
Special Ed PAC –
Teacher appreciation breakfasts – OPEN
Teacher appreciation lunch –
Understanding our Differences –
Website – Regilo Souza, Erwin Chuk
Williams Wear –
PTO Co-Presidents
Oversee PTO committee activities, coordinate with members, the Principal and teachers, and set the PTO’s direction. Serve a 2 yr term which overlaps with the incoming co-presidents for 1 year. Communicate with Williams families via weekly emails. Keep Williams community informed about city-wide school-related issues. Prepare annual PTO budget, oversee on ongoing basis fundraising, and spending. Attend meetings: bi-monthly with Principal, monthly School Council, monthly Newton PTO Council and various School Committee meetings.
Commitment: Average of 5 hours per week, some weeks less and some weeks as high as 12 hours.
Treasurer
Serves a minimum 2 yr term and oversees the revenues and expenses of the PTO. Provides financial information and advice to Co-Presidents, and PTO committees. Responsible for expense reimbursements and yearly tax returns. Familiarity with Quicken is necessary.
Commitment: Average of 2-3 hrs per week.
Vice President(s) of Fundraising
Set and oversee the PTO fund raising goals with the PTO Co-Presidents. Liaise with chairs of individual fundraisers.
School Pictures
Organizes fall student picture day fundraiser. Liases with picture company and school administration.
Art
Coordinate with room parents to provide volunteer coverage for each class.
Coordinate with art teacher and newsletter editor about classroom needs.
Hang artwork in halls and display cases (change several times a year).
Photograph artwork for placement on artsonia website.
Help with class preparation and cleanup.
Book Fair
Organizes and coordinates with volunteers to implement two fundraising book sales for Williams families.
Coordinates with School Librarian and Bookseller.
Box Tops
Williams Wear
Help design and order t-shirts and other clothing.
Coordinate volunteers to sell goods at Williams events and fill orders placed throughout school year.
Creative Arts and Sciences Committee
The Williams School PTO’s Creative Arts & Sciences Committee (CASC) presents a diverse range of curriculum-related programs to enrich and enhance the learning experience of each child at Williams. We work closely with teachers and specialists to schedule classroom programs as well as school-wide performances, resulting in an average of five hours of programming per student each year. Past programs have included storytelling, live animals, historical reenactments, instrumental concerts, science experiments and dance.
Co-chairs of this city-wide program organize and facilitate parent volunteers who coordinate grade-level programs.
5th Grade Activities Coordinator
Chairs work with Principal, PTO, 5th grade families and teachers to coordinate a year of exciting activities.
Library Liaison
Recruit, train and oversee volunteers for Williams library and coordinate activities with School Librarian.
Host a coffee for library volunteers at start and end of year.
Teacher Appreciation Breakfasts Coordinator
Coordinates with room parents to provide teachers and staff with special breakfasts throughout the year.
Commitment: Approx. 1hr per grade-level breakfast
Safe Routes to School/Walk to School Day
Organizes Williams participation in October’s Walk/Bike to School Day and works with the PTO on issues related to creating safe routes to school for all children.
Williams Beautification/Newton Serves
Register the Williams project on the City website.
Publicize the project in the community and order supplies through NewtonSERVES.
Yearly event is in April and Williams project typically runs from noon – 3 p.m.