Programs
In addition to fundraising activities, the PTO stages a number of programs each year for our children. While some raise additional funds for school activities, others are for the enrichment of the school experience and strictly celebratory in nature.
Ada / Eager Reader Night: The Ada Reader Committee, organized by retired Ada staff and supported by the PTO, plan the Ada Reader program. Students who read a certain number of pages per grade level earn Ada Reader badges (grades 1-2) or tokens (grades 3-4). Students who earn two or more badges are invited to an Ada Reader Night in January. Students who continue to earn badges are allowed to attend other fun activities throughout the spring.
Carnival: This event is held at Ada on a Friday in March and offers lots of activities, games, food and fun! Wristbands can be purchased in advance for a discount or at the door. The wristbands are used instead of cash to play the games and use the bounce house. More information will be provided in February and March.
Class Parties: Halloween, Holiday, Valentine’s and End-of-Year class parties are planned by the Room Parent and their party committee. The parties are typically held in the afternoon. Please also see “Head Room Parent.”
Conference Dinners: Since Ada staff will work long days during conferences, our PTO Conference Dinner Committee plans a dinner for them every fall and spring. Volunteers are asked to bring in a salad, casserole, dessert, etc. The Ada staff is very appreciative for this time to relax and enjoy a great meal!
Cultural Arts: This is a term used to describe the many activities that take place at Ada and throughout the district regarding the arts. Many times guest artists, authors, singers, etc. will come to our school and perform during a school assembly. Funding for these events comes from the cultural arts fund and Ada PTO.
Family Directory: This directory is compiled and electronically published by the PTO every year in the fall. It contains a lot of useful information including student and parent names, addresses, contact numbers, and class lists. It is to be used for informational purposes only and not for any form of solicitation. Directories may be purchased for a small fee.
Grounds & Gardening Committee: Ada PTO works with many Teachers and staff to coordinate different events. This committee assists with Earth Day Cleanup, weeding and planting during the spring and summer, and harvesting the vegetable garden.
Junior Great Books: The JGB program was established by the Chicago-based Junior Great Books Foundation with the aim to expose 1st through 4th grade students of all reading levels to challenging literature, instill a love of reading and improve critical thinking skills in children. JGB can be looked at as a book club for children, where students read and discuss folk tales, fairy tales, and short stories from many cultures. During the JGB program, stories selected by the Great Books Foundation are discussed in a small group led by a trained parent volunteer. Children discuss open-ended questions, share their ideas, and support their ideas with reasons or evidence from the text. JGB is a wonderful way for your child to read great literature and discuss stories with other avid readers.
Project Charlie: Project Charlie is FHPS’s substance abuse prevention program for 4-6 graders. CHarlie stands for: Chemical Abuse Resolution Lies In Education. The program’s motto is: “You are Someone Special.” This program takes place in all fourth grade classrooms and is taught in the spring. All lessons have been approved and integrated into the Forest Hills guidance program. Fourth grade Project Charlie has nine sessions which are held once or twice a week in the spring. The fourth grade topics include: (1) Recognizing the uniqueness of everyone and building self-esteem; (2) Defining peer pressure and developing ways to cope with these pressures; (3) Discussing the facts of tobacco use. Project Charlie is supported through district and PTO funding. For more information visit www.projectcharlie.com
Mini Auction: Every other year the PTO sponsors a silent auction. Many vendors from the community donate different items for the auction. All the proceeds from this auction go towards the PTO. This event is held in the spring at the school carnival.