The Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) was formed in March 2014 with parent Stephanie Slater designated as PTO Chairwoman.  The PTO meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 4:15 p.m. at San Juan del Sur Day School.  To get involved or to make a donation to the PTO fund, please join us for next meeting or contact Stephanie Slater at pto@sanjuandelsurdayschool.com.

PTO MISSION AND VALUES

Collaboration: We work in partnership with a wide array of individuals and organizations to accomplish our agreed – upon goals.

Commitment: We are dedicated to promoting childrens’ health, well being and educational success through strong parent, family, and community involvement.

Accountability: We acknowledge our obligations. We deliver on our promises.

Respect: We value our colleagues and ourselves. We expect the same quality of effort and thought from ourselves as we do from others.

Inclusivity: We invite the stranger and welcome the newcomer. We work to seek input from as wide a spectrum of viewpoints and experiences as possible.

Integrity: We act consistently with our beliefs. When we error, we acknowledge the mistake and work to make amends.

Sustainability: We actively seek projects that will lay a lasting foundation for the future. We work within specific time frames to maintain our quality ideals, goals and investments.

PTO HISTORY AND MEETING NOTES

March, 2014 saw the first gathering of the PTO with a formation meeting.  The Mission and Values were established and agreed upon by the group of attending parents as well as the decision to hold monthly meetings consistently on the first Tuesday of each month.  At the meeting it was decided that the first event for the PTO would be to organize a Field Day, to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of the school.  There were two Field Day planning meetings held during the month of March as well.

The monthly meeting in April was primarily focused on the Field Day celebration.    There was discussion of leadership roles being established within the PTO, and we are currently seeking any volunteers for a Secretary or Vice President role!  The Field Day event was a huge success with a multitude of interactive games which were all run by family volunteers.  A friendly BBQ to wrap up the morning saw the donation of nearly $90 – and the PTO was off to a great start!

May, 2014 was a great month for the PTO which began with a monthly meeting.  There was a recap of the Field Day event and initial budget discussions.  As a group we decided to organize a Field Trip for the students, to coordinate with the curriculum of ‘Animals in their Habitat’.  Three parent volunteers along with almost all of the teachers and students hiked along at the new school location, at Fincas Las Nubes.  The children saw a number of local flora and fauna and everyone enjoyed the outing.  The PTO also held a Teacher Appreciation Week during the month of May.  Throughout the week parent volunteers helped the students create a Thank You book, which was presented along with a cake, to the teachers at the end of the week.

The June meeting had an informative feedback session with fresh ideas for parent volunteers, social and curriculum events.  There was a recap of both May events as well as many fund raising ideas. There were no PTO sponsored events for the month of June:)

July, 2014 was a fun month for the PTO, as at the monthly meeting it was decided we would host an adults only Social Mixer, to raise funds for a new playground.  As a group we chose a local restaurant, run by a students family, and hosted over 30 people.  It was a great evening with delicious Macuas and even a fun group game to get the energy going!  We were so pleased to see ticket sales and donations totaling nearly $300!

The most recent monthly meeting, August, saw a big jump in attendants which is always a good thing!  We re-caped the Social Mixer event and discussed our growing budget.  Playground development, design, materials and ideas are hot topics as the project continues with great momentum.  Together we decided to host a Star Gazing fund raising event to support the current Solar System curriculum.  Details are in the works and will be announced soon!  We also had two parent volunteers offer to assist as Room Parents during lunch and recess on Friday afternoons.  The initiative will continue so as to support weekly teacher planning meetings.

Stephanie Slater is the mother of two students at the San Juan del Sur Day School.  Originally hailing from Wisconsin, she studied Fine Art Photography and graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2004.  She has lived in Nicaragua over five years and together with her husband has built and established the Pan De Vida bakery system.  Much like her approach to baking, the foundations of the Parent Teacher Organization are based on established principles which are uniquely adapted for the growing San Juan del Sur Day School.  She is excited to be leading the organization and honored to serve the school.