1 of 28

Tarwater PTO

07-30-26

General Meeting

Tarwater Elementary PTO | 2026-2027

2 of 28

Agenda

  • 6:00 PM - Welcome / Meeting Etiquette (Kristie)
  • 6:02 PM - Principal Update & Guest (Ms Hale)
  • 6:12 PM - PTO Overview (Kristie)
  • 6:20 PM - New Business
    • PTO Budget (Lindsay)
    • Book Fairs (Alicia)
  • 6:40 PM - Updates
    • Communications (Pam / Anson)
    • Art Masterpiece
    • Dads Club
    • Family Fun Nights & Toro Takeovers (Alicia)
    • Hospitality
  • 6:55 PM - Closing Remarks / Raffle Winners (Kristie)

linktr.ee/tarwaterpto

Go to 1st option: “check-in”

Tarwater Elementary PTO | 2026-2027

3 of 28

Welcome / PTO Meeting Etiquette

  • Please be courteous and respectful.
  • ALL GUESTS:
    • Please check-in using the online check-in form.
    • Everyone will be entered to win raffle prizes.

​

  • VIRTUAL GUESTS:
    • Please mute your microphone if you are not speaking.
    • Please ask questions via chat. PTO board members will monitor.
    • If a question may be too complex for chat, please use the “raise your hand” feature (under “reactions” -- raise hand).

linktr.ee/tarwaterpto

Go to 1st option: “check-in”

4 of 28

PTO General Meetings

Per bylaws the General PTO is to meet at least 3x a year.

​

This year’s general PTO meeting dates will be:

  • July 30 - 6pm
  • November 4 - 6pm @ Tarwater MPR
  • January 7 - Principal’s State of School
  • April 20 - Elections

​

Join us as we map out another unforgettable adventure!

  • Stay informed about upcoming events and activities
  • Find volunteer opportunities that fit your schedule
  • Learn how your PTO supports students and teachers
  • Connect with fellow Toro families
  • Be part of the adventure that makes Tarwater extraordinary

​

​

​

5 of 28

PTO Board Members

  • Kristie Van Engelen - President
  • ________ - Vice President
  • Lindsay Shaw - Treasurer
  • Rachel Rush - Secretary
  • ________ - Fundraiser Chair
  • Victoria Meadows - STEM Festival Chair
  • Pam Huson - Communications
  • Laura Goodhand & Hannah Proffitt - Hospitality
  • Alicia Kruse - Family Fun
  • Kim Naylor - Fine Dining
  • Anson Kuo - Member at Large / Website
  • Bethany Kennedy - Member at Large
  • Emily Liou - Member at Large
  • Makenzie Russo - Member at Large
  • Nicole Pomerantz - Member at Large
  • Piper Huang - Member at Large
  • Tzu Ting Sun - Member at Large
  • Emily Lee, Samantha Ruiz, Krystal Sims - Art Masterpiece
  • Kyle Clark - Dads Club

Tarwater Elementary PTO | 2026-2027

6 of 28

Principal Updates

  • Principal Updates

​

  • Special Guest, Ms Courtney Gooch (CEO & Founder of FreeLife Wellness Center LLC)

Ms. Diane Hale

7 of 28

8 of 28

PTO OVERVIEW

  • School STEM Theme: Organic Intelligence
    • School’s Data Goal: Increase students' perspective that school is interesting.

​

  • PTO’s Theme: Camp Curiosity. Adventure Awaits. Helping our Toros explore, connect and grow.

PTO Mission Statement

To support and enrich the academic, physical, and social development of all Tarwater students by enhancing programs and building strong partnerships between families, school staff, and the broader community.

Tarwater Elementary PTO | 2026-2027

9 of 28

PTO OVERVIEW

PTO members plan, fundraise and support most of Tarwater’s most memorable experiences. We aim to bring the community together, create lasting memories, and strengthen school spirit. PTO supports learning opportunities across campus through academic & classroom support, special events, campus enhancements, and the Kindness campaign. Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who donate their time, talents and enthusiasm!

​

PTO support includes:

  • Meet the Teacher Back to School Night
  • Dads Club Golf Tournament
  • Mid Autumn Festival
  • Dads Club Movie Night
  • Coffee with Principal
  • STEM Festival
  • Pumpkin Decorating Day
  • Fine Dining
  • Jingle Jog
  • 100th Day Of School
  • Lunar New Year Festival
  • Art Masterpiece
  • Spring Art Walk & Picnic

​

  • Grade Level Events - Kindergarten Karnival & 6th Grade Clap Out
  • DLI Information Night
  • Classroom snacks and water for testing week and safety drill kits
  • Classroom & Grade Level reimbursements and subscriptions
  • Art Masterpiece support
  • Teacher Appreciation (Staff kindness t-shirts, welcome back breakfast, lunches during parent teacher conferences, and Teacher Appreciation Week​)
  • Campus Improvements

Tarwater Elementary PTO | 2026-2027

10 of 28

PTO FUNDS ALL OF THIS & MORE!

11 of 28

Meet The Teacher

7/13/26

PTO provided information to families, Dads Club otter pops, and raffle/sponsorships raised $600 for PTO!

​

Thank you D1 Chandler for your support!

12 of 28

SCHOOL SAFETY KITS

  • PTO funds helped purchase water bottles and snacks (goldfish and apple sauce) for every student.
  • Costco Chandler donated a $100 gift card to help offset expenses.
  • THANK YOU to the volunteers who helped assemble the classroom kits on 7/14.

​

​

​

Tarwater Elementary PTO | 2026-2027

13 of 28

  • Tarwater families were invited to hear from Principal Hale and meet other families.
  • PTO funds purchased coffee, juice, donuts, muffins, and fruit.
  • PTO members set up the event and provided raffle prizes.

​

Thank you Kim N., Event Chair

Coffee With The Principal 7/24/26

14 of 28

FUN-DRAISING

PTO helps raise funds needed to support all of the traditions we’ve grown to love!

​

Here’s ways we FUN-draise:

​

  • Toro Business Alliance - Sponsorships & Donations (See Link)
  • Fall Fundraiser - Kindness + Check-a-thon (8/25 kick-off, $100/student goal)
  • Family Fun Events and Toro Takeovers % Nights (Big Air, In N Out)
  • Spirit Store - T-shirts, Hats, Pajamas, etc.
  • Legacy Bricks
  • Birthday Marquee Messages
  • Fry's Card Community Rewards
  • ​Mabel's Labels
  • Box Tops

No Chandler School Cents or American Furniture Warehouse programs in 26-27

Tarwater Elementary PTO | 2026-2027

15 of 28

NEW BUSINESS

  • Motion:
    • Any member (Board or General) of Tarwater PTO can make a motion
  • Second:
    • Motion requires a second before discussion
  • Discussion:
    • Tonight’s Agenda constraints allow for 2 minutes of discussion
  • Vote:
    • In-Person: Raise of hands - Approved or Not Approved
    • Virtual: Please type your vote in the Chat - Approved or Not Approved
  • Outcome:
    • Pass / Fail, determined by a simple majority

16 of 28

NEW BUSINESS

  • Motion: Approve the PTO Budget as proposed by the 2026-2027 PTO Board (Lindsay S.)
  • Discussion:
    • The proposed budget was kept simplified and categories align with the school’s strategies of success.
    • FISCAL transparency. Financial statements are available monthly for further review.
    • Preliminary school year budget (for summer incidentals) funded by the previous school year’s reserves.
    • Expenses shall benefit the entire school and large groups of students of all grade levels.
    • Easy-to-use Google Form to be used for reimbursement requests (for teachers, staff, and volunteers).
    • This is NOT a budget approval on each detailed line item as this format required the PTO to hold general sessions every time smaller items needed to be approved. Please give the Board the courtesy of managing the overall budget at the main category level.
  • Vote - Do you approve motion?

Tarwater Elementary PTO | 2026-2027

17 of 28

BOOK FAIRS

  • Motion: Approve PTO volunteers to organize and operate a modified Literati Book Fair.
  • Discussion:
    • With the departure of our full-time Media Specialist, there is no longer a staff member available to coordinate and manage a traditional school-day book fair. Without PTO volunteers stepping in to lead this effort, Tarwater students and families would not have a book fair this year.
    • Rather than eliminating this long-standing tradition, the proposal is to operate a modified Literati Book Fair that matches our volunteer capacity. This scaled-down approach allows us to continue providing students access to new books, promote literacy, and offer families an opportunity to support reading while also generating funds that benefit our school.
    • The event would be intentionally smaller in scope, with adjusted operating hours and volunteer support to ensure it is manageable and sustainable. While it may not look exactly like previous years, a modified book fair is a far better outcome than having no book fair at all.
    • Approving this motion allows the PTO to fill an important gap, continue a valued experience for our students, and evaluate the model for future years as staffing needs evolve.
    • Any proceeds benefit the purchase of new Library books, not PTO fund.
  • Vote - Do you approve the motion?

Tarwater Elementary PTO | 2026-2027

18 of 28

UPDATES

19 of 28

STAY CONNECTED

Pam Huson

PTO Information

Linktr.ee/tarwaterpto

tarwaterpto.com

Social Media

@TarwaterPTO

Questions? Email us at: TarwaterPTO@gmail.com

School & Teacher Information

parentsquare.com/signin

Principal’s Friday

e-newsletter

Sent by Principal Hale via ParentSquare/Email

on Fridays

20 of 28

PTO WEBSITE

www.tarwaterpto.com

​

​

Anson Kuo

21 of 28

ART MASTERPIECE

  • A volunteer-led art enrichment program that introduces students to a wide variety of artists, styles, and cultures.
  • Volunteers, known as Art Guides, are parents and community members who bring art into the classroom through engaging lessons and hands-on projects that inspire creativity and an appreciation for art.
  • There are 6 guided art lessons per school year with an Art showcase and picnic in April.

Art Masterpiece Training

Tue Aug 11, 2026

8:45am - 9:45am

Tarwater Elementary PTO | 2026-2027

22 of 28

DADS CLUB

UPCOMING EVENTS:

  • Lost & Found Cart makeover
  • Repainting squares outside Kinder Classrooms
  • 9/13 Golf Scramble - Registration is now open
  • tbd Movie Night
  • 2/4 Dance At Ashley Castle

​

MEETINGS: 1st meeting TONIGHT @ 8pm

When: Monthly, 8 PM

Where: Barro's Pizza (Alma School/Queen Creek)

  • A collection of “dads” working to "build" a great school through community building and service projects (movie nights, painting, fixing computers, moving heavy things, reaching things in high places, fundraising, tightening screws, and just enjoying hanging out together).

Tarwater Elementary PTO | 2026-2027

23 of 28

FAMILY FUN NIGHTS - TORO TAKEOVERS

JULY

      • 7/15 Wed - Baskin Robbins - $ tbd

​

AUGUST

      • 8/14 Fri - Rush Xtreme Park (Tickets)

​

SEPTEMBER

      • 9/13 Sun - Dads Club Golf Scramble
      • 9/18 Fri -Big Air Night, 3pm - 9pm
      • 9/19-10/5 - Fall Break

OCTOBER

  • 9/19-10/5 - Fall Break
  • 10/21 Wed - In and Out

​

NOVEMBER

      • 11/6 STEM Festival

​

DECEMBER

      • ​

​

JANUARY

  • 1/26 Tues - Panda Express
  • 1/29 Fri - Lunar New Year Festival

​

Alicia K.

Other ideas:

    • UseYourNoodle Ramen
    • Cafe Zupa
    • TopGolf

FEBRUARY

  • 2/4 Dads Club Dance

​

MARCH

  • Chipotle?
  • 3/8-3/22 Spring Break

​

APRIL

  • 4/15 Thurs - Skateland

​

MAY

  • tbd

​

PTO takes over a local business and earns a % of sales from the event.

24 of 28

HOSPITALITY

Event Chairs: Laura G and Hannah P

Tarwater Elementary PTO | 2026-2027

    • July
  • Back To School breakfast & gifts
    • Aug
  • 8/20 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 2nd Day - Lunch
        • May need volunteers to help decorate after school on Wed 8/19 and set up lunch on Thurs 8/20
    • Sept
  • tbd
    • Oct
  • tbd

25 of 28

Teacher Breakfast

7/8/26

26 of 28

CLOSING REMARKS

We need YOU!

​

We can’t do it all without help. Whether you can give 30 minutes or a few hours, every bit of help makes a BIG difference!

​

Meet other parents, build community, and support your child’s school in a fun way. Let’s make this year amazing together.

Tarwater Elementary PTO | 2026-2027

27 of 28

QUESTIONS / RAFFLE

Our Raffle Winners are…

Tarwater Elementary PTO | 2026-2027

28 of 28

THANK YOU!