PTO

About the AHS PTO: Mission, Key Areas of Support and Communication

The Avon High School Parent Teacher Organization (AHS PTO) works together with students, families, teachers, staff and the greater Avon Community to make the high school a welcoming, productive and positive place for all.  Our mission is to enhance and enrich AHS through quality programming, community engagement and support for all students and their families, teachers and staff.  Administered by the AHS PTO Board, monthly meetings are open to the AHS community, and parents and guardians are encouraged to attend.

As an organization, we continually strive to:

  • Encourage an exchange of ideas and information among educators, parents and guardians, and students through meetings, print and digital communications, and events.
  • Promote interest in and awareness of the AHS curriculum, facilities, staff and community through regular meetings and communications.

  • Raise funds to financially support programs, resources, events, services and equipment (not covered by the Board of Education budget) that enrich students' school experiences. All money raised by the AHS PTO is directly invested into school programs and resources.

The AHS PTO supports many key traditions and initiatives at the high school, including events like Homecoming, Falcon First and Falcon Day, as well as Project Graduation, the all-night, safe and substance-free graduation party for our seniors. Teacher and Staff Appreciation events are always organized and funded by the PTO, in addition to guest speakers and enrichment programming. Each year, the PTO also awards formal grants to fulfill carefully selected teacher and staff, and departmental requests. Last year's grants included new, state of the art CNC machine components for the engineering department, funding for Fun Fridays and Falcon Spirit Awards sponsored by the counseling department, critical set building funds for the theater department's production of Beauty & the Beast, as well as a visit from CT's State Poet Laureate to the AHS Literary Club. In recent years, the PTO has also funded new equipment and furniture, including ping pong tables, pickleball racquets and new couches and tables for students in the Gallery area. 

The PTO sends regular email communications to parents and guardians through the AHS main office throughout the school year, in addition to utilizing its private Facebook community page, which is limited to current AHS families only (you will receive information as to how to join this group from the PTO communications sent by school).  The PTO Board also has an in-person table at several key school events, including Back to School/Open House night, conferences, as well as a number of athletic events, where parents and guardians can ask questions, share ideas and sign up to volunteer. To contact the AHS PTO Board, please email: [email protected]

How to Get Involved: Donations/Participation and Volunteering

         

As the parent or guardian of an AHS student, you can be involved in the PTO by providing your financial support, attending PTO meetings, and volunteering for one of our events or committees, such as Teacher & Staff Appreciation, Project Graduation or Grounds.  Please check PTO communications sent from the AHS Main office for details regarding our Board meeting schedule. To express an interest in volunteering, or for any questions or comments, contact: [email protected]

Each year, we run our annual, AHS PTO Supporter Campaign, which enables families to make a one-time donation to help fund the year’s programs and events.  While this campaign is by far the most critical in building our annual PTO budget, there are other opportunities to support the AHS PTO and its programs throughout the school year, including restaurant nights and other social events.  You will also hear from the Project Graduation Committee in the spring as we work to secure plans and prizes for our safe, substance-free graduation night party for our seniors. 

How to Give:

  • Donate Online: Click here to access our AHS PTO page on GiveButter. GiveButter accepts credit cards, Venmo and PayPal accounts. Please note that a small credit card processing fee will be added so that AHS PTO will receive 100% of your intended contribution.

  • Donate by cash or check: Contact us at [email protected] for a donation form. Complete and send it with your student to the main office at AHS with your contribution in a marked envelope, “Attn: AHS PTO Treasurer.” Checks should be made payable to “AHS PTO.” We are a registered public charity (501(c)(3), and your donation is tax deductible. 

 

We are looking forward to all this year will bring!!!