Curriculum Enrichment
ACT (Arts Created Together) The PTO brings a variety of art and cultural enrichment events to Estabrook. Preview and schedule acts and/or attend performances. Sept–June
BIG BACKYARD Receive training and lead students from your child’s class on nature walks on school grounds and neighboring Hennessy field. Sept–June
CHESS CLUB ** Co-supervise this weekly program; meets before school. Sept–June
FAMILY MATH NIGHT ** Select math problems and facilitate this fun parent-child math event on three winter evenings, split by grade. Winter
MATH OLYMPIAD ** This national math program meets at 8:00 a.m. once a week for fourth and fifth graders. Help organize the meetings and assist students in understanding math problems and challenges. Sept–June
READ ALOUD DAY Coordinate and greet the community volunteers who read to students in their classrooms. Spring
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAP NIGHT The basketball-court sized maps bring hands- and feet-on geography education and have accompanying activities to teach students place names, physical geography, and cultural geography as well as map reading skills. Help coordinate viewing the map and the activities. Fall
SCIENCE ENRICHMENT Research programs and schedule and/or attend a variety of science-related events. Sept–June
BOKS (Build Our Kids’ Success) Assist with this before-school program to give K-Gr 2 students a brain boost through physical activity. Sept–June
CRAZY 8 MATH Organize or assist with this fun before-school program. It runs a few times a year for 6 weeks at a time, once a week and is split between K-Gr 2 or Gr 3–5. Sept–June
Estabrook Surroundings/Environment
GREEN TEAM RECYCLING each students to recycle at lunchtime in the cafeteria. Sept–June
GREENHOUSE Maintain the greenhouse and assist in greenhouse projects with classrooms. Sept–June
• GREENHOUSE COMMUNITY CONNECTION Coordinate greenhouse-related activities at PTO community events.
• ESTABROOK GARDEN CLUB Help maintain Estabrook Gardens, including roof top garden and greenhouse plants.
• STAR PLANT OF THE MONTH Identify “star plants” for display in the front entrance.
• BIRDHOUSE MAINTENANCE Maintain birdhouses for the K and 1st grade classrooms.
• TERRARIUM Be part of the team that feeds the frogs and looks after the terrarium on a rotating basis. Sept–June
Estabrook Events
PIZZA PICNIC** A social gathering for the school with free pizza for PTO members. September
TALENT SHOW** Help support the opportunity for students to showcase their performance talents for the Estabrook community’s enjoyment. April
GAME NIGHT ** Help out at this evening for the community to “unplug” and learn some new board games with friends and families. December
MOVIE NIGHT ** Help make a “night out at the movies” in the Estabrook cafeteria fun for kids and parents. Winter
RUN of the MILL** Participate in one of the many sub-committees for Estabrook’s annual 5K run, including Sponsorships, Kids’ Fun Run, Post-race Party, Course Logistics, Parking, First Aid and Publicity. May
ICE CREAM NIGHT** year-end celebration with free ice cream. June
Community Service
Involve the Estabrook community in various community service projects, including food/clothing drives, and holiday toy collection. Sept–June
COATS FOR KIDS Organize a gently used coat collection or needy children. Fall
FOOD PANTRY Transport canned food to the Food Pantry. Sept–June
GIFT DRIVE Organize gift drive for a shelter in Waltham. November / December
UNICEF Distribute and collect boxes for the UNICEF drive. October
Fundraising
BOOK FAIR Volunteer during this library fundraising fair. TBC
BOX TOPS** Coordinate the Box Tops for Education program. Sept–June
FALL FUNDRAISER Join in coordinating a fundraiser which in the past has included wrapping paper, organic products, or children’s artwork. Fall
SPIRITWEAR** Organize and distribute orders for school spiritwear (t-shirts, sweatshirts, flannel pants, caps, etc.) Fall
FARMSTAND FUNDRAISER ** Organize fundraiser at local farm stand. Winter
WINTER HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE ** Volunteer to help during this fundraiser filled with goods made/sold by Estabrook families. November/December
FLATBREAD PIZZA FUNDRAISER ** Oversee fundraiser and raffle at local restaurant. Be a liaison with Flatbread and create a banner for the fundraiser. March
Fifth Grade Activities
FIFTH GRADE BASKETBALL ** Fun, teamwork, and basketball! January through April on Thursday evenings. Taught by former Estabrook Physical Educator Jim Banks. Spring
FIFTH GRADE MOVING-UP ACTIVITIES Includes managing printing and distribution of t-shirts and yearbooks, planning a year-end BBQ, and coordinating non-5th grade volunteers to help with graduation celebration. Events are in May/June, but planning should start ASAP, especially for the yearbook.
School/Teacher Support
FAMILY FRIENDS Host a playdate with an Estabrook student who lives in Boston. Students visit with their host families eight Thursday afternoons during the school year. Sept–June
LIBRARY Check in/out and shelve books weekly or every other week. This may be coordinated to coincide with your child’s library time. Sept–June
ROOM PARENT COORDINATOR** Organize room parent volunteers and provide centralized communication for them. Sept–June
ROOM PARENT Plan and assist with classroom parties and other activities throughout the year. Sept–June
LITERACY CENTER Volunteer periodically in the literacy center, labeling and arranging books and doing other small tasks to assist the reading specialists. Sept–June
BAKING FOR CONFERENCES** Provide baked goods for teachers on conference days and possibly other occasions during the school year. Sept–June
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL (SRTS) Participate in town-wide communication on walking and biking safety for students. Sept–June
SCHOOL PHOTOS Assist during school picture day. October
STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON Assist in planning menus, organize site, and/or prepare food for a reception to honor the Estabrook staff. April/May