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Teacher tree, baskets at RWE

People who want to help out the elementary teachers with some needed school supplies will have that opportunity this holiday season as the school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) will again be setting up the Teacher Tree.

Delina Wille, president of the PTO, explained each teacher is given three ornaments on which they can write what they might need for their classrooms. The ornaments are hung on the tree and parents can take them and get the teachers something they need. Typical items include glue sticks, bags, snacks or other small items. The tree will be set up at the school on Nov. 28

The Teacher Tree is currently in its second year, Wille said, noting “the teachers loved it last year.” Color codes were used to help distinguish classes and teachers. People can take as many ornaments as they want or none at all. “It’s a way we can help the teachers out,” Wille said.

Also in its second year at the school the PTO’s Christmas Basket Auction. Each grade at RWE is given a theme, and parents are asked to donate items for the baskets, which are later put up for silent auction during the school’s Christmas program on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m.

Wille said they will try to have the baskets at the school a few days before the concert so people can look at them and think about what they want.

Themes for the baskets are: Kindergarten — “Snow Day,” books, games, art, snow stuff, etc. with a sled as the basket; First Grade and Kinderboost — “Family Night,” movies, games, snacks, etc.; Second Grade — “Bobcat,” purple and gold; Third Grade — “His & Hers,” tools, spa, household, yard items, etc.; and Fourth Grade — “Chocolate, Coffee & Cocoa,” anything chocolate, coffee and cocoa related.

“We like doing it because anybody can donate that wishes to,” Wille said. “It doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Anything is appreciated and I think it gives parents a little freedom to help out without some fundraiser where they have to go and sell so many items.” She added people can keep in mind the items they want to pick up when they’re out shopping on Black Friday.

The PTO, Wille explained, works to bridge the gap between teachers and parents. So far this year, the PTO has helped with the Reading Rodeo and Book Fair and provided meals for teachers during parent-teacher conferences — a soup and salad for Nov. 7 and a potato bar for Nov. 9.

The organization is also purchasing candles for the music department for the Christmas program, and helping with program costumes. Last school year they also did a whole week in May for Teacher Appreciation Week, and plan to this year as well. “We just really want the teachers to know they’re appreciated,” Wille said. “We really do love everything they do for our kids and we want to help them out.”

Wille added she’s happy to have so many parents helping this year, as last year was a bit rough. She said the PTO loves RWE, and they are really glad to have parents who can go into the school and make things a bit easier.

 

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