2022 - 2023 committees
There are so many ways to get involved at school through the PTO. Please consider co-chairing a committee if you have the time. If you have an interest in assisting with a particular committee and the co-chair positions are currently filled, please contact bluffcreekpto@gmail.com.
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES FAQS
Art Adventure
Co-Chairs: Jennifer Hanson & OPEN
Board Sponsor: Taylor Headley
Art adventure is an enrichment program that provides first and second graders with an opportunity to experience art up close and personal through the use of reproductions supplied by the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA). The program culminates with a field trip to the MIA in the spring (second grade only).
Responsibilities:
- Manage the partnership with the MIA
- Coordinate "Picture People" (parent volunteers) to visit classrooms and teach students about art and other cultures
- Help coordinate the second grade field trip in the spring to MIA
Book Fair
Co-Chairs: Amanda Carlson, Robyn Vetter, Lindsey Berry & Jourdan Hay
Board Sponsor: Lindsay Berry
bcebookfair@gmail.com
The PTO sponsors two Scholastic Book Fairs in the fall and spring to offer books to our students. These book fairs offer great, affordable books that can help parents develop a library for their child at home and spark a lifelong love of reading. The Book Fairs are open during the day to allow students to shop during their lunch period and special times as designated by teachers. The Book Fair is also available online.
Responsibilities:
- Coordination and planning with the Media Center and Scholastic
- Organizing volunteers
- Communication to staff, students and parents
- Oversee/help with fair set up and tear down
Time commitment: 2-3x per year, Fall and Spring events with optional BOGO event at school year-end
Family Fun Night
Co-Chairs: Ashley Nelson & Becky Fluegge
Board Sponsor: Ashley Nelson
bcespringfling@gmail.com
Family Fun Night is an end of year celebration at the school featuring family-friendly activities, games, food and treats. The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.
Responsibilities:
- Oversee mini-committees tasked with food, games and sponsors
- Coordinate with the City and school on permits, schedule, janitorial, etc.
- Determinate needs and coordinate volunteers
- Set up and tear down
Time commitment: March - June
Friends of the Media Center
Co-Chairs: Trista Lucore & Allison Lang
Board Sponsor: Lindsey Berry
Friends of the Media Center help coordinate volunteers to help staff and students in the Media Center. Volunteers assist with various tasks including checking in and out books, shelving books and helping students find the right books.
Responsibilities:
- Provide informal training to new volunteers
- Coordinate volunteer shifts
Time commitment: Full school year
Fun Run
Co-Chairs: Andrea Russell & Andrea Vieyra
Board Sponsor: Becky Fluegge
The Fun Run is our largest, most profitable fundraiser of the school year. The two-week program promotes health and fitness while encouraging students to collect pledges from family and friends. Pledges are encourages by having student prizing, classroom contests, and grade level contests. The program culminates with each grade level running (or walking) for a designated time.
Responsibilities:
- Plan and organize the event
- Communicate with school staff and teachers
- Recruit sponsors and fulfillment
- Set up 99pledges.com system
- Prize management and distribution
- Budget setting and management
- Set up and teardown of the event
Time commitment: August - October
Gardening
Co-Chairs: Julie O'Connell & Allison Lang
Board Sponsor: Jourdan Hay
The gardening committee works to build and maintain a garden program, including seasonal plantings in the front pots as well as the vegetable garden. They work with the SPARK Lab to create programming that involves the students year-round.
Responsibilities:
- Establish plan for ongoing maintenance, including summer care
- Advocate for ongoing funding for the garden
- Work with school staff to create programs and activities in the garden
Time Commitment: Year-Round
Parents' Night Out
Co-Chairs: Kristie Lindell, Lindsey Berry, Mehanaz Mohammed & Becky Fluegge
Board Sponsor: Becky Fluegge
Parents' Night Out is an opportunity to join other BCE parents for a night of fun. Activities include a live raffle, silent auction, great food and beverage, and creating a community with other BCE parents.
Responsibilities:
- Select a venue, plan food and beverage options
- Secure sponsors and donations for raffles and silent auction
- Set up and manage online auction
- Set up and tear down
- Oversee mini-committees
Time Commitment: October - May
Restaurant Nights
Co-Chairs: Sarah Tishler & OPEN
Board Sponsor: Jourdan Hay
bluffcreekrestaurant@gmail.com
Each month the PTO partners with local restaurants to raise money for the school. A percentage of the purchases at the sponsor restaurant are donated back to the PTO.
Responsibilities:
- Coordinate 6 restaurant partners to host fundraisers throughout the year
- Work with restaurant managers on scheduling and gathering payment
- Coordinate scheduling students and/or volunteers to work the fundraiser event, when appropriate
Time commitment: Full school year
School Store
Co-Chairs: Lindsey Berry & Katie Zhang
Board Sponsor: Rachel Brandt
The school store is open every other Friday throughout the school year and features fun items the students can purchase. The store is managed and staffed by parent volunteers.
Responsibilities:
- Identify new items to sell and assist in sales during store hours
- Keep the store stocked with inventory
- Track store income and expenses
Time Commitment: Full school year
School Supply Packs
Co-Chairs: Trista Lucore & Emily Nold
Board Sponsor: Jonathan Tishler
bceschoolsupplypacks@gmail.com
The PTO works with School Toolkit to take the stress out of back to school supply shopping. Parents can pre-order the exact supplies needed for the upcoming school year. Supply kits will be waiting for the students in the classroom at Connect.
Responsibilities:
- Determine and work with vendor to create grade level supply kits
- Inventory, sort and distribute kits at Connect
Time commitment: Spring (coordination of sales) and August (distribution)
Spirit Wear
Co-Chairs: Rachel Brandt & Becky Fluegge
Board Sponsor: Rachel Brandt
The Spirit Wear committee creates items for purchase to show your BCE lion pride. Items are sold at various events, online and in the school store.
Responsibilities:
- Work with vendor(s) to create and order apparel and accessories
- Maintain stock and inventory
- Coordinate sale and distribution of orders through the School Store, PTO website, and various events
Time Commitment: Full school year; heavier in August & September
Staff Appreciation
Co-Chairs: Ashley Nelson & Meghan Williams
Board Sponsor: Ashley Nelson
bcestaffappreciation@gmail.com
Throughout the year, the PTO tries to remind the teachers and staff how much they are appreciate through events and small gifts of appreciation.
Responsibilities:
- Coordinate and schedule teacher appreciation events; typically 4-5 events throughout the year including Staff Appreciation Week in the spring
- Coordinate designs and ordering of staff shirts with BCE Principal/Admin Dean
- Coordinate year-end lunch for all staff (scheduled with BCE Principal)
Time commitment: Full year; as scheduled by co-chairs
Staff Dinner
Co-Chairs: Katherine DeWall & Mehanaz Mohammad
Board Sponsor: Ashely Nelson
During fall and spring conferences, the PTO coordinates donations to provide dinner for teachers and staff while they are doing conferences in the evenings virtually with parents.
Responsibilities:
- Plan the theme of the potlock-style meals for teachers during conference nights
- Coordinate donations for parents and/or sponsors
- Setup and cleanup each evening of conferences
Time commitment: 2x per year - aligned with fall and spring conference dates
STEM Fest
Co-Chairs: Katherine DeWall & OPEN
Board Sponsor: Jonathan Tishler
- Plans and coordinate community partners for 1-2 day event in-school
Volunteers
Co-Chairs: Amy Kiel
Board Sponsor: Taylor Headley
Volunteers are the backbone of the PTO and are vital to our success. Various opportunities are available throughout the school year and signups are posted on the PTO website.
Responsibilities:
- Coordinates the online scheduling of volunteer opportunities
Time commitment: As needed throughout the school year
Yearbook & School Pictures
Co-Chairs: Trista Lucore & OPEN
Board Sponsor: Taylor Headley
The PTO manages designing and publishing the school yearbook with the vendor. The yearbook chronicles the school year and provides a memento for students, with a portion of the sales benefitting the PTO.
Responsibilities:
- Creates and design yearbook
- Help coordinate students on picture days
- Source and/or take photos at school events
- Design yearbook with easy to use software provided by the vendor
Time commitment: Full school year; heaviest workload is February & March due to design and submission deadlines
3rd Grade Lemonade Stand
Chair: Robyn Vetter
Board Sponsor: Ashley Nelson
5th Grade Events
Co-Chairs: Annie Danielson, Sarah Tischler, Joe Russel
Board Sponsor: Jourdan Hay
