PTO newsletter update

click on this image to enlarge it

Fundraiser Pick Up, Book Fair and Soup Supper success!

The PTO has jumped right into the 2011-2012 school year. We have already approved lots and lots of funding for our teachers and schools. 

A big thank you to all the parents that made this fundraiser possible. 

Look at all those orders to be picked up. 

Of course there was nothing but smiles from the PTO volunteers. We had a great time helping with order pick up. If you have not helped with a PTO event, you are missing all the fun.

getting down to the end of orders

Meanwhile, the PTO was hosting a book fair too. All the proceeds from the book fair result in a credit from Scholastic books. This credit is used for everything from new books for our school libraries, teacher enrichment materials, and free books for students. 

Everything you do for PTO directly effects your classrooms and students! 

wrapping it all up.

A big giant THANK YOU, to our parents, students, teachers, friends, relatives, and community! 

Despite an economic downturn our fundraiser still manages to be a success. The money that is raised is put directly to use with funding requests. Your kids will benefit from this fundraiser almost immediately.

PTO would also like to take this time to thank all the parents that helped make the soup suppers a success. Our teachers are one of the reasons Byron School District is so amazing. It is with great pride that the PTO can arrange to give back to them. If you donated something for the soup supper during conferences, thank you! 

Please stay tuned for more ways to volunteer and get involved! 

September Meeting / Healthy Snack Cart

At the September meeting we had a guest speaker, Melanie B. present on the idea of a Healthy Snack Cart.  A snack cart is currently available in Kasson and has been a big hit.  Melanie provided the following information:


Every activity at school is a learning experience for the child.  Snack has become an essential part of an elementary students day.  The current group snack has many downfalls including the often unhealthy nature of what is brought for snack.  It is also expensive to bring a group snack 4 to 5 times a year for kindergarten or up to 9 times in 1st grade.  There are no low income subsidies available for this.  Peanut allergies have only increased the complexity of serving a safe, healthy group snack.  It can be difficult for the teacher if a child forgets, brings something that cannot be served (unhealthy or forget spoons, etc)  A group of parents have brought forward a great solution to the problems associated with group snack.  The heathy snack cart will allow all student access to a choice of healthy food for snack time.  The snack cart would be elective and a separate charge service through the food service.  Kasson Mantorville along with Taher currently has the healthy snack cart program working wonderfully.  They report it is $50 a year for full time students (1-4).  Voluntary participation at KM was 90% this year.  Their food service director has been overwhelmed by how many apples, bananas, and oranges that they have been going through.


We are looking for input/questions about the interest in recommending that Taher and Byron Elementary work together to begin the Healthy Snack Cart.


Estimation of providing a healthy group snack for your child's class per year:
Kindergarten - 4 times = $48.00
full time 1st - 4th = $100.00


Want to know more or show your support of this initiative?  Please contact the PTO or Mr. Rodemeyer.

Thank you!

A Healthy Snack Cart

Welcome Back / Fundraiser Information

Hello Parents,

Welcome back to school! On Thursday, September 8th The Chip Shoppe will be in Byron to start the annual PTO fundraiser. This fundraiser raises the money the PTO uses throughout the year to support many activities at all 3 schools in the Byron School District. Below is a list of activities funded by the PTO in the 2010 – 2011 school year listed in the order in which they were requested and approved. As you can see, the PTO worked hard to touch the lives of each student here in Byron.

 Zoo Field trip for HS Zoology class
 Physical Education (broomball, bowling and canoeing for MS & HS)
 Freaky Friday
 Kindergarten Planetarium Field Trip
 1st Grade end of year trip to Dodge Center park
 1st Grade trip to Oxbow Park
 KPals curriculum
 Post Prom committee donation
 Student & staff T-shirts for Blue Ribbon celebration
 Elementary School Bus Tags for 2011-2012 school year
 Anne Frank field trip (unable to get tickets, replaced by a MN Science Museum Field trip)
 Middle School fun night
 Elementary School Movie & Bingo Nights
 2nd Grade Zoo Field trip
 "I Love to Read Month" at Byron Elementary supplies & incentives
 “I Love to Read Month” books for all students at Byron Elementary
 3rd Grade trip to Mystery Cave
 3 xylophones for MS Music program
 Donation to continue HS Rewards program
 Tiles to begin a pride wall at Elementary school
 Donation to help fund the 4th Grade final fling
 K-1 Reading intervention program
 Sound system to be placed in the Elementary School Little Theater
 4th Grade and of year pool party
 Partial funding for new percussion instruments(s) at BHS
 BHS Math department trial of iPod touches as a learning aid
 High School Art department smart boards
 Two Think it over Babies at BHS
 Heart rate monitors for PE at BHS
 Fitness Gram Software for PE at BHS
 Savings program started for new Playground equipment at BES

At the PTO we appreciate the support of so many parents we receive through volunteering at an event, supporting the fundraiser and more. As you review the fundraiser materials, if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to The Chip Shoppe or Amy Hoerle (byronpto@gmail.com). Please remember that many of the fundraiser items are frozen and thus must be picked up October 17, 3:30 - 7:30 @ BES gymnasium as there is no available freezer storage at BES for your items. The fundraiser pickup is scheduled during parent/teacher conferences as a convenience, but if this does not work for you please reach out to a friend, neighbor or relative to pick up your items. If you prefer not to participate in The Chip Shoppe fundraiser, your cash donation is always appreciated and tax deductible as the PTO is certified by the IRS as 501(c)3 organization. If you have any questions, concerns or want to know more about the PTO, please join us at our monthly meetings.

The next PTO meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, September 12th at 7:30 p.m. at the BES Media Center (Library).

On behalf of the PTO, I look forward to seeing you all soon and have a great year,

Amy Hoerle

Party on the Playground

Thank you to all who were able to attend this year's Party on the Playground.

Party on the Playground Tonight!

It's the first event of the new school year - Party on the Playground! This event is for all Byron Elementary families. Come and catch up with friends and neighbors while enjoying a quick treat and learning about many community events. Also, stop by the PTO booth to learn what is in store for the next year and volunteer for one of the many activities planned for the school year. Check out the Meetings and Events pages to see the calendar of events for this year.

Hope to see you tonight at BES!

Happy Summer / May Meeting

School is out for the summer, Yeah!! That is the theme in my house and I'm guessing in yours as well. The PTO held its last meeting of the year on May 31st. At that meeting a number of funding requests were approved (check out our funding requests page to see everything that your support purchased for our great schools). Elections were also held. A large number of board positions are still open and waiting for YOU! The following people were elected to the board:

President: Amy Hoerle
Vice-President: Open
Treasurer: Amy Bowers
Secretary: Open
Elementary School Representative: Carrie Engebose
Middle School Representative: Open
High School Representative: Open
Membership Coordinator: Open
Member at Large: Barb Rutgers

I hope you all have a wonderful summer and I look forward to seeing you all again in the fall!

Teacher Appreciation

The first week in May was teacher appreciation week. The PTO has always provided the teachers with some sort of treat during the week to show our appreciation of their hard work. This year the PTO partnered with some local girl scouts to present the teachers with hand made gifts. Each gift was a water bottle, candy, powdered drink and a special thank you.

While this post may be late, we can never say thank you too many times to the awesome teachers in Byron - THANK YOU for all you do!

Another successful Dueling Pianos

Dueling Pianos was another huge hit this year. It is amazing how many people spread the word and returned this year. 

A very special thanks to all our vendors that sponsored us and donated things. 

 The silent auction items were well loved.

 The singers were a huge hit. Very entertaining and engaging.

How incredible is it that we can have so much fun and still raise over $8,000 for our schools!

See you next year. 

School Toolbox Information for 2011-2012 School Year

Dear Parents,

The PTO is again sponsoring the opportunity for you to pre-order your child’s school supplies in an easy to pick up package through The School Toolbox. Below you will find some common questions and answers regarding this program. However; if your questions are not answered, please feel free to reach out to us via e-mail at byronpto@gmail.com.

Thank you for your support,

Amy Hoerle

Why School Toolbox?

Buying school supplies is one of those necessary steps we do to prepare our children for school. With the high gas prices and all of your other obligations this is an easy way to save you time, get your supplies for about the same price as your favorite retail store and earn a few extra dollars for the schools – Win, Win, Win!

What is included with the toolbox?

Each grade has their unique toolbox for common supplies such as folders, pencils and paper. Your teachers have worked hard to come together and create a common list of supplies for each grade. Thus, there are no “extras” in the toolboxes. Everything included you will be asked to supply by your child’s teacher in the letter you receive this summer.

Do I still need to buy additional supplies?

The toolboxes do not include paint shirts, gym shoes and backpacks. Also, since each teacher has their own unique teaching style they may request additional items above what is requested in the School Toolbox. If you have questions you can ask your child’s teacher at “Meet the teacher” next August. Please remember we have worked hard to make a common list and there are no “extras” in the toolboxes.

How do I order?

We recommend that you place your order online at www.schooltoolbox.com, register and enter the code 5BYRO55920. If you prefer to write a check you can print the order form and send to school with your child. Checks should be made out to Byron PTO.

What are optional items?

Some grade levels have optional items. This is a way for you to hand down higher priced items, such as calculators, between your children. Since the item is listed optionally it will NOT be included in your child’s toolbox unless you specifically order it.

When will I receive the toolbox?

For elementary students you can pick up your toolbox at “Party on the Playground” (August 29^th) or “Meet the teacher” (August 30^th). For middle school students you can pick up your toolbox at the “Walk the Halls” event. Watch for future information about these events.

Can I help?

Certainly! We are looking for volunteers to help process orders the week of May 9^th and for assistance unloading the toolboxes at both the Elementary and Middle Schools next August. If you are willing to help, please contact us at byronpto@gmail.com

2nd Grade Zoo Field Trip

The PTO paid for the 2nd grade to take a trip to the MN Zoo. It was a fast & fun day where the kids enjoyed the IMAX theater and then toured many parts of the zoo. Of course the kids couldn't resist climbing on anything they could find (click on pictures to enlarge).

What a fun time! Have more pictures? Send an e-mail to byronpto@gmail.com and we'll be happy to post them for you.

The Kindergarten Connection

BES had a Kindergarten open house recently. The PTO was happy to be there to get to know the fresh faces that will be coming into our school. 

The popcorn is of course always a hit!

There were even some familiar faces in the crowd.

It was super fun talking to all the parents about how GREAT our school district is. I am so excited to share my love with them.

Welcome new families and new students!!! We can't wait to see you in the fall:-)

Free Family Movie Night at the Elementary

ToyStory3Flyer -

Post Prom Pancake fundraiser

PTO has been a long supporter of the Post Prom Parties

We are very thankful to be able to advertise this fundraiser for the committee.

Applebee's does not normally do breakfast but they are incredible supporters of our school.

They provide breakfast tickets for our post prom party attendees to help keep them safe.

If you are interested in a really cheap and yummy breakfast next Saturday to support this effort please contact Lori Kirkland at 775-2715 for your tickets.

Byron Blue Pride

 The Byron PTO is very proud of our high school receiving the very prestigious Blue Ribbon Award

 Kindergarten through second grade

 Third and forth grade

 This is a kindergartener watching as the high schoolers filled the gym

 It is always fun to see the younger kids looking up to the high schoolers

 The band played "We are the Champions" a perfect fit for the award

 The junior high youth

 A big hand for what the High School students had accomplished

 The entire Byron School District. A proud site to see.

 It was really impressive to see how friendly and interactive the high school kids were with the younger students. 

The PTO is very proud to be a sponsor of these great shirts. We are so proud of what our distinct is producing.

 These are the smiling faces on the bus ride back to the elementary. They just may be the next Blue Ribbon winners in 2020 if we keep up the good work.

Proud to be part of Byron's amazing school district.