09/06/2025
Last (9/4/25) night the PTO held our first meeting of the school year. We also voted on making a hard decision. As you all know, we have struggled as a PTO to find volunteers and involvement. Unfortunately this has been a growing trend since COVID. Since we are a volunteer based organization, there is no feasible way to stay afloat without them. Many of our executive board members have been on the board for several years, in various positions, including some members whose children have aged out of the elementary school, and filling positions on our board is becoming increasingly difficult. Taking all this into consideration, the HDES PTO Executive Board proposed having the HDES PTO go into hiatus, which was voted on by the members in attendance at the meeting last night (9/4/2025). We are not dissolving the PTO, merely letting it go dormant. If, by chance, someone in the future wishes to take on the challenge, they will have an easier time since the standing will still be good. The Board is willing to help any new members settle in when the time comes.
This was a very difficult decision to make, and it is one that the PTO did not make lightly. The PTO is designed to support the Teachers, students, staff, and community of HDES. In doing so there are a lot of activities that have been accomplished in the past decade by the wonderful volunteers.
We have:
-Created the Ninja Challenge as a very successful fundraiser
-Raised $75,000 to help build a safe and compliant playground for HDES
-Supported teacher field trips when funds were not available through the school
-Ran and operated the Scholastic Book Fair
-Provided birthday books for the principles to distribute
-Operated a table at Family Fun Fest
-Coordinated the Family Dances
-Offered Movie Nights for families
-Supported and encouraged students with fun incentives during SAS testing for grades 3-5
-Provided several grade levels with Scholastic News subscriptions
-Provided supplemental snacks for classrooms
-Aided Mrs. McLay with memorable scrapbooks for her class
-Purchased mittens and hats for students in second grade for a hike
-Purchased hot cocoa for the Turkey Trot in November
-Supported Teachers and staff with fun and needed surprises during Teacher Appreciation Week
-Supported the Nurse in purchasing items for the annual Puberty Talk in 5th grade
-Helped with organization and operation of the Annual Penny Sale with Kid Adventures
Though we are sad that we cannot provide these things while we are dormant, we hope that a group of parents will take over and bring the PTO back to HDES.
We want to thank everyone that was able to help volunteer and support the PTO in the past. You are very valuable, and we hope that you continue to support our school’s request for volunteers!
