PTO Monthly Matters - February 2026
- saradeath9
- 21 hours ago
- 6 min read
FEBRUARY 2026 PTO MONTHLY MATTERS
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
February is here and with it comes brighter days and a whiff of hope that spring might just be around the corner (come on Punxsutawney Phil!). Despite being the shortest month, we still manage to pack plenty of celebrations, events, and opportunities for our students and their families. Be on the lookout for Valentine’s Day parties, requests for PTO slate nominations, and our inaugural Middlefork STEAM Night.
Our next meeting will be Monday, February 9th at 9AM, hope to see you all then.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 818 3080 9002
Passcode: 423325
Pro tip: If you don’t want to miss any future PTO or D29 event please be sure to subscribe to the D29 calendar here.
Sarah Cohn
STAY INFORMED
Board Reports and Committee Budgets 📑
Reminder: Please send in your board reports! Once your event/activity is done for the year, update the old board report while it’s fresh on your mind. Please ensure you have submitted all your receipts for reimbursement and that you have updated the expected budget on your board report. These are so important as we start thinking about next year’s budget!
Email completed board reports to Gretchen Swank: Gretchen.swank@gmail.com and send any budget related questions or updates to Annie Hendricks: treasurer@district29pto.org.
Middlefork STEAM Night — RSVP Today! 🔬
Step right up to the first PTO-sponsored Middlefork Family STEAM Night on Wednesday February 25th from 5:30-6:30pm! Bring the kids for carnival-inspired science, tech, art, engineering, and math activities led by some of our very own Middlefork teachers. This event is free, but please register by February 20th so we can ensure enough supplies for everyone to participate in all of the activities.
We’re partnering with UDawgU to provide an optional dinner that will be delivered to Middlefork for your family to enjoy before or after the event. Pre-order details are available on the registration site.
Finally, we are also looking for parent (and jr. high age student!) volunteers to help make this event a success. Please consider signing up for a shift here.
International Night – Host a Country Booth! 🌎
We are excited to organize International Night again this year. Join us on Wednesday, March 18th at 6:00pm at Sunset Ridge for an evening of cultural exploration and fun. All families are invited to represent any country or culture from around the world; this could be your family's culture or simply a country you know and love. If you’re interested in hosting a country booth, please complete this form by February 13th. Email carolyn@alumni.nd.edu with questions.
6th Grade Social Dance 🕺💃🏼
Let's Dance! Quickly approaching is the time-honored tradition of Sixth Grade Social Dance. Sponsored by the PTO, your 6th grader will take part in two sessions of professional dance instruction and have time to hang with their peers in a social setting. Dance dates are February 20th and February 27th. Dinner will be served prior to the dances in the SRS cafeteria. PTO co-chairs Emily LeMire, Sara Thompson, and Erin Dotzler will be in touch with reminders for attire, volunteer sign up, and attendance.
February Takeout Tuesday – Save the Date! 🫑🧅
Join us for this month’s Takeout Tuesday fiesta at Fajita Pete’s in Wilmette (3207 Lake Ave.) A portion of the day’s proceeds between 11am-8pm will be donated back to the PTO on February 17th.
CALLING ALL PARENTS – PTO Board Positions for 2026-2027 school year 🙋🏽♀️🙋🏻♂️
PTO programs are only possible because of our dedicated parent volunteers. It's a great way to get involved with your child's school and to meet other parents! It's time to start filling the various PTO Board Positions for next school year. Not sure which role you are interested in? Check them out here. Click on a position to see a short description at the bottom of the webpage, or click on the paper icon to the right to see more details.
Reach out to the PTO Nominating Chair, Ranjini Shankar, at ranjkrish88@gmail.com with any questions or to express your interest in a position. All are welcome!
PLEASE NOTE: This will be an open slate, which gives all parents an opportunity to raise their hand and try something new. If you are a current PTO board member and would like to continue in that role, please notify Ranjini.
8th Grade Committee Update
The 8th Grade Committee has been keeping things fun (and well-fed!) all year long. We kicked things off with an ice cream sundae bar to welcome students back, powered through MAP testing with September snacks, and packed October with bowling, pizza, and a Halloween classroom party.
Highlights also include a joint service day with the Sears School at Feed My Starving Children—followed by a well-earned pizza lunch. We sent students into Thanksgiving break with mini Blizzards, celebrated the 67th day of school with Sixlets & 7Up, hosted a holiday classroom party, and wrapped up Career Day at Central School in Glencoe with Jimmy John’s sandwiches.
Still to come: another service project in February and plenty more monthly snacks and treats as we count down to the end of the year. Mark your calendars now for the 8th Grade Graduation Party on June 3rd at 6:30 PM at Sunset Ridge Country Club!
Huge thanks to all the families who paid their 8th grade dues — we couldn’t do this without you. And please don’t forget to send your baby photos to Jody Campbell at sendtojody@gmail.com!
COMMUNITY NEWS
A Message from the Northfield Park District
Please visit the Northfield Park District website for information and registration for the upcoming 2026 Summer Camp and Day Off Field Trips on February 12th, 13th, and 16th. If you know someone interested in applying for a summer camp counselor or seasonal maintenance job, they can apply here.
On March 17th, remember to vote on the Park District Referendum, which asks for a 0.1% tax rate increase to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Master Plan, strengthen ongoing maintenance, and expand the Park District’s capacity to grow.
Sign up to receive the Park District news here and follow the Northfield Park District on Instagram and Facebook!
A Message from the Northfield Library
Please visit the Winnetka-Northfield Library website for information on upcoming events and more!
Go Green Northfield
Battery Collection at SRS is back! The SRS Green Club battery collection challenge has started, which is so timely because of the new Battery Stewardship Act that prohibits the disposal of batteries in our trash or recycling. Bring your used household batteries (think AAA, AA, C, D, and 9V) to the front office at SRS until April 19th and our dedicated students will take care of the rest!
SHOUTOUTS AND THANK YOUS
A huge thank you to the SRS Mixer Chairs Archana Piotrowski and Maureen Huhs for volunteering to plan our first ever Jr. High dance. Despite the cold weather and venue change, it was a smashing success with 96 kids hanging out and dancing until the wee hour of 9pm.
We’re still buzzing with excitement from our first ever BINGO Night. The biggest thank you to Sarah Hayes and her committee of parent volunteers – Paige Weil, Jess Cheng, Ashley Acuña, Michelle Hranka, Carrie Boyd, and Carma Pagni – for putting together the most fun, community-building fundraiser. Congrats to all the big winners of both raffle baskets and silent auction experiences. And thank you to everyone who attended.
COMING SOON & NOTES
Important Dates 📅
February 9: PTO Meeting 9AM
February 10: Board of Education Meeting 7PM
February 12: No School – Parent Teacher Conferences
February 13: No School – Teacher Institute Day
February 16: No School – Presidents’ Day
February 20: 6th Grade Social Dance (1 of 2)
February 25: Middlefork Family STEAM Night (5:30-6:30PM)
February 27: 6th Grade Social Dance (2 of 2)
March 9: PTO Meeting 9AM
March 10: Board of Education Meeting 7PM
March 18: International Night
March 27: Early Dismissal - School Improvement Day
March 30 - April 6: No School - Spring Break
All Zoom links can be found on the District 29 Calendar.
How to Help
Community involvement is instrumental in making the PTO a success. Please consider volunteering your time! Contact Sarah Cohn at president@district29pto.org to get involved or with any questions.
Comments