PTO Monthly Matters - May 2026
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MAY 2026 PTO MONTHLY MATTERS
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
It’s May and we are finally getting some of that much needed sunshine around here! We have just about a month of school left and we are packing a whole lot of fun before summer comes.
We are starting off this month with Teacher Appreciation week and while we appreciate our teachers all year round, we like to give them a little extra love this time of year so check out the Teacher Appreciation team’s shout out below to see how you and your student can get involved. Following Teacher Appreciation week, we have the SRS book fair and finally we will cap off the year with our annual Family Fun Fair where we will also say goodbye to Dr. Stange after 20 years with D29.
Our next meeting will be Monday, May 11 at 9AM. This is one of the most important meetings of the year as we will be voting on both the 2026-2027 PTO budget as well as the 2026-2027 PTO slate and will require a quorum of PTO members in order to pass them both. Please do your best to attend this meeting so we can set up for a successful 2026-27 year!
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 district calendar here.
Sarah Cohn
STAY INFORMED
Teacher Appreciation Week 👩🏽🏫👨🏫
As our children complete another year with the amazing teachers and staff in D29, please join us in celebrating our teachers during Teacher Appreciation week from May 4-8!
We encourage you to check out all of our Teacher’s Favorite Things and find ways to celebrate them. A few easy ideas for your student could be:
Wear something with your teacher’s favorite color or sports team
Make a card for your teacher and tell them why they’re so awesome
Bring in your teacher’s favorite candy or snack
Or anything else!
The PTO has been celebrating the D29 Staff all year long! There is a monthly cookie delivery for staff celebrating a birthday that particular month, in the Fall there was a coffee cart with barista, a Super Bowl themed snack (with the help of Wing Stop) for a staff meeting in the Winter, and this week we will provide a Cinco de Mayo themed luncheon. All staff will also receive a $10 Starbucks gift card.
We appreciate the D29 staff for everything they do to support and inspire our children each day.
SRS Book Fair: May 5 & 6! 📚
The D29 PTO Sunset Ridge Book Fair starts tomorrow! Anderson’s is our vendor again this year and we will have a great selection of books available. It’s the perfect time to stock up for summer reading.
Students will shop with their advisories during the school day on May 5 and 6. Please send your child with cash, credit/debit card, or Apple/Google Pay.
The fair will also be open on Wednesday, May 6 until 6:30PM, so stop by after school. Or if you’re attending the SRS Spring Musical in the evening, you can shop before the performance begins! If you can’t make it, you can shop the fair online at abcfairs.com.
Kick It Wednesday: Spring Edition (RESCHEDULED) 🎨🏀🍕
After a very successful Kick it Wednesday this past fall, we’re excited to host a Spring Edition on May 13 from 3:30-4:30PM. This special after-school hangout gives 4th and 5th graders a chance to kick back, connect with friends, play games, do crafts, and enjoy snacks and drinks — all in a fun school setting. It’s the perfect midweek pick-me-up that your child won’t want to miss. This Kick It Wednesday will be all outdoors (weather permitting) and will include a special pizza treat for the kids. Spots are limited! Please sign your child up no later than Wednesday, May 6.
We are also looking for a few more parent volunteers to help during the event. Please email Hayley Garard (hayleyannhall@gmail.com) if you’re able to help!
Dr. Stange Retirement Celebration 🎉
Calling all D29 students, families, or alumni who wish to thank Dr. Stange for his service to the district and congratulate him on his retirement, we invite you to do so in two ways:
Come out to see Dr. Stange at the Family Fun Fair on June 4 at Clarkson Park! We will have Dr. Stange at a special post in the gazebo for members of the community to offer their hugs, handshakes, and farewells in person.
We are asking members of the community to submit a sheet for a memory book. Your submission can be anything you wish! A letter, poem, funny story, drawing — it all works as long as it’s on an 8.5x11 sheet of paper! You can print and deliver your creation to the front desks at either Middlefork or Sunset Ridge School OR email your page to Erica Marinello: erica.marinello@gmail.com.
Takeout Tuesday – May 19 at Oberweis! 🍦
Grab a sweet treat at Oberweis Winnetka (510 Winnetka Ave.) on Tuesday, May 19 any time between 11AM-9PM and 20% will come back to the PTO. Mention D29 PTO at check out.
Family Fun Fair 🎟️
Mark your calendars! The Family Fun Fair is happening on June 4, 2025, from 3:30 to 6:00PM at Clarkson Park. This is a fantastic opportunity to volunteer and support the PTO. We’d love your help to make it a success! Stay tuned for more details coming your way soon!
New Family Mentor Request 🙋🏼♀️🙋🏽♂️
D29 PTO is looking for "Mentor Families" to connect with new families in our district for the 2026-2027 school year. This is a great way to get involved with our school district community and is always a lot of fun. Please fill out this form if you would like to volunteer!
Time to Order School Supplies ✏️
Parents, it's time to check one thing off your list! The PTO has arranged convenient and cost-efficient school supply ordering through 1st Day School Supplies! Order your kit for the 2026-27 school year by July 1, and it will be directly delivered to your child's classroom at the start of next school year. PLUS, a small portion of every sale supports the PTO.
Middlefork: https://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/gs/33665
Sunset Ridge: http://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/gs/35399
School Supply Donation Drive 📒
For a 3rd year in a row, we’ll be collecting extra unused (or gently used) school supplies and donating them to those in need. We’re partnering with Roberti Community House and Whittier School to help get basic school supplies into the hands of children without access to them. We will have collection boxes in both school lobbies from May 18 until the end of the school year. Feel free to drop off any supplies you have at home during normal school hours. The Service Learning Committee is spearheading the effort this year. Questions? Please reach out to Julie Aiello (julie.c.aiello@gmail.com).
COMMUNITY NEWS
A Message from the Northfield Park District
Please visit the Northfield Park District website for summer program information. Summer Camp starts June 8! Visit our camp page, look at our camp guide, check out our camp calendars, or register online. Look in your mailbox for the Market & Music postcard and schedule, for more information click here.
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
Have your bike "summerized" and ready for action by our bike fixer extraordinaire, Amber, from Curbside Bicycles. She'll be working her magic at Clarkson Park under the picnic pavilion, where you can drop your bike off and pick it up same day. Register here to secure a spot! Walk-ins will be accommodated as long as there is space.
SHOUTOUTS AND THANK YOUS
School Supply Chairs Marina Gallagher and Lindsay Mullen for organizing our school supply ordering this year. Their behind-the-scenes work allows all of us to buy school supplies in less than five minutes flat.
The entire Teacher Appreciation Committee — Sandy Norbot, Anne Skaggs, Alyssa Cochran, Amanda Musgjerd, Phoebe Nitekman, Shiva Seth, and Lindsay Swift — for making the teachers feel loved all year long.
Kick It Wednesday Chairs Hayley Garard, Kristin Galbraith, and Jennifer Liang for what we know will be another successful event for the 4th and 5th graders later this month.
The PTO Exec Board for their steadfast leadership throughout the 2025-26 school year.
COMING SOON & NOTES
Important Dates 📅
May 4: New Superintendent Open House
May 11: PTO Meeting 9AM
May 12: Board of Education Meeting 7PM
May 25: No School - Memorial Day
June 4: Last Day of School - Early Dismissal
June 4: PTO Family Fun Fair at Clarkson Park 3:30PM-6:00PM
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.