PTO Monthly Matters - October 2025
- saradeath9
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 41 minutes ago
OCTOBER 2025 PTO MONTHLY MATTERS
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
Despite the 80 degree weather as I write this, it is officially Fall! That means the kids have settled into their school routine, third graders are biking, picture day has come and gone, and Halloween parties are around the corner — PHEW!
PTO Committees are hard at work behind the scenes getting ready for October programs. Our next monthly PTO meeting will be held Monday, October 13th at 9AM. The Zoom information is below. I look forward to seeing everyone then.
Meeting ID: 842 6298 1899
Passcode: 283826
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
D29 Superintendent Search Parent Volunteers Needed for Candidate Interviews
The D29 PTO has been enlisted to identify five (5) parent volunteers to participate in the D29 superintendent search candidate interview process. Please read the linked letter to learn more about this important opportunity and, if interested, complete the interest form by October 14.
PTO Dues & Classroom Party Fees
The PTO is still collecting the following, which can be paid through MySchoolBucks.
PTO Dues, $25 per student – Dues help to fund the many PTO programs such as Middlefork Coding Club, SRS AM Rec, International Night, the Ice Cream Social, and more. Visit the PTO website to see the complete list of everything we fund.
PTO Classroom Fees, $25 per student – Room parents use these to fund classroom celebrations. Please pay these by October 11.
October’s Takeout Tuesday 🥡
This month’s Shop & Dine partner is Panda Express. Eat lunch or dinner there (or both) on Tuesday, October 21! Use code 9006156 on their website or app for order ahead and pickup nationwide. No in-person ordering. Bonus points for encouraging out of district family and friends to enjoy Panda Express on the 21st as well!
Bingo Night – Save the Date & Join the Fun!
We are excited to announce our first-ever Family Bingo Night on Friday, January 30, 2026. Mark your calendars now—we can’t wait to see our school community come together for an evening of fun, games, and prizes!
Planning is underway, and we’d love your help in making this event a success. If you can help out in any way, please sign up here. The planning committee will begin meeting this month. Info to come!
Parent Parties
The PTO is exploring a new way to encourage parents to build community and connection in each grade this year – Parent Parties! What is a Parent Party? Good question. It’s a planned activity – think PuttShack, drinks at Stormy's, dinner at Jackman & Co., axe throwing, etc. – where all parents from that specific grade are invited. Each parent covers their own expenses (i.e., dinner, drinks, or whatever activity is planned). We are still looking for parent volunteers to organize these parties for all grades except K and 2nd Grade. Email Julie Aiello to learn more and sign up!
Before and After School Enrichment Update
We’ve had enthusiastic registration rates for the fall session of Middlefork Chess Club and the first Sunset Ridge Quest Clubs (4/5th Grade). MF Chess Club will have sessions in Winter and Spring with multiple sections to accommodate more students. SRS Quest Clubs will run throughout the year with opportunities for 4th and 5th graders to participate in Nov, Jan, Feb, Mar, and Apr. Reach out to Sarah Cohn with any questions about either of these enrichment programs.
COMMUNITY NEWS
A Message from the Northfield Park District
Please visit the Northfield Park District website for information regarding the upcoming fall special programs such as pumpkin composting and the new yard decorating contest. Club Dolphin session 2 registration will be opening this month, more information can be found here. Boo Bash is on Friday, October 24th starting at 6PM.
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!
A Message from Go Green Northfield
In partnership with the Village of Northfield and the Northfield Park District, GGNF is hosting a pumpkin composting event again this year! You can drop pumpkins in the dumpster located at the southeast corner of the Community Center parking lot from Oct 31-Nov 17. No non-organic decorations or plastic bags please! 🎃
SHOUTOUTS AND THANK YOUS
Kick It Wednesday Chairs Hayley Garard, Kristin Galbraith, and Jen Liang for organizing a super fun after school “hang” for 78 (!!) 4th and 5th graders. Special thanks to Carma Pagni, Maggie Yocom-Piatt and Jess Colman for leading different stations and to the 16 parent volunteers who helped make the event run smoothly.
Vice President Julie Aiello for overseeing the new PTO-volunteer led Athletic Booster for 6-8th grade sports teams. A special thank you to Carolyn Kelley, Tricia Gainsberg, Alejandra Lujan, and Devin McCue for volunteering to support Cross Country and Volleyball coaches this fall.
President-Elect Sarah Hayes for organizing our first Takeout Tuesday at U Dawg U and for all the parents who ordered food. The PTO raised $320 that evening!
Directory Chair Catherine Lucas for getting all the new families added to the school directory in record time.
Bike Safety Chairs Mallory Ruh, Maggie Yocom-Piatt, and Hillary Bufalino along with Ms. Leary and the staff for another successful Bike Safety week for the excited 3rd graders.
Teacher Appreciation Chairs Phoebe Nitekman and Shiva Seth for organizing Crumbl cookie deliveries for staff birthdays.
Middlefork and SRS Picture Day Chairs Aimeé Reynolds, Sarah Cohen, Seong McGarry, Jeanine Rashkow, and Erica Marinello for ensuring all our children look snazzy for their school pictures this year.
Legislative Chair Gretchen Swank for coordinating this new before-school enrichment class at Middlefork and for the parent volunteers who lend an extra pair of hands during the Friday morning club.
Communications Chair Lydia Fields for her eye-catching posts on social media. Please be sure to follow the PTO (@district29pto).
COMING SOON & NOTES
Important Dates:
October 13: PTO Meeting 9AM
October 21: Board of Education Meeting 7PM
October 21: Takeout Tuesday at Panda Express (nationwide!)
October 23: No School – Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 7: Early Dismissal – School Improvement Day
November 10: PTO Meeting 9AM
November 11: Board of Education Meeting 7PM
November 18: Takeout Tuesday at Lazy Dog Glenview
November 24-28: No School - Thanksgiving 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.