PTO Monthly Matters - September 2025
- saradeath9
- 26 minutes ago
- 6 min read
SEPTEMBER 2025 PTO MONTHLY MATTERS
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
Welcome Back D29!
I love that feeling at the beginning of a new school year where everyone is energized and excited for all of the possibilities ahead. For the PTO this year, that is especially true. This is a year of firsts for us as we pilot six new programs, roll out updated communications protocols on an alternate platform (DirectorySpot), and launch a revamped non-benefit year fundraising plan (BINGO Night anyone?). We’re going to have a fantastic year supporting D29 and building a stronger community together.
But first, hi! My name is Sarah Cohn and I am thrilled to be this year’s PTO president. Our family has lived in D29 for eight years and we often remark (ok, brag) to our family and friends who don’t live in Northfield just how lucky we are to be part of this district. From the time we entered D29, we were surrounded by staff, parents, and students who were welcoming and made this feel like home and I hope that all of you feel the same as well.
This is Monthly Matters, the monthly PTO newsletter that has all of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) happenings in one place. It will include events, volunteer opportunities, upcoming meetings, community engagement and more.
Another easy way to stay in touch is to attend our monthly meetings which take place on the second Monday of the month at 9AM over zoom. The schedule and zoom information can be found on the PTO Website. Our first meeting will be Monday, September 8th at 9AM.
Meeting ID: 842 6298 1899
Passcode: 283826
The PTO Board is made up of 7 Executive Board and 36 Board positions – all of which are filled by parent volunteers. They work hard to bring a diversity of programs that benefit our community, including AM Rec, Coding Club, Parent Directory, 6th Grade Social Dance, Junior Great Books and so much more. This year the PTO will also be piloting six exciting new programs – SRS Quest Clubs, MFS Chess Club, SRS Kick It Wednesdays, MFS Family STEAM Night, Jr. High Mixer, and Parent Parties. You can read more about these new initiatives on our website.
If you’re looking for a way to get involved with any of our programming, stay tuned for messages from us throughout the year asking for volunteers or just reach out to me at president@district29pto.org.
We have a great year planned ahead of us and I can’t wait to experience it with all of you!
Sarah Cohn
STAY INFORMED
PTO Dues & Classroom Party Fees
The PTO is currently collecting the following which can be paid through MySchoolBucks online or through the app.
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 11th.
Directory Spot
Don’t forget to join the PTO Family Directory through DirectorySpot! If you’re new to the district or didn’t get to it last year click here or scan the QR code below to fill out the form and get added. DirectorySpot is the easiest way to find contact information for families within the district so fill out the form, download the app or go online to get connected. New this year is that beginning September 1 (yesterday!), all PTO communications will be sent out via DirectorySpot – like this newsletter you’re currently reading.
Bylaws
The PTO Executive Board presented changes to the PTO Bylaws in the May 2025 meeting and we will be voting to approve these changes during the September 8th meeting. Feel free to review the bylaws on the PTO website.
School Supplies
The PTO School Supply Kit program was successfully completed for the 2024-25 year! We sold 188 kits at Middlefork (84% participation) and 234 kits at Sunset Ridge (78% participation). This program gives parents the convenience of purchasing competitively priced kits filled with all the school supplies students need for the year and having them delivered right to the classroom on the first day of school. Kits for 2026-27 will be available for purchase in the spring of 2026. For any questions about next year’s school supply kits, please reach out to our chairs – Marina Gallagher (mdedes@gmail.com) and Lindsay Mullen (lindsay.e.mullen@gmail.com).
Last Spring, fellow parent, Rachel Kermen, continued her efforts to collect extra unused school supplies and donate them to those in need. Our community rose to the occasion and donated plenty of supplies that were distributed to Whittier School. Some of the children served by these organizations don’t have access to basic supplies so your donations have made those resources available for children to enjoy.
Kick It Wednesdays – A Special After-School Event for 4th & 5th Graders!
We’re excited to launch a brand-new event at Sunset Ridge just for our 4th and 5th graders – Kick It Wednesdays! Happening twice a year, these special after-school hangouts give kids a chance to unwind, connect with friends, play games, do crafts, and enjoy snacks and drinks, all in a fun setting. The first Kick It Wednesday will take place on Wednesday, 9/24 from 3:30 – 4:30 PM. It’s the perfect midweek pick-me-up that your child won’t want to miss. Spots are limited, so sign up today and let them kick back and have a blast!
Shop & Dine for D29
Skip cooking, shop & support our schools! Shop & Dine for D29 is here – bringing tasty bites and fabulous finds to help fund our incredible PTO programming. Use the calendar below to save the dates. Every purchase makes a difference for our schools! Have questions or want to get involved in some fun, community-building fundraising efforts this year? Contact Sarah Hayes at sgmhayes@gmail.com to join the fun this school year.
COMMUNITY NEWS
A Message from the Northfield Park District
Please visit the Northfield Park District website for information and registration for upcoming fall events! Fall class information can be found here, with classes starting September 15th. The Clarkson Cookout is on Saturday, September 6th starting at 4PM.
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!
SHOUTOUTS AND THANK YOUS
Directory Chair Catherine Lucas for all her time and attention in ensuring every student and their family are included in the PTO Family Directory on DirectorySpot.
PTO Newsletter Chair Sara Thompson for doing all the heavy lifting of gathering content and formatting everything so that our Monthly Matters looks fabulous.
Hospitality Chairs Aimee Reynolds and Maureen Huhs for planning and hosting the Back to School Luncheon for teachers and staff. A special shoutout to all the families who helped create the beautiful flower arrangements and decorated tablecloths that brought a splash of color and joy to the event!
Lunchroom Volunteer Chair Laura Hendricks for her herculean efforts in recruiting and organizing over 150 volunteers to work the lunchrooms across both schools. We are so lucky to have so many parents who step up and Laura who works her magic on the back end to make it all happen.
Technology Chair Brent Payne for his uncomplaining willingness to maintain the PTO website, answer all our tech questions and put in his time to make the updates every year.
School Supply Chairs Marina Gallagher and Lindsay Mullen for making school supply shopping the easiest thing to check off the never ending back to school list and delivering them to the classrooms. Rachel Kermen for spearheading another successful School Supply Donation campaign to Whittier School in Waukegan. And to Allison Gaetano, Lucas Gaetano, Michelle Hranka, Sean Gallagher Jr., and Westley Malstrom for volunteering to distribute supply boxes at Middlefork.
Welcome Team Chairs Molly Lu, Laura Curry and Jayaa Poddar for working hard even before school started to match new families with mentor families, staffing the K Meet & Greet with a smile and snacks, and for organizing a super successful district-wide Ice Cream Social. They served 200 ice cream sundaes last Monday to D29 students! Special thanks to Julie Aiello, Carma Pagni, Sarah Hayes, and Annie Hendricks for volunteering at the ice cream social.
PTO Vice President Julie Aiello for her tireless work in recruiting and organizing Room Parents for every grade and for working with SRS to launch an Athletic Booster by securing parent volunteers for the fall sports teams. Our students are going to have a blast this year!
PTO President Elect Sarah Hayes for organizing our first Shop & Dine fundraiser of the year at Evereve! A special thanks to Phoebe Nitkeman for facilitating the partnership with Evereve. And thank you to all the parents who shopped and made this a success.
COMING SOON & NOTES
Important Dates
September 8: PTO Meeting 9AM
September 16: U Dawg U Restaurant Night 3PM-7PM (dine in or takeout, say “D29” at checkout)
September 23: No School - Rosh Hashanah
September 24: Kick It Wednesday 3:30PM-4:30PM (4-5th grades)
October 2: No School - Yom Kippur
October 3: No School - Teacher Institute Day
October 13: PTO Meeting 9AM
October 21: D29 Board of Education Meeting
October 23: No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences
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.
