PTO Dollars at Work

We are excited to plan and host an evening full of hands-on STEAM activities for Middlefork students and their families on 2/25/2026! Students will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math in a fun and interactive way. More details coming soon!

The PTO and Middlefork are partnering with Chess-Ed, a top Chicago area provider of youth chess programming, to provide before school chess enrichment this year! The PTO is able to subsidize 60% of the Chess Club's cost, so parents only pay $50 per student to participate!

Quest Clubs are a new PTO-SRS after school enrichment partnership where SRS teachers select a theme and build a 4-week after school program in which interested students can participate. We're piloting 6 Quest Clubs this year.

Jr. High Mixer

We're bringing back the Jr. High dance! After learning some great moves at the 6th Grade Social Dance, students will now have the chance to show them off in a fun, laid-back setting each spring. There will be a DJ, snacks and drinks, and photo ops (of course). All of this excitement right in the Northfield Community Center gym.
 

The PTO is helping organize at least one Parent Party per grade level this year. Parent volunteers will plan and organize a parent event that will allow for building community and connection in each grade. The sky's the limit on what kind of party each grade plans. Think PuttShack, drinks at Stormy's, dinner at Jackman & Co., axe throwing, portion of the event (i.e., dinner, drinks, or whatever activity is planned).

Kick It Wednesdays are fun, low-key events for SRS 4th and 5th graders. Parent volunteers organize an activity (think pickleball tournament or kickball game) where students can hang with friends directly after school. And if your child asks, yes, there will be snacks.

The PTO works with a school supply vendor to pre-order all school supply lists for students in the district. By offering this service to parents, the district creates ease of preparing for a new school year. Orders can be made on the PTO website in the spring and then kits are delivered to the classroom, and ready on the first day of school.

The PTO is dedicated to making every new family feel welcome, and in doing so, we match them with a mentor family to answer any questions they have as they navigate the schools during their first year. Within the first few weeks of school, the PTO organizes a New Family Ice Cream Social to bring mentor families and new families together to enjoy and to continue to provide guidance. This has become a wonderful tradition within District 29.

PTO assists our gym teacher in bringing a fun and educational experience to third graders regarding Bike Safety. They review rules of bike safety, have bikes registered with the village, and learn the best and safest route from their home to school. It is a worthwhile and fun week that gets third graders prepared to head to school soon after on “their wheels.”

The PTO fully funds the SRS AM Recreation Program for the 4th and 5th grade. Should a parent need to drop their child off early at SRS, the AM Rec program allows kids to come in before school starts and have fun in the gym. The program is available every week during the school year and is supervised by SRS PE teachers.

8th Grade is a big year that brings great excitement and many additional activities for those soon to be graduates. Events include: school year kick-off party; midwinter party; beach potluck party; yearbook signing party; 8th grade graduation ceremony, reception, and after party. Makes us all want to go back to 8th Grade to join in the FUN!

As many parents know, computer coding has become necessary knowledge in our ever-changing technology world. Funds raised through the PTO have been able to fully fund this great program at Middlefork, where kids can learn to code before, during or after school, at no cost to the parent.

To convey our gratitude and appreciation for faculty, staff and administration, the PTO organizes special events and treats during Teacher Appreciation Week.

• Responsible for organizing a special week for District 29 employees.
• Create a project for the students to express their appreciation for District 29 faculty and staff.
• Provide daily treats and catered luncheon.
• Decorate the teacher lounge
  
  

PTO funds keep Membership Toolkit and our website running. These are the tools that power our family directory, collect dues and keep everyone connected. Membership Toolkit makes it easy to find contact info, join the PTO, and stay in the loop on volunteer opportunities and events across the whole district. 

Hosted in partnership with the Northfield Park District, the Family Fun Fair is an afternoon for our community to enjoy, relax, laugh and celebrate another completed school year and beginning of summer with staff, family and friends. Farmer’s Market + Face Painter + Airbrushed Tattoos + Bounce Houses + Gaga Ball + Bingo + DJ + Family Races + Food Trucks + Beer & Wine Tent + Live Entertainment = A FABULOUS kick off to summer!

With the help of PTO parent volunteers, the Junior Great Books program is led by a teacher for students at Middlefork School. It provides an opportunity for children to read selections, reflect, share their ideas and opinions in a group setting. Literature has been chosen that challenges children, sparks ideas, and promotes thoughtful discussions.

The PTO leads a giving back project focused on gratitude, community awareness, and good citizenship. This program looks different from year to year, shaped around what's best for our students and families at the time. At its heart, it's about hands-on student involvement and teaching our kids the value of generosity.