Newsletter | Message from Dr. Cook
Site Council | PTO Info | Events | Fundraisers
PTO Committees | PTO Officers

Parent Newsletter

September Issue

October Issue

November Issue

December Issue

The newsletter and Booster Club materials are in PDF format, which requires Adobe Reader to view. If you do not have this software, you may download now by clicking the Adobe Reader graphic.

Back to Top

Message from Dr. Cook

Welcome and thank you for visiting Black Bob's website. We are always proud to talk about our school and the differences we are making in our children's education and in their lives. Our first priority at Black Bob is making a positive impact on children's lives and it is exciting to see the results of our efforts. We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities for parent involvement at our school. Again, thank you for taking the time to visit our site and learn more about our school!

Back to Top

Black Bob Site Council

Back to Top

Black Bob Parent Teacher Organization

The name of this organization is the Black Bob Parent-Teacher Organization. It was formed on May 15, 1979.
The purpose of the Black Bob PTO is to:

• Promote the safety and welfare of the Black Bob students.
• Work toward better communication and greater understanding.
• The organization shall work with the school to provide quality education for all students. We shall participate to the maximum extent possible in the decision-making process regarding school policy in furthering the education of the children.

Members will consist of all parents and/or legal guardians of students attending Black Bob School, teachers, and any person interested in the objectives of the organization and willing to uphold its bylaws. No dues shall be required.

PTO meetings are scheduled for the following dates for the 2008-09 school year unless posted otherwise. These are open meetings and all Black Bob parents are welcome. Meetings will promptly start at 6:30 PM in the school library.

Tuesday, January 13
Tuesday, February 10
Thursday, April 9
Tuesday, May 12

Back to Top

OFFICERS

The Executive Board shall consist of all officers, whether elected or appointed, the principal of the school, and a representative elected by the school faculty. The officers for the 2008-2009 school year are:

BLACK BOB PTO
Meeting Minutes
Click on the links below to view the minutes.

September Meeting

October Meeting

November Meeting

    Back to Top

PTO Committees:
There are many different ways to be involved in our PTO. Listed below are the different committees and a little information about each one. Please let us know if you are intested in filling one of our open positions.

PTO Committee and Activity Descriptions

Adopt-A-Street
Timeframe: Year round
This program partners our school with the City of Olathe in helping to keep a part of our city clean. Clean-ups are to be conducted four times per year along our adopted streets. Parent volunteers are needed to supervise and set up clean-up opportunities.

Book Fair
Timeframe: September
This is an annual event generally held in September. Scholastic Books will be for sale in the school Gymnasium. This is a huge Book Fair. Parent volunteers are needed to help set up/fill and clean up as well as cashiering. Proceeds from the Book Fair go towards the school library.

Book Fair Supper
Timeframe: September
This is coordinated in conjunction with the Book Fair. Families may enjoy supper sponsored by PTO. There is a minimal charge per plate. Parent volunteers are needed to help that evening with cashiering, serving drinks, and cleanup.

F.L.A.S.H ( Fun Learning After School Hours)
Timeframe: January/February
These clubs are held every Tuesday after school for a 4-week timeframe during the months of January and/or February. The clubs are 45 minutes long, and with the exception of a few selected clubs, are offered at no charge to students. Any talent, skill interest, or hobby can be turned in to a fun after school club for the students. Examples of past clubs include basketball, volleyball, futsol, math club, book club, cake decorating, cooking, board games, Spanish, French, Sign language, scrap booking, arts & crafts, beading, tie dye, crochet, knitting, Tae Kwon Do, and many more. F.L.A.S.H. clubs are very popular and well attend by the students, and many parent volunteers are needed to teach as well as assist in the clubs.

Fall Fundraiser
Timeframe: August/September
This is to be our main source of fundraising for the year. Generally, this is a catalog sale going home with students in early fall.

Back to Top

Field Day
Timeframe: May
Field Day is an event held by Mr. Greenlee with a full day of fun indoor and outdoor activities and competitions. PTO sponsors a hot dog lunch for the kids that day. (Additional parent volunteers are needed to cook and serve the lunch.)

Fun Fair:
Timeframe: February
The Fun Fair is Black Bob's annual school carnival and is organized by the PTO. Putting on the Fun Fair is a huge undertaking and requires a large team of parent volunteers in the areas of games, food, decorations, ticket sales, teacher raffles, auction, and redemption prizes.

Fundraising Committee:
Timeframe: Year round as needed
This committee is designated to recommend fundraisers for PTO approval.

Holiday Mart:
Timeframe: December
This service is offered to our Black Bob students and families. The program will allow children to purchase various gift items for the holiday season. There will also be a breakfast and photos with Santa.

Holiday Parties:
Timeframe: October, December, February
Classroom holiday parties are held during the above-mentioned months. The December party will follow an all school assembly and last for about 30 minutes. Parties in October and February are to be an hour long with games and activities in the classrooms. Parents are asked to volunteer hosting these parties, and volunteers are asked to provide food, drinks, paper products, goodie bags/party favors. (Sign up sheets for these are available in their classrooms at Back to School Nights.) Morning Kindergarten classes participate in their own grade party which generally consists of games, activities & crafts, along with snacks. Morning Kindergarten parties last for about 1-1 ½ hours.

Hospitality:
Timeframe: Year round, as needed
The Hospitality Committee at Black Bob is the committee that organizes a number of activities that show our appreciation to all the teachers and staff throughout the year. Committee members make welcome-back gifts for the teachers at the beginning of the year and after winter break as well as a spring gift. Breakfast is provided to the teachers and staff the first week of school to welcome them back. Dinner is provided to all the teachers and staff during fall and spring conferences, and a luncheon is also given at the end of the year. The Hospitality committee is also responsible for the Beginner's Celebration for New Kindergarten Parents and New Families the first day full day of school. This is a very active committee and requires many parent volunteers. If you are unable to donate your time, you may sign up for donation only (donations of supplies and food items), and a committee member will contact you as donations are needed.

Back to Top

Landscaping:
Timeframe: Year round, as needed
Our landscaping committee is concerned with keeping our school landscape looking it's best. Volunteers are utilized for fundraising efforts, organizing workdays, and planning future planting to stay on track with our landscape plan.

McGruff House:
Timeframe: Year round, as needed
The McGruff House program is a crime prevention program. Participants aid children by reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement, provide descriptions of suspicious person(s) and vehicles, and assist children with medical emergencies. Volunteers are needed to enroll new families and renew current program participants.

Opt Out Program:
Timeframe: August / September
This program is available for families who prefer not to participate in the major fundraising activities. (Example of fundraising activities would be the fall fundraiser.)

P.I.E. ( Parents In Education)
Timeframe: Year round, as needed
Parents in Education (P.I.E.) is Black Bob's parent volunteer program. The teachers and staff are in need of parent volunteers to assist them in a variety of ways. You may choose the grade level, class, or staff person you would like to volunteer with.

Passive Fundraising:
Timeframe: Year round
These are ongoing fundraisers conducted throughout the year to help meet additional fundraising goals. Skating parties, General Mills Boxtops, Hyvee Dollars for Scholars, Worlds of Fun Tickets, and Summer Movie Tickets are just a few of the programs that provide additional cash with minimum volunteer effort. Funds raised through our Passive Fundraising programs are saved for the purchase of new playground equipment.

Back to Top

Presidential Service:
Timeframe: Year round
Black Bob Elementary is enrolled in the Presidential Service Award program. This is a federal program that encourages citizens of all ages to get involved in their communities by providing a number of opportunities for volunteering during the school year. Parent volunteers are needed to supervise, and set up volunteer opportunities.

Sixth Grade Committee:
Timeframe: Year round
The Sixth Grade Banquet Committee is made up of sixth-grade parents who organize a number of activities for the sixth-grade students throughout the year. Activities include several fundraisers, the purchase of a legacy gift, and a sixth-grade banquet at the end of the year.

Sneak-A-Peek:
Timeframe: August
Sneak-A-Peek takes place prior to the first day of school. It is a night for students to meet their new teacher before school starts. PTO generally sponsors refreshments for that evening. (Volunteers may be needed to serve and/or cook)

Spirit Wear:
Timeframe: Year round
Spirit Wear will go on sale during enrollment and several times during the fall. This committee will handle design and make decisions on what types of items will be available to purchase. The committee will also sell and deliver merchandise.

Back to Top

Student Directory:
Timeframe: August & September
Individuals on this committee will organize and edit information to be printed in our student directories. Each family will receive a free directory in early fall.

Teacher Holiday Wish List:
Timeframe: November - December
Each year a gift wish list for the holiday season is posted in the lobby with teacher/staff requests. These are suggested items for holiday gifts that students/parents have the opportunity to provide for teachers and staff to show their appreciation during the holiday season. This is optional but certainly much appreciated. Individuals on this committee will get wish lists from the teachers and post them in the front lobby.

Watermelon Feed:
Timeframe: August
Every year Dr. Cook provides watermelon for the students for a watermelon feed. This is a fun beginning of the year break for the kids to enjoy watermelon outside. Parent volunteers are needed to slice and serve the watermelon.

Watch D.O.G.S.:
Timeframe: Year round
Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) is the safe school initiative of the national center for fathering, that involves fathers and father figures to help create a more safe and secure environment in our nations schools. Men are asked to volunteer at Black Bob in a variety of activities.

Yearbook:
Timeframe: Year round
This committee creates our yearbook. They are responsible for taking pictures, doing layouts, meeting deadlines and sales. Yearbooks are sold during winter and distributed during the final weeks of school.

Back to Top