Ah, the crack of the bat, the cheer of the crowd, the smell of fresh popcorn… There’s something about baseball that just screams “classic American pastime.” But you know what else deserves a stadium full of fans and a seventh-inning stretch? Teachers, school staff and administrators. Those dedicated souls who inspire, guide, and educate our...Continue reading
How to Get Parents Involved in PTO Long Term
Today, I’m going to talk to you a little bit about parent engagement and involvement and why you’re not quite getting enough parents involved in your PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) and what you can do to solve that pesky problem. This is a super common topic in the Super Star PTO Leaders Facebook Group and...Continue reading
How to Plan an End of the School Year Family Fun PTO Picnic
Are you ready to wrap up the school year with a really fun event sponsored by your PTO (Parent Teacher Organization)? How about a family friendly program sponsored by your school’s parent volunteer group that’s sure to draw a crowd? Today, I want to tell you all about how to plan an end-of-the-school-year picnic, which...Continue reading
April PTO Leader To Do List
Let’s talk about what you and your Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) school parent group are going to want to be sure to get done during the month of April as we get oh so close to the end of the school year. But no, we are not quite there yet and there are a few...Continue reading
Super Thoughtful Gift Ideas for PTO Board Members
As the school year wraps up, it’s the perfect chance to give a big shoutout to the folks on the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Board. These awesome volunteers have poured their hearts and souls (not to mention countless hours) into making sure our kids have an amazing educational experience. They’ve been behind the scenes, working...Continue reading
Let’s Organize a Spectacular Carnival Themed Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week is a special time to honor the hard work and dedication of educators who shape the minds of our future generation. What better way to celebrate than with a vibrant carnival theme? Your PTO will Transforming the staff lounge into a whimsical carnival can bring joy and excitement to the week’s festivities....Continue reading
Mixing Business with Pleasure: Can PTOs Legally Meet at Bars?
So you’ve been noticing that you really don’t have as many Parent Teacher Volunteers (PTO) or members as you’d like, and so you’re thinking that mixing things up may change that. You’re looking to meet off-site, away from the school for your next PTO meeting so parents can enjoy a more relaxed setting. Then you...Continue reading
The Ultimate Guide to What PTA/PTO Funds Can (and Can’t) Buy
Have some money burning a hole in your Parent Teacher Organization’s (PTA/PTO) pocket that you’d like to spend? But you’ve heard that there are some big no-nos about what your groups can pay for in terms of keeping your 501(c)(3) non-profit status and you don’t want to make the IRS mad. Or potentially lose your...Continue reading
19 Thoughtful Gift Ideas to Thank Your PTO President at the End of the School Year
As the school year draws to a close, it’s time to express gratitude to those who have worked tirelessly to make it a success. Among these unsung heroes is your Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) President, whose dedication and leadership have undoubtedly made a significant impact on the school community. Finding the perfect thank you gift...Continue reading
How to Get More Parents Involved in Your School’s PTO
Are you looking for ways to get more parents involved in your school parent group, whether it’s a PTO, PTA or another name? That’s a rhetorical question of course because every group benefits from having more volunteers at the ready, willing to pitch in as necessary. The truth is that your PTO will be able...Continue reading
Ideas for a Swiftie Approved Taylor Swift Inspired Staff Appreciation Week
As Teacher Appreciation Week approaches, why not make it unforgettable by infusing the energy and inspiration of Taylor Swift into the celebration for all of your school’s staff? Taylor Swift’s music is a really fun concept to play with that can elevate a regular staff appreciation event into one that’s super memorable and leaves a...Continue reading
March To Do List for PTO PTA Leaders and Volunteers
Happy March! It’s a new month and another month closer to the end of the school year and the end of a term year for all Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) leaders! Just like the school, the PTO runs on a similar schedule, with certain things needing to happen at a certain time of the year...Continue reading
Roll the Dice and Win Big: Organize a Casino Themed Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect time for your PTO / PTA to show your educators how much you value their hard work and dedication. This year, why not take a gamble and organize a Casino Themed Teacher Appreciation Week that will leave your teaching staff feeling like winners? In this blog post, we’ll dive...Continue reading
Ultimate List of Teacher Appreciation Week Themes
Look no further for the most comprehensive list of creative and fun staff and teacher appreciation event themes to help your and your PTO celebrate the people who make school happen for your kids! This post runs down a whole host of teacher appreciation week themes for staff and also links to theme specific articles...Continue reading
How to Organize a Highly Profitable Raffle PTO Fundraiser
Raffle fundraisers can be an exciting way for non-profit Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO) to raise funds, engage with their community, and increase awareness about their cause. A successful raffle can generate significant revenue and can be a fun experience for everyone involved, so if you’ve never tried holding this type of fundraiser, this post will...Continue reading
Fun and Games Galore: Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week with a Playful Twist
Teacher Appreciation Week is a fantastic opportunity to express gratitude to the dedicated educators who shape children’s lives in your school community. This year, why not take a playful approach and celebrate with a “Fun and Games” themed week? Sponsored by the school Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) or PTA, this event is such a delightful...Continue reading
The Right Way to Price PTO Events
You might have an amazing idea for a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) hosted event, but have you ever thought about how to price tickets effectively? You definitely don’t ever want to be in the position where the ticket sales don’t cover the costs for your event. Or if you’re planning a school fundraiser, then you...Continue reading
Ultimate 2026 Resource Guide for All Things Teacher Appreciation: Themes, Gifts, Decorations and Menu Ideas
No teacher or school staff member would ever tire of hearing you say thank you each and every day, so we’ve rounded up a bunch of ideas to help you do just that! This Ultimate Teacher Appreciation Resource Guide is designed to be your one stop shop for all things teacher and staff appreciation, including...Continue reading
6 High School Events Any PTO Can Make Happen
One of the main differences between High School and Elementary and Middle School is that the students are on the cusp of adulthood and the same events and programs that appealed to them when they were younger just don’t work at this later age stage. But this doesn’t mean that your High School Parent Teacher...Continue reading
Showing Gratitude on a Budget: 49+ Inexpensive Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas
Teachers and school staff have an incredible impact on students and schools. In recognition of their tireless efforts, Teacher Appreciation Week offers a perfect opportunity to show your gratitude. If you don’t want to wait for the end of the school year, then you can use any one of these ideas to shower your teachers...Continue reading
Let’s Plan a Heart-Themed Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week is an important event to celebrate the dedication and hard work of your school staff, teachers and administrators who work so hard to keep your school running. Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO) can play a big role in coordinating the week-long celebration by planning an event to thank teachers and staff. This year,...Continue reading
February PTO To Do List for School Parent Group Leaders and Volunteers
Happy February! Let’s talk about everything that you, being your PTO, should be taking care of during the month of February. We’ll be covering what officers and committee chairs, including the President, Nominating Committee, Membership Chairs, Fundraising and Ways and Means Chairs, and the Staff Appreciation Committees should be paying attention to and making sure...Continue reading
How to Organize a Magic Themed Teacher Appreciation Week
Teachers work their MAGIC daily by teaching, loving, and inspiring their students. They JUGGLE so many responsibilities and challenges. Why not use this teacher appreciation week to pull out the RAZZLE DAZZLE and create a week they’ll never forget?! Let’s get into all the details you need for a mag themed teacher appreciation week they’ll...Continue reading
PTO Leader Transition Best Practices
The best leader transitions for all Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO) are such more than handing off binders like a baton pass in an Olympic race. But the very best leaders know they need to finish off their term strong. And this includes setting the incoming leader up with everything they need to be successful. There...Continue reading