Van Ness Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization

The PTO work focuses on the following: CONNECTING: Provide community building opportunities for families to get to know each other through efforts such as new parent outreach, community events like our new Back-to-School BBQ and forums such all-parent PTO meetings, this newsletter, and our listserv. SUPPORTING: Supporting Van Ness through organizing the school's volunteer needs, making sure teachers and staff know they are appreciated, and providing administrative support. FUNDING: Support Van Ness through raising money at fundraising events, building partnerships with local businesses, and family donations. Additionally, Van Ness Elementary partners with Transend to create a powerful elementary school model that has the potential to transform elementary education in the District of Columbia and-when fully realized-the nation (Whole Child Collaborative).

We are a 501c3 non-profit open to any current Van Ness teacher parent or guardian. All current families are automatically part of the PTO. The PTO is guided by a board of elected parents guardians and appointed teachers who work together to support our school foster connections between families and raise money for teacher support field trips and community-building events. Our work focuses on the following: CONNECTING: Providing community building opportunities for families to get to know each other through efforts such as new parent outreach community events like Fall Festival and forums such all-parent PTO meetings newsletters and maintaining a community listserv. SUPPORTING: Supporting Van Ness through organizing to meet the schools volunteer needs making sure teachers and staff know they are appreciated and providing administrative support. FUNDING: Supporting Van Ness through raising money at fundraising events building partnerships with local businesses,