Forest Edge PTO

What does the PTO even do?

We’re glad you asked. We keep busy all year long so if you’re looking to volunteer, we have lots of opportunities for you! We sponsor and plan events, fund teacher requests, fundraise, coordinate volunteers, as well as support and keep our community updated! More below:

We fulfill staff requests.

The PTO funded a LifeVac device for our cafeteria and all cafeteria staff were trained by nurses in case of a choking emergency. This is especially important as we know all of the kids are rushing to finish their lunches and get to recess.

Are you a staff member with a request? Reach out to us at forestedgepto@gmail.com for our staff request sheet.

We fundraise.

Head over to our Fundraising page for more information. This wonderful comment is from our plant sale in the Spring with Shady Lane Greenhouses.

We support school events.

The Forest Edge PTO isn’t always host, sometimes we provide volunteers, money and requested items to the school instead.

We support our community.

One of our committees is directly focused on supporting our community through gathering donations for students, families, and places like the Oregon Area Food Pantry.

We host events.

Look at our Events page to see the free events the PTO hosts for our Forest Edge community.

We support and appreciate FES staff.

One of our committees happily plans several appreciation events throughout the school year to show FES staff that we appreciate everything they do.

It’s time to show you who makes all of this possible:

It’s YOU. The PTO can’t succeed without parents and teacher volunteers. Meet your PTO board members below and then see about becoming a part of the team.

Chessie Totaro

President

I grew up in Madison and I was so excited to move back when we were expecting our first child. I now have two kids at FES, with our third starting 4k next year.

I initially attended PTO meetings to feel more connected to the school and try to learn about things going on at the school. Once involved, I met a lot of great parents and couldn't help wanting to participate in the planning and executing of school activities sponsored by the PTO.

We are a very young PTO, but we are finding our groove and getting more people involved which makes everything bigger and better. I'm excited about even more fun things we can do for the staff and students at FES in the 2023-2024 school year.

I know everyone is busy with life, but the FES PTO is a low-stress group that never pressures you to get involved in anything you're not interested in. Don't be hesitant to come to a meeting, we won't force you to join the PTO cult for life!

Kendra Holten

Vice President and Communications Director

I'm a stay-at-home mom of 4 that wanted to get more involved in helping out at the school and meet other parents that were doing the same thing!

The PTO does a lot of wonderful things but I'm most excited for the face-to-face events like the back-to-school event in the fall.

The biggest thing to know about us is that getting involved is worth that initial first-day anxiety, and I'm pretty sure none of us bite, but I can get back to you on that if that's what's keeping you away!

Rachael Inman

Treasurer

I have 2 kids, one at FES and one soon to be. My son is finishing 2nd grade, and my daughter is finishing 4k.

I started attending PTO meetings to meet other parents and teachers in the community. Shortly after I started attending, there was an unexpected need at Treasurer, so I said I would help out given my accounting background. Three years later and I am still here because it has been fun!

As we are getting more established as a PTO, I have noticed more parents joining the meetings. I am excited to see the growth that will allow us to expand and provide more teacher support and community events.

The PTO is a great way to establish connections with FES parents and teachers alike just from attending the meetings. If you attend a meeting, it doesn't mean you will be forced to take on a task or commit any more of your time. You can decide how much involvement you would like.

Rebecca Carlin

Secretary

I run a nonprofit that partners with schools to serve children and families. I see everyday the value of the connection between school, family and community. I joined the PTO because it's important to me to be involved in my child's school and to support creating connections to the school for other families. The FES PTO does a great job of hosting events and opportunities for families to be connected to what's happening at the school.

After being on the PTO for about a year, I was invited to take on the role of Secretary. I'm looking forward to using my leadership and communication skills to support the PTO in this way.

Since we are a new PTO, we have been learning the best ways to support teachers and students. I'm excited that this year we'll be able to use what we are learning and make an even greater impact. The PTO is a relaxed and welcoming group of parents. Everyone is welcome to participate and there are a lot of different ways to get involved such as attending meetings, attending social events, or volunteering.

Jessica Skarlupka

Fundraising Chair

I'm Mom to two daughters who will both be at Forest Edge this coming year (kindergarten and second grade). When my oldest daughter started kindergarten there was so much that I wanted to know about her school and her daily experiences. All of a sudden she was gone at school all day, every day but much of what she did and who she spent her time with remained a bit of a mystery to me.

I decided to get involved in the PTO to help feel more connected to her school and meet other people who felt similarly. I've loved getting to know the other members of the group, building friendships, and seeing glimpses into my daughter's world at Forest Edge! Although I wanted to get more involved, I was a little nervous and hesitant to attend my first meeting but everyone was very warm and welcoming! The group works together for the greater good of the school community and you can choose your level of involvement.

I'm really excited to have two kiddos at FES this coming school year! There's such a great energy amongst the PTO group to work on fun and beneficial projects for the school community. I'm looking forward to being a part of this, and also hopefully welcoming some new faces!

Jenn Landas

Staff Liaison

I am a Kindergarten teacher at Forest Edge and the mom of a 2020 OHS grad.

Our PTO supports so many great opportunities for our learners and I wanted to lend the teacher voice to this amazing organization. Since I'm a touch of an organizer and an over-communicator in life, the role of Secretary serves me well.

I will work hard to make sure that our families and the staff of Forest Edge are up on all things PTO in a timely fashion.

Our new board is filled with people with servant hearts and energy to boot - I can't wait to see all that we are able to accomplish due to the solid foundation the previous board built.