PTO Meeting - Wednesday, May 13th 5:30 pm

We’re excited to celebrate another amazing school year with our Emerald community at the End of Year BBQ on Friday, June 12 from 5:30pm–7:30pm! This annual event is one of the biggest gatherings of the year and includes food, raffles, music, treats, and time for students, staff, and families to come together and celebrate the end of the school year. Because this is such a large event, we’re looking for volunteers to help with setup, grilling, serving food, raffle tables, cleanup, and other small tasks throughout the evening. Many of the volunteer shifts are short, so you can still enjoy the event with your family while helping make the evening run smoothly. Our PTO is powered entirely by volunteers, and events like this are only possible when families pitch in together. Whether you can help for 30 minutes or take on a larger role, every bit of support truly helps. Volunteer signups are now open:

Mark your calendar and bring your appetite because McTeacher Night is coming up on Wednesday, May 28 from 5:00–7:00 PM at McDonald's (405 SE 131st Ave - near Chuck’s Produce). This is one of the easiest and most fun ways to support our school. Just show up, grab dinner, and a portion of your purchase goes right back to Emerald! How It Works During the event, 20% of all lobby and drive-thru sales will be donated to our school. That means whether you dine in or swing through on a busy evening, you are helping fund programs, supplies, and experiences for our students. Your Teachers… Serving You! The best part? Our amazing teachers will be stepping out of the classroom and into the restaurant. You’ll see familiar faces: Working the drive-thru Taking orders at the counter Helping out in the lobby It’s a fun, slightly chaotic, and very memorable way for students and families to connect with staff outside of school. Why It Matters Events like McTeacher Night help us raise funds that go directly back into our school community. From classroom support to events and enrichment opportunities, every dollar makes a difference. Easy Win for a Busy Night Let’s be honest. Dinner between 5 and 7 can be a scramble. This is your perfect excuse to skip cooking and do something good at the same time. Bring the kids. Invite a friend. Tell your neighbors. The more people who show up, the bigger the impact.

Our next PTO meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 3rd at 5:30 PM in the Emerald Commons , and all Emerald families are welcome to attend. This is one of our most important meetings of the year.  We’ll be: ✔️ Approving the 2026–2027 PTO Budget (which funds classroom support, events, and student experiences) ✔️ Electing next year’s PTO Board Board Positions include: President Leads meetings, helps guide decisions, and serves as the main representative of the PTO. Vice President Supports the President, connects with committees, and steps in when needed. Treasurer Manages finances, tracks spending, and keeps everything organized and transparent. Secretary Keeps records, manages communications, and helps keep the community informed. Donations Coordinator Helps secure donations and sponsorships from local businesses to support events and programs. Volunteer Coordinator Recruits and organizes volunteers so events and activities can actually run smoothly. We need enough participation to keep the PTO running! The reality is: without a PTO board and active members, many of the events, programs, and extras our students enjoy simply can’t happen. Even if you’re not interested in a position, your voice matters when we vote on next year’s budget. Meeting Details Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM Location: Emerald Commons Come help make sure we can keep doing the things our kids love.

The school year always feels long until suddenly… it isn’t. One minute it’s the first day of school, and the next you’re looking at end-of-year events, field days, and saying goodbye to teachers and friends. That’s exactly why the yearbook matters more than you think. This isn’t just a book. It’s a snapshot of your child’s year, the little moments, the big milestones, and everything in between. Why the Yearbook Matters Photos live on our phones, get lost in camera rolls, or disappear when we upgrade devices. The yearbook is different. It pulls together the moments that defined this school year in one place your child can actually revisit. Inside, you’ll find: Classroom memories School events and activities Photos with friends Milestones from the year For younger students, it becomes something fun to flip through. For older students, it turns into something more meaningful over time. Either way, it is one of the few keepsakes from the school year that actually lasts. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute Here’s the part people regret every year. They mean to order… and then forget. If you want your child to receive their yearbook at school with their classmates, you need to order by: May 24, 2026 After that date, you may still be able to order, but it likely won’t arrive with the rest of the class, and you could end up paying additional shipping costs. It’s one of those small things that’s easy to put off, but frustrating to miss. A Simple Way to Preserve the Year You don’t need to overthink this. If your child had any meaningful moments this year, friendships, events, or even just day-to-day school life, the yearbook is worth it. Take two minutes, place the order, and check it off your list. Order Today Make sure your student doesn’t miss out. Order by May 24, 2026 to guarantee school delivery. It’s a simple step now that turns into something they’ll hold onto for years.

May 11-15,2026

We’re still collecting photos for this year’s yearbook and would love your help. If you have pictures from school events, field trips, class activities, or everyday student memories , please send them in.  These moments help us create a yearbook that truly reflects the school year. You can email them to yearbook@emeraldpto.org or submit them right here through the website.

Come Support Our Otter Entrepreneurs!

We’re excited to invite all 5th grade students to participate in this year’s Yearbook Cover Design Contest ! This is a special opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and leave a lasting mark on their final year at Emerald Elementary. One winning design will be selected as the official front cover of the 2025–2026 yearbook, with additional designs featured inside. Contest Guidelines To ensure all entries can be considered for printing, please follow these requirements: Designs must be created on standard 8.5" x 11" paper (vertical orientation) Artwork must be 100% original No tracing No clipart No AI-generated images One entry per student Each design must include: Emerald Elementary School 2025–2026 Students should not write their name on their artwork. A submission form will be attached instead. Tips for a Strong Design Encourage your student to think about what makes Emerald Elementary special. Strong designs often include: School memories, activities, or traditions Elements that represent our school community Creative use of bold, bright colors A few practical tips to keep in mind: Keep important artwork at least ½ inch from the edges to prevent it from being cut off during printing Use materials like markers, colored pencils, or crayons for the best results Most importantly, let their personality shine through Theme Ideas (Optional) Students are welcome to create their own concept or use one of these ideas for inspiration: Otters Stick Together at Emerald Highlight teamwork, friendships, and school spirit Growing Together at Emerald Elementary Show growth from kindergarten through 5th grade Our Otter Journey — From K to 5 Celebrate this class’s full journey at Emerald How to Submit Complete the submission form provided Attach it to the artwork using a paperclip or staple Turn in to your student’s teacher by: 👉 Friday, May 1 What Happens Next? One winning design will be featured on the front cover of the yearbook Runner-up designs may be included inside the yearbook Winners will be announced in early May Let’s Celebrate Our 5th Graders This contest is a meaningful way for students to reflect on their time at Emerald and contribute something lasting to the school community.  We can’t wait to see the creativity, personality, and school pride our 5th graders bring to their designs!

Our next PTO meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 15 at 5:30 PM in the Emerald Commons , and all Emerald families are welcome to attend. PTO meetings are a chance to hear what is happening around the school, learn how funds are being used to support students and staff, and share ideas that help strengthen our school community. Whether you are a regular volunteer, brand new to the PTO, or just curious about what we do, you are welcome to join us. There is no long-term commitment required to attend a meeting. Come when you can, listen in, and participate at whatever level feels comfortable. Meeting Details Date: Wednesday, April 15 Time: 5:30 PM Location: Emerald Commons We hope to see you there and appreciate everyone who takes time to stay connected and involved at Emerald Elementary PTO .