FAQs

Oh boy, we do A LOT!! We support the school, teachers, students, and staff in a number of ways - just check out our events page! In a nutshell, here is a list of things the PTO is in charge of:

• School Supply Closet, Teacher Lounge Restock

• Teacher/Staff Breakfasts and Lunches

• Boo Hoo Breakfast for Parents who are new to the school

• Boy's Choice Event

• Girls Choice Event

• Halloween Dance

• Fun Fridays

• Vendor Fair (Marketplace)

• Teacher Fund (at the start of each year, teachers are able to submit for reimbursement up to $100)

• Appreciation Days/Weeks (Teachers, Administrative Staff, Principal, Associate Principal, Nurses, Counseling, Maintenance)

• Teachers/Staff Christmas Gifts

• Sixth Grade Promotion Gifts

• Woot Woot Wagon (snacks and drinks for teachers)

• Dinner Fundraisers

• Kona Ice Fundraisers

• School Swag and T-Shirts

• Special treats during open house night, winter showcase, and assemblies

• We also provide support for requests submitted by Administration and Teachers 

• Special touches - one year we redid the teacher's lounge, and another we purchased a new fridge for the teacher's lounge

Much of our funding comes from our "Fun Friday" snack sales, dances, dinner fundraisers, the Vendor Fair, and Kona Ice sales. Sometimes we also receive donations from the community and local businesses. Each year the PTO treasurer outlines a budget with estimated expenses and income based on previous year's events and fundraisers. The money we raise goes straight to our teachers, students, and staff.

We have a Private Facebook group for parents/guardians, teachers, and staff to join (just answer a few questions to get approval). We have a Public Facebook Page, an Instagram Page, and this website!

We also share information from the Gladden Farms Elementary Facebook page. You can also find A LOT of information on the School Website, and check your inbox for the Tuesday Bulletin emails (ask the front office about signing up).

Remember to follow, like, and share our information with other GFE families.

Teachers, Staff, and as a parent/guardian of a child who attends Gladden Farms Elementary, you are automatically a member of the PTO. We encourage all parents and guardians to attend meetings (or watch on Zoom), and we love when you attend events with your children.

PTO meetings are typically held on the 1st Thursday of each month at 6:15pm in the evening in the teacher's lounge. We also broadcast the meeting on Zoom. You can watch live, or the recording at your convenience. If there is a change to the schedule, we will post it on Facebook and the school will send updates in the weekly (Tuesday) Bulletin emails.

Here are just a few reasons why it's important to come to meetings:

• The number one reason is to benefit your child. In doing so, you also help our school. The PTO is a great opportunity to become involved in your child’s education.

• Get connected! There is no better way to get involved in what is happening or is going to happen.

• Stay informed. By getting involved, you will be part of the team helping to make positive changes. 

• Tap into a network. Come and share ideas, concerns, and experiences with other parents and educators in the community.

• Speak Up. PTO offers a forum for exchanging ideas as well as making suggestions. PTO can be a way for you to more effectively express change.

We are so happy you asked - there are many ways you can help the PTO and our school by volunteering your time. Jump over to our Volunteer Page where we outlined a few opportunities. If you already know what your interests are, feel free to sign up for our Volunteer List.

Rest assured, we won't ask you to help at EVERY event. We do our best to rotate volunteers so everyone has a chance to join in the fun, not just work. 

We also have Sponsor and Donor opportunities - check them out too!

If you're not able to volunteer in-person, there are many other ways you can get involved. It would be a tremendous help to the PTO and our school if people are sharing information with each other in the community. 

If you know someone who is missing out on our social media - Private Facebook Group, Instagram, our Public Facebook Page, Tuesday Bulletin Emails, or hasn't seen the School Website or our PTO website please share information with them - spread the word!

Learn more about volunteering here or Learn about our donor opportunities.

We'd love to get in touch with you! You can email us at gladdenfarmspto@gmail.com, you can find us on Facebook, Instagram, we're probably at the school, or you can attend one of our monthly meetings (1st Thursday of the month at 6:15pm in the teacher's lounge and on Zoom). 

WOW that's Amazing! Here is a copy of our Bylaws and Job Descriptions. There are currently 5 Board positions - President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Fundraising Chair. To become a Board member, you must meet the requirements stated in the bylaws for each of the positions. Nominations are accepted during the month of March, voting occurs during the month of April, and the new board is announced at the May PTO meeting. 

Woo Hoo! Becoming a Sponsor or Donor is a fantastic way to support Gladden Farms Elementary and get your name, services, or products out in our vibrant community. 

Check out our Sponsor/Donor Opportunities page and drop us a line at gladdenfarmspto@gmail.com. Together, let's create something truly special. 

We love our vendors and look forward to seeing you each year!! It is subject to change, but, we have been successful when we host our vendor fair in the Fall. Each summer we plan our calendar of events and will connect with past vendors to let them know when the upcoming fair will be. We also post on social media in local groups (Marana/Tucson). 

Learn more about our Vendor Fair here.

Questions can be directed to gfevendorevents@gmail.com. 

Thank you for your interest in hosting a dinner fundraiser! We've found it's a scrumptious way to support our school while satisfying our community's cravings. Please reach out to our Fundraising Chair at gladdenfarmspto@gmail.com for all the delectable details. Let's eat, mingle, and make a difference together!

We're thrilled to hear that you're interested in joining one of our PTO-hosted events. For all inquiries about becoming a vendor, please reach out to our Fundraising Chair at gladdenfarmspto@gmail.com. We can't wait to collaborate with you and make our events even more delightful for our community! 

Gladden Farms Elementary has a PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization). A PTO does NOT require membership dues from parents/teachers to be part of the organization. A PTA requires membership dues and belongs to a national association where they too pay membership dues. 

Yes, we have applied and been approved for a 501c3 status. We have an EIN / TIN number with the IRS. The PTO Board and all PTO members are volunteers.