PTO Newsletter 11/10
OTE PTO News: Week of 11/10
Highlights this week:
- Hearing and Vision Screening Volunteers - Sign Up Now
- Volunteers Needed! Veteran's Day Assembly - Sign Up Now
- OTE Food Drive - November 11-14
- Restaurant Night at Tacos 4 Life - November 12
- POSTPONED! Bingo for Books Event
- November Community Service Meeting - November 19
- Box Tops for OTE
- Holiday Support-A-Cougar Drive
Veterans Day Assembly Volunteers Needed
Our PTO proudly hosts this year's Veterans Day celebration and assembly to honor the brave men and women who have served in the military on Tuesday, November 11th. Volunteers are needed to assist with the event, with opportunities to volunteer in 3 areas: set up, during assembly helpers, and clean up.
To see available opportunities and sign up to volunteer, click the link below.
Hearing & Vision Screening Volunteers Needed
We’re looking for friendly faces to help with our annual Hearing and Vision Screening at Overland Trail Elementary on November 18th! These screenings are an important part of keeping our students healthy and ready to learn — and we couldn’t do it without our amazing volunteers.
If you’re available, please consider signing up for as many time slots as your schedule allows. Every extra hour you can give makes a big difference in helping the day run smoothly for our students and staff.
Thank you so much for supporting OTE — your time and kindness mean the world to us! 💙
OTE Food Drive
The OTE Student Council is hosting a Food Drive! Let's come together as a community to make a positive impact on the lives of those facing food insecurity. Collected food items will be donated to the Blue Valley Food Pantry - learn more about the pantry here.
When: Tuesday, 11/11 - Friday, 11/14
Where: Students may drop off items in the designated bins inside their pod
Donation Suggestions:
- Mac and cheese (does not require extra ingredients)
- Canned fruits or vegetables
- Canned meat or fish
- Dry cereals
- Packaged items with long shelf life
Restaurant Night at Tacos 4 Life
Skip the cooking and grab dinner from Tacos 4 Life to support the Overland Trail Elementary PTO! Show the above flyer when ordering or use code FUNDRAISER when ordering online to receive a FREE personal queso or salsa! For every Free Dip redeemed, Tacos 4 Life will donate $5 back to OTE!
Wednesday, November 12
4 - 9pm
Tacos 4 Life
12180 Blue Valley Parkway
POSTPONED! Bingo for Books Event
The Bingo for Books event - initially scheduled for Friday, November 14 - has been postponed. This event will be rescheduled for a new date in 2026 - stay tuned for updates and announcements!
Box Tops for Education at OTE
Earn cash for OTE by collecting box tops! For over 25 years, Box Tops for Education has given families an easy way to earn for schools with products they already buy. Today, you can find hundreds of participating products throughout the store - and all you need is the Box Tops app.
All through November, when you refer a friend and they scan their first receipt, you'll both earn 50 Bonus Box Tops. (100 Box Tops = $10 for OTE!)
November Community Service Meeting
Join us for this month's community service activity on Wednesday, 11/19 from 3:45-4:30 p.m.
Click below to register for the meeting.
Reminder: Change your child's method of pick-up in PickUpPatrol (select Other and note OTE Community Service Meeting in Art Room in the comments).
Holiday Support-A-Cougar Drive
Our holiday Support-A-Cougar drive is back! The Support-A-Cougar annual holiday drive allows us to provide OTE families with gift cards, new games and books during the holiday season. We need your help to make this possible!
How to Donate:
Monday, 11/10 - Friday, 12/5
- Bring new games and books to school and place in the collection bins
- Donate through the PTO Site! Log-In and select your donation level: https://www.otepto.org/holiday
- Send cash or check in an envelope marked “Support-a-Cougar” and have your student give to their teacher
The Support-a-Cougar Committee will work with our school counselor and social worker to purchase gift cards and distribute the donations to families in our OTE community.
If you are an OTE family in need of support for the holidays, please contact the OTE Social Worker, Heather Meinking: HMeinking@bluevalleyk12.org
Donate to the class celebration fund!
Help us make classroom celebrations and staff appreciation events extra special this year! Your donation to the Classroom Fund supports:
Three PTO-sponsored classroom celebrations (Halloween, Winter, Valentine’s)
American Education Week recognition
Teacher Appreciation Week festivities
All donations are collected by grade level to ensure consistency and equity across classrooms. If a grade does not meet its budgeted goal, the PTO will subsidize the difference so that every student receives the same experience.
✨ Please note: These funds will not be used for teacher birthday or holiday gifts.
Thank you for your generosity and support in making Overland Trail Elementary a joyful and inclusive place for all students and staff!
Ordering 2025-26 Yearbooks
Birthday Marquees
PTO Board Meetings
Parents and staff are welcome to join the PTO Board at their monthly Board meetings. The PTO discusses upcoming events, budgetary spending and income, and connects with school administration. Meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. at OTE unless otherwise specified.
Next PTO Board Meeting:
Event Information
The meeting will take place in the OTE Library.
RSVPs are enabled for this event.