Atwater PTO News: October 22nd

1. 6th Grade POPCORN Sale this Friday! 10/23 in front After School! Bring your singles$
2. PTO Meeting SUNDAY 10/25 7PM at Camp Bar-- come for the Packer Game, stay for the meeting!
3. New Recess Gear ROLLING out to each classroom!
4. PTO GRANTS applications are open!
5. Show our School Staff your LOVE with a donation to Atwater’s Big Thank You! QR Code below.
6. Monster MASH Dance coming up 10/30! Sign-up to help below!

Please join us for a Sunday evening meeting following the 10/25 Packer Game. You could watch the game at Camp and stay for the meeting!

It has been a tradition to have a few PTO meetings a year at an alternate time and location from our usual monthly Friday morning at school. This way folks who can't make that time, have this option, plus this setting allows for more socializing to connect as caregivers.

Camp Bar is owned by an Atwater family and they are generously giving 20% of our sales during the meeting to back to the PTO. So whether you've ever come to a meeting before, or are a regular, we hope you can join us this Sunday evening to hear about upcoming events, why we fundraise, where the dollars go, and also to share your ideas and feedback.

See those who can join this Sunday following the Packer Game 7PM in the back Patio Room!

This year's Halloween dance party the Monster Mash will feature Kid Boogie Down, the family friendly musical experience with bubbles, visuals, live DJ and more! Mark your calendars and ready your costumes for Friday, October 30th from 5:30-8:00pm.

Kara Mulrooney, chairing the Mash again this year, has lots of fun things already planned! Click below to sign-up to help!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044AACA72BA0FA7-66580572-monster

The Atwater PTO is excited to share that we have provided every classroom with its own dedicated recess ball set, including kickballs, soccer balls, basketballs, footballs, chalk, jump ropes, hula hoops, volleyballs, and storage bags!

Big kudos are in order for diligent and resourceful sourcing by our PTO Treasure Kerri Giese and Spiritwear Chair Erin Gonzalez in making this happen for every classroom in the school. In total, the PTO has provided nearly $1,000 worth of new sports gear and outdoor play supplies to keep our students active, engaged, and having fun during recess every day!

PTO Grants are Open!

We are happy to announce that Atwater PTO Grant Applications are now being accepted until Friday, November 13, 2026. This year our budget for the program is $10,000. Students, teachers, staff, and caregivers are encouraged to apply for funds to enhance their classroom and/or school in general. Below you will find an Atwater PTO Grant Application Link and Shorewood School District Pre-Approval Form. Based on the information submitted, the PTO Executive Committee will review the applications and approve as many as we have funds to support.

2026-27 Atwater PTO Grants Application

Helpful reminders when completing your application:

1. Requests should be in the range of $100-$2,000
2. The more detail you can provide, the easier it is for the committee to award funds. Make sure to think through ALL expenses and logistics that go along with your request. Include links when possible! Per district policy, some requests will require pre-approval. Please carefully read the Shorewood School District Pre-Approval Form to see if your request falls in this category.
3. Items requested must have educational value. This is sometimes loosely interpreted but always taken into consideration by the PTO Executive & Grants Committee.

Applications are due by Friday, November 13, 2026. Please return your completed application via email to Kerri Giese at atwaterptotreasurer@gmail.com. Feel free to attach additional information to support your application.

Questions? Contact Kerri Giese at atwaterptotreasurer@gmail.com or (609) 675-8436.

Thank you,

Kerri Giese and Kelly Taylor, PTO Grants Coordinators

Pictured below is the 6th grade fundraising popcorn maker purchased in 2024 through the PTO Grants program.

Big Thanks to all who helped fuel our Teaching Staff THROUGHOUT the Fall Conferences! We received this lovely note from a few teachers:

"PTO, You are amazing and wonderfully generous.

Thank you for the food. We had breakfast, dinner and then lunch the next day.

A three-meal feast! It was delicious and appreciated!!"

Thanks especially to Staff Appreciations Co-Chairs Hanna Seegers and Elisa Ziebell for organizing this nourishment for our wonderful staff! They ordered healthy meals catered by Simple Eats and set up all the yummy treats and snacks from you all. Thank you!

Last year, our school community transformed the Little Free Library on the Atwater campus into a Little Free Pantry to support those facing food insecurity. The Pantry was well utilized over the course of the school year and summer. A huge thank you to everyone who kept it clean and stocked! The Pantry has officially transitioned back to a Little Free Library at this time. If you have books to share, please don't forget about this important community space on our campus. The Library is located just south of the pickle ball courts along Maryland Ave.

If you’re new to Atwater, here’s the scoop: on select Fridays, our 6th graders sell fresh popcorn after school to help raise money for their own graduation celebration.

With the help of a wonderful group of 6th-grade parent volunteers, students do the work of running the sales—and our school community gets a special Friday-afternoon snack in return!

The money raised helps make the 6th Grade Atwater send-off super special, including a beautiful graduation ceremony, a rose for each graduate, programs, refreshments, reception for caregivers, and more!

Popcorn is sold in front of school as soon as the final bell rings for $1 a bag, with cash or Square accepted. Additional donations to the 6th grade graduation fund are always welcome!

DATES: October 23 & 30!

Come grab a bag, say hi to our 6th graders, and help us celebrate them as they head into their final year at Atwater.

And don’t wait too long—they’ve been known to sell out! 🍿

Each year, our PTO has a goal: raise enough funds to thank all of the Atwater staff members with appreciation gifts—not just our amazing teachers—for the incredible work they do every day to support our children.

When we think about appreciation, teachers naturally come to mind. But our school is fueled by so many people working behind the scenes:

• Teachers who spark curiosity, challenge our kids to grow, and nurture a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
• Administrators and Office professionals who comfort nervous kids, call parents when someone is sick, and keep the school running smoothly.
• Paraprofessionals and aides who sit one-on-one with struggling learners, making sure no child falls through the cracks.
• Engineers and Custodians who unlock doors early, clean up spills, and make sure our kids have a safe, welcoming environment every day.
• Specialists in art, music, library, and physical education who spark creativity, imagination, movement, and a lifelong love of the arts.
• Support staff who care for our kids’ physical and emotional well-being and help them feel safe, seen, and supported.

Donate on the PTO Website or Square!

The Atwater PTO works to support our students, teachers, and families by creating opportunities for connection, enrichment, and collaboration. Through family events, school initiatives, teacher support, and community-building activities, we help make Atwater a place where every student feels supported and every family is welcome.

You and every Atwater family is already part of our PTO community, and we want to make it easier for families to stay connected, share ideas, and find ways to participate that work for them.

So there are a few different ways you can connect with Atwater PTO:

• Email the Atwater PTO atwaterpto414@gmail.com
• Read the Scoop and PTO Newsletters
• Check our website -- free access to the parent/caregiver directory!
• Follow the Atwater PTO’s Facebook Page

P.S. If you are unable to attend the September PTO meeting but would still like to get involved or help with the PTO, please reach out to atwaterpto414@gmail.com to let us know!

The Atwater PTO works to support our students, teachers, and families by creating opportunities for connection, enrichment, and collaboration. Through family events, school initiatives, teacher support, and community-building activities, we help make Atwater a place where every student feels supported and every family feels welcome.

Heather Ullsvik Loomans, President

Kelly Gauthier, Vice President

Kerri Giese, Treasurer

Elisa Ziebell, Secretary

Molly Browne, Communications Chair

+ Many great Project and Event Chairs!