Second District PTO

Goal: $5,000.00

Specific Need

At Second District Elementary School, we provide a daily "Soft Landing" for students in grades K–2 as they transition from home to school. This 40-minute period, called PAWs and Play (Positive Adjustment through Wonder and Play), is intentionally designed to ease students into the school day by providing a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment. Through opportunities for breakfast, child-directed play, and social interaction, students build relationships, develop self-regulation skills, and prepare emotionally and academically for learning.

PAWs and Play is more than free play; it is a purposeful learning experience. Teachers take an active role in engaging with students during play, facilitating conversations, modeling positive social interactions, and supporting the development of executive functioning skills. Through guided interactions, teachers help students practice important skills such as turn-taking, sharing, problem-solving, flexible thinking, cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution. These foundational skills help students develop independence, manage emotions, and build the self-regulation necessary for success in the classroom.

Following play time, students participate in a morning meeting where they reflect on and discuss their play experiences. These conversations strengthen oral language development, expand vocabulary, improve listening and speaking skills, and build confidence in expressing ideas. PAWs and Play supports a smooth transition from home to school, helping students feel connected, confident, and ready to succeed each day while fostering the social, emotional, and cognitive skills that are essential for lifelong learning.

We are seeking funding to expand the play materials available in our K–2 classrooms to ensure all students have access to engaging, high-quality play experiences. Requested materials include:

• Building blocks and construction sets (wooden blocks, Magna-Tiles, LEGO sets)
• Dramatic play materials (play kitchen items, dress-up clothes, puppets, community helper props)
• STEM and engineering materials (gears, ramps, marble runs, building connectors)
• Sensory play materials (sensory bins, kinetic sand, manipulatives)
• Fine motor development materials (lacing cards, pegboards, play dough tools)
• Art and creativity supplies (loose parts, craft materials, drawing tools)
• Board games and cooperative games that promote problem-solving and social skills
• Literacy-rich play materials (storytelling kits, magnetic letters, puppets, listening center materials)

Funding these materials will support our goal of creating engaging, developmentally appropriate learning environments where students can build the foundational social, emotional, language, and cognitive skills necessary for long-term success.

Mission

Second District PTO's mission is to encourage and promote communication and relationships amongst the parents, teachers, and community.  This is all in our effort support Second District Elementary's students and staff in any area of need.  

Profile

The Second District Elementary PTO strives year round to raise funds that directly benefit our students. Through the generosity of our families and community, these efforts help support classroom learning, educational resources, student activities, special events, field trips, and opportunities that enrich every child's school experience. Every dollar helps create a stronger, more engaging learning environment for our students.