Redefining Togetherness

by JENNIFER HOUSE AND ERIN SPINK

PTO CO-PRESIDENTS

hen we committed to serve as co-presidents W of the PTO this school year, we had no idea it would be the year of the pandemic. The year of social distancing. The year of no large group gatherings. The year of extreme handwashing, mask-wearing and sanitizing. The year of stringent protocols to keep our children healthy and on campus. The year unlike any other. Last summer, as the PTO board began planning, our group was determined not to let this also be the year the PTO was canceled. The SMES PTO is part of what makes St. Martin’s such a special place. Three of the most essential elements of the PTO mission are: building a strong sense of community among SMES families, supporting our teachers and staff and fundraising. The funds we raise throughout the year support PTO activities and events and give back to the school in a significant way. Funds contribute to operating costs and special projects, and none of these needs went away because of COVID-19. If anything, the needs are greater than ever.

REENVISIONING SIGNATURE EVENTS

This school year, our creative PTO Board members continue to work hard to adapt and change to provide as many events as possible, even if they may look a bit different. From the Recycled Uniform Sale to Teacher Appreciation and Warrior Buddies, every event has required flexibility and unique thinking to successfully bring the SMES community together while complying with COVID-19 best practices. Even this year’s Fling gala has taken on a new face. The St. Regis venue will have to wait until next time, but please mark your calendar for February 6 to participate in the Virtual Fling! We are confident that it will be fun and entertaining and will succeed as the major fundraiser for this school year.

The decision to cancel a few events last fall was difficult but necessary. The Fall Festival that usually brings hundreds of kids and families to campus and the annual Parent Social that invites parents for a night of fun both met the cancellation fate. Rather than not have a fall event, the PTO quickly changed direction. The desire to create a new COVID-19-friendly event led to a very successful Family Drive-in Movie Night. The Fall Festival Artist Market fundraiser led to an online gift shopping initiative to connect local artisans with SMES parents through a Virtual Artist Market. The Warrior 5K and Fun Run, usually a favorite community-building event and major fundraiser, has shifted from its usual fall timing to a new slot in the spring. Watch for more information as we remain optimistic that this event will happen in the coming months. And as we reflect on the changes the PTO has navigated during the months since school started, it seems that another PTO “function” has risen to the surface – helping to maintain a sense of normalcy and routine during this crazy 2020-21 school year. Let’s face it, no matter how familiar this all becomes,

school is still weird. Everyone is masked, some friends are virtual, children are anxious, routines are different, desks are partitioned, activities are limited and health checks are frequent. The list goes on and on, but we can all agree that weird school is better than no school. And despite the changes and limitations, the PTO is marching on.

THANK YOU

We are incredibly thankful for the dedicated parents who are chairing committees, serving on the Executive Board and volunteering to help. Modified events continue, teachers and staff are appreciated, sweatshirts and recycled uniforms are available, communications are disseminated via Room Reps, COVID-19friendly spirit nights and rebate programs are ongoing and new families are connected with current families to help ease the transition. All of these activities are ongoing, as new events are being imagined and added. During this unprecedented time, we are also learning a lot about the SMES community. Despite the countless challenges and stresses of parenting and teaching during a pandemic, we are all doing the best we can to cope and help our children cope. We are resilient. We are creative. We are supportive of each other. We are problem-solvers. We are optimistic. Above all, we are grateful that we are part of a school community dedicated to the in-person education, health and welfare of our children. We are SMES, and we will make it through this together.

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1 & 2 - Fall Drive-In Movie Night; 3 - Recycled Uniform Sale; 4 - Teacher Appreciation 2

From Lemons To Lemonade

Recycled Uniform Sale Teacher Appreciation Meals New Family/Warrior Buddy Group Events In-Person School Store Orientation Pick-Up Fall Festival On-Campus Event 2021 Fling Gala at St. Regis Fall Warrior 5K & Fun Run

NEW 4 Outdoor Appointment Shopping 4 Pre-Boxed, Grab and Go 4 Small Group Kona Ice Outdoors 4 Drive-By Pick Up 4 Virtual Artist Market Online Shopping 4 Virtual Fling 4 Spring Warrior 5K & Fun Run (pending) 4 Fall Drive-In Movie Night at the Springs Taphouse

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