Welcome! The PTO at Bethany is structured into eight Action Groups, each with a leader who coordinates that group's activities. Click on a group (listed at left) for a description of the role each group plays at our school. We feel very fortunate to have such an active and productive PTO. It takes parents like you to make our PTO the great organization it is. Being active in our PTO is a great way to be involved in your child's life and education. There are opportunities for everyone to get involved. If you are not active already, please consider joining us today.
Blessings,
Sandy Morgan, PTO President
Joni DeLeeuw, PTO Vice President
Download most recent version of PTO newsletter in pdf format.
If you are not able to attend the Kickoff and Open House Event, but want to get involved, please contact Sandy Morgan, an action group leader, or the Bethany office at 574 534-2567.
This Action Group will emphasize hospitality and welcoming families to Bethany, along with providing support, advice and feedback to Rachel Roth Sawatzky and the Admissions Council.
The Family Partnership Program (Veva Mumaw) will fall under the umbrella of the Admissions AG. The bulk of their work will occur in the spring and summer months.
This AG also intends to staff a Bethany booth at the Relief Sale, have representatives at the Fun Fest Carnival this fall, and will hold two informational teas – one at an Elkhart church and one at a church in Goshen.
~ Nancy Yoder, Group Leader
This team works closely with coaches and other parents to help create a successful and fun season. Sports Boosters are needed for all sports to organize snacks, take tickets and coordinate special events. ~Deb Brenneman, group leader
This program allows you to reduce school costs through the purchase of gift cards. Volunteers are needed to help take orders, fill out forms, fill orders, and pick up certificates. ~ Lisa Weaver, Parent Group Leader
For additional information on purchasing, see BART.
This group supports students in Chess Club, Academic Super Bowl, the Science Olympiad, and Speech & Debate.
Parent leaders are needed for Speech & Debate and Science Olympiad.
There are many ways to be involved to support this area of your student's education. We assist theater productions and choir and orchestra performances by helping with costumes, meal preparation, performance receptions and set building. Visual Arts helped art teachers enroll students in art shows and created exhibits for events. There is opportunity for small or large time commitment.
~ Sandy Morgan, Parent Group Leader
This group supports various school activities by providing refreshments. Teachers and volunteers have thoroughly appreciated the support for Parent-Teacher Conferences and Fun Fest.
~ Jill Erb, Parent Group Leader
This group supports international students, their host families, and the Bethany administration.
Using a student lifestyles contract, this group will help students and their hosts regarding expectations such as family time, personal time, church attendance, money, insurance.
This group also coordinates a “hospitality house” for each international student, where the student would be expected to spend a minimum of one weekend per semester with this other family. This helps the international student get to know the broader Bethany community and provides the host family with a break.
The group will also plan fall and winter social gatherings for the students and their host famiies.
~Gwen Gustafson-Zook, parent leader
Spirit Wear items are a great way to show our pride in Bethany. They are always available in the school office. Volunteers are needed to set up and sell items at sporting events. Inventory and creative design assistants are needed as new designs and items are added each year. Profits from our sales help the PTO purchase special items for the school. ~ Lori Christophel, Parent Group Leader
It is our mission to show the teachers and staff how much we, as parents, appreciate all the hard work they put into teaching and nurturing our children. We achieve this in a variety of ways: through a treat we provide twice a month, sending birthday cards, sending notes of encouragement, and most importantly, we pray for the teachers and staff members. I have seen what an impact this has had over the past two years. The teachers and staff have truly felt supported by the parents.
Volunteering for this group is simple and won't take a lot of time. If you are willing to show the teachers and staff how much you appreciate the jobs they are doing, please consider signing up. ~ Tammy Miller, Parent Group Leader