Relaunch of the PTO

Relaunch of the PTO

The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) has been relaunched to support student projects, sports teams, and initiatives, and advocate on behalf of the parent body, thanks to a small group of parents who stepped up to be on the managing team.

Since 1998, ICS has had a Parent Teacher Association that has always had the mandate to support the ICS community and ICS students. In 2017/18 the PTA was paused for half a year due to a decline in engagement. Upon receiving feedback from the community and renewed interest in a group of parents to lead the group, the PTA turned into the Parent Community Link (PCL) - focused again on supporting the community and students. When the pandemic hit, however, it was difficult to maintain the momentum of the PCL.

The goal of the PTO is to create a positive environment for students, foster connections, and boost morale. The managing team consists of the Chair, Jen Sawyer; Vice-Chair, Mavis Musindo; Treasurer, Lionel Auguste; Member-At-Large, Annerose Yamaguchi; and a Secretary position that is currently open.

The PTO has been busy working hard behind the scenes and organizing events we all know and love, such as the Farmers Markets, and International Spring Fest (a combination of International Day and Spring Festival). In the past, bi-weekly Farmers' Markets were organized by the Booster Club. The Farmers’ Markets not only gives the ICS community a convenient location to purchase fresh produce and other goods but was also a mechanism for raising funds for student trips.

PTO events are a great vehicle for involving parents in school life. Like previous years, the PTO plans to arrange activities and special events that support and enhance the sense of community, as well as supporting students and school projects with fundraising through activities such as a music festival, sports day, charity runs, and monthly coffee mornings.

“It’s been a challenging year for the School and the community with balancing health, safety, and security concerns with the various issues impacting everyone. Yet, the Parent Teacher Organization, with its reliable and supportive membership base, has rallied to take action by bringing back event favorites, like Farmer’s Markets and the Spring Festival with a twist, and some new ones too. I am thrilled to be part of the wave. We all need more togetherness.” - Jen Sawyer, Chair

Check out the PTO page for more information about PTO events and activities.