PTO Enrichment Programs
Enrichment works to bring programming into the schools to enrich and enhance the school curriculum. The programs coincide with the teaching curriculum at each grade and are enhancements to the resources provided by the schools. Enrichment is as close to the heart or core of the PTO’s mission as you can get, and is especially important in these times of budget cuts. Professional programs are costly and approximately 50% of the K-12 PTO budget is spent on these wonderful programs. In addition, Enrichment also coordinates and produces student-written newspapers which are edited and published by parent or teacher volunteers.
Please check the Ashland PTO Master Calendar to see the current schedule of Enrichment programs and other PTO activities and events.
The following are examples of programming brought into the schools over the past few years:
Rob Surrette, Amazing Hero Art, a world-renowned portrait artist.
Lyn Littlefield Hoops, an accomplished author, took up residence in each class for a series of poetry and writing workshops
Food Play, an Emmy award winning nutrition and health theater.
Joe Sallins Duo, a fun, high energy, interactive percussion music appreciation program.
Len Cabral, a nationally acclaimed award-winning storyteller.
Discovery Museum's Physical Changes of Matter, an investigation of the physical properties of solids, liquids, and gasses using visual aids.
The Museum of Science's Starlab, a presentation to the 4th grade traditional
and looping students, class by class, throughout the day.
Historical Perspectives, A glimpse into the lives of Helen Keller, Anne Frank, Harriet Tubman, Clara Barton, Benjamin Franklin, and others through character actors.
Urban Improv, an interactive anti-bullying program.
Pyramids and Pharaos, Paulette Morin's interactive Egyptology presentation.
Native American Perspectives, a presentation in which kids are invited inside a real teepee to learn about Native American life.
Chikage Windler and Cyndi Fitzgibbons, Meteorologists, teach the kids about weather patterns, forces that influence the weather, and what it is like to be a TV weather person.
Dan Burbank, NASA Astronaut, gave a presentation to students in grades 1 through 9 in November 2005.
Mr. Magnet, and Techsploration’s “Simple Machines and Structures”, Science programs demonstrating the principles of magnets and electricity, and, the physical principles of trusses and arches.
The Epic Brass Family Concert, greatly enjoyed by large audiences in March 2004 and 2005.
The Shakespeare Guyz, an interactive introduction to the works of Shakespeare.
Bubblemania, Active involvement in fun demonstrations of molecular bonding and surface tension.
The Improbable Players, a theater company with the goal of spreading the word of hope, recovery and prevention of substance abuse.
For more information on the Enrichment schedule, please check the Ashland PTO Master Calendar. The calendar is continually updated as new programs are scheduled.
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