PTO Meeting Recap | Sept. 9, 2026
Attendance
Community/Family Attendees: Catherine Grimes-Haldman, Gina Torrez, Alexa Steudler, Tracey Amacher, Larissa Woodford, Sara Frank, Rachel Barrett, Bob Flaherty, Amber Schlimm, Clarissa Herzing, Diana Newell
Teachers: Mrs. Bundy, Mrs. Peterson, Mrs. Kelly
PTO Board Present: Jacquie Dusenberry, President; Nikki Slattery, Treasurer; Karen Eshbach, Vice President; Jacki DePanfilis, Secretary
PTO Updates
Jacquie welcomed attendees and provided an overview of changes and priorities for the 2026-2027 school year. The PTO is continuing its efforts to become more organized, accessible, transparent, and connected while creating more ways for families and community members to participate.
Updates included:
New PTO Website:RidgwayPTO.com was created as a central location for PTO news, events, fundraising information, Class Funds, Teacher Wish Lists, volunteer opportunities, and other resources.
Grade-Level Class Funds: Each grade now has its own Class Fund, with an initial fundraising goal of approximately $3,000 per grade based on anticipated activities and needs. Funds raised for a class remain designated for that class and follow the students from grade to grade.
Kindergarten is already off to a great start! This summer, Ace Fix-It Hardware partnered with the PTO for a Round Up fundraiser benefiting the Kindergarten Class Fund. Thanks to the generosity of Ace Fix-It Hardware and our community, the fundraiser raised $1,800, giving this year’s Kindergarten class an incredible start toward its Class Fund goal. We are so grateful to Ace Fix-It Hardware for helping us kick off this new program and for continuing to support our schools and students.
Middle/High School Support: PTO is working to increase involvement and support at the Middle/High School level and develop a committee to help identify needs and improve communication.
More Ways to Get Involved: Families do not need to attend meetings or serve on a committee to participate in PTO. Volunteers can help with individual events, projects, communication, fundraising, or other needs as their schedules allow.
Better Communication: PTO is working to make information easier for families to find through the website, Take Home Tuesday, BAND, school communication, and future meeting recaps.
Fundraising & Upcoming Events:
The new Grade-Level Class Fund system and PTO fundraising plan for the year were discussed. Each grade will have a featured fundraiser, while families and community members can also contribute directly to Class Funds throughout the year.
Upcoming fundraising and events discussed included:
Coin Wars: Coin Wars will run September 14 through October 16, followed by the Coin Wars Celebration (Previously known as the Scare Away Cancer Carnival) on October 23. The celebration is expected to transition toward a circus theme this year with the Billy Martin Circus taking place the following day.
5th Grade Chicken BBQ - September 20: The first featured Class Fund fundraiser of the year will be the 5th Grade Chicken BBQ on September 20, in partnership with The Summit Lodge & Grill. Proceeds will benefit the 5th Grade Class Fund. Volunteers are needed, and participation is open to everyone, not only 5th Grade families. The presentation also highlighted that volunteers can help with signs, serving, meal distribution, and the bake sale.
There are also two other community BBQ fundraisers happening in Ridgway that same day. The PTO encourages our families and community to support and share all three fundraisers. Our community is big enough to support each other, and we want to see all of these organizations succeed.
Please help spread the word by sharing fundraiser information on social media. If you would like a 5th Grade Chicken BBQ flyer to hang at your workplace, business, organization, or another community location, please reach out to the PTO and we'll be happy to get one to you. Supporting our schools and strengthening our community means supporting and lifting each other up.
Billy Martin Circus - October 24: The circus will return with performances at 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
Read-A-Thon & Book Fair: The Book Fair was moved to the spring and will be incorporated with a new Read-A-Thon and family celebration centered around reading.
The Fundraising Committee has been working to plan ahead, coordinate fundraising dates, develop community partnerships, and create a more organized fundraising calendar for the year.
There’s plenty more happening throughout the school year! Rather than list every date and event here, families can view the full PTO calendar on our website. We’ll continue updating it throughout the year as dates are confirmed and new opportunities are added.
Communication
A major discussion throughout the meeting was how to better communicate with families who cannot regularly attend PTO meetings.
PTO involvement will not be measured by meeting attendance. Families have different schedules and availability, and the PTO wants to create opportunities for people to stay informed and contribute in ways that work for them.
PTO will continue using BAND for volunteer coordination and group communication. RidgwayPTO.com will serve as the central source for PTO information, and updates will also be shared through Take Home Tuesday and other school communication.
The goal is also to publish a meeting recap on the PTO website following meetings so families who cannot attend can still stay informed.
PTO Committees
The PTO discussed continuing to strengthen its committee structure. Rather than creating numerous committees, the focus this year will be on developing a few active committees, connecting volunteers, and gradually giving those groups greater ownership.
Current committee areas include:
Fundraising
Events & Marketing
Staff & Student Support
Middle/High School
The Staff & Student Support Committee will help with areas such as teacher and staff appreciation, Teacher Wish Lists, supplies, student enrichment, and special projects. PTO has begun working with teachers to update wish lists and would like committee members to help continue that effort.
The PTO is also working to get the Middle/High School Committee established. A priority will be creating a better point of communication between PTO, families, administration, teachers, and staff and determining the most effective ways to communicate and support Middle/High School needs.
Attendees interested in committees were invited to connect following the meeting, exchange contact information, and begin discussing ideas. Committee involvement is not required to participate in PTO.
Teacher & Staff Appreciation
Mrs. Peterson shared a few words from the teacher and staff perspective, expressing appreciation for the work the PTO has done over the past several years to grow and make changes that better support teachers, staff, and students. She acknowledged the time and effort that has gone into building stronger communication, resources, and support for the school community.
The PTO greatly appreciates hearing this feedback and looks forward to continuing to strengthen the partnership between families, teachers, staff, and our schools.
Next Meeting
The next Ridgway Area PTO meeting will be held October 7, 2026 and will be in person. Time will be determined based on School Event schedule.
Committee time will be incorporated into the next meeting to allow groups to continue connecting, discuss priorities, and share updates.
Get Involved
Interested in volunteering with the Ridgway Area PTO? Visit the Volunteer page on our website to sign up and let us know how you’d like to help. https://www.ridgwaypto.com/volunteer
Interested in joining one of our PTO committees? Message Jacquie directly, and she’ll get you added to the appropriate group text so you can connect with the committee and get involved.
Whether you can give an hour, help with one event, join a committee, share an idea, or lend a skill, there’s a place for you in PTO!
Supporting Our Schools. Strengthening Our Community.
