Dear West Ridge Families,

I cannot believe I am starting the last year of my term. Where did the time go? I am beyond excited about all the things my board and I have planned for West Ridge in the 2024-2025 school year.

After COVID, our membership had a comfortable cushion in our treasury. Last year, with these funds, we were able to host an all-expense paid Fall Festival to welcome WR families (new and old) back to school. We were also able to purchase new musical risers for our music program, provide summer reading books for our students, pay for REMIND to send out text messages, purchase chargers for charging stations in the upper grades and bring in a five day hot lunch program – in addition to all of the amazing activities and assemblies we host yearly.

This year, however, is going to focus on getting back to business as usual, with a strong emphasis on fundraising. We are only able to provide these amazing experiences and a cooperative parent/teacher relationship through to your generosity. In the 24-25 budget, we have two large fundraisers planned to help keep all the amazing opportunities and events going (like 2 field trips a year!). The first fundraiser is a twist on our Monster Mash. We are now making it a family event, with a Jack O’Lantern contest and food trucks. We are using this to replace our “Fit-a-Thon.” Stay tuned! We are also bringing back “Ladies Night Out” which is scheduled in March.

If you are new to West Ridge and the PTO, please know that the PTO board work tirelessly all year to be able to provide the very best activities and experiences for your children during and after the school day. We work closely with our wonderful teachers to be able to support and build on their curriculum and enhance it with experiences whenever we can. But we can only do so with your help. If you are ever interested in joining our amazing team, even if it’s just volunteering to hand out pizza, we would love to have you! As always, please let me know if you have any questions or new ideas you would love to see happen. We are always all ears! Here’s to a great new year!

Sincerely,
Caley Svensson
West Ridge PTO President