Comm Descriptions
GET INVOLVED WITH MESPTO!
Please support MESPTO, make a difference and see our school flourish! We’re confident you will find a committee or program described below that would fit your availability and talents. Remember, all of us in the PTO are volunteers…each in our own way giving and doing what we can to benefit to our school and our keiki. Please sign up and participate. We welcome your ideas, interests, talents and time!.
ART AND CULTURE COMMITTEE
Chairperson: Manny Salvador (email)
Exposure to the arts helps our students in their problem-solving capability and increases their ability to learn. If you value and enjoy the arts, then help us plan programs to introduce our students to the wonderful world of art! Past projects have included our participation in the National PTA “Reflections” Program competition, school mural painting with an artist, “Art to Go” collaboration with the Honolulu Academy of Arts, drama education and our support of the music and strings program.
BOOK CLUB/PTO LIBRARY
Chairperson: Lori Arai-Shiraish (email)
Books, books and more books! Enjoy books or just meeting and working with people? Join the Book Club Committee. Work with our librarian to bring books and Book Fairs to our students.
BUDGET & FINANCE – FUNDRAISING
Chairperson: Malcolm Murasaki (email)
This is one of our most important committees, which helps generate ideas and programs to raise money for the PTO. Key fundraisers provide start up funds for programs in the beginning of the school year and other fundraisers help fund school, student and PTO programs later in the year. If you are excited by the energy and thrill of fundraising, please join our team to help raise needed funds to support valuable programs for the students.
CAMPUS BEAUTIFICATION
Chairperson: Valerie Sugawa (email)
This committee has been making the MES campus nicer, safer and friendlier. Past projects include planting grass, installing a new sprinkler system and painting playground equipment, bathrooms, parking stalls, curbs and hop scotches. Got some ideas how to make our school more beautiful? Join this committee to help!
FUN FAIR
Chairperson: Lori Shimoda (email)
If you ask your children what is one of their great memories at MES, chances are they will mention the Fun Fair! This committee has a huge responsibility, but it is also the one that brings many parents, students, teachers and community members together with grade level games, food sales, craft and plant sales, shaved ice, popcorn, fishing ponds, Keiki Korner, carnival rides and bake sales. This annual fundraising event has been a tradition at MES that gets the whole community involved. This year, our Fun Fair is scheduled for Friday, November 18, which means help is needed now to coordinate this event. Let’s build more FUN memories for our kids! Please join this committee so we can make it happen!
HEALTH & FITNESS
Chairperson: Tammy Giusta (email)
Are health and fitness issues important to you? This committee sets up interesting seminars and programs for students and parents on subjects like drug awareness, nutrition, mental health, physical fitness, CPR and Keiki IDs. This committee will also assist teachers and administration with the MES Fun Run, which raises funds for the school’s Tech programs. Come out to help promote healthy living for our kids and families.
HOSPITALITY
Chairperson: Maddy Ledda (email)
Do you enjoy planning parties and gatherings? In this committee, you’ll help to provide refreshments and meals at board meetings and PTO functions. Come and have fun and make it a party!
LEGISLATIVE & COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Chairperson: Alan Serikawa (email)
The PTO is the largest youth advocate group. Be one of our liaisons with our legislators and/or community groups to keep them informed of our activities and concerns.
MANPOWER
Chairperson: Gail Chang (email)
If you enjoy meeting people, then please join this committee, which signs up and assists with fulfilling manpower requirements for PTO events.
MEMBERSHIP
Chairperson: Anne Salvador (email)
In order to provide all the various projects that MESPTO sponsors, we need everyone’s participation in becoming members. Help register families and keep track of our membership. Assist in membership drives and programs (August – January).
MILITARY LIAISON
Chairperson: Daryl Kanayama (email)
Join this dedicated group of volunteers to help foster a rewarding learning experience for our students of active duty military service members. They offer support and resources to help students and families become integrated in their new school community. To our military families, this committee offers you a chance to participate and share your experience to help MES a place to call home.
ORCHESTRA
Chairperson: Gladys Lin (email)
This committee provides organization and communication between parents and the Orchestra Instructor for the after school Strings Program. This committee also assists with the planning and coordination of the annual Starlight Concert and other recitals or concerts. If your child is in the Orchestra program and you would like to help more, this might be the committee for you!
PORTFOLIO
Chairperson: Terri Kimura (email)
The PTO produces the MES portfolio that our children receive on the first day of school, filled with important papers and information. A portfolio design contest is held for the children each year. During the summer, you will be coordinating with volunteers and the school to make it come together prior to the start of school for annual portfolio-stuffing day. (This committee’s positions are currently filled).
PROGRAMS
Chairperson: None
This committee reviews current PTO committees and programs and recommends and coordinates any new programs or activities for the PTO. If you have ideas of how the PTO could better serve the students and teachers of MES, this is the committee for you!
PUBLICITY
Chairperson: None
This committee helps to keep the PTO bulletin board updated, makes posters for upcoming events, and posts banners in the neighborhoods. Share your creative and crafty talents as we let the community and school know what’s happening around MES.
R.A.P. (READING AS PARTNERS)
Chairperson: Joyce Yoshimoto & Debra Thompkins (email)
Here at MES, reading literacy is vital. Through this program, students are encouraged to read various genres throughout the year. This committee selects and displays students’ RAP coupons and provides fun reading incentives (August – May).
SCHOOL T-SHIRT/SCHOOL STORE
Chairperson: Manny Salvador (email)
This committee looks for people who are energetic and who can help count, fold and label the school t-shirt orders for distribution before the first field trip of the school year. Get involved with the design process and help select a vendor to print all the shirts (800+). Committee members will also help to set up and man the school store at special events.
TEACHER & STAFF APPRECIATION DAY
Chairperson: None
We have the best teachers and crew at MES! Help our kids and families show their appreciation for these hardworking and dedicated personnel by coordinating a potluck luncheon (donated by families) and a fun activity-filled afternoon for the teachers and staff. This is a time to create a special day for special people to remember (March to May timeframe).
MOANALUAPTO.ORG WEBSITE
Chairpersons: Stephen & Lyanne Yano-Figart (email)
MESPTO is on line! Get the latest PTO updates in the most reliable and quickest fashion. Help us share information and highlight the talents of our students by keeping our website “alive” and current. (This committee’s positions are currently filled, but input is welcome by the webmaster at lfigart@moanaluapto.org ).