What is the difference between APT, PTA and PTO?
At the February 11, 2021 APT General Meeting, our parents voted to disband Swallow Union APT in favor of our newly created Swallow Union Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
APT stands for Association of Parents and Teachers. This title is not commonly found in school parent/teacher organizations.
PTA stands for Parent Teacher Association, a national association with various “PTA units” at schools across the country. School PTAs are bound by the national bylaws and must follow a rigid set of protocols, including the requirement that no board officer serve for more than 2 consecutive years.
PTO stands for Parent Teacher Organization, a school specific organization unaffiliated with the national PTA. A PTO model allows the board & membership to craft bylaws that make sense for the individual school. We have the flexibility to support our teachers and classrooms in accordance with our bylaws. PTO is a commonly recognized title.
What is a 501(c)(3) organization?
Section 501(c)(3) is a portion of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and a specific tax category for nonprofit organizations. Organizations that meet the requirements of Section 501(c)(3) are exempt from federal income tax. This also means that organizations can issue receipts to individuals for charitable contributions. The organization must also file an annual tax return with the IRS (Form 990-EZ).
Is the PTO a 501(c)(3) organization?
Yes! We applied for 501(c)(3) status in March 2021 and were approved by the IRS on June 28, 2021.
Is the PTO a nonprofit corporation in Massachusetts?
Yes, we applied for and received nonprofit status from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office. They also granted us a Certificate of Solicitation which must be renewed annually. In order to do so, we filed Articles of Incorporation with the Massachusetts Secretary of State, which were accepted. We must file a Form PC annually with the Attorney General’s office ($ fee) and an Annual Report with the Secretary of State which lists our BOD officers ($ fee).
What is SU PTO and what does it do?
The purpose of the PTO is to enhance and support the educational experience at Swallow Union Elementary School, to develop a closer connection between school and home by encouraging parent involvement, and to improve the environment at Swallow Union Elementary School through volunteer and financial support. The PTO facilitates events, fundraisers, and enrichment program funding throughout the school year.
How do I join and how much does membership cost?
Membership shall be automatically granted to all parents and guardians of Swallow Union Elementary School students, plus all staff at Swallow Union Elementary School. There are no membership dues. Members have voting privileges, one vote per household.
What is the Executive Board?
The Executive Board consists of elected officers. The school Principal is also a voting member of the Executive Board. The term of office for all officers is one year, beginning July 1 and ending June 30 of the following year. Any PTO member in good standing may become an officer of the PTO. Please see the bylaws on our website for a list of officer positions and descriptions of their duties.
When are PTO meetings?
General PTO meetings are held quarterly during the school year or at the discretion of the Executive Board. The Executive Board meets on a monthly basis during the school year, or at the discretion of the President.
What do you discuss at PTO meetings?
The meetings are a forum for parents, teachers and our principal to come together. We discuss recent PTO events, upcoming events and review PTO financials. Each of the executive board members give reports, as does the principal, when in attendance.
What does the PTO do with the money they raised?
The money raised each school year supports programs for the year.
The PTO currently funds:
What should PTO funds NOT be used for?
In general, the PTO should not serve as a support organization for the school. Therefore, the PTO should not fund the following:
Who decides how the money is spent?
The PTO typically votes on the budget for the following school year at the June General Meeting.
What can I do to support the PTO?
Donations are vital to our primary goal, which is funding our Swallow Union enrichment programs. Beyond making donations to the PTO, we can always use volunteers to help plan and run various events throughout the school year. You could also consider running for a position on the Executive Board.
I want to volunteer but don’t have a lot of time. What can I do?
If you’d like to sign-up as a general volunteer, we can email you as events approach and you could let us know if you are available and interested.
Who do I contact to get involved?
Email us or complete the contact form on our website.
[email protected]
http://www.swallowunionpto.org/
You can also follow us on social media.
Swallow Union PTO
At the February 11, 2021 APT General Meeting, our parents voted to disband Swallow Union APT in favor of our newly created Swallow Union Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
APT stands for Association of Parents and Teachers. This title is not commonly found in school parent/teacher organizations.
PTA stands for Parent Teacher Association, a national association with various “PTA units” at schools across the country. School PTAs are bound by the national bylaws and must follow a rigid set of protocols, including the requirement that no board officer serve for more than 2 consecutive years.
PTO stands for Parent Teacher Organization, a school specific organization unaffiliated with the national PTA. A PTO model allows the board & membership to craft bylaws that make sense for the individual school. We have the flexibility to support our teachers and classrooms in accordance with our bylaws. PTO is a commonly recognized title.
What is a 501(c)(3) organization?
Section 501(c)(3) is a portion of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and a specific tax category for nonprofit organizations. Organizations that meet the requirements of Section 501(c)(3) are exempt from federal income tax. This also means that organizations can issue receipts to individuals for charitable contributions. The organization must also file an annual tax return with the IRS (Form 990-EZ).
Is the PTO a 501(c)(3) organization?
Yes! We applied for 501(c)(3) status in March 2021 and were approved by the IRS on June 28, 2021.
Is the PTO a nonprofit corporation in Massachusetts?
Yes, we applied for and received nonprofit status from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office. They also granted us a Certificate of Solicitation which must be renewed annually. In order to do so, we filed Articles of Incorporation with the Massachusetts Secretary of State, which were accepted. We must file a Form PC annually with the Attorney General’s office ($ fee) and an Annual Report with the Secretary of State which lists our BOD officers ($ fee).
What is SU PTO and what does it do?
The purpose of the PTO is to enhance and support the educational experience at Swallow Union Elementary School, to develop a closer connection between school and home by encouraging parent involvement, and to improve the environment at Swallow Union Elementary School through volunteer and financial support. The PTO facilitates events, fundraisers, and enrichment program funding throughout the school year.
How do I join and how much does membership cost?
Membership shall be automatically granted to all parents and guardians of Swallow Union Elementary School students, plus all staff at Swallow Union Elementary School. There are no membership dues. Members have voting privileges, one vote per household.
What is the Executive Board?
The Executive Board consists of elected officers. The school Principal is also a voting member of the Executive Board. The term of office for all officers is one year, beginning July 1 and ending June 30 of the following year. Any PTO member in good standing may become an officer of the PTO. Please see the bylaws on our website for a list of officer positions and descriptions of their duties.
When are PTO meetings?
General PTO meetings are held quarterly during the school year or at the discretion of the Executive Board. The Executive Board meets on a monthly basis during the school year, or at the discretion of the President.
What do you discuss at PTO meetings?
The meetings are a forum for parents, teachers and our principal to come together. We discuss recent PTO events, upcoming events and review PTO financials. Each of the executive board members give reports, as does the principal, when in attendance.
What does the PTO do with the money they raised?
The money raised each school year supports programs for the year.
The PTO currently funds:
- Enrichment programs for all grade levels, as requested by teachers
- 4th grade graduation t-shirts, and certain “mixer” and play costs
- Author visits
- Generation Genius
- Mass Children’s Book Award book purchases for the Librarian
- Nurse supplies
- Art teacher supplies
- And many more…
- Back-to-school events
- Restaurant nights
- Scholastic Book Fairs
- Spirit Wear / Spirit Days
- SquareOneArt
- Trivia Night
- Winter Wonderland Store
What should PTO funds NOT be used for?
In general, the PTO should not serve as a support organization for the school. Therefore, the PTO should not fund the following:
- Continuing education or training for teachers/staff
- Salaries/pay for teachers/staff
- (note: gift cards cannot be distributed to teachers/staff without requesting corresponding receipts for valid PTO expenses, otherwise it is reportable income)
- Basic school, maintenance, and/or office supplies
- Donations to for-profit organizations
Who decides how the money is spent?
The PTO typically votes on the budget for the following school year at the June General Meeting.
What can I do to support the PTO?
Donations are vital to our primary goal, which is funding our Swallow Union enrichment programs. Beyond making donations to the PTO, we can always use volunteers to help plan and run various events throughout the school year. You could also consider running for a position on the Executive Board.
I want to volunteer but don’t have a lot of time. What can I do?
If you’d like to sign-up as a general volunteer, we can email you as events approach and you could let us know if you are available and interested.
Who do I contact to get involved?
Email us or complete the contact form on our website.
[email protected]
http://www.swallowunionpto.org/
You can also follow us on social media.
Swallow Union PTO