A Year in Review 2024–2025.
This year, you showed up in all kinds of ways: volunteering time, attending events, helping teachers, sharing food, and showing care for our school. Whether you were able to pitch in once or often, visibly or quietly, your presence made a difference. Here’s what we built together…
Volunteers Made It Happen
Over 60 volunteers recorded more than 268.81 hours this year. And that’s just the ones we tracked! Many others stepped up in the moment, lending hands (and hearts) when they were needed most.
From prepping decorations and supporting staff to running events and covering lunch duty, volunteers were the engine behind almost everything…
Two Book Fairs
On-going Classroom Support
Kindergarten Breakfasts
Staff Appreciation Week
Movie Nights
PBOT Bike Fair / Walk and Roll Events / Bike & Walking Buses
And Multiple School events & Fundraisers
Every minute added up to a stronger, more connected school.
Movie Nights: Free Family Fun
We brought the popcorn and community spirit! Our PTA-sponsored Movie Nights turned our auditorium into a cozy theater several times this year. Families gathered to hangout and share an evening together with snacks, pajamas, and plenty of laughs.
5 movie nights throughout the year. Featured: Inside Out 2, Despicable Me 4, The Grinch, The Wild Robot, and Luck
Averaged 50 attendees per event
Approximately 300 bags of popcorn served
4 delicious pizzas devoured
Thank you, movie team!
Supporting Readers with Reading Results
Literacy is foundational, and this year the Vestal PTA committed to supporting readers through a partnership with Reading Results
The PTA funded half the cost of this personalized reading intervention program that supports emerging readers through evidence-based instruction. This direct support helps close achievement gaps and helps to ensure all students have the literacy tools they need to succeed.
Library Support: Opening Doors Through Books
The PTA supported our school library with volunteer hours and financial help. This included assisting with book sorting, shelving, donations, and free books for kids to keep the library vibrant and student-ready. We’re proud to partner with staff to promote a love of reading school-wide.
$1,188 raised for our school library through two exciting book fairs.
Over 50 free books given to kids in need.
2 volunteers dedicated over 120 hours of library assistance helping to shelve approximately 3,600 books.
Safe Routes To School
We kept kids moving this year with walking buses, bike events, and Safe Routes to School support—helping families get to school safely, confidently, and together.
Led 10 walking buses with consistent student participation
Supported Bike & Walk to School Days and Ruby Bridges Day
Helped host the PBOT Vestal Bike Fair with repairs, helmet fittings, and learn-to-ride stations
Gave out Safe Routes to School gear to keep students visible and ready to roll
Return of the Rock, Paper, Soirée Spring Fundraiser
The Rock, Paper, Soirée returned for the first time in 5-years as an evening dedicated to connection, joy, and raising support for programs that matter.
With food, drinks, a raffle and silent auction, and generous donations from local businesses, it was a chance to celebrate our community and ensure we can keep funding key efforts this year and beyond.
First time in 5 years!
Gathered nearly half of our school community for a night out together.
Gave away over $14,000 in donated prizes from local businesses.
Raised an amazing $10,350 to help support the entire Vestal community.
Hands in the Dirt,
Hearts in the Work
Over the course of five Community Care Days the grounds got some serious love this year!
Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, we cleaned up garden beds, spread mulch, cleaned up the grounds, and improved our outdoor spaces. These efforts made our school environment healthier, safer, and more welcoming.
Together we…
Collected an average of 10-15 lbs of trash and recycling.
Filled all three of the garden compost bins multiple times.
Tackled weeds, trimmed back blackberries, tidied up sidewalks and green spaces, and took extra care around the playground.
And we did it with laughter, a few rakes, and just the right amount of dirt under our nails.
In the Garden with Grow Portland
This year, every classroom had the chance to spend time in the school garden learning about ecology, sustainability, food systems, and gardening thanks to PTA-funded Grow Portland programming.
Ileana, our dedicated garden educator, connected students with the land through seasonal, hands-on learning that aligned with science and social-emotional goals.
The Power of Pancakes
Our Pancake Breakfast event combined a love of pancakes with community building. Families, staff, and students gathered in the cafeteria for fresh pancakes and syrupy smiles, bringing us all together.
Over 400 pancakes flipped and served
Nearly 2 gallons of syrup poured
One giant jar of peanut butter spread
4 gallons of coffee and hot chocolate consumed
Staff Appreciation, Every Day of the Week
Staff are the heart of our school. During Staff Appreciation Week, the PTA organized daily surprises to show our gratitude:
Monday – Morning Mixer: hot beverages & pastries
Tuesday – Donated Book Swap
Wednesday – PTA Potluck Lunch
Thursday – Notes of Appreciation from families
Friday – Beautiful Mini Bouquets
And we were able to provide over $600 in classroom reimbursements to help with materials and supplies throughout the year.