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 Powered It All
268+ hours from over 60 volunteers this year. And that’s just the official sign ups! Many others stepped up in the moment, lending hands (and hearts) when they were needed most.
Two book fairs, classroom support, kindergarten breakfasts, Staff Appreciation Week, movie nights, bike fairs, and so much more – This wouldn’t have been possible without you, and every moment added up to a stronger, more connected school community.
5 Movie Nights
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, featuring hits like Inside Out 2, Despicable Me 4, and The Wild Robot
~50 guests per movie
300 bags of popcorn, countless snacks and drinks, and 4 humongous pizzas devoured
Supporting Readers
Literacy is foundational, and this year the Vestal PTA committed to supporting readers through a partnership with Reading Results
Over $5,000 in PTA funding - covering half the program cost
This personalized reading intervention program supports emerging readers through evidence-based instruction. This direct support helps to close achievement gaps and ensure all students have the literacy tools they need to succeed.
Library Love
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.
$1,188 raised for our school library
Two big hit book fairs
50+ free books given to kids in need.
Over 120 volunteer hours helping shelve over 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
Over the course of 5 Community Care Days the grounds got some serious love this year! Together we…
Collected 50–100 lbs of trash and recycling.
Composted 9 bins worth of yard debris.
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 tools, and just the right amount of dirt under our nails. The result? A cleaner, safer, and more beautiful place for our kids to learn and play.
In the Garden
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
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.