Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year at Mountain Park Elementary School! Welcome to those of you who are new to Mountain Park and a special welcome to families who are new to Berkeley Heights. I hope you love living in this town and being part of our school community!

I am so proud to be part of the wonderful PTO here. I strongly encourage you to join us in any or all of our activities. There are so many opportunities to get involved. Whether you are a stay-at-home parent or a working parent, whether you are a mom or dad or grandparent, whether you only have students at Mountain Park or students at several schools in Berkeley Heights (3 schools for me!) there is a place for you in PTO activities! Even if you have only an hour to participate in school events, to come to meetings or to volunteer in classrooms, your children will love seeing you at Mountain Park.

The PTO funds ALL of the enrichment programs provided at Mountain Park. In 2017-2018, we raised approximately $25,000 for the benefit of all Mountain Park Students. Our main fundraisers are membership dues ($2,849), the annual Scholastic book fair ($1,167), the spring Walkathon ($5,000), KidStuff coupon book sales ($1,000), and the holiday boutique/vendor market ($3,070). We are especially proud of our biggest fundraiser, which we changed from an adult social to an Olympics-themed family party, which raised an astounding $13,434! We are a 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt charitable organization, accordingly all donations to the MP PTO are tax deductible.

The PTO uses these funds and donations to ensure that our children have the best experience they can while attending school. During the 2017-2018 school year, the MP PTO committee members and volunteers provided the following programs and enhancements. For the students, we made possible: student planners for grades 3-5, school assemblies, in-class science presentations, 5th grade yoga instruction, 5th grade writing workshop with BJ Ward, and an author’s visit to the school. For teachers and staff, we provided grants of up to $125 per teacher and a principal’s grant, we purchased new white board material for classrooms and purchased the remaining 3 air conditioning units to finish the project of providing air conditioning to each classroom that was started in 2016.