PTO Funded Programs
Check out all we have been able to accomplish with the support of our Sakamoto families and community members!
Art Vista/Art Lab
Art Lab is a new offering for the 24-25 school year! Every lunch recess this year, Ms. Reed will be offering a quite alternative to outdoor play ncluding art, games, instruments, reading, etc. Open to all students.
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Art Vista is avolunteer-lead program delivering art education to TK through 6th grade classrooms. The curriculum exposes students to art history and technique. By engaging in critical thinking, cultural exposure, open dialogue, and artistic experimentation, we grow creative skills and confidence.
Counseling
Almaden Valley Counseling Service offers Couseling on Campus. Their counselors provide students with a safe, open environment in which they can feel free to express their emotions. Counselors are able to introduce students to techniques that will help them to deal with the stressors of their lives.
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Today’s children are often living in turbulent households and are being exposed to such emotional stressors as divorce, alcohol and substance abuse, anger, physical and sexual abuse, peer pressure and parental pressure for academic success. Students bring these experiences and emotional issues to school which can translate into disruptive classroom behavior, poor academic performance, and peer relationship issues.
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Having a counselor on-site provides the students the opportunity to talk, explore their feelings and to consider choices in a safe and nurturing surrounding. This, in turn, encourages academic success, positive peer relationships and encourages healthy choices.
Science Vista
Science Vista is a volunteer-led program delivering science education to TK through 6th grade classrooms. The curriculum ties into their appropriate grade level learning and provides opportunities for hands-on learning, teamwork, experimentation, and fun!
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Science Vista Ambassadors are needed for every grade level to provide the best experience for all students. Please reach out to us if you'd like to help put. We need MANY volunteers!
Library Fund
Each year, Sakamoto PTO provides our school's library with $750 in additional funding to procure new books and/or updates to the library.
GATE
Gifted and Talented Education is provided for all identified students beginning in fourth grade. Students test for the program in the third grade. The GATE program is delivered by specially trained classroom teachers at all elementary schools in the district. The PTO also offers G.A.T.E students the opportunity to sign up for extra after school learning opportunities.
Little Heroes
Little HEROES knows the value of providing youth with fun and inclusive games to play at recess time! Little Heroes will organize our yard and train our staff to be more involved during recess times. They also provide youth leadership opportunities which focus on character development, and allow students to gain more pride in their school. Their goal is to establish a carnival type atmosphere. With fun; organized games and safe pathways to walk and move from game to game.
Assemblies
Working with the Principal and Faculty, PTO will identify potential content for all-school assemblies, sort through solicitations sent to the school for consideration and work within the PTO budget to secure bookings!
Sometimes assemblies are free. We try to look for multicultural, educational, motivational assemblies.
Project Cornerstone
This parent volunteer reading program aims to build the developmental assets - positive relationships, opportunities, values, and skills - that provide a foundation for a healthy, successful future for ALL our youth.
Each month a new book will be read by a parent volunteer to your student's class. A lesson focusing on the above mentioned important building blocks of healthy youth development will be introduced.
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We need an army of caring adults to make this program successful. Please contact our school’s ABC Lead for more information about how you can be one of these caring adults.
Direct Classroom and Grade Level Funding
Sakamoto PTO proudly provides both Direct Classroom Support to every classroom as well as Grade Level Funding to help provide educational and fun experiences both inside and outside of their classrooms (guest speakers, field trips, classroom supplies/manipulatives, online programs, etc.).