BY TERESA ACKERMAN
Gazette Newspapers
MADISON TOWNSHIP – If you are a parent and were ever involved with the PTO or PTA in your child’s school raise your hand?
What do PTO and PTA stand for and what is the difference between the two groups?
PTO stands for Parent Teacher Organization. PTA stands for Parent Teacher Association.
According to Amanda Hruska, who has served with the PTO in Madison for the past 10 years – five as president at North Elementary and three as president at the Madison pre-k – both involve parents and teachers, but the PTA is a national association that requires membership dues, with a portion of those funds going to the state and national organization.
“We were previously a PTA but transitioned to a PTO in the 2019-2020 school year. As a PTO, all funds stay within our school and there are no membership fees. Everyone is considered part of the organization even if they do not attend meetings,” said Hruska. “Anyone can be a part of the PTO: parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and staff. We were fortunate to have a wide variety of volunteers who were always willing to help. I am very lucky to have worked with such a supportive group. When I have had visions of something but knew I did not have the time to execute them I could count on others to make it happen.”
One of those volunteers was Jamie Gardner.
Gardner was involved with the PTO for five years and on the board for three.
“I started as the anchor and ended as the vice president. I started volunteering just to be a part of things my son’s kindergarten year and by the time he was in 2nd grade I realized I really enjoyed being able to be there for special events,” said Gardner. “We had such a great PTO at North. I just really wanted to be a part of it. I am so thankful I had the opportunity. I have made some great friendships because of the NES PTO.”
Gardner said she tried her best to be there for Hruska during all the events.
“We had so many fun times. Doing an event with Amanda (Hruska) was not like work, it was like hanging out with your best friend. She made everything fun, even if it was something that was not,” said Gardner. “She worked so hard to make sure that every child in that school had an amazing school year. She truly put her heart into everything she did for our students and families.”
Hruska stressed the importance of the PTO and how it helps build a strong connection between school and home.
“It gives families a way to support the school beyond just paying fees. You can see the excitement on students’ faces leading up to and during events. Creating those small but meaningful moments helps build lasting bonds within the school community,” she said.
Hruska said the PTO has done some special and memorable things at North Elementary over the years.
“We have raised funds for a rock wall in the gym and purchased over $3,000 worth of new gym equipment. In the past we have also purchased televisions for students to use in the lunchroom. We have brought in a variety of assemblies over the years, including Jim ‘Basketball’ Jones, who was one of my favorites,” said Hruska. “One of my favorite traditions was decorating the school for Christmas. During Thanksgiving break we would come in and transform the entire building. When the kids returned everything was fully decorated. This year we turned the lobby into a Polar Express theme and seeing the students’ reactions when they walked in made all the work worth it.”
Hruska said that this was the second year that they did trunk or Treat, and boy was it a biggie.
“The line at one point was all the way to Chapel Road. The kids loved it! We asked staff to get involved as well. The kids loved seeing their teachers dressed up,” she said. “We brought ‘movie nights’ back where families could come to the school for an evening and enjoy a free movie, popcorn and water.”
Hruska said this being the last year for the PTO at North Elementary was “very bittersweet” for her.
“It was already going to be my last year but knowing that I also had to say goodbye to North Elementary made it even harder,” she said. “As each event passed, I found myself taking it in more than I have in previous years. After our Santa Shop, I sat quietly after everyone left, just soaking in the moment. There is so much work that goes into every event. Planning an entire year can be stressful but I made a promise to myself to enjoy this year more and I am really glad that I did.”
Hruska said North Elementary was their first home.
“It was the reason we chose where to live,” she said. “I will miss the people most. The staff always made you feel welcome and appreciated, no matter what we were doing.”
For the month of May the PTO celebrated with the staff and students the entire month by providing breakfast and lunch to the staff during staff appreciation week and providing staff and students with a “Forever North” logo t-shirt, designed by the PTO treasurer, as a keepsake.
“When I took over PTO, I never wanted it to be about competing with other schools, who does more, raises more or has the best events,” Hruska said. “For me, it was about creating memories and building a space where families feel connected to the school and supported it when they need it. During COVID in 2020, that became even more important. We had both virtual and in-person students and making sure every child felt included mattered deeply to me. We put together school supply bags, delivered birthday signs to homes and found ways to keep traditions like Santa Shop going even if it meant planning it in one month and completely rethinking how it worked. That year was challenging, but it was also one of the most meaningful. It showed me that the PTO can truly be a support system, a connection point and a source of joy during uncertain times.”
Gardner said she will miss it all, too.
“All of the events. The set up. The take down. The fun times and even the stressful ‘got to get it done’ times. NES PTO has given me so much more than I have given it. The PTO is the reason I applied for my job at North, and this was my favorite job. I am so thankful to have been a part of the North Elementary family. I am going to miss so much,” said Gardner. “My coworkers, the closeness, the laughs, the jokes, the memories that we made in that building. I will take all of it with me to my next adventure. I will forever hold a place in my heart for North Elementary and the NES PTO.”
