Programs and Services
It takes many PTO volunteers to create and run all of our programs and services throughout the year. These programs help to build community, support and supplement the children’s learning, foster communication via email and a monthly newsletter, and represent Gates on committees and at district meetings.
Activity Day
Held on a Friday in June. This PTO run event is a school wide day of field activities, games, lunch outside with music, sixth grade kickball game with the faculty and staff and culminates with the all school Bubble Launch.
Authors Workshop
The PTO supports bringing in Children’s Authors and/or Illustrators to provide programs in support of our Literacy Curriculum.
Judy O'Brien
Email Administration
The Gates email administrators maintain the Connactivity Mailman system. This includes adding and removing families from the email membership list and providing assistance to the Principal and PTO Chairs. Subscribe or Unsubscribe
Fall Family Social
This annual social event is designed to bring the Gates community together with activities for the whole family. It is held on a Friday in October and activities vary from year to year. The Book Fair is often open during the Fall Social to give parents and students an opportunity to browse together. Past Fall Social activities have included; Game Night, Halloween Dance Party, and Night at the Discovery Museum.
Gates Gazette
Gates School’s newsletter is published monthly and sent electronically through the Connactivity Mailman system. Produced by the Gazette editor it includes grade level current events, messages from; the principal, PTO co-chairs, school nurse, faculty and staff, and upcoming important dates . It is the best way to keep up to date with what is happening at Gates.
Hospitality
Volunteers bake or supply refreshments to be served at special functions throughout the year. Functions include; School Open House, Kindergarten Information Night, Fall Social, etc.
Ice Cream/Spring Social
This tremendously popular family social event is held on a Friday in May. Activities include; carnival games, face painting, a cake walk, and lots and lots of ice cream eating!
Inter-School Council
Representatives from Gates attend the District’s Inter-School Council meetings with the APS Superintendent to discuss district topics. Gates representatives provide brief updates for the PTO and to be included in the Gazette. Inter-School Council meetings are held quarterly.
Kindergarten Information Night
Prospective families will come to an evening information session and open house at Gates in early spring. Parent volunteers act as hosts and representatives of the school directing parents and serving refreshments.
Kindergarten Tours
Beginning in January, daytime tours are given to parents of prospective Gates students. Parent volunteers represent the school, answer questions, and guide parents on these tours lead by Principal Newman.
Landscape/Schoolyard Clean-up
Gates looks great because of the volunteers who help maintain the Gates gardens in the fall and spring. Parent volunteers trim, plant, and water the gardens.
Lowell Spinners Night
Each June we have a Gates-Night-Out to see a Lowell Spinners baseball game.
CHAIR NEEDED
Movie Nights
Throughout the school year, the PTO sponsors movie nights in the Gates Cafetorium. Grab your blanket and pillow for a fun family event! Snacks, popcorn and drinks are sold at the concession stand.
Nature Walk Program
Led by parent volunteers, small groups of student "Nature Detectives" explore various areas of the Gates School property. Walk volunteers receive instructions, and dates are arranged with the teachers by grade level coordinators. This program is for grades K-3.
Performing Arts Enrichment
This committee brings the arts, storytelling, puppetry, science programs, and so much more to the school, enriching the lives of our children.
PIP (Parent Involvement Project)
Acton PIP is a group of parents, educators, and community partners working together to offer math and science enrichment activities for students and their families. Events include 3rd grade Market Math (at Roche Bros), 4th grade Star Party, and 5th grade Market Math. Learn more at www.actonpip.org
School Directory
The Directory is a must-have for all families, with listings of families and classroom assignments.
School Supplies
This program enables parents to purchase school supply kits for their children based on supply lists created by teachers. The orders are placed before the end of the school year for the following year.
Sixth Grade Liaison
Work as a liaison with the Junior High to facilitate transition to RJ Grey Jr. High for the sixth graders.
Sixth Grade Send-off
As a part of graduation, we congratulate our sixth graders and their families with flowers and refreshments. This committee is comprised of fifth grade parents.
Sixth Grade Social
This year end social event for the 6th grade students takes place during the school’s Ice Cream/Spring Social. Sixth grade students have their own activities in the sixth grade pod.
Sixth Grade Yearbook
A wonderful memento created by the sixth grade students.
Staff Appreciation Week
Held in May, this is the PTO's way of saying "thank you" to our Gates staff. Various treats are brought in throughout the week to surprise the teachers.
Student Council Representatives
Parent volunteers help oversee this energetic group consisting of student representatives from grades 3 through 6.
Volunteer Coordinator
With the support of the Senior Co-Chair, a volunteer touches base with committee chairpersons throughout the school year to provide them with a list of and contact information for committee member volunteers and reminders prior to their event.
Website Administration
The PTO has its own area within the Gates website. The webmaster keeps our site up to date and posts new messages, PTO Meeting minutes, and the Gazette newsletter. (Responsible for archiving Gazette and Meeting Minutes before removed from site at end of each school year)
Announcements
Quick Links
Gates School Office: 978-266-2570
Safe Arrival: 978-266-7425 (SICK)
Transportation: 978-266-4700 x3227
Lunch Menu
Bus Routes
Bus Pass (pdf)
Pick Up Note (pdf)
District Site
School Committee
Gates School
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