ATHOL — The president of the Athol Community Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization said her goal this year is to bring in more positivity and commnity leaders to the school. That is why to kick off the school year that starts Aug. 29, the PTO plans to host its annual Back to School Block Party on Sunday.
“We want to make a little family in the school because kids do better and that is our mission as the PTO — to support our staff, to support our families and to support our children,” PTO President Meghan Cote said.
The event is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at ACES. The Athol Police Department and Fire Department plan to attend with goodies for the children. The fire department will also bring one of its fire trucks and the police department will have its cruisers for the kids to explore. Cote said it is important for the students to engage with local role models.
“I want to bring in more community leaders and strengthen that bond with our kids because they are very impressionable. It is important for them, I feel, to have those positive, awesome memories of everyone being so involved and being more tight-knit,” she said.
The fire and police departments will also partake in a high five day on the first day of school, said Cote, to welcome the students and make them excited for the school year ahead.
Cotes said in between the fun, bubble machines, frozen treats and music, students and their families at the event will also be able to meet their teachers, play on the playground and chat with friends. This year, she also said, the PTO is organizing a community outreach table with resources from local organizations such as Valuing Our Children and Clinical and Support Options.
“Parents can look into information. I feel like it sets a positive tone for the year,” she said.
The ACES administration will also be in attendance.
“I want the kids to feel excited. They are going to feel more supported because everyone will be there as a community,” said Cote.