As a former Co-President of the KES-PTO and the current Playground committee chairperson, I would like to clarify some misleading statements presented in yesterday's letter to the editor.
The PTO sponsored beautification day is not and has never been a fundraiser. The KES-PTO has one major fundraiser (gift wrap) each year which provides the majority of the money which is allocated to various PTO sponsored events, including Beautification. The PTO budget is presented and accepted annually, and the monthly status is reported and accepted by the members at the monthly PTO meeting.
In your letter, you aptly point out that Lisa Kelly, chairperson of the beautification committee, "truly thinks this is a project where children come together, learn teamwork and make our school more beautiful. She is proud of her achievement, and rightly so". I and many others couldn't agree more. What you neglected to mention, or simply may not know if you have never attended a PTO meeting, is that Lisa Kelly and Bill Drain have put in countless hours during the summer and other months continuing to maintain the work that our children help with for 45 minutes twice a year. The beautification team has often procured full donations of mulch and flowers for this event and consequently has not used all of the money which is allocated to them. Thanks Lisa and Bill!
I would like to thank you for all of the research you presented. I am proud to know that KES is the only school in the surrounding area that has the entire student body participate in Beautification Day. Again, our children have the advantage!
It truly is unfortunate that your son does not appreciate beautification day. There are hundreds of KES children, siblings, parents, teachers, and administrators that do. The KES community has so many amazing volunteers that do not have too much time on their hands; they simply make the most of what little time they do have by choosing to contribute to the enrichment of their children's elementary educational experience.
I am delighted to be associated with this fine caring community.
Michele Early