Steamboat Pilot & Today

Oak Creek — The Soroco Parent Teacher Organization wants community and teacher input at a meeting next week when it considers funding 32 requestions for supplies and activities for south Routt schools, including an accelerated reading program and a cash donation for a Future Farmers of America trip to Kentucky.

Each year the organization raises money to support educational programs and general needs of the schools that aren't covered in the district's budget.

"We make the money for the schools, but we would love to have some more input from teachers and parents from the community," PTO President Susann Allen said.

Requests are made from teachers and parents to the PTO each year.

This year's requests range from math books and an educational Dr. Seuss trivia game to nets for the soccer goals, camera equipment for the photography club and a presentation by a local juggling troop, We're Not Clowns.

Also, each year the PTO offers a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior, which is included in the funding.

One request that the PTO is touting itself for fulfilling each year is support for an accelerated reading program that started in the middle school and is now being introduced into high school.

The program consists of the child reading a book and then taking a test on a computer about its content.

The PTO has bought the books and the computer software and wants to buy more to support the program in the high school.

Superintendent Steve Jones liked the PTO offering to buy special magazines for the elementary school's literacy program and a contribution to the FFA to send six students to a national convention in Kentucky.

A preliminary list shows the PTO shelling out $6,000 to fulfill the requests.

But that number could change if a parent or teacher offers another need that was overlooked. School officials also will check out the list to see if any requests can be included in its budget.