Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions about Biddeford PTO
- What is the PTO?
- What does the PTO do for the school?
- What were some of the activities sponsored in 2008 & 2009?
What is the PTO?
BMS PTO, or Parent Teacher Organization, is an organization of parents,
teachers and administrators of the Biddeford Middle School. It is a non-profit
organization with officers elected by general membership. It is an
organization where a number of energetic parents/volunteers/teachers work
collectively to enrich the student environment at BMS. The type of work and
projects taken on by PTO volunteers may be related to improving facilities,
hosting academic programs/events, hosting non-academic (e.g. cultural, family)
programs/events, supporting classroom activities by fundraising and so on.
What does the PTO do for the school?
Biddeford Middle School PTO sponsors various activities and programs for BMS
students throughout the school year. See PTO activities for detailed
descriptions of activities that happen every year. Besides recurring
events/activities, we sponsor a number of activities that are driven by
parents/teachers based on a one-time need every year.
Our officers attend School Board meetings every month and volunteers chair
PTO committees and drive all PTO activities. We also hold fundraisers to
collect donations from parents to fund various activities/programs.
*Relationships that develop with other parents through PTO form a basis for
consistent, healthier messages to children, both in and out of school.*
What were some of the activities sponsored in 2008 & 2009?
*Welcome Back: Apples are handed out to all teachers, staff and bus drivers on
the first day of school recognizing the service they do for the school.
*Biddeford High School Football Game Parking: BMS volunteers as well as
volunteers from JFK and BPS and BMS charge fans for parking in the JFK parking
lot, generating funds that are divided between the schools.
*Fall Picture Day: PTO volunteers organize and chaperon the taking of student
and staff pictures for the yearbook and Student IDs.
*Open House: Officers representing PTO membership are on hand to welcome new
members and answer any questions.
*In-classroom volunteers: Photocopying and other tasks are done for each team on a
weekly basis.
*Fall Book Fail: Annual event to raise moneyfor Biddeford Middle School library.
*Giving Tree: In the fall, a tree is set up in the lobby with leaves having classroom
wishes from the teachers. Parents grant the wishes by donating the supplies and the
PTO delivers them.
*Jose Vachon Concert: Well known and loved Franco-American entertainer visits the
students at an
assembly during the day and stays for a live concert for the community at night.
Admission is free.
*Lakermesse Parking: BMS PTO volunteers join volunteers from JFK, Biddeford
Primary and BIS to host an inexpensive parking alternative for the Lakermesse visitors.
*Michael Chase Kindness Initiative: Assemblies and activities encouraging compassion
towards the earth and to others through random acts of kindness.
*Physical Education class heart rate monitors: An enhancement to classes as students
can monitor their progress to fitness and good health.
*Yearlong Staff Appreciation projects: Reminders through words and deeds how
much we appreciate the staff and teachers hard work.
*Melissa Manseau Spring Assembly: Introduction to opera to the student body.
*Inkawasi Spring Concert: Introduction South American culture and dance.
*8th Grade Promotion Dinner and Dance: Congrats and a proper send off to our
beloved 8th graders.