Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

Westwoods Elementary School PTO invites all parents to get involved in school activities and events and/or considering becoming a member of the PTO board. The PTO is made up of families and teachers committed to supporting our children and the Westwoods school community. We raise money to help fund school activities and to purchase needed materials for classrooms. The PTO also sponsors events held throughout the year. PTO meetings are held once a month and are open to the public. All Westwoods families are encouraged to attend. Please join us to learn more.

One of the best ways to get involved is to attend meetings. Your voice is important! We need your input, your ideas, your energy. 

This year's meeting schedule is as follows: 

Monday, September 9
Tuesday, October 8
Monday, November 11
Tuesday, December 10
Monday, January 13
Tuesday, February 11
Tuesday, March 11
Monday, April 14
Tuesday, May 13

Meetings are held from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM, with FREE childcare provided. It’s a great way to meet teachers, parents and families. And if you miss the first meeting, please come to the next! We are a friendly bunch and welcome you with open arms at any time of the year.

For meeting dates and times, please contact the school office at 231.933.7900 or the PTO president, Crystal DeCora.


  • President: Crystal DeCora
  • Co-Vice Presidents: Darci Schippert & Dibiangie Craig
  • Treasurer: Ashley Snyder
  • Secretary: Lucy DeKorne
  • Board Member: Maggie Norman
  • Board Member: Heather Nolan

Please feel free to contact the PTO board members at westwoodselementarypto@gmail.com with questions, suggestions or ideas to share. We would love to hear from you.

Come to the PTO Meetings


  • PTO Meetings: One of the best ways to get involved is to attend meetings. Your voice is important! We need your input, your ideas, your energy. Meetings are held monthly from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM with FREE CHILDCARE PROVIDED. It’s a great way to meet teachers, parents and families. And if you miss the first meeting, please come to the next! We are a friendly bunch and welcome you with open arms at any time of the year. You can get as involved as YOU want, it’s not a sign your life away commitment! 
  • Can't make it to the PTO meetings? We still need you! Whether an hour a month or for a specific event, whatever time you can give will make a difference. Volunteering opportunities are available throughout the year, including ways to help at home or during non-school hours. If you'd like to get involved, sign-up at a meeting or contact us through email or the External LinkWestwoods PTO Facebook page. 

The Many Ways to Volunteer


  • Popcorn Friday helpers: We are one of the fortunate schools that get to offer our students FREE popcorn for all, every Friday! Have time on a Friday afternoon to help pop, bag and distribute to classrooms? Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/hcFaeju
  • Annual Move-a-Thon: This is the first of two fundraisers of the year. Volunteer to help organize the event, work the day of the event or just help your student obtain pledges; any way that you can help will make a difference. 
  • Winter: We have so many fun free events that we do through the cold months. Sledding party, Holiday night with Santa and even a Family Fun Game night! Help us plan, craft, brainstorm ideas and execute these family favorites!
  • Read-a-Thon: Is our March fundraiser. This is a school favorite from students and teachers alike! What better way to support our children by helping them earn funds for their school while growing their own learning capabilities by taking them into all the wonderful worlds books can take us!
  • Carnival and Silent Auction: A huge school community event! Games, food, face painting, petting zoo and a silent auction..
  • Staff Conference Dinners: During parent-teacher conferences, the PTO organizes dinners for the staff who work late to meet with parents. Volunteers are always needed to set/clean up and to donate yummy food. 
  • Teacher Appreciation Week: A week of little thank yous and a special lunch for our teachers and staff. 
  • Westwoods Fun Run: This year we are trying to bring back our 5k/fun run event in the spring. We are thinking of doing a color run even! BUT we need your help! Planning, pre-tasks, day of event help, anything you have to offer we will take!
  • Simply reach out and we will help you help us in a way you are wanting and able to!  Westwoodselementarypto@gmail.com

The PTO raises money through two main fundraisers which consist of the Fall Move-a-Thon and the Spring Read-a-Thon. Spring Carnival is an event/small fundraiser that pays for itself.

Some of the past purchases have included:

  • Providing teachers with funds for classroom supplies and field trips. 
  • Scholastic News and IXL subscriptions, accessible both in classrooms and from home, have been a huge hit with students, staff and parents.
  • Providing conference meals and child watch sitters.
  • 5th Grade class annual L.O.C. (Leelanau Outdoor Center) trips.
  • And so much more!

These are just a few of the many ways PTO funds have been used to benefit the students and families at Westwoods in the past and things that we continue to do.