PTO

An important component of the Aquinas family’s spiritual life, Parents In Prayer (PIP) pray for the needs of families and the school. Parents pray in the chapel for specific intentions submitted by anyone in the community. Prayer Intentions are collected and published weekly in The Connection newsletter.

Students have the privilege of the Pilgrim Virgin statue visiting their family. The student whose name is drawn will take a beautiful statue of Our Lady home along with video tapes, rosaries, scapulars and other literature home for a week. Our Spiritual Life Chair coordinates this effort. To participate, please fill out the request form.

On December 6th PTO members and volunteers place a candy cane in every student’s shoe in observance of St. Nicholas Day.

Parents in Prayer and Sister Kateri Rose invite parents to pray the rosary 1 day a month for the intentions of the Aquinas community. Please fill out the commitment form and send it in.

“Park and Pray” for a few minutes before afternoon pick-up and visit Jesus in the Adoration Chapel! Time spent before the Holy Eucharist is like a “Spiritual Radiation” that heals and warms the soul! Can’t participate every day? No problem! Jesus is always there, waiting with open arms to hold you close to His Sacred Heart. Please see the Park and Pray flyer

This is a Catholic book fair to get Catholic materials into the hands of our students. Volunteers staff the book fair and to help students create wish lists, sort orders and assist with accounting.

This popular family event includes activities for the entire family. There is a food concession stand and low or no cost chances to play games.

The PTO sets up a small store where the children can come and purchase inexpensive Christmas gifts for their family and friends. The costs of these gifts are kept low and volunteers help the children in selecting the perfect gifts. Santa shop is a “fun” fundraiser for the PTO.

Spirit Nights are held throughout the year at local restaurants to provide an opportunity for fellowship for the school community. A percentage of sales are donated to the school by the restaurants.

This annual event gives the school community the opportunity to promote and celebrate literacy and reading. It is a day of fun and learning. Volunteers read to elementary students and students and volunteers are invited to dress up as their favorite literary character.

The Aquinas family holds an exclusive SKATE SOCIAL at the Prince William Ice Center in Woodbridge.

Aquinas Spirit Night at Pfitzner Stadium is great fun as we cheer on the Potomac Nationals. The kindergarten students sing the National Anthem before the game. Uncle Slam visits Aquinas before the game. Discounted entrance tickets are sold at school prior to the event.

Students enjoy a day of fun, games, and a variety of recreational activities at the end of the school year. Snacks, beverages and great fellowship with their fellow school mates. Field day is proven to be tons of fun each year! Parents are welcome to help out!

Parent volunteers serve as liaisons between the Faculty, PTO and other parents. Room Parents help plan and execute classroom events and religious observances. Sixth and seventh grade parents plan and host the Awards Breakfast and Graduation Reception for the 8th grade students and their families.

Teacher appreciation events are held throughout the year to show our Faculty and Staff just how much we appreciate them. Parents donate food, treats, and their time to give the teachers a break.

Middle school students choose a scientific category, design and run their own experiment, then present their results to a panel of judges. Winners go on to compete at the diocesan level Science Fair.

The race allows students an opportunity to participate in a fundraiser focused on exercise of the mind and body. Students walk and jog around a designated area as many times as possible in a one-hour period. Each student is asked to raise funds by asking sponsors to contribute a tax deductible donation to STARS. The Race for Education alternates years with the Aquinas Auction.

The Aquinas Auction is a themed evening fundraiser for parents and other adult supporters of Aquinas School. At this event donated items, experiences, activities, vacations , themed baskets, etc. are auctioned off during a night of fun. The Aquinas Auction alternates years with the Race for Education.

Box Tops for Education contributes money to St. Thomas Aquinas when we mail in our Box Tops. You can find them on many cereal, snack, and other food boxes. Please cut them out and send them in to your child’s homeroom teacher. They also have bonus opportunities on their site: https://www.boxtops4education.com/bonus-box-tops

Used uniform sales are held throughout the school year. Parents have an opportunity to purchase Aquinas uniforms at the low price of $5.00. Donations are needed and gladly accepted anytime. If you donate 3 or more cleaned items, you will be able to shop for only $3.00/piece. For more information or to donate please contact: Mark or Patricia Kormos at mark.kormos1@verizon.net.

The Aquinas PTO participates in the Annual All Saints Car Raffle in the Our Lady of Angels slot.  Ten percent of the proceeds are shared with the OLA Religious Education program.  PTO volunteers send the ticket packets to all registered Our Lady of Angels parishioners and Aquinas families who are not registered with a Catholic parish.  As most of the local parishes participate in the car raffle as well, we encourage you to support your parish in the car raffle.

In the Fall, we have the Tuition Raffle drawing at Back to School Night.

One lucky winner receives a $5,000 credit toward their academic year’s tuition.*

Announced in the back to school mailing, tax-deductible tickets at $100 each are sold in the School Office & at Back to School Night.  Only 300 tickets are sold.

Questions? Contact Andrew & Carissa Wynne, PTO Chair – NJWynnes@gmail.com

*Prize is taxable to the extent of the law. Winner need not be present. A minimum of 100 tickets will need to be sold for drawing to be held. No substitution of the offered prize may be made and no cash will be given in lieu of the prize. Prize may only be applied toward a student’s tuition in the in the 2016-17 academic year.

A program for our families providing meals after the birth of a new baby, during a family illness or other such situation. Through an online sign up, Aquinas families help out by providing meals.