Welcome to Okemos Public Montessori at Central’s Parent Teacher Organization!

The PTO is a dedicated group of volunteers – parents, teachers and staff – dedicated to promoting the well-being of our children and supporting our school community. We hope that you will join us in celebrating our children, staff, and community by dedicating extra time to their lives. Please find in this website events, meeting information, school links, ways to support our school while shopping, as well as by volunteering.

PTO Highlighted Happenings

Buddy Bench on the Playground
(August 2021)

You can find the freshly painted Buddy Bench on the playground. The idea of a Buddy Bench is it a place kids can go if they are feeling lonely and if other kids see someone on the buddy bench, they can to go and talk to them and include them in their games. Paint donated by Home Depot and painted by OPM students Zelda Bianchi and Emma Leiby and oversaw by parents Kelly Bianchi, Evie Leiby, and sister Penelope Bianchi.

Farewell Gift to Principal Shannon
(June 2021)

The PTO gifted a brick to Principal Shannon in honor of her dedication and time spent serving OPM and our school community. The brick will be placed in the front walkway of the school. She was also gifted a peace pole to take with her to remember her time at OPM.

Donuts for Teacher Appreciation
(May 2021)

Thanks to donations from the OPM School Community (parents!), PTO provided teachers with different treats every day for Teacher Appreciation Week (May 3-7, 2021): Monday bagels from Great Harvest Bread Company, Tuesday sandwiches from Jersey Giants, Wednesday Tacos from Cancun Mexican Grill, Thursday donuts from Dunkin Donuts (repackaged individually for teachers by parent volunteer Amy Kapp), Friday cookies from the Breadsmith and coffee from Biggby.

4th Grader T-Shirt Design: Together We Can Solve Anything!
(Spring 2021)

We invited the 4th graders to submit designs for the spring OPM t-shirt. Isaak Nyquist design, “Together We Can Solve Anything” was voted as a favorite, printed onto t-shirts, and made available to the OPM school community for the 2020-2021 school year.

Planting Maria Montessori Tulips
(March 2021)

150 Maria Montessori tulips were planted in front of the school in honor of Maria Montessori’s 150th birthday. The idea was submitted by teacher Erin Gould, it was approved at the April 2020 PTO meeting to use funds from the PTO beautification budget for this project. The tulips were planted in March 2021 and we hope to enjoy them for many years!