Barkell Parent Teacher Organization

The Barkell Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization is a voluntary organization that works to support Barkell teachers and students. We organize two large annual events every December, the Pancake Breakfast and the Bulldog Shop. We also organize Teacher Appreciation Week every spring. The events we organize help to provide support for school events, meet teacher supply requests, and ensure that every student can participate in school activities.

Over the last few years, PTO worked to develop a redesign project and a fundraising campaign for updating the school’s playground. The aim of this redesign was to increase the accessibility and the diversity of opportunities available across both age and abilities. The playground was previously somewhat limited in its ability to support a wide diversity of students in terms of student accessibility, age, and ability. It was also limited in its accessibility throughout the winter months, as high snow loads limit access to the current playground equipment.

The efforts of the PTO laid the groundwork for a community bond that provided support for a full playground update in 2023. We are grateful for the Hancock community’s support for our school!

To help support the Barkell Elementary, you can make a tax-deductible donation through the Hancock Public Schools Foundation here. Thank you for supporting Hancock Public Schools!

About Barkell PTO

Who are the members of the PTO?

Parents, teachers, and our Principal. If you have a child attending Barkell, you are a member of the PTO.

What is the objective of the PTO?

Our objective is to provide funds, programs, resources and services that will enrich the education of every child at our school.

Why does the PTO fundraise?

To meet our objective, we must fundraise. We raise money to continue providing our children with playground equipment, school equipment, teacher supplies, assemblies, and other experiences.

Why should I get involved?

Volunteering doesn't have to mean a huge time commitment. We understand it is increasingly difficult to find time to give, but whatever your schedule allows, we have a need for your support! We have tasks that can be performed in the evenings, during the day, or that don't even involve coming to the school at all.

Meetings and Events

Please see the PTO Facebook page or contact chelseaschelly@gmail.com for announcements about upcoming meetings.

PTO School Fundraisers

All fundraiser proceeds go to the many different items for the school. Previous fundraisers gave the ability to purchase:

• Playground Equipment

• Science Nights

• Technology

• End-of-Year Activities, like the 5th-grade trip to Mackinac Island!

• School Assemblies

• Teacher Wish Lists

• March Reading Month support through a read-a-thon

• Positive-Behavior Rewards

• The Annual Bulldog Christmas Shop

• Safety Patrol Awards

• Teacher Appreciation Week

• and more!!!

Pancake Breakfast:

This fundraiser is supported by Phi Kappa Tau members who come to cook for the event, local businesses who donate to the event, and by you as parents who can purchase tickets to attend with your families!

Barkell Shirts

Please stop in to the school office for an order form. You can send in the order form and money with your child and we will fill the order in a timely manner.

Shirts are also available at various PTO sponsored events at the school through the Hancock Booster Club.

For more information about the PTO or to get involved, contact:

• Chelsea Schelly, President
  chelseaschelly@gmail.com

• Deanna Levanen, Secretary
  deannalevanen@ymail.com