Wizard of Oz DVDs

DVDs of this year's musical, The Wizard of Oz, are available for $10.00 each. DVDs are a great way for you to remember and relive your child's performance, and they make great gifts for grandparents and other relatives. Each DVD includes: combined edited version of both performances, both the Saturday and Sunday Junior cast performances, and a video montage of photographs from both nights. Free Wizard of Oz t-shirt included in with order (Adult sizes only) while supplies last. Order yours online now using the PayPal button below, or download the form [PDF] and return it to school.

Order your Wizard of Oz DVD now!

CSTech Technology Campaign

CSTech // Countryside Technology Today is a capital campaign to raise $80,000 toward the purchase of essential technology for our children's classrooms. Having already raised $70,000, we are now in the home stretch! Let's keep the momentum going so that all of our children will have access to technology in the school. Due to your generosity, the 4th grade already has new laptops, and the library and 2nd grade laptops will be setup this week. We're almost there, but we still want to reach $80,000 and 100% participation, so we continue to welcome donations. Remember every child benefits from your donation and this campaign. Please give as generously as you can!

Countryside is woefully behind other schools in incorporating digital technologies into the classroom. CSTech responds to Countryside's inadequacies in the quantity and quality of technology necessary for learning in today's classrooms and as recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Education.

Click to learn more about CSTech, including:

• Why you should care about technology in the classroom.
• What is the state of Countryside's technology.
• How your donation will improve the school.
• Donation Information — it's easy to support CSTech!

If you have any questions, or want to get involved in the campaign, just email Karen Weissel and Jamie Le Blanc, the CSTech Campaign Co-Chairs.

School Spirit Gear

School spirit gear is always in style and is a great way to show your pride in Countryside! We have warm winter hats, flannel lounge pants and t-shirts in both youth and adult sizes, water bottles, car magnets, wristbands, and cinch backpacks.

All items are available for purchase by using the order form [PDF, MS Word .doc] and returning it with a check made out to "Countryside PTO," to the PTO mailbox inside the main door of the school. Your order will be delivered to you or your child at school. Items will also be for sale at various events throughout the school year. For more information, contact Abby Schwartz.

Creative Arts & Sciences

The Creative Arts and Sciences program brings high-quality, curriculum-related enrichment programs to our children's classrooms. Although it is mandated by the Newton Public Schools, volunteers from the PTO are completely responsible for organizing and funding the program. More information.

Recently, the Countryside PTO sponsored an interactive performance by the members of Opera To Go! Students (and parents) learned about tenors, baritones, sopranos and mezzo-sopranos as the troupe sang excerpts from The Magic Flute, Cinderella and other opera standards.

Also, Eric Olson and his "Insect Friends" visited the 1st Grade Classrooms. The first graders learned about insects, spiders, and a pill bugs. They then had the opportunity to dig in dirt from Mr. Olson's backyard to find millipedes, pill bugs, centipedes, and spiders. The smallest of these were viewed under Mr. Olson's microscope.

Open PTO Positions

It's the start of a new school year and we're looking for volunteers. Last year was a great one, due to the efforts of our many parent volunteers, and this year we hope to have an even better one. But to do that, we need your help! We have quite a few PTO committee chair vacancies [PDF] in need of enthusiastic parents!

If you have questions about any of the positions, please contact one of the current committee chairs. If you would like to volunteer for one of the open positions, please contact PTO Co-Presidents Julie Irish or Abby Schwartz.

Fifth Grade

The Fifth Grade experience is a special one at Countryside. For more information, and to learn how you can get involved, please see our Fifth Grade page.

PTO To Do List

The PTO can only succeed with your help! Please check out our PTO To Do List [PDF] to see how your talents and efforts can make a difference.

We need Library Volunteers. Please use our Volunteer Spot signup to volunteer to help during your child's class or any available timeslot. More information.

Downloadable Forms