Our Mission
The Kenwood HUG-PTO strives to create a fun, memorable experience for the children, parents, teachers and staff at Kenwood Elementary School that complements student academics and supports the mission of the School:
"We, in partnership with the community, are committed to developing life-long, self-directed learners who take responsibility for a high level of achievement. Through teamwork, best practices, and support systems, students will apply their knowledge of State standards in a changing world."
HUG-PTO Board Members
The Executive Board of the Kenwood HUG-PTO consists of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Kenwood Elementary's Principal is also considered a voting member of the Executive Board. The Executive Board members develop the HUG-PTO's annual budget and establish and oversee our "Working Groups" and/or volunteers to conduct the activities of the HUG-PTO as well as establish its fundraising programs. The HUG-PTO Executive Board also works in very close collaboration with the Kenwood Elementary office staff and, often, with teachers and other school staff.
Principal
Assistant Principal
President
Co-Vice President
President
This individual presides over general HUG-PTO meetings and Executive Board meetings. He/she serves as an official representative of the HUG-PTO. He/she, along with the Treasurer, ensures completion of the annual reporting requirements of the State of Michigan and the maintenance of the non-profit/tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. The President may also maintain the www.hugpto.org website or designate another member to do so. He/she also, along with the other Board members, oversees the organization's Facebook social media pages (a private page for Kenwood families and staff only and a public page to promote our events and fundraising efforts open to the community). Together with Working Group members, the President oversees all events and endeavors to ensure the success of each and that the Budget is maintained.
Treasurer
This individual serves as custodian of the HUG-PTO’s finances, collects revenue, pays authorized expenses, reports financial activity every month, prepares the year-end financial report, facilitates an annual audit (through the contracting of an independent accountant), facilitates the filing of annual federal tax return (through the contracting of an independent accountant), holds all financial records, and assists the other Executive Board members, as needed. He/she, along with the President, ensures completion of the annual reporting requirements of the State of Michigan and the maintenance of the non-profit/tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service.
Vice President(s)
This individual (or individuals) oversees the Working Groups/volunteers of the HUG-PTO, assists the President and presides at meetings in the absence of the President.
Secretary
This individual takes the Minutes (notes) from each general HUG-PTO meeting and manages communications and marketing for the HUG-PTO including, but not limited to HUG-PTO meeting agendas and minutes, newsletters, email distributions, website, etc., and assists the other Executive Board members, as needed.
Our “Working Groups” and Extracurricular Student Groups consist of one or more individuals, who work together with the HUG-PTO Board members to organize, manage and complete one of the endeavors planned for each year. Whether it is putting up an inspiring bulletin board, pulling a few weeds in our gardens or organizing an event, there is a place for you and we need your help! We invite you to take a look below to read about each endeavor we traditionally strive for to make each year fun and successful. As soon as events and activities can be planned keeping the ongoing pandemic and overall safety and health of all of our Kenwood Kids, staff and families in mind, we will invite all families and staff to lend a hand! Let us know where you can help by signing up here: https://tinyurl.com/2022-2023HUGPTO Thank you!!
Art to Remember
This individual works with our Art Teacher to coordinate order due dates and delivery along with payments to/from Art to Remember and the HUG-PTO. All proceeds from Art to Remember go directly back to our children's art classes.
Book Fair
This individual or group coordinates three book fairs with Literati (usually in November, March and May). From the planning to set-up, the sale with organizing others to help to the break-down, this requires a fairly big commitment during three weeks of each school year. Help us grow your home libraries and our own Kenwood Library and our teacher's classroom collections!
Bulletin Board
This individual(s) creates and puts up fun, welcoming and, often insightful or inspirational scenes and messages on our main office entrance bulletin board. The board usually changes each month or season and is often themed for the season.
Cartridges for Kids
This individual(s) promotes families sending in used/empty printer cartridges, collects, organizes and submits them to the Staples store on a routine basis.
Christmas in Clawson Craft Show
This group of individuals is responsible for "staffing" and decorating the entrance/admission tables/areas at Clawson High and Middle Schools as well as coordinating all volunteers for the large "All Clawson Schools PTA" fundraiser. Over $4,000 is gifted to the HUG-PTO from this fundraiser each year! This is a fun way to kick off the holiday season with fellow parents and the other Clawson PTAs/PTOs. Dozens of families and staff work year-round to make this a fun, successful event for the schools and community.
Cultural Enrichment Programs (Assemblies)
This individual(s) coordinates monthly educational, yet entertaining, assemblies for the entire school or a select age group while keeping within the budget allotted by the HUG-PTO. Assemblies/Programs are coordinated with the Principal and/or Teacher Liaison.
Detroit Sports Fundraiser
This individual coordinates with a Detroit Sports organization (usually, Pistons or Tigers) the sale of tickets to families, purchase by families and distribution of tickets for a game in Spring.
This individual(s) coordinates monthly (or as often as feasible, schedule-wise) "dine to donate" opportunities with local restaurants willing to donate a portion of sales made on a certain date/time back to the HUG-PTO.
Fall Festival
This individual or group plans, organizes and implements the annual Fall Festival, including promoting the event and organizing others to assist, while keeping within the budget allotted by the HUG-PTO.
Fall Fundraiser
Each September or October, the Kenwood HUG-PTO hosts a fundraiser – since 2014, this was a Fun Run. Kenwood parents organize such a fundraiser with school administration and staff in order to financially benefit the HUG-PTO according to the budget set for the school year.
Family Entertainment
Each year, the Kenwood HUG-PTO hosts family events that are “free” (entrance/admission) to all Kenwood families and staff. Such events may include dances, movie nights or otherwise, as agreed to by the Executive Board and school administration/staff. An individual or group plans, organizes and implements one to three family nights, working with Kenwood administration for scheduling, including promoting each event and organizing others to assist, while keeping within the budget allotted by the HUG-PTO.
Field Day
In coordination with Kenwood’s gym teacher, administration and staff, the Kenwood HUG-PTO assists in coordinating matching t-shirts for students, staff and volunteers and provides lunch for students, staff and volunteers on Field Day. An individual or group plans, organizes and implements the matching t-shirts and lunch for all students, staff and volunteers; the annual Kenwood "K" photograph taken from the school roof; and assists school staff, as needed.
Fifth Grade Celebrations
This individual or group takes on a truly heartfelt task of organizing the 'graduation' celebration of our outgoing 5th graders, including coordation of the ceremony and picnic at City Park. In addition, gifts to each student are planned and purchased for presentation at the last day ceremony.
Through the Michigan Green Schools Program, an individual or group coordinates Kenwood Elementary’s annual renewal of its “Green School” designation.
Head Room Parents
As of December 2022, at the suggestion of school administration, the HUG-PTO no longer coordinates Room Parents for our classrooms. Traditionally, our HUG-PTO Board would coordinate Room Parents with the assistance of the school office (volunteer forms and background checks), host a brief meeting in September (or as soon as possible, thereafter) or provide a newsletter to explain the responsibilities of Room Parents, any financial reimbursement procedures by the HUG-PTO, if available that school year, and ideas for classroom holiday parties along with following up throughout the year of needs, ideas or otherwise. Classroom parties and/or parent volunteers are now handled directly by teachers.
Holiday Shop
In coordination with school administration and staff, Kenwood parents organize a week-long “Holiday Shop” in December where students are provided with a wide assortment of holiday gifts at a range of affordable pricing ($.50 to $12, or as agreed otherwise).
Kenwood Gear/T-Shirts
In coordination with the Executive Board and school administration, Kenwood parents organize the sale of t-shirts and other “spirit” wear and gear.
Kenwood Krawl
On the first Saturday of June, the community comes together for a fantastically fun pub crawl throughout Downtown Clawson! This event is a blast as Kenwood Kid supporters enjoy food/drink specials, silent auction, raffle and music to each year's unique theme -- 2018 took us back to the 1980s and 2019 took us back to the 1970s! We are very hopeful to bring this event back to life (post-pandemic) in 2022 heading back into the 1960s.
Popcorn Sales
In coordination with school administration, Kenwood parents organize monthly (or otherwise agreed) sales of freshly popped popcorn for the financial benefit of the HUG-PTO.
This individual(s) promotes families to utilize shopping apps (such as Box Tops and Raise Right (Shop with Scrip)), as well as signing up for rewards programs through stores (such as Amazon and Kroger) that benefit the HUG-PTO.
Teacher (Staff) Appreciation
Kenwood families work together to coordinate a fun, themed Teacher (Staff) Appreciation Week (the first week in May), including a staff breakfast, luncheon and gifts.
Teacher/Staff "Last Day" Luncheon (last day of school)
In coordination with school administration, a Kenwood parent coordinates a catered lunch for teachers and staff the last day of school.