Frequently Asked Questions

What is PTO?

PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is a non-profit tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization run by volunteers. Volunteers for the PTO are not paid in any way and LHISD does not employ the volunteers doing the work for the PTO. Noble PTO was established in 2021 when Louine Noble Elementary first opened as the district's 5th elementary school.

I've heard of PTA. What's the difference?

PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) and PTA (Parent Teacher Association) are essentially the same thing. They are both non-profit organizations comprised of volunteers to improve the school experience for students, families, and staff. The difference is that PTA’s pay a yearly membership fee to the National Parent Teacher Association, which provides some support and resources.

Does Noble PTO work with other LHISD Elementary PTOs?

Each PTO is its own organization comprised of volunteers with autonomy to function as it needs to in order to serve their unique population of students, families, and teachers. All of the PTOs are not in competition with each other and do find incredible value in learning from one another. The PTO Presidents of each elementary in LHISD collaborate and communicate with each other. If you see a great idea that you’d love to see at Noble, please come to a PTO meeting to share or send us an email! Noble PTO strives to continually improve so we are always serving our students, families, and staff as best we can.

What is Noble PTO's goal or mission?

The purpose of the Louine Noble Elementary School PTO is to enrich the school experience for all students, families, and staff by providing opportunities for connection and community through collaborative projects, fundraising activities, programs and events.

What does PTO actually do?

Noble PTO was established in 2021 and we've already accomplished so much! Check out all that we've done here!

When are the meetings, how long are they, and what do you talk about?

PTO meetings are typically the first Tuesday of the month. Our 2024-2025 PTO meeting dates are on our calendar, subscribe here. They are at 7:40 am at LNE and usually 45 minutes to one hour in duration. Our meetings are filled with useful information for parents, led by the PTO President- Kelley Cottrell, President-Elect- Marcela Welsh, and Secretary- Nicole Bauer. Our principal, Mrs. Hudson, or assistant principal, Mrs. Richardson, are usually in attendance too. You can ask questions and voice your opinions! You also get to help decide how to raise money for the school and, more importantly, how to spend it. The first meeting of the year, September 3, 2024, members get to vote on the PTO budget for the year. If you are unable to attend the meetings, we will have the agenda and minutes posted within a few days to our website. You do have to be present to vote however.

I work full time, I'm not sure I can fully commitment to being on the PTO.

Your fellow PTO members are a mix of moms, dads, teachers, guardians, and community members who are balancing life's commitments and want to support LNE. Being a member is signing up for our website with a username and password; that's it! It's free and there are no requirements after that. You get to decide what you sign up for, and how you give off your time and resources. You can volunteer as little or as much as your schedule allows. Start out small and see what feels right for you and your family. You are allowed to try something out and then say no if it is too much. We respect and value the ability to self assess commitments. As our kids grow, our commitments tend to wax and wane, so every year is different! Whatever you do will be greatly appreciated!

Is PTO a tight social group? I am not sure I would be able to fit in.

We do strike up friendships and enjoy getting to know one another as we work together planning events. And while we are fortunate to have dedicated volunteers who return, we also welcome brand new people to PTO every year. We are all new at some point! This year 9 out of the 12 board members are new to the officer role. Our PTO maintains a vision and commitment to improvement by actively seeking out new ideas and by carefully considering honest feedback in order for the PTO to further its purpose. It is a collective, team effort and members work together to do what is best for the school and students. You are welcome here and we would love to have you.

I've seen on Facebook what the PTO does for Noble staff. How do you get to decide what the PTO does for them?

The Hospitality committee, lead by the Hospitality Chair, Morgan Warren, collaborates, plans, and makes decisions together to provide teacher appreciation events that you see posted. If you want to be apart of this, please let us know and you can join the committee!

My Noble student has a younger sibling, am I still able to come up to the school to help? Can I bring them with me?

Of course! We are all parents and understand the need to bring a sibling with you sometimes. You are more than welcome to bring your future Noble Panther along, however, you are responsible for them for the duration of your volunteer commitment.

How does PTO communicate?

We utilize several different modes of communication. We have a physical bulletin board where we post flyers, donation spotlights, maybe a photo or two, contact information, etc. in the foyer of LNE. We also will send home printed newsletters with important dates and happenings in your child's Tuesday folder once a month. Our biggest tool is our website, www.noblepto.org! This will have everything you need in one spot and is diligently updated by our PTO board members. We have a Facebook page- Noble Elementary PTO and post information and updates there as well. The school uses Parent Square and as a private non profit organization we are unable to have access to it. Our website does not have an app, but you can open your browser to www.noblepto.org and at the bottom, click the share button. Then on the list of options, click add to Home Screen.

Who decides how the PTO spends its money?

Every parent at Noble has the opportunity to be heard and considered. The current PTO board drafts a budget and presents it to the general membership at the first PTO meeting of the year. This year it's on September 3, 2024 at 7:40 am at LNE. A quorum of the membership passes the budget into adoption. You must be a PTO member to vote. If you are unsure if you are a member or not email our Membership Chair, Jenn Clayton, at membershipchair@noblepto.org.