Hickory Elementary School - PTA Enrichment Programs

The PTA sponsors a wide variety of programs to enrich the lives of our children. The programs cover topics including the arts, language, science, physical education and social studies. The activities within the programs are designed to enhance the children�s knowledge and exposure to different aspects of various cultures, the environment, charitable work and even basic safety education.

PTA endeavors to provide quality enrichment activities for Hickory students by budgeting funds for programs, assemblies and field trips. Assemblies are scheduled by the PTA for the students during the school days which include music assemblies, walk thru California and walk thru the Revolution. Enrichment programs such as Aquarium on Wheels, interactive tide-pools and South Bay Wildlife conservatory are scheduled for the students. Assemblies, field trips and enrichment programs provide a wonderful way to share a variety of outside resources and experiences with our students.

Adventures in Art is a citywide fine arts program designed to provide children the opportunity, materials and the methods to create their own unique art projects. Parent volunteers attend an orientation and 5 workshops throughout the year. They are trained to share each of 5 projects in the classroom, giving students the opportunity to try different mediums of art. Please don�t miss the annual spring art show held in April in conjunction with Hickory�s Open House Night.

The Hickory PTA schedules published authors and illustrators to visit our student body and share their craft and stories. What a wonderful experience for the children to meet and talk with these talented people. Timing is contingent upon the schedules of individual authors in February.

The annual Bike Rodeo event at Hickory will be held in March after school. This exciting event emphasizes safe riding and students (with parent/guardian permission). The event is open to all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students (with parent/guardian permission). PTA parent volunteers staff this event.

During Blue Ribbon Week, we honor local heroes such as police officers, firemen, and those serving in the military. At a special assembly, students honor our local heroes and learn more about the many duties and services that these men and women perform in our communities.

This team of volunteers photocopies, collates, and staples homework packets and other materials for our teachers, staff, and the PTA. In the past, teachers and aides spent hours doing these tasks. Now parent volunteers complete these tasks for them, so the teachers may have more time in the classroom.

The PTA annually supplements the emergency supplies provided by Torrance Unified School District. Our Emergency Preparedness chairperson conducts on-going surveys of our school to improve safety and provide effective care and shelter for our children in the event of a disaster. In the past, PTA has purchased privacy shelters with portable toilets, emergency blankets, water, additional first aid supplies, walkie-talkies, hard hats, stretchers, generator, and emergency lights. Additional supplies are purchased yearly as needed.

In conjunction with the National Fire Prevention Week, the PTA sponsors this event to teach and remind students about fire safety. This may include a visit by a local fire truck, tying yellow ribbons around our campus, and learning fire survival techniques such as �Stop, Drop & Roll�.

Hickory PTA organizes a Food Drive during February when most of the Social Service Organization Holiday donations are depleted. Since a variety of goods are needed, each grade is asked to bring in a specific item. However, any type of donation is accepted and appreciated. This program strives to teach our Hounds the importance of community awareness and kindness.

Each year, the PTA presents Honorary Service Awards to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary service to our school and community. All are eligible for these coveted awards. Nominations are submitted in writing to the Honorary Service Awards chairperson in the school office.

The Kids In To Science (KITS) program is a take-home science program designed to stimulate children�s curiosity about the world around them, make science relevant to our students� lives, and provide hands-on experiments. Twice a year, students can check out a science kit from a variety of science related topics. A permission slip and order form must be completed before kits are issued. KITS handbook, available on our website, describes each kit. There are also great volunteer opportunities to both English and non-English speaking parents.

Though most PTA units must fundraise to support their programs and to supplement what local and state funding does not provide, the primary mission of PTA is one of advocacy. Advocacy begins at the PTA unit level in many ways. At Hickory, our legislative chairperson organizes support for school bond measures, monitors the local school board, and keeps the members informed of local, state, and federal education issues.

Hickory Hounds love to read! During every school day, our library is a place where students and parents share their enthusiasm for books. Our mission is to encourage the love of reading and learning. We maintain an up-to-date book collection and help students learn and explore the library. In addition, we contribute to the teachers� efforts in the classroom by supporting classroom curriculum and making sure our resources meet the California Department of Education standards. This program is run entirely by PTA volunteers. There are many different ways you can help. The Library�s success depends on you. Please stop in and check us out!

Hickory celebrates its diverse student body with PTA sponsored Multicultural Event. The Multicultural Event committee plans activities for students to learn different cultures and appreciate interesting aspects of other cultures.

Each year, the Hickory PTA is pleased to award scholarships to graduating high school seniors who have attended Hickory Elementary School. In the fall, high school counselors distribute and collect applications, which are evaluated by the Hickory PTA Scholarship Committee in the spring. Consideration is given to volunteer service, academic performance, leadership abilities, and financial need.

Hickory�s Red Ribbon Week coincides with the National Red Ribbon Week, and is a time to teach our students how to make healthy choices in food, exercise, and being drug-free.

The National PTA Reflections program is an arts recognition and achievement program for students. It encourages students in grades K-12 to express their thoughts and feelings through creative arts. A different theme is chosen every year and students create works at home in various categories such as literature, visual arts, photography, and music. In previous years, several talented students have honored Hickory by receiving recognition for their outstanding entries at the PTA Council and District level.

The primary duty of a room representative is to coordinate two annual classroom celebrations and Teacher Appreciation Week activities. The winter party is held prior to winter break in December and the year-end party is held in June. Other room representative duties may include arranging for field trip chaperones and assisting the teacher as needed.

We like it pretty, we like it sparkling and we like to make it better and better, so we bring our cleaning rags, our paint brushes, our carpentry tools and/or our gardening gloves to help with a School Beautification Day. This committee works with the principal and custodial staff to determine what jobs need to be done. Then PTA volunteer assist with organizing the various work areas. School Beautification Days are held on Saturday, one in early October and one day set up in the spring or as deemed necessary by the committee and the principal. Please consider donating your time and talent, every "body" is needed and appreciated.

Appreciation of our exceptional teachers happens year-round at Hickory, beginning with our Back to School Luncheon in September. However, the most celebrated recognition occurs during Teacher Appreciation Week. During this week, the Room Reps organize activities to honor their teachers. The Teacher Appreciation chairperson also coordinates a Multicultural Luncheon for Hickory teachers, usually held on Thursday of the week.

Our Hickory Hounds learn the value of both community service and caring for those less fortunate by donating new or gently used toys, games, books, and stuffed animals. These items are collected in January and donated to Toy Loan, a Los Angeles County program that is used as a learning and therapy tool for over 30,000 children annually.

Hickory�s Yearbook is designed by the PTA volunteers with the goal of reflecting students in all grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. It highlights our awesome school, student council and PTA sponsored events that occur throughout the year. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate by helping with creating the book or submitting photos of Hickory students at Hickory events.

PTA Sponsored Programs