Events in bold are fundraisers.
Kindergarten Popsicles on the Playground – August 14, 2025
On the last scheduled K summer playdate, August 14, from 6-8pm, the PTO will have popsicles in the playground pavilion for incoming K students and their siblings. Keep in mind that the bathrooms will not be accessible.
Kindergarten Lunch Help – First 2 weeks of each school year
Volunteers who are already background-cleared for the year can sign up to give the K teachers a break to eat their lunch during the first 2 weeks of school.
Homecoming Float and Walk – September 2025
The last three years we’ve built a homecoming float and walked in the parade, and we’re planning to continue this year, as well! We’ll discuss the float a couple weeks before, and we’ll likely build it the same week as the parade. Please, please reach out if you have any experience! And be sure to save your biggest cardboard boxes for us. 🙂
Cornell Wolf Pack Run – September 2025
Each year the Cornell PTO holds the Wolf Pack Run (formerly the Cougar Run) to raise funds for the year’s events and supported programs. A two-week fundraising period culminates in a super fun run around the track complete with group photos and a popsicle. During the run, SHOUT OUTS are read aloud to encourage the kids on their run!
All funds that are raised will be used to support a wide variety of needs throughout the school including playground equipment and maintenance, school-wide reading programs, the science fair, school-wide incentive programs such as after school clubs, classroom learning software, teacher start-up, and many more!
Half-Day Meetup – Launch – October 2025
We’ve started organizing whole-school meetups outside of Cornell during some of our half-days!
Restaurant Night – TBD
We raised over $1,000 from our restaurant nights thanks to our fantastic Social Secretary Treasurer!
Teacher Lunch during P/T Conferences – October 2025
PTO will purchase lunch for the teachers during Fall P/T Conferences.
Global Cornell – Friday, November 14, 2025
Global Cornell is a celebration of our school’s cultural diversity. We’ve had many families work together to create a shared cultural experience. All students and their families are invited to come and learn at the Learning Centers in each room. It’s a wonderful evening mixing education, community, and fun.
Holiday Giftcard Fundraiser – November 2025
Pick a gift card for everyone on your list, especially all your student(s)’ teachers, and earn money for the school without paying anything extra.
Restaurant Night – Culver’s – February 2026
We raised over $1,000 last year from our restaurant nights thanks to our fantastic Social Secretary Treasurer!
*NOW IN WINTER* Science Night – February 2026
Take a couple weeks to test an interesting theory, put together a report on your findings, and present them to the school at our annual Science Night. We will also invite scientists from the area to set up hands-on demos, including Nature Discovery’s Michigan Creatures!
Half-Day Meetup – Launch – March 2026
We’ve started organizing whole-school meetups outside of Cornell during some of our half-days! Join us at Launch after school gets out at 12pm for an afternoon of fun. Be sure to mention you’re with Cornell PTO, and a portion of proceeds will go back to the school!
P/T Conferences Potluck – March 2026
Sign up to bring in an entree, side dish, salad, soup, dessert or beverage for teachers and staff during the all-day P/T Conferences.
Yearbook – Order by April 2026, receive in June 2026
We gather candid photos from teachers and parents throughout the year to put together an annual yearbook. We need help gathering photos, gathering 4th grade baby photos, asking our 4th graders a question, and making sure the layout and cover look great.
Mileage Club – April – May 2026, 11am-1:45pm, M/W/F
Kids are encouraged to run or walk around the track at school during lunch recess every M/W/F starting after Spring Break, and going until the 3rd week in May. Volunteers brave the weather to keep track of kids’ laps and hand out tokens every 5th mile they complete. Kids learn it’s fun to be active, and they work very hard to earn those tokens!
Teacher Appreciation Week – May 4-May 8, 2026
Each day from May 4-8, PTO volunteers and parents surprise the teachers and staff with something to make them feel special and appreciated. Let us know if you would like to help.
Family Fun Night – May 2025
Family Fun Night is held each year at the end of Mileage Club. Kids who have been running a few recesses a week will have the chance to run that last little bit to earn their water bottle!
Don’t worry, you don’t have to participate in Mileage Club to come. We love to see everyone there.
Traditionally, the PTO has held a raffle for baskets put together by each classroom. Each class is given a basket and a theme, then for a week or two donations supporting this theme are brought in by students and families. The PTO then packages up these baskets and raffles them off after the kids have finished up their running for the night. We’ve been having a blast by inviting food trucks, inflatables, and even a live band to join the fun!
Field Day – May 2026
Kids will take turns competing against each other in fun outdoor games in the afternoon one day in the last week of school. Parent volunteers run each station with 2 classes per rotation.
Cornell Elementary PTO 