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At a time when teachers juggle countless responsibilities, one school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) is stepping up to make a real difference. Â
By investing in Smart Tools for their school and organizing a dedicated team of volunteers, Glenhope Elementary’s PTA is not only streamlining classroom preparation but also fostering community among parents, teachers, and students.
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Workbox Wednesday: A System That Works
The Glenhope PTA has implemented an efficient process that allows teachers to focus on their students rather than spending hours on administrative tasks. They call it “Workbox Wednesdays.” Teachers simply fill out a request form, drop it off, and every Wednesday, volunteers gather to print, cut, laminate, and more.
“The teachers know every Wednesday, their stuff will get done,” explained Jill Luna, VP of Needs for Glenhope’s PTA.  “If they need it before, they can do it themselves, but often, it’s just easier for them to drop it off and let us take care of it.”
“It’s cool to have a system where teachers know they can just drop stuff in, and then it’s delivered back to them,” she added. This consistency ensures that teachers have access to the materials they need without added stress.
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‍The Power of Smart Tools
One of the biggest advantages of this program is the PTA’s ability to maximize the use of Smart Tools, including poster printers, laminators, and die-cut machines. These machines play a crucial role in creating visual aids, classroom decorations, and educational materials that enhance student learning.
“We probably use the equipment as much as the teachers do—sometimes more,” said Kendra Skipworth, President of the Glenhope PTA. “Not only do we help with classroom materials, but we also use the machines for PTA events, fundraisers, and student incentives.” The school’s yearly “Adopt A Gator” fundraiser can be seen on display as you enter the school. To make these Gators, the PTA uses the Cutout Maker to make a stencil with the sponsor’s name, and then carefully paints a trail of Gators leading up the front walkway.
The PTA also recently organized a Super Bowl-themed activity for teachers. They printed a game grid using the poster printer, laminated it for reuse, and cut out football shapes with the die-cut machine. Teachers participated in a fun challenge where they found hidden footballs around the school, each marked with a code that corresponded to prizes like gift cards or free sub hours.
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Enhancing Student Engagement
By freeing up teachers’ time, the PTA enables them to be more present in the classroom. The equipment also helps create interactive learning tools, such as large-scale posters for group activities, reusable math games, and behavior-tracking systems.
One example is the "Golden Gator" incentive program. Students earn small gator-shaped cutouts for good behavior, which are then collected by each class. The class with the most gators at the end of the month gets a popcorn party or a game day. The PTA produces all the cutouts to track the competition, making it easy for teachers to implement the program.
Saving Teachers Hundreds of Hours
The impact of this initiative goes beyond just producing classroom materials—it significantly reduces the time teachers spend on preparation.
“We sit around for a couple of hours and cut things out together, but for a teacher to do that alone, it would take hours,” Kendra shared. “Throughout the year, we’re saving them hundreds of hours, giving them more time to focus on their students.”
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At the beginning of the school year, when curriculum materials shift and teachers need new resources, the PTA’s support is especially crucial. The volunteers anticipate recurring projects, such as Valentine’s Day cutouts or seasonal decorations, and prepare them in advance to ease the workload for teachers. For teachers, every minute saved on administrative tasks is a minute that can be spent planning lessons or engaging with students.
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Making A Smart Investment
Even when investing in new equipment, the Glenhope PTA carefully considers how it will benefit the entire school. For example, before their most recent purchase, a poster printer, the PTA suggested that teachers could use an external print shop and have the PTA fundraise to cover the expenses. They soon discovered that this method made teachers more likely to just forgo printing materials for their classroom due to the extra step added to their already busy schedules. Â
With this knowledge, the PTA provided an in-house printer for the school workroom and its usage skyrocketed, proving how a simple convenience can remove roadblocks and enhance learning.
Even when it comes to ordering supplies, the process has been smooth.
“Our administrator creates a quote for things like ink or laminating film, and then I can just pick up the phone and order it,” said Jill. “You guys always answer, and the supplies arrive quickly. It’s been an easy process from the start.”
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‍A Community Effort
The program isn’t just about helping teachers—it also strengthens the school community. Parents who volunteer for Workbox Wednesdays form friendships, get to know the school staff, and gain a deeper appreciation for what teachers do.
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“New parents get to put faces to names and feel more connected to the school,” Kendra told us. “It builds a real sense of community.”
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Advice for Other PTAs
For PTAs considering similar initiatives, Glenhope Elementary’s PTA’s advice is simple: It’s worth it.
“A machine might seem like a big investment, but when you think about the time it saves teachers, it’s worth it,” Jill said. “This is what PTA is about—supporting students by supporting their teachers.”
With their structured volunteer system, efficient equipment usage, and strong community engagement, the Glenhope Elementary PTA is proving that small actions can have a massive impact. By taking on the behind-the-scenes work, they’re allowing teachers to do what they do best—teach. Â
