BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF HOUSTON PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATIO

Programs

1. Winter Fayre (November 2024) The Winter Fayre, held in November 2024, was a festive event open to all school families. The Fayre featured a variety of activities and attractions designed to bring the community together and celebrate the holiday season. Highlights of the event included: Trackless Train: A fun ride for children and families, providing a scenic tour around the school grounds. Inflatable Obstacle Course: An exciting and challenging activity for kids to enjoy and burn off some energy. Secret Santa: A gift shop where kids could choose and wrap their Christmas gifts for their friends and family members. Santa's Grotto: A magical experience where children could meet Santa Claus, share their holiday wishes and take pictures with Santa. Music and Performances: Live music and performances by students and local artists, adding to the festive atmosphere. Vendors: A variety of vendors selling holiday-themed goods, crafts, and gifts. The Winter Fayre was a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, enjoy festive activities, and support the school community. The event was inclusive and welcoming, ensuring that all families could participate and have a great time.

   $17,750 spent$21,279 earned by the program
   19% of program spending

2. Summer Fayre (June 2025) The Summer Fayre, held in June 2025, was a vibrant and fun-filled event open to all school families. This Aloha-themed celebration featured a variety of activities and attractions, making it a highlight of the summer. Key features of the event included: Inflatables: A range of inflatable attractions, including bounce houses, obstacle courses and slides, set up in the gymnasiums (venue change due to rainy weather!) for kids to enjoy. Ice Cream Sales: Delicious ice cream treats available for purchase. Aloha Theme: The entire event was decorated with a Hawaiian tropical theme, featuring vibrant colors, palm trees, and island-inspired decorations. The Summer Fayre was a fantastic opportunity for families to come together, enjoy a variety of fun activities, and celebrate the end of the school year. The event was inclusive and welcoming, ensuring that all families could participate and have a great time. The wet weather did not hamper anyones fun and a great deal of feedback was received that the indoor option was a great relief from the Houston heat!

   $4,655 spent$14,115 earned by the program
   5% of program spending

3. The organization administered several other service programs that supported the local community and school-related initiatives. A key component involved managing neighborhood-specific funds and expenses through the Future Fund platform, which provided a transparent and efficient system for tracking financial activity and supporting community-led projects. The organization also provided ongoing support, assisting with volunteer coordination, fundraising, and event planning. Notably, this included support for graduation-related events, helping ensure inclusive and memorable celebrations for students and families.

   $51,972 spent
   56% of program spending

4. Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2025) Teacher Appreciation Week, held in May 2025, was a heartfelt celebration of the dedication and hard work of the school's teachers and staff. With a sports theme, each day featured special treats and activities to show gratitude and appreciation. Highlights of the week included: Monday - Coffee & Croissants Breakfast: Teachers started their week with a delightful coffee breakfast, energizing them for the day ahead. Tuesday - Boba and Foosball: teachers enjoyed refreshing boba tea and a foosball tournament, adding a sweet and fun treat to their day. Wednesday - A Mediterranean hot lunch catered in: allowing teachers to enjoy a delicious meal together. Thursday - Nachos and hot dogs for lunch and a friendly basketball match up. Friday - Family-Donated treats: Families contributed homemade snacks, adding a personal touch to the appreciation week and showing their heartfelt thanks. Warm Thank You: Throughout the week, heartfelt messages and tokens of appreciation were shared with all teachers and staff, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the school community. Teacher Appreciation Week was a wonderful opportunity for the school community…

   $5,930 spent
   6% of program spending

5. The success of these programs was made possible by the dedication of numerous volunteers, whose time, energy, and commitment were instrumental in achieving the organization's goals. The organization extends its sincere appreciation to all volunteers for their invaluable contributions.

   $1,390 spent
   2% of program spending

6. One of the PTO's primary fundraising activities during the reporting period was the sale of second-hand school uniforms. This initiative not only provided an affordable option for families but also promoted sustainability by encouraging the reuse of gently worn clothing. Uniform donations were collected throughout the year, sorted by volunteers, and made available for purchase at designated sales events. Proceeds from these sales contributed significantly to the PTO's overall funding, supporting a variety of school programs, events, and community initiatives. The success of this program was driven by strong community participation and the dedicated efforts of parent volunteers.

   $120 spent$10,656 earned by the program
   0% of program spending

7. PTO raised funds by selling snacks and drinks at key school events, such as Sports Days, the Winter and Summer Fayres, and theater performances. These sales not only provided refreshments for attendees but also generated supplemental income that was reinvested into PTO-supported initiatives. The success of these efforts was driven by strong volunteer participation and enthusiastic community support.

   $3,254 spent$6,070 earned by the program
   4% of program spending

8. Other notable fundraising efforts included a dedicated hot chocolate station at the Winter Fayre and the sales of original school branded holiday ornaments, which promoted school spirit and raised funds through merchandise sales, and also the popular Quiz Night, a community event that combined friendly competition with a shared meal. These initiatives were made possible through the dedication of volunteers and the enthusiastic participation of families and staff, contributing meaningfully to the PTO's ability to support its mission.

   $4,836 spent$7,418 earned by the program
   5% of program spending

9. International Day (October 2024) International Day, held in October 2024, was a vibrant celebration of the diverse cultures represented within the school community. Organized in cooperation with the school, this event brought together families from 87 different nationalities to share their unique traditions and heritage. Key features of the event included: Food Samples: Families contributed a variety of food samples, offering a delicious taste of cuisines from around the world. Decor Pieces: The event space was adorned with decor pieces representing different cultures, creating a visually stunning and educational environment. National Costumes: Students came to school dressed in their national costumes, showcasing the beautiful and diverse traditional attire from their respective countries. Dance and Music: The day featured dance and music performances from around the world, allowing students and families to experience and appreciate different cultural expressions. Stamp Passports: Children received "passports" that they could get stamped at various cultural booths, adding an interactive and educational element to the event. Flag Parade Ceremony: The event concluded with a flag…

   $2,696 spent
   3% of program spending

The 9 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $92,603.