CANS PTO

Hello!

I'm Aaron Windeler, and I'll be your PTO President for the 2025–26 school year. After serving four years as Communications Chair, I'm excited to be back and involved again. My son has been at CANS since pre-K (back when it was at Rising Star on Vine), so I've seen firsthand how special this school community is.

Joining me as Vice President is Jeff Steller, a healthcare strategist at Children's Hospital and a proud CANS parent of two. Jeff and I are both board game nerds with strong opinions—so if you ever want a heated debate about cooperative mechanics vs. hidden roles, we're your guys.

We're thrilled to have the rest of last year's PTO board returning:

• Peter Adams as Communications Chair

• Chris Flores as Treasurer

• Justine Balash as Recording Secretary

They're a phenomenal team and have done amazing work keeping the PTO running smoothly and supporting our school.

We also want to acknowledge the incredible efforts of past PTO boards—we're building on a strong foundation. While you'll see a few schedule tweaks this year, many beloved events like Culture Fest, Fine Arts Night, and basketball are here to stay. They're clear home runs we're proud to continue.

Our main goal this year is to make PTO participation easier and more accessible. That means:

• Clearly defined roles, so you know exactly what you're signing up for

• Smaller, flexible commitments, to fit busy schedules

When kids see their parents and guardians volunteering, it sends a powerful message that school matters—and from personal experience, it's also a great way to make real adult friends.

Looking forward to a great year together,
Aaron Windeler
PTO President, 2025–26

About the PTO

What is a PTO?

The CANS PTO (parent/teacher organization) is a group of caregivers, teachers, and staff who work together to support and enhance the experience of students. The PTO organizes events, raises funds to support teachers and extracurriculars, manages volunteers, and provides a way for caregivers to provide feedback.

Who can participate in the PTO?

Anyone who is connected to CANS can come to PTO meetings! More people in attendance means better representation for students.

When and where does the PTO meet?

Meetings are held at CANS, typically either in the cafeteria or the auditorium. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the start time. Dates for 2024-2025 PTO meetings are below!

What happens at PTO meetings?

Meetings typically start with a presentation by Principal Zoller covering recent news, statistics, and events surrounding the school and CPS in general. This is a great opportunity to ask questions.

After the presentation, the PTO and LSDMC groups split off. Participants discuss current and future plans and listen to feedback.

Is child care available?

Yes! Child care is available at the CRC. Advance sign-up is required.

I heard pizza is served at meetings, is this true?

The rumors are true - Adriatico's pizza is provided for hungry participants at each PTO meeting. 🍕