Supporting Our Kids.

Supporting Our Schools.

Welcome to the Elmira Heights Parent Faculty Organization!

We bring families, teachers, and the community together to enrich student learning and support our schools. Through events, classroom contributions, and faculty appreciation, we create opportunities for connection, celebration, and growth across all three schools (Cohen Elementary, Cohen Middle, and TAE).

Explore our page to learn more about what we do and how you can get involved!

About Us ▸

What We Do

Family Events

We host fun evening events to bring students, families, and faculty together to build community and school spirit. From seasonal celebrations to our year end carnival, we strive to create lasting memories and enrich students school experience.

Examples of Events :

  • Middle School Fall Festival (Support)

  • Cougar Costume Party (Host)

  • Valentine’s Dance (Host)

  • Cohen Carnival (Host)

Learn More ▸

Staff Appreciation

We’re proud to celebrate the incredible teachers and staff who work so hard to make our schools exceptional. Through appreciation days, special treats, and thoughtful gestures, we show gratitude for their dedication and the lasting impact they have on our children.

Examples of Past Appreciation:

  • Back to School District Luncheon

  • Teacher Week Coffee Cart

  • Administrative Professionals’ Day Gift

  • Bus Driver Appreciation Day Gifts

Student Support

We’re committed to supporting teachers and students in the classroom every day. The PFO helps fund extra supplies, contributes to the positive behavior reward program, and provides resources for class field trips and other enrichment activities that make learning more engaging and fun.

Examples of Past Support:

  • Classroom Supplies Requests

  • TAE Hamilton Trip

  • Field Day Bounce Houses & Ice Cream

  • Holiday Cookies & Candy Canes

❊ Testimonials

Hear how the PFO’s support has made a difference for students, educators, and the school community.

“I would like to thank you for your generous retirement gift and kind words!  It was a wonderful surprise! Thank you for all you have done for our elementary school and our classrooms. Your support has provided us with needed supplies as well as some of the fun things in life that we would like all children to enjoy!”

— 4th Grade Teacher

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“It was so very thoughtful of the entire PFO to organize the goodie bags, gift card and pizza treat to celebrate teachers this week.  I am so very grateful to work in a place that appreciates and supports us.  The PFO has always been an amazing part of our school that truly cares about students and staff.  Thank you again!”

— EHSD Teacher

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“We had an amazing day"

“It was a lot of fun taking this amazing group of girls!”

“We had so much fun!”

“A HUGE shout out to our school and the Elmira Heights PFO for making the trip possible.”

— Quotes from TAE Anatomy Class Trip to Body Worlds

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❊ FAQs

You’ve got questions,
we’ve got answers

  • The PFO is a volunteer-led nonprofit organization that connects families, teachers, and the community to support our three schools through events, classroom funding, and faculty appreciation.

  • We fund our activities through donations, our annual Gertrude Hawk fundraiser, ticket sales, and merchandise sales. Every dollar goes back into hosting events, and supporting students, classrooms, and staff.

  • Residents of the Elmira Heights School District (EHSD), parents or guardians of children enrolled in EHSD, and faculty/staff are welcome to join the PFO.

    We offer two memberships: voting and honorary. Voting members pay $5 per year to have voting rights and the option to hold an Executive Board position. Honorary members can participate in discussion, but do not have voting ability nor can they join the Executive Board.

  • Not at all! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to get involved, to include parents, guardians, teachers, and community members alike. Our group includes people from many different backgrounds and viewpoints, all united by one mission: to support our kids, teachers, and schools. Whether you can give time, ideas, or resources, there’s a place for you in the PFO!

  • You don’t need to be a member to help! Volunteers are always welcome for events. Send us an email at info@elmiraheightspfo.org to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

  • All of our events have free admission. We do charge for some items such as food (pizza, chips, candy), drinks, raffle baskets and merchandise.

    For our dance events we provide fruit, a cookie, games, and activities at no cost.

    For Carnival, we do charge for games and activities.

  • We welcome several hundred attendees at our events, and providing activities, games, music, and entertainment can be costly. To help cover these expenses, we charge a modest price for food. Our goal is simply to break even, with any extra funds directly given back to supporting our students, teachers, and schools.

  • Yes! We are a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit corporation, which means any donation is deductible on your tax returns. Our EIN is 83-3518698.

  • You can donate directly through this website, at an event, or drop off a check to the Cohen Elementary office (we have a mailbox there). Checks can be made out to Elmira Heights PFO.