Ortega Elementary School PTO
1283 Terra Nova Blvd. Pacifica, CA 94044
Office 650-738-6670
What is a Read-A-Thon?
​Ortega’s Read-A-Thon is a three-week incentivized reading challenge for Ortega’s students and a fun fundraiser for Ortega Elementary School. This is a chance to foster a love of reading in our students while raising money to fund the extra enrichment programs that you love! ​
Ortega’s Read-A-Thon runs from Monday, March 2nd – Sunday, March 22nd.
Students will have 3 weeks to read and log their reading time. Reading logs must be turned in by midnight Sunday at the end of each week to qualify for weekly Individual Reading Level prizes.
All Pledges and Reading logs are due by midnight on Monday, March 23rd in order to qualify for class, school, and fundraising prizes.
Register Your Student Today!
- Go to http://pledgestar.com/ortega
- Click “Not Registered For This Year’s Event”
- Enter your (parent or guardian, not the child's) name and email address, then click “Submit”
- Follow the instructions on-screen to register participant(s) and add family and friends
**If you registered your student for PledgeStar in the past, you will have the option of importing your contacts from prior fundraisers.**
Family Literacy Night
​We are kicking off Read-A-Thon with a Family Literacy Night celebration on Monday, March 2nd, 2026 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM in the Ortega Library. There will be read-alouds, crafts, and fun with fellow Otter families.
Read-A-Thon Bookmark Contest
We will also be continuing our popular Read-A-Thon Bookmark Contest! We will select 1 winner from TK-2nd grade and 1 winner from 3rd-5th grade. Bookmark design information was sent home with your Otter this week. Submissions are due by 3pm on Thursday, February 26th. We can't wait to see what your Otter comes up with!
Reading Logs and Minimum Reading Requirements
During Read-A-Thon students will record all minutes read, both in the classroom and at home, in their online Pledgestar Reading Log. All reading counts: books, magazines, graphic novels, homework reading, etc (podcasts, audiobooks, and computer reading games do not count).
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All reading minutes must be recorded on Pledgestar by midnight Sunday at the end of each week to be eligible for weekly prizes!
Daily Reading Goals:
- TK - 2nd Grade: at least 10 mins per day
- 3rd - 5th Grade: at least 30 mins per day
Students are encouraged to do their personal best everyday!
Fundraising
This is a fundraiser!
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The Ortega Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) raises funds for important projects and programs at our school. The money raised at our Read-A-Thon is used to
- Fully Fund Scholastic News for the entire school at an annual cost of $3000 to $3500
- 5% of the money raised goes to the Library
- Remaining funds support enrichment programs at Ortega: Art Instructor, Garden Science Instructor, P.E., teacher funds, school supplies, community events, and more!
Ortega is using the web-based fundraising system: PLEDGESTAR to make donating easy for families. Request pledges from family, neighbors and friends directly by using this online tool!
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Company Matching:
Corporate Matching is a key part of Ortega PTO’s fundraising program. Many companies will match non-profit donations or donate to a non-profit for employees volunteer hours. Please inquire with your employer about a COMPANY MATCH and VOLUNTEER HOUR DONATIONS!
Check and cash donations can be brought to the office and turned in to Ms. Jenny.
Prizes
All prizes can be found on the Pledgestar page.
There are weekly individual prizes, as well as class and school-wide prizes!
Some examples are:
- Ortega Bracelet and Pencil
- Free Popsicle Passes
- Lunch with Ms Shauna and a friend
- an Ortega Spirit Wear t-shirt
- school-wide Pajama Day and Crazy Hair Day
- Extra Recess!
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Every minute read counts! But make sure you're updating your Reading Log on PledgeStar!
Reading Minutes By Grade
** Readers that earn the status of “Gold Reader” all 3 weeks will have their picture taken and placed in the school hallway on our “We Love Reading” Wall of Fame Wall!