BEN FRANKLIN PTO GENERAL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 – 7:00PM
BEN FRANKLIN CAFETERIA
CALL TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order by Caitlin Metzler, PTO President. The meeting had begun with a meet and greet for parents to mingle and the PTO Board to interact with attendees.
GUEST SPEAKER
Joe Consolmagno., Metz Food Service General Manager
412-854-8754
Joe explained a bit about the cafeteria and food options.
BPSD is required to follow the National School Lunch Program.
BPSD has been “nut free” in food service for 2 years.
“Sunbutter” (sunflower seed butter) is used in place
Children with allergies to foods have a designated “ALLERGY FREE” table at which to sit
is the online account service for children to have funds deposited into a meal payment system.
Account can be funded online via link up to a checking account or credit card, or with paper checks made out to BPSD turned in with student
Food allergies have been shared from the nurse/office Emergency Cards with the cafeteria – when a student “checks out,” an “Allergy Alert” notification appears on cashier’s screen
Any balance or debt at end of current school year will transfer to next school year
If a parent would like to set restrictions on items student may purchase, please contact Joe
There are free and reduced fee lunch applications available
Help Wanted
Metz Food Service is hiring
2-3 hours a day in cafeteria
Needs to hire substitutes to back fill as needed in 8 schools around the BPSD
Please call or email Joe if interested
YEARBOOK
Marsha Burt is heading up the yearbook again this year
As last year, PTO will provide a paperback yearbook to all students at no cost
A custom cover will be designed again this year
Dedications will be offered to help offset the cost to the PTO
Parents can pay for an upgrade to a hard cover, personalize with student’s name, purchase sticker sheets, purchase a small magazine insert with current year’s trends
Photos are welcome to be sent in from school parties, first day of school, events, etc.
Please send digital photos to
Some smart phone pictures are not in a high enough quality format, so please check before sending
MRS. DOUMONT, PRINCIPAL
Discussed that Ben Franklin is a Title I School, distributed handout that explains more about this
HAWK TIME is a new district wide concept planned for a November 2016 roll-out
This program will use 40 minutes of the school day for focused, individualized instruction in English/Language Arts (ELA) and Math
Requirements of time for Science, Social Studies, ELA and Math, as well as time used for Specials and Lunch/Recess, will not be affected
More info to come
Magazine Subscription/Emoji Assembly
An assembly was held during lunch to share with students a potential way to fundraise for the Library
Students fill out the postcards with names/addresses of family or friends
Not a PTO sponsored event
CAITLIN METZLER, PTO PRESIDENT
The Ben Franklin PTO is going “paperless” this year
All “papers” will be available via website and Facebook
Facebook – Ben Franklin PTO Bethel Park, PA – a closed group
Only papers that will go home are those that need returned
The PTO will be using a new email program to communicate with parents and families
Please let us know if you’d like an additional email address listed (for more than one parent, etc.)
Volunteering
Volunteers are always needed
Not everything requires clearances
Several “behind the scenes” ways to volunteer
If volunteering (“staffing”) an official school event, either during school day or after school, volunteer MUST have clearances on file with the district and wear badge in plain sight.
A badge/clearances are not required to attend any school event with student
Open house, Cookies with Santa, Bingo, Spirit Nights, etc
Please read Vicki Flotta’s emails from BPSD for information regarding obtaining clearances and for guidelines and rules of conduct for volunteers
Committee Forms/Sign Ups
Forms were distributed at the end of last school year, and this year for incoming Kindergarten parents.
Committee forms are available on the website. If you have an interest in volunteering for a committee, please see –
Helping Franklin Families
The Ben Franklin PTO would like to know if you know of any Franklin family who is in need of support.
Runners Assembly
Mrs. Bruckner won an assembly for Thursday, September 15, 2016
World class runners will come and speak to the students
Students who have run with the Franklin Flyers or in the Pittsburgh Kids Marathon are asked to wear their t-shirts to school that day
KAREN MASZTAK, PTO CO-VICE PRESIDENT
Rock wall update - it is almost ready, rocks still need to be installed
Open House
Wednesday, September 28, 2016 – 6:30pm- 8:00pm
There will be NO BAKE SALE at Open House
Light refreshments will be provided by the PTO
There will be NO GIFT BASKET RAFFLES at Open House
There WILL be a 50/50 Raffle
Spirit Wear items will be available to view
STEPHANIE ROMITO, PTO TREASURER
In an effort to go paperless, please refer to “Forms and Financials” area, where documentation of the financial information will be posted
Last school year was productive in regards to fundraising, PTO was able to add to the reserve fund
PTO purchased an online version of Quicken Books to assist with accounting
PTO has received 501(c)(3) Non Profit status
PTO has received Tax Exempt status
Items that are purchased for the school and students are geared toward providing benefits for years to come
The rock wall can be added on with additional panels and accessories
Indoor Recess items
Teacher Wish List items
LEA UHL, PTO CO-VICE PRESIDENT
Fundraisers
Spirit Nights
A portion of sales at participating businesses is donated to the Ben Franklin PTO
Rita’s Italian Ice September 9, 2016
Raised $90
Chick Fil A, Rt 19 next to Trader Joe’s
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Students will come home with a sticker as a reminder
Bruegger’s Bagels, South Park Shoppes
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Students will come home with a flyer
Must present flyer for BEN PTO to receive credit
Bake Sale
There will be NO Bake Sale at the Open House, Wednesday September 28, 2016
Working with officials to hold a Bake Sale during Election Day, as Ben Franklin is used as a polling place.
Paper Recycling Dumpster
There is a Paper Recycling Dumpster in the rear parking lot
The school recycles all permissible items
The BEN PTO is to receive payment based on weight of papers recycled
Families can bring their paper to Paper Recycle Dumpster at school
Book Fair
October 18 – 20, 2016
Committee members will be contacted to fill out the schedule of volunteers.
Night Out With a Twist (NOWT)
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Held at Bethel Park Community Center
Using Painting With a Twist
BYOB and snacks
Sign up to host a table
There will be lots of gift baskets to raffle off
50/50 raffle
Ladies night out
This event requires lots of planning and help
Please contact to volunteer
NANCY MARTIN, PTO ASSISTANT TREASURER
Family Night BINGO
Friday, October 14, 2016, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Volunteers are needed
Concessions will be sold
Gift baskets will be up for raffle
MEGAN GASTON, PTO CO-SECRETARY
CHRISTINE GUENTHER, PTO CO-SECRETARY
Community Projects
Joey Fabus – Change Matters
The jar provided by the Joey Fabus Childhood Cancer Foundation is almost full of donations from Franklin Families
This jar will be taken to the September 18, 2016 Joey Fabus Super Hero Run Over DIPG 5k Run/1 mile Walk and put on display
Donations raised go towards research and helping families of children suffering from DIPG
Future projects
Reviewing some projects to see what fits best with our abilities
If any Franklin family has suggestions, please contact Christine Guenther
In Closing
2 Chick Fil A gift card were awarded to randomly selected attendees who signed in on the roster
Spirit Wear was available to see products and designs
9/20/2016 – ACT 80 DAY, 2 HOUR DELAY
9/28/2016 – Open House, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
9/30/2016 – Spirit Wear Sale ends, order forms due by this day
10/6/2016 – Chick Fil A Spirit Night
10/7/2016 – Franklin Friday, wear your Black and Orange
10/10/2016 – INSERVICE DAY, NO SCHOOL
10/14/2016 – Bingo, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
10/18 – 20/2016 – Scholastic Book Fair, during student’s Library Special
10/26/2016 – ACT 80 DAY, 2 HOUR DELAY
10/31/2016 – Class Halloween parties
11/1/2016 – BEN PTO General Meeting, 7:00pm, Ben Franklin Cafeteria