Minutes

Allendale Elementary PTO Minutes

September 20, 2016

The meeting was called to order by Kerri Timoney at 6:30.

In attendance

Megan Arrant, Alexis Arico, Cheryl Bassett, Karen Burgess, Colleen Devine, Judith Dobson, Shelly Frieri, Bob Heck,Lin Jamross, Brenda Kelley, Nancy Knauth, Ann Marie Krzynowek, Pete Marchetti, Jaime Panetti, Joe Potash, Jenn Powers, Amy Rayner, Nicole Russo, Nicole Seyerlein, Katie Simonelli, Kristin Steiner, Andrea Tatro, Kerri Timoney

  • President’s Report
  • Welcome/Introductions
  • Membership Dues– We collect $5 at the beginning of the year and this pays for pizza and salad for our last meeting of the year, which is held at Zucco’s.
  • Secretary Needed – main responsibility is taking meeting minutes and completing the PTO calendar. See me for more information or e-mail us.
  • Meetings for 2016-2017-
  • Sept. 20, Oct. 11, Dec. 13, Jan. 10, March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Our target is to raise $15,000 with various fundraisers which includes Box Tops, Shoparoo, Stop & Shop card, Dining-to-Donate events, and the typical catalog fundraisers. Funds raised this year will be the budget for next year.
  • Reviewed actual budget for 2015-2016 and budget breakdown for this year. The money we earn pays for field trips, in-school assemblies, yearbook, 5th grade activities, and supports teacher classrooms needs, 3rd grade Audubon program, etc.Motion to approve by Mrs. Knauth and Bob 2nd.
  • Note – Kindergarten opted out of the Suns game last year and went on an extra field trip to the Colonial instead. They also had a picnic the day of the game. Teachers and parents found this worked well since in past years the kids spent most of the time going back and forth to the restrooms.
  • PTO donated over $28,000 worth of technology (Chromebooks, carts, and iPads) over the last few years with the extra money we had in our budget. All monies we earn goes back to Allendale.
  • Book Fair is a large fundraiser for us and will be held Nov. 16-18 both during the day and at night. Scholastic News comes from our book fair sales.
  • Reminded everyone that we need a paper trail for reimbursement so forms have to be completed when requesting money.
  • There is a cash box form to be filled out when a cash box is needed for events.
  • Requests –
  • 4th grade – Colonial – Story of the Pirates
  • 2nd grade – Colonial – Story of the Pirates
  • Kindergarten – 2 Colonial trips & Albany Berkshire Ballet
  • Kerri Motionedto approve the three requests above; Shelly 2nd
  • 3rd grade – yearly Audubon Program – Kerri Motioned to approve; Jenn 2nd
  • 2nd grade – Time for Kids subscription – Jenn Motioned to approve; Mrs. Knauth 2nd
  • Even with approval from the PTO, forms need to be submitted.
  • Secretary’s Report
  • E-mail PTO with calendar happenings by Sept. 28th.
  • Committee Reports
  • Social - Alexis Arico and Nicole Russo, Co-Chairs
  • Kickball game is scheduled for Fri., Sept. 23 for 5:30. P.S. We had a great turnout!
  • Albany Devils - Price would be $15 a person if over 50 people attend, would have to drive there. All games are on Saturday at 5 p.m.; need a minimum of 15 people. Could do pizza party there before the game. They would need a deposit of $100. Decided to aim for Nov. 12thif we get enough interest. There is an opportunity, on certain dates, to sing the National Anthem if the kids are interested.
  • Would like to have a skating night at Boys and Girls Club.
  • Halloween Parade is Fri., Oct. 28th– Allendale will have a float. Volunteers are needed. Truck, trailer, and warehouse are reserved; Bay #7, same as last year. Theme is Halloweentown. Thoughts are to have a picket fence, railing, and a huge pumpkin. Movie is on Disney channel during October. We should determine ahead of time which kids will ride on the float.
  • Fundraising - Jess Schneider and Bob Heck, Co-Chairs
  • Believe Kids is underway and due Sept. 30.
  • Looking for volunteers during distribution.
  • Dining-to-donate at 99 is scheduledfor Nov. 7 – you can’t approach anyone in the restaurant, but people can come to you. Perhaps we can sell something that night so we will have a table and people will approach us.
  • Yankee Candle isscheduled for spring.
  • Box Tops – 4th grade won challenge contest
  • We collected $326.80 during this challenge and another $400 was collected in the spring.
  • We made about $1300 last year with Box Tops!
  • After School Programs – Alicia Couture, Chair
  • Homework help from High School NHS for grades 2-5 – hoping to start in Oct.
  • F.A.S.T. Sports activities – grades 1-5 – Oct.-Nov. – fliers are going home this week and must be returned no later than Oct 7th
  • Museum – grades K-2 and 3-5 – hoping to do Jan. – March
  • Art Club –Mrs. Hyman will do this again for 4th and 5th grade from Nov. 2 – April 12; cost will be $50
  • After School Cooking – working on having in March/April
  • Lego Club – Need volunteers for this to happen again this year
  • Book Fair – Colleen Devine and Jenn Powers, Co-Chairs
  • Will need volunteers for set up and during the day events.
  • Trying something new this year by having the kids create a wish list and then kids can come back with parents at night.
  • Goal is $5,000 in sales.
  • 5th Grade - Mike and Tammy Barosso, Co-Chairs
  • Have received a lot of forms granting permission for yearbook photos. Reminder to those that haven’t submitted them to return them soon.
  • Teachers’ Report
  • Off to a good start.
  • Principal’s Report
  • Started off with a great school year. Going over Positive Behavioral Support.
  • First assembly was on Fri., and went well.
  • Reading benchmarks are finishing up; should see the results soon.
  • Relocation drill to GE/SABIC is scheduled for next Thurs. the 29th along with a reunification drill. Would like to have 20 volunteers to meet their children at the Summerset Fire Station to practice the reunification portion of the drill. This would be about 10 a.m.
  • Practicing lock down drills.
  • Pittsfield Coop – Allendale’s Business Partner
  • They will supply pizza/drinks before Halloween parade.
  • Request for Boots the Fire Dog to come in for grades K-2 on Oct. 11 or 12th.
  • Will attend Teacher/Parent night for the Savings Makes Sense program. This program is usually for 3rd grade and above but will expand it to the whole school this year. To open an account you need an initial deposit of $5.
  • Will supply a Kindle for the Reading Challenge program.
  • Will supply ice cream and fixings for 5th grade fundraiser again this year at Excellence Night in May.
  • Thank you Pete!

Thank you all for coming!

Next Meeting

Tuesday, October 11 at 6:30 p.m. (Jenn will facilitate the meeting in Kerri’s absence.)

Submitted by Kerri Timoney – Sept. 24, 2016