TVMS Parent Involvement Council
September 5, 2017 Meeting Minutes
Meeting was called to order at 7:07pm byTara Shreiner.
Attendees: Tara Shreiner, Dawn Koller,Denise Siegle, Tina Duplass, Jennifer Bell, Amanda Black, Allison Bolt, Cathy Crisi, Sandy Deemer, Eileen Dioguardo, Mandy Hinkel, Jennifer Hostetler, Vicki Iannetta, Michelle Karczeski, Amanda Karwic, Lorraine Lamborn, Doug Metcalfe, Michelle Mindziak, Tracy Phillips, Kevin Smith, Erin Smith,Andrew Stine, April Trego, Deb Troutman, Renee Utz, Laura Vilardo, Sue Wetzel, Jessica Zeigler-Cihlar, Mrs. Boyer, Dr. Catagnus
Secretary’s Report: May meeting minutes were reviewed and approved byAmanda Black; seconded by Erin Smith.
Treasurer’s Report: Reviewed and approved by Amanda Black; seconded by Deb Troutman. Tara Shreiner reviewed this year’s approved budget of $35,000. PIC was approved as a 501-C-3 non-profit organization. Thank you to Chris Koller for all that he did to help PIC get our tax exempt status!
Principal’s Report:
Mrs. Boyer(5/6 Principal) reported:
*Part of PIC’s School Improvement Fund (from end of last year) is being used to purchase furniture for various common areas within the school. These areas will be used as a collaborative space for teachers and students. Additional benches are also being purchased with some of the money. Approximately $4,500 will be spent on the furniture.
*MS Community Day was held on 8/31—the students participated in school-wide team building activities and completed an art project that will be used for International Peace Day on 9/21. All students will be receiving a t-shirt on 9/21 as part of the day’s celebration.
Dr. Catagnus(7/8 Principal) reported:
*Back to School Night is scheduled for 9/7. There will be an Information Center in the cafeteria from 5 to 6pm. Drop-in time is 6 to 6:30pm. Parents will rotate through the four regular sessions from 6:30 to 8:30pm.
*Middle school sports started the first week of school for the 7th and 8th graders.
*TVMS is applying again this year to the “Schools to Watch” program; we had participated in this program two years ago. It is a school-improvement/recognition program and our school hopes to receive the national designation of being a “School to Watch”. TVMS will be evaluated later this year.
Old Business:
*There is no old business to report.
New Business:
*PIC will not be using the Google form for volunteer sign-ups this year. Instead, all parents will receive an email asking for volunteers prior to each school event/grade level activity night. Any parents interested in volunteering will be asked to contact PIC (via email ).
*Grade Level Activity Nights: Parent volunteer sign-up forms were passed around for the first three events, since they are coming up in the next two months. An email blast will still be sent to parents.
*5/6 Grade Point Parent Program: Dawn Koller spoke about this program—she is looking for one or two parents from each class to act as a “communication liaison” between the teacher and class parents. A point parent will periodically check with the teacher to assess their needs or the classroom needs (volunteers, copying, donations…). Please contact Dawn at if you are interested in becoming a point parent for your child’s class.
*Mini-Grants: The mini-grant committee will meet around the last week of September to review and approve the grant applications. PIC provides each teacher the opportunity to apply for an individual mini-grant of $200.00 and there are also four grade-level grants for $750.00 each that may be given out as well. Please contact Tara Shreiner if you are interested in helping with this committee.
*CherryDale Farms Fundraiser: This is PIC’s largest fundraiser and it offers a wide variety of items to purchase from their catalog. Last year’s sales brought in a profit close to $18,000! The sale of 10 items allows a student to attend the Mega Party event and the sale of 30 items allows a student to participate in the Limo Lunch. This year’s kick-off assembly is scheduled for 10/5 and product distribution is 11/20. We will need parent volunteers to help with this fundraiser.
*Yearbook: PIC will be using the Image Share APP by Balfour this year to insert pictures into the yearbook site. PIC’s project # is 813252. Parents will be emailed details about downloading the APP and creating an account—both parents and students are encouraged to send in pictures that may be used in the yearbook via the Image Share APP—it is easy and user friendly.
*Box Tops: Mandy Hinkel is overseeing the committee again this year. There is no longer a “Labels for Education” program, but PIC will receive a $50 Visa gift card for last year’s labels. PIC made $765.00 last year from box tops and 6th grade won the grade level collection contest. This year’s first submission date is 11/1 and please mark your child’s grade on the bag when you send in box tops. There will be a collection box in the office and in the library. PIC also participates in the Giant Rewards Program-- you can register your Giant Bonus Card online and link it to TVMS and PIC will receive a check in the spring for the rewards program.
*Other business: There was a short discussion concerning the school dress code.
Next PIC meeting: Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 7:00 pm in MS library
Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm
Respectfully submitted by: Tina Duplass, PIC Secretary