Valleyview PTO Meeting Minutes

From October 4, 2016 at 6:30pm

Attended by: Walt Baskin, Erika Heller, Anne Gregory,Julie Shelp, Michele Wilson, Cindy Lehr, Sara Joyner, Michele Temming, Dayle Allen, Marilyn Bailey, Jenn Sorensen, Bhala Jones

  1. Treasurer’s Report:Checking Balance$4,760.42

Savings Balance$8,200.36

Total Balance$13,010.78

  1. Agenda Items:
  • Event Coordinators/Volunteering: Michele Ianelli-Rubin is organizing the volunteer list and it will be available next week. We are currently seeking coordinators for the teacher luncheon in June, the yearbook, and the spring talent shows.
  • Cultural Heritage Night has been scheduled for May 19th and will feature a performance choreographed by Bhala Jones. Michele Wilson and Karina Walker are coordinating this event.
  • Julie Shelp and Jenn Sorensen have volunteered to coordinate 5th grade graduation in June.
  • The K-2 Talent Show is scheduled for April 7th and the 3-5 Talent Show is scheduled for May 11th. If you are interested in coordinating the talent show, please contact a member of the PTO.
  • Fundraising: Cindy Lehr presented information regarding how much money we earned from each fundraiser last year.
  • It was decided that we would not continue with Holiday Craft Fair as it was not well attended last year.
  • T-shirt sales have been successful and Cindy suggested doing a fall sale of knit hats, headbands, and cinch sacks as well as a spring shirt sale. A flyer will be sent home next week.
  • The Holiday Restaurant Gift Card fundraiser is also very successful and will continue. We will try to expand by contacting new restaurants in the area and reaching out to Destination Oneonta as a resource.
  • Our new fundraiser will be Gertrude Hawk sales in the spring.
  • Mr. Baskin was contacted by Erin Yelich regarding a possible fundraising opportunity with the Binghamton Senators. He will have more information at the next meeting.
  • Reading Program Funds: Julie Shelp presented information on a reading program that she used with her students last year called Nessy. It is an online program designed for students with deficits in reading/spelling. She was able to access it last year through a free trial but requested PTO funds to help her purchase a one-year subscription to use this year. The PTO gladly agreed to purchase 15 licenses at a cost of $970.00.
  • Backpack Program Update: Michele Wilson contacted Walmart about donating backpacks for the program. They have agreed to donate but requested a written request.

Miscellaneous Items

  • BJ’s: Valleyview received 100 free books through the BJ’s Adopt-A-School program. Thank you BJ’s!
  • Price Chopper Tools for Schools: The sign-up period ended last week and we currently have over 20,000 points available. There are many items available for purchase through this program. Thank you to everyone who signed up!
  • Bhala Jones:Bhala met with the PTO to discuss her after-school dance program. It was agreed that she would have eight sessions this fall/winter that would end with a performance at the December community assembly. The cost to the PTO will be $40/week.
  • American Legion: The American Legion donated several flags to the district. The PTO would like to extend a special thank you to them and will be sending a $50 donation.
  • Retirements: Teacher retirements were discussed for the current school year.
  • Orpheus Theater: Orpheus will be presenting Annie in December. Jeff Gardner has 292 tickets available for VV students at a cost of $5/ticket. Since tickets are limited this year, only grades 2-5 will attend. The PTO discussed sponsoring another activity for grades K-1 later in the year.
  • Yearbook: Jenn Sorensen is working on the yearbook through Entourage and has already made the necessary deposit. We discussed having the 5th graders design the cover, perhaps with the help of the art department (Sue Morell, Lee Ann Myers, Keirsten Jennings). Once the pictures are uploaded, Jenn will know how many pages we will have. Happy Ads will be ¼ page only. Julie Shelp volunteered to help with the yearbook this year.
  • Science Night: Leslie Picinich will be leading a science night on December 8th from 6-7:30. A math night is also planned for the spring.
  • Movie Night: The first movie night will be October 21st at 6:00 pm. Food donations will be accepted at the door. We will be showing three short Halloween films.

Next PTO Meeting: Tuesday,November 1st at 6:30 in the library. Come join us!