- Call Meeting to Order – by EL 7:10pm
- Introductions – attendance: Emily LeTourneau (EL), Tina Saunders, Allison Hill, Many Shonak, Chris Castonguay, Erin Grimes, Holly Martello, Heather Modzelewski, Stacey Brown, Kathy Hoague, Tina Suter, Clay Krevolin, Lisa Horan, Brittany Dwyer.
- Secretary’s Report
- Reading & Approval of Minutes – read & approved by Allison Hill, 2nd by Mandy Shonak
- Reading & Approval of Minutes – read & approved by Allison Hill, 2nd by Mandy Shonak
- Treasurer’s Report
- Review & Approval of Monthly Reports – attach report; reviewed & approved by Stacey Brown, 2nd Allison Hill.
- New report presented by Chris Castonguay; will do recap ½ through school year and end of school year. “Somers PTO Budget Analysis”.
- Budget for next year will be reviewed with outgoing and incoming President(s). Will then bring to all members for approval.
- New report presented by Chris Castonguay; will do recap ½ through school year and end of school year. “Somers PTO Budget Analysis”.
- Field trip assistance form – possibly for next year
- Surplus year – idea from Emily L to use the surplus from this year to fund 16/17; then funds from 16/17 to fund 17/18..so on and so forth so that President’s/ Principals can plan in August in terms of available funds for the school year.
- Chris mentioned that these past few years have been the first years in a long time with a positive budget. Thanks to those who fundraise and to all committee chairs that help keep costs low.
- Review & Approval of Monthly Reports – attach report; reviewed & approved by Stacey Brown, 2nd Allison Hill.
- Elections
- Nominations:
- Co-Presidents: Mandy Shonak & Erin Grimes; voted/ approved by All.
- Co-Vice Presidents: Tina Suter & Tina Saunders (Tina & Tina stated that they did not have time to take a board position next year and did not want to be included in the election) or Heather Modzelewski & Stacey Brown; voted/ approved by All.
- Treasurer: Chris Castonguay; voted; approved by All.
- Co-Secretaries: Jen Hale & Pat Clark (Pat for the 1st ½ of the year only); voted/ approved by All.
- Any additional nominations from the floor? – N/A
- Voting – all approved.
- Co-Presidents: Mandy Shonak & Erin Grimes; voted/ approved by All.
- Nominations:
- Committee Reports
- New Business
- Town Budget passed yesterday per Clary Krevolin – wonderful that all that work has been done. Support from the community is great, a lot of a less painful process than prior school districts. Very small voter turnout. Per Lisa Horn/ severe cuts back in 2009 and one teacher per grade were lost. Citizens for Somers Educational Excellence formed after that and have been spreading the word since. Much education went into getting it to the point that it is in now.
- Town Budget passed yesterday per Clary Krevolin – wonderful that all that work has been done. Support from the community is great, a lot of a less painful process than prior school districts. Very small voter turnout. Per Lisa Horn/ severe cuts back in 2009 and one teacher per grade were lost. Citizens for Somers Educational Excellence formed after that and have been spreading the word since. Much education went into getting it to the point that it is in now.
- Events/ Programs (upcoming)
- Book Fair – BOGO only at SES– next week; Allison sending up sign up for volunteers to help. Need volunteers during the day. Starts Wednesday; Chris to provide cash boxes.
- Carnival – Erin Grimes praying for no rain/ most of the vendors cannot come 5/21. Friday 5/20 5:30 – 8:00. Need more middle school teachers for dunk tank volunteers. Emily will help with Erin on sign up genius.
- Field Day lunch – Brittany Dwyer will change slightly. Less hot dogs, popcorn only – Smartfood, more watermelon, ice pops are in the freezer. Need additional volunteers ; have 7 now; need 10. Brittany will get the word out.
- Book Fair – BOGO only at SES– next week; Allison sending up sign up for volunteers to help. Need volunteers during the day. Starts Wednesday; Chris to provide cash boxes.
- Cultural Enrichment – new committee chair: Christina Krzywicki
- Fundraising
- Field Day t-shirts – late this year, trying to gather all the orders. Can we do this earlier this year? All orders need to be in by Friday. Lots going on, very hectic! We need to change approach next year. Thank you Brittany!!!
- Field Day t-shirts – late this year, trying to gather all the orders. Can we do this earlier this year? All orders need to be in by Friday. Lots going on, very hectic! We need to change approach next year. Thank you Brittany!!!
- New Business
- General Discussion
- Thank you’s from teacher appreciation weeks. – Thanks to the teacher luncheon and teacher appreciation committees. Thank you to Erin Grimes & Tina Saunders for all that they did.
- Donations from Hallmark were much appreciated. – Thank you Erin, Stacey & Linda Ford!
- Donations from Hallmark were much appreciated. – Thank you Erin, Stacey & Linda Ford!
- E-mails (Emily took the time to add to the agenda so that everyone could share in the appreciation): - many appreciated Tina for her efforts.
- Thank you’s from teacher appreciation weeks. – Thanks to the teacher luncheon and teacher appreciation committees. Thank you to Erin Grimes & Tina Saunders for all that they did.
- Please be sure to thank everyone for all the efforts that went into Teacher Appreciation week and tokens of appreciation all week that were shown by students and parents to our teachers, paraprofessionals and tutors. In addition, please thank all those who helped with the luncheon. It was greatly appreciated by all who partook in the delicious food. Best – Jennifer Oliver
- On behalf of our Sixth Grade Team, and my colleagues here at MBA, I'd like to thank the PTO for your beautiful and unexpected gift bag. Teachers are abuzz with the thought of delivered supplies to our boxes! Thank you again - Mr. M~
- I wanted to thank the PTO for the wonderful lunch that was put together for the teachers at MBA. There was a lot of thought and effort and time put into this lunch from the decorations to the food as well as the homemade desserts. Everything was outstanding! Please send my thoughts to all of the parents that worked so hard to prepare this beautiful lunch, it was appreciated by all. Thank you again, Sue Koulisis, art teacher-MBA
- Hello - I just wanted to send a quick thanks for putting together a great lunch yesterday. It was a nice treat! John Gieras!
- Thank you so much for the amazing lunch spread you put together! Teacher's morale makes a tremendous difference on student learning. The positive and supportive environment here is to be treasured! And the food was tremendous too. – Marika Kraus
- Thank you so much to all the ladies for the amazing lunch yesterday! There was so much we had leftovers today! So yummy, Christine Hillebrech
- On behalf of my fellow colleagues I would like to extend a sincere thank you for the PTO's show of appreciation for teachers this afternoon. The delicious spread of savory dishes and mouth-watering desserts were simply sublime. I personally am about to mow my lawn (push mower) twice just to fit into my new suit for my daughter's wedding. As for your support for Stargirl, the show is only days away and I know we couldn't have done it without the PTO's generous donation and support at a recent SEF meeting. Thank you for all that you do! Best - Mark Maciolek
- Questions/ Suggestions
- Facebook – Emily updated Editors and Admins to those Board members and committee chairs who had requested access.
- Teacher luncheon – Tina Saunders will not be volunteering next year/ need new committee chair. Tina also stated there was confusion over the budget. Tina thought the budget was $1500, but stated that Emily confirmed at a “late date” that it was $700. Tina asked about the budget at the last PTO meeting, and the information was not available so Emily confirmed 2 days later via e-mail. Emily noted for future reference the budget is always approved early in the year. Chris C’s new report should help to keep all committee chairs on track. Tina was able to stay within the $700 budget with food and monetary donations. Tina noted her concerns about keep the lunch and making it great for all SES & MBA teachers…all in attendance could not agree more.
- Committee Chairs – all committee chairs should be contacted and confirmed that they will be committing for 16/17 school year. Brittany Dwyer, Emily LeTourneau & Caitlin Cooke will be chairing fundraisers.
- Used stuffed animals being collected – collecting in the SES main office.
- Facebook – Emily updated Editors and Admins to those Board members and committee chairs who had requested access.
- Next Meeting Date – June 8th? – confirmed.
- Questions/ Suggestions
- Adjournment – Stacy Brown, all adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by Emily LeTourneau