VFMS PTO Meeting Minutes, February 7, 2023

Attendance: President Lucy Bennett, Alora Chirchick, Amy Saylor, Amy Terlecki, Jenny Ham-Roberts, Emily Carteen, Erika Dawson, Rachel Kramer, Anjali Gupta, Laura Olah, Lisa G., Lesley Farrell

Lucy Bennett – President Update

Introductions
Motion to approve Minutes from last month’s meeting – Minutes approved!
January Leadership Social Report
- Was not great turnout for January social
February Leadership Social Information
- Will try for February 16
- Looking for comments as to interest in socials
Looking toward next year’s PTO and thinking about positions
- Would like to have board approved by June, 2023, so please begin to think of positions in which you may be interested
- Aim to diversify board positions so that more persons can experience each position

Mr. Gibson was unable to attend tonight’s meeting, so no principal report

Reports from PTO members

Fundraising: Emily Carteen & Amy Saylor-Spirit Wear, Tiles, Flyers tickets

Flyer’s Tickets
- Flyer’s Family Night Fundraiser – Sold 43 Tickets, with $5.00 back to PTO per ticket ($215.00 profit)
- Regular Flyer’s Games – Sold 23 tickets with $5.00 back per ticket. Last game is April 11, so still a lot of time for purchasing tickets
Philadelphia Union
- Flash sale with Philadelphia Union was very successful!
- Sold 236 tickets – with $5.00 back per ticket ($1,180.00 profit!)
Restaurant family night fundraisers
- Amy has been contacting HG and Crumble Cookie but gotten no response; she will continue to try. If anyone has other suggestions of places that will do a family night fundraiser, please let Amy know
Ceiling Tile Fundraiser
- No confirmed date yet
- School has agreed to provide tiles. PTO only to provide paint and brushes
- Placement of tiles still TBD
Spirit Wear Store
- Being built now with Anchors Away
- Will have launch date soon
- Limited to 12 items to carry in store
- Spring items have been added

Volunteers: Amy Saylor

8th grade move up breakfast to be held February 8, 2023

Treasurer: Anjali Gupta

Shared and explained Excel Spreadsheet listing all monies raised by PTO and all monies expended for the year
Close to meeting target on Direct Donations and directory sales
Amazon Smile is shutting down program after February 20, 2023; will no longer be able to raise monies through that in future
Still monies available for Golden Apple Grants
Anjali is working on tax filing

Cultural Arts: Amy Terlecki & Alora Chirchick- Nathan Hale visit

Nathan Hale
- Author Nathan Hale is coming to school next week
- Book sale through Main Point Books will be kept open for one week after event
6th Grade Assembly
- Scheduled for March 3, 2023
- “History of American Pop Music” Will explain music trends and how they reflect history
5th grade Assembly
- Scheduled for March 23, 2023
- Will be on Ancient Egypt
8th grade Assembly
- Holocaust program scheduled for April 12, 2023
7^th Grade Assembly
- Scheduled for April 17, 2023
- Will be on American Revolution

Green Team: Laura Olah

Recycling program going well
Laura has emptied bins twice already
In warmer weather, may fade out battery collection if must continue to do it outdoors
- May try to do inside battery collection in small bin (possibly put under table in front hall so not an obstruction in hallway). Will discuss with Mr. Gibson

BUILD T/E: Laura Olah -no report

Communications: Judy Reiter – no report

DEI: Erika Dawson & Jenny Ham-Roberts

Erika – planning for next community conversation. Topic TBD. Open to suggestions – please email Jenny and Erika
Tentative date -Thursday, February 23, 2023 in evening: 6:30pm -8:30pm. Erika will request VFMS library for that date.
Amy S. suggested bullying as topic with focus on bullying because of differences among children
- Erika – could have professional come in to discuss the effects of bullying, including physically, emotionally, on brain development, etc., and also to explain to parents how to address this topic with your children
- Lucy – UNITE is bullying program that runs in middle school but many parents do not know about it
  - Can ask Principal Gibson to share more information with parents as to what lessons UNITE is teaching children so parents can reinforce at home
- Laura Olah – VFMS parents want more information from school guidance counselors/staff as to confidence, bullying, social programs, etc. (things other than sports)
- School is having staff training on the topic of micro-aggressions and bullying to help staff address these issues with students
District has diversity meeting – February 15, 2023 at 7pm. Encouraged parents to attend