Valley Forge Middle School PTO

Parent-Teacher Organization for VFMS

Posted on:

January 12, 2021

Meeting commenced at 7:00 PM

 In attendance were:

  •   Un Kyong Ho
  •   Amy Terlecki 
  •   Megan Edwards
  •   Judy Reiter
  •    Kusuma Muglurmath
  •    Michelle Iwachiw
  •    Versha Shah
  •    Heather McConnell

Call to order

Treasury report – Michelle Iwachiw

  • Direct donations have come in.
  • Once we put away our reserve amount of $13,000, some amount will be left over.
  • Directory sales are continuing.
  • Working on accounting the amounts. Once finalized, I will share it with the board.
  • Un Kyong: We can use some of the reserve for the website revamp.

President’s updates – Un Kyong Ho

  • Spoke with TE President about our first community event.
  • Planning for an event in February with Anita Friday on the history of segregation in our community.
  • Kate Schatz donated $400 – the extra proceeds from her talk to VFMS and TE PTO.
  • Eying a chocolate site in West Chester for Valentine’s day fundraising.
  • Valley Forge Builder’s club is trying to raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma society.
  • They are soliciting gift cards as prizes for winners of Virtual Bingo to raise money.
  • Tracy at TE middle is asking if we want to join the Green Initiative.
  • They collect recycling items to go to the green building project.
  • As part of this, information needs to be disseminated to elementary schools.
  • A drop off box needs to be created at VFMS.
  • She is looking to find interested volunteers.
  • Will send this info to the blast to find out if anyone is interested.

Cultural Events report – Amy Terlecki and Megan Edwards

  • Working with teachers and authors to organize author visits.
  • The cost of one event is $500 and for two is $800.
  • Waiting for authors’ confirmation.
  • Communicated with Dr, Melba Beals, the author of “Warriors Don’t Cry”.
  • Waiting for her response.
  • We are well in budget for the events.
  • Working to find out plans for 5th and 7th grades.
  • Both grades like to use Kit’s Interactive Theater.
  • Also working with Dr. Rothera on the dates.

Fundraising report – Versha Shah and Heather McConnell

  • Launched Chipotle fundraiser. We will be paid if we hit $150.
  • Can we send out a reminder regarding this in the blast?
  • We should also share it with grade level PTO web pages.
  • Completed setting up the Scripps account in December.
  • Contacted a small bakery in Exton for a fundraiser in Feb.
  • Planning a virtual marathon for March/April.
  • We should market Scripps for Valentine’s day.
  • We must send out a blast to 4th grade families for Spirit wear sale for their incoming 5th graders.
  • We need to come up with a plan for the Teachers Luncheon in May.
  • We should explore both food and non food options.
  • Must raise funds for the event around spring break.
  • We should check with Mr. Gibson regarding food policy this year.
  • We can feature the event in the PTO blast to find out if any local businesses are interested in catering for the event.

Meeting concluded at 8:15 PM.