Attendance: President Lucy Bennett, Amy Saylor, Emily Carteen, James Scott, Anjali Gupta (golden Apple Grant), Shobha Bhojwani, Josie Mosella DiZazzo, Jen Oddo, Sherry Han, Laxmi Devisetty, Anne Woodcock, Alora Chirchick, Jing Kirchner, Maziar Zavareh, Benny Kurniawan, Kamna Lohano, Heather Guerin, Sandi Mahar, Jackie Banister, Rachel Kramer, Liz Hoffman, Joann Mayo, Brian Mayo, Lesley Farrell
Mr. Gibson Report
- The school year is off to a great start!
- School fire alarm unexpectedly went off (an employee burned toast), and the children all listened and did exactly what they were supposed to. The Principal was proud of the kids
- Weather has been hot but children adjusting really well to being back in school
- They are being careful to be sure children are hydrated if they are outside
- 5th/6th and 7th/8th back to school nights were last week. Were successful and had good parent turn out.
- Upcoming happenings
- No school on Friday Sept 15
- Picture day Sept 18
- Student council organizing dance for 7-8th grades (tentative Friday Oct 13)
- May need chaperones
- ERB Exams for 6th and 8th Grades
- Tues Oct 10, Oct 11 and if need 3rd day, Oct. 12
- Ceiling Tiles
- Have begun putting them up and will continue during year Stp
- Pavillion
- Art teachers talking with children to develop theme. Considering nature, community, Valley Forge Park. Hope to wrap up later this week. Do not know what level of PTO support will be needed yet
- Handed out Flyer “Cultivate Optimism”
- Advice for children at this age for managing stress
- Principal Gibson has seen rise in anxiety among kids in last 20 years
- Kids need to be able to relax and know it is ok to make mistakes and to not be perfect. We live in area with high expectations, and kids can feel a lot of pressure
- It is important to talk with kids about being optimistic and being kind to yourself when you make a mistake (and to others too!)
- Positive self-talk is SO important
- Important to try new things and not be afraid to fail
- Parents should give kids the confidence to be able to make mistakes
Lucy Bennett – President Update
- Welcome
- Introductions
- Dec 5 PTO meeting will be changed to December 12 (the 5th is 7/8 Grade concert)
- PTO Email Blasts come out every Sunday
Reports from PTO members
Volunteers: Amy Saylor
- Open Positions
- Year-long commitments
- Assistant treasurer
- Fundraising – Need 1 or 2 volunteers
- Locker shelves
- Unfortunately, the vendor is no longer selling the shelves, so cannot do that fundraiser any more. Was the big fundraiser for the year. Need something to replace this
- Existing Fundraisers
- Car Magnets
- VFMS Stickers
- Handel’s gift cards
- Union games
- Locker Mirrors
- Main Point Books
- Can currently get books by Jennifer Nielsen – upcoming author visit
- Spirit Wear sale (with Anchors Away)
- Locker shelves
- Volunteers
- To help Amy Saylor with this year and maybe take over next year
- VP of Socials
- Haven’t done many socials since pandemic
- Volunteer would coordinate socials
- Can be parent socials or socials for kids, and any amount is ok. PTO is flexible on this. All ideas are welcome. Is info as to past events that can be referenced
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Team
- Need 2 or 3 persons
- Matt Gibson – VFMS has an equity team that meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday or Wed. of every month. PTO member would attend that meeting and would help coordinate DEI events
- Green Team
- Volunteer would work with overall district team in regard to recycling and other green initiatives.
- One-Time positions/events
- Wellness week
- Volunteer would coordinate speakers/events for Wellness week.
- Guest speakers would present during activity period for 5th and 6th grades as to healthy activities that students can use in their life to remain active and healthy.
- Volunteer would arrange 5 speakers for the week (examples, Yoga, meditation, etc).
- 5th grade math night
- Volunteer would coordinating with group at Conestoga High School. High School Students would come and give math lessons. PTO would coordinate food/budget, etc.
- Halloween Costume Contest
- Volunteer would help coordinate costume contest. Held during lunch periods.
- Teacher Appreciation Week (150 Teacher and Faculty and Staff)
- PTO fundraises for this in April
- Volunteer would coordinate food/small gifts for teachers and staff for each day of the week
- Examples- Soft pretzels, Bagel breakfast, Handels ice cream sandwiches, flower bulb gifts, pizza luncheon, in past have given teachers pizza to take home on Friday
- Winter Gift Card Donation for teachers
- 8th Grade Graduation
- Volunteer should be someone who does not have an 8th Grader
- Volunteer would coordinate ordering/picking up cakes (Costco) and water, as well as setting up/cleaning up tent, handing out cake, etc.
- Breakfasts
- Volunteer would coordinate new parent Breakfast and also breakfast in Jan/Feb for 8th grade parents
- Would coordinate coffee/drinks and small handheld foods
- Restaurants Fundraisers
- In past, these fundraisers have not earned too much but good potential to earn monies for PTO
- Volunteer would coordinate the fundraisers; ideally 1 per month. Take out options work well.
- Teacher Appreciation Luncheons – 2 per year
- Volunteer would coordinate teacher appreciation lunches
- 1 around thanksgiving and 1 at end of year – last week of school
- Ideally on ½ days so teachers can sit down and eat (schedule will not allow teachers to sit on full days)
- Volunteer would coordinate teacher appreciation lunches
- Wellness week
Alora Chorchick – Cultural Arts
- Oct 4, 2023 – Author Jennifer Nielsen will visit VFMS
- Main Point Books will sell her books – parents can order online to get copy for her to autograph
Next meeting is October 3, 2023 via Zoom
Notes Compiled by Lesley Farrell
Handel's Pint Card Fundraiser