Present: Jennifer Kegan, Michele Nevins, Irene McGeachy, Holly Flores, Michelle Brunone, Judy Fitzgibbons, Sandra Platt, Jill Curley, Bridget Healey, Alicia Berntsen, Jen Meza, Laurence Doyle, Kristi Adorante, Agnes Borko, Stephanie Vaughn, Chris Fernandes, Karli Smith, Jennifer Neumeyer, Veronica Lenzen, Sue Kivits, Christa Consle, Charlotte Janis, Martha Malloy, Nicole Dubreuil
Judy Fitzgibbons welcomed everyone back to the first PTA meeting of the school year. Any suggestions for next month’s meeting were taken. Jen Kegan would like to address the lice issue in school.
3rd Vice President’s Report – Charlotte Janis
• Mrs. Janis stressed the importance of reading over the summer. Assessments will be given to K-5 students in reading. Grades 3-5 will be assessed in reading comprehension and the DRP.
• Mrs. Neumeyer wanted to point out some math websites for the children to practice on: honorpoint.com, archidemic skill builders, and xtramath.org. Fact quizzes will be given throughout the trimesters to measure basic math skills.
President’s Report – Judy Fitzgibbons
• Special thanks to the following people for all their efforts in the back to school process:
Irene McGeachy- New families/playdates on playground
Nancy Denicola- Teacher’s back–to-school luncheon
Jill Curley- Kindergarten bus/School directory
Stephanie Vaughn- Beautification
Michele Rutigliano- 1st Grade Café
Christa Consle and Liz Paolella- School Fundraising
Lisa Vanzyl- School Photos
Lisa Mariano- Book Fair
Kristi Adorante- ASE
Jen Meza- Committee chairs
• The School Fundraiser is more than halfway to our goal of $7000. 90 of the 290 families have participated to reach $4820. October 7 is the deadline. If each remaining family gave $10 we would be at our goal. Thanks for all who have participated.
• Wrapping paper fundraiser is going well. To date we have $500 in online donations.
• The PTA directory is in progress. 70% of families have responded. We have not heard from 65 families. Emails will be sent out to verify information or to please respond back. Distribution is looking to be on October 22, 2012. Anyone looking to advertise in the directory please contact Jill Curley.
• Three new committees were added this year. These include Safe School Climate, Tools for School, and Cultural Diversity.
Treasurers’s Report
• Looking over the budget, some of the big expenses last year were from the Father’s Club. $10,000 was spent on computers for the 3rd grade. The Gifts to School included new picnic tables and the large screen TV in the lobby which came to about $3000.
• The other big changes in the budget were reduced amounts for Hospitality, Fall Fling, Hoe Down (there won’t be one this year). However, Author Visit went up due to the great author coming this year.
• A motion was made to pass the budget by Michele Nevins. Veronica Lenzen seconded the motion. The 2012-2013 budget was passed by all in attendance.
• Academic Excellence will be meeting on October 5, 2012 at 7:45 am in the school library. Some of the clubs include book clubs, Knowledge Masters, and Odyssey of the Mind.
• The Book Fair was a success. It was discussed whether or not to take points from Scholastic or to get a cash donation to the school.
• Box Tops have been coming in.
• Stop and Shop A+ Rewards signups are going well. So far 142 families have registered their Stop and Shop card. Last year with just 41 families signed up the school received a cash donation of $1900.
• Big Y will be our next Give Back program to sign up for. Target is also an ongoing program.
• The Tavern on Route 25 is looking into doing a Tashua Family night where the school can receive a percentage of the sales from that night.
• Afterschool Enrichment (ASE) starts next week. There will be 12 classes going on with 174 students participating. The only 2 classes not running were CrossFit for Kids and Crazy Chemworks. Any ideas for the winter session are welcomed. Please contact Kristi Adorante.
• This year’s theme for Reflections is “Magic of the Moment.” The deadline for this is November 27, 2012
• Fall Fling will be held Friday, October 12, 2012 from 6:30-8:00. Volunteers are always welcomed.
• Sunday, October 21st is the annual Wellness-Pumpkin Fun Run for kids. The 5K Great Pumpkin Classic will be held afterward for adults. It is a fun day for families if anyone is interested. They are looking for sponsors as well.
• Fifth Grade Activities held a fundraiser at Friday Night Lights. $600 was made from selling hotdogs/hamburgers and baked goods. They will also be selling pre-ordered pizza at the campfire for interested families.
• KidStuff Coupon books will be sold until October 15, 2012 for $25.
Last minute FYI:
• School pictures are in today. They will go home with students tomorrow. November 9, 2012 is the retake day.
• Patricia Polacco is our author coming to Tashua. She will be here April 12, 2013. This is the Friday before April vacation.