Spring Ave PTO Meeting Minutes
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Kenny’s Irish Pub
Attendance & Board Introductions
· Megan Goggin, President
· Lisa Barbaro, Vice President
· Erin Simunovic & Cendy Gutierrez, Co-VPs of Programs & Events
· Kristin Sullivan, VP of Sponsorships
· Julia Andorka, Treasurer
· Andrea Carlson, Secretary
· Sarah Marynowski, Director of Communications
· School Administration & Liaisons Present: Mrs. McCoy (Principal), Julie Jacobs
· (Assistant Principal), Mrs. Musillami (Teacher Liaison), Ms. Cheatham (Melone) (Teacher
· Liaison)
Principal & School Updates
Teacher Liaisons: Special appreciation to Mrs. Musillami and Ms. Cheatham for bridging faculty needs with PTO programs.
Executive Board Updates
President’s Report (Megan Goggin)
· Back to School Block Party Recap: Strong success despite predicted weather conditions; netted approximately $3,000. and served as a great kickoff to the school year.
· Student Directory: The digital directory via Directory Spot was released today. A printable PDF version will also be provided this year. Clarification for kindergarten families: submitting contact info is optional, but providing student/parent names assists greatly with class party coordination and peer connections.
· Fundraising Focus Areas: Key allocations for funds include flexible seating (primary focus for all teachers), cello racks, permanent art installations, guest author visits, school assemblies, and classroom teacher grants.
· Teacher Grants / Wish Lists: Teachers were encouraged to "dream big" on wish lists due next week. Submissions include dry erase tables, flexible seating, classroom libraries, and specialized math/reading project materials. The PTO intends to fulfill these using Fun Run proceeds and rollover reserves.
· All-School Assemblies: Expanding from two to three assemblies this school year:
o Fall (Nov 12): Neurodivergence "No Brain is the Same" (Social-Emotional Learning focus).
o Winter (January): Hands-on Science Assembly.
o Spring: Topic TBD.
· Community & Arts Initiatives:
o Family Trivia Night: Scheduled for January 21, 2027 in the school gym (casual format; volunteer assistance welcome).
o Concert Art Displays: Student artwork will be displayed in conjunction with grade-level music performances.
o Artist in Residence: Planning a spring residency where all students participate in creating a permanent school art installation.
o Teacher Appreciation: Budget is being spread throughout the entire school year for consistent support, while retaining popular yearly traditions such as the taco truck and gift cards during teacher appreciation week in May.
· Grounds & Facilities Refresh:
o Front Planters: Planted and maintained courtesy of the Schirack family.
o Playground Updates: Completed cleanup and painting enhancements executed by local Boy Scouts.
o Playground Trees: Meeting scheduled with Fernando on Thursday at 1:00 PM (Megan and Mason Blenkhorn) to finalize logistics; PTO funding is allocated.
o Bike Racks: Two new bike racks are currently in process near 52nd Street and Spring Avenue.
Vice President’s Report (Lisa Barbaro)
· Room Parents: Selected room parents have been notified; all classroom party communications will flow through ParentSquare. Classroom parties will start at 2:15 PM this school year. Room parent selection deadline is the end of the month.
· School Pictures: Completed.
· Run Club: Fall session launched Friday, September 11 (7:55 AM–8:15 AM for grades 3–6), coordinated by Jesse Mraz, Mrs. Quinn, and Ms. McLean. Run Club will not meet on Fun Run day.
· Inaugural Fun Run: Scheduled for September 25th during regular school hours (low parental burden, music, student fundraising incentive tiers).
· Field Day T-Shirts: Planning underway with Sarah; grade levels will have color-coordinated shirts, looking into ordering through the new spirit wear vendor.
· Co-Chair Openings: Still seeking volunteers for:
· January Family Trivia Night (Jan 21, 2027)
· Auction Parties Co-Chair to shadow Meghan Cusack this year
· 5th Grade Parent shadow for Stepping Up ceremony planning
· Holiday After 3's Coordinator (format will be restructured to avoid combined grade
· crowding)
· Retail Fundraisers: McDonald’s Nights will run twice this year due to strong returns.
· Ledo's pizza box decorating is discontinued for the year. Minted and Shutterfly holiday promo codes will be shared in late fall.
Treasurer's Report (Julia Andorka)
· Bank Account Balance: $53,230.
· Event Net Revenue: Back to School Block Party netted approximately $3,000.
· Projected Allocations: Classroom teacher grants/wish lists estimated between $8,000●and $10,000.
· Tax Filing: A CPA has been engaged to handle organizational tax filings due to higher revenue thresholds.
Committee & Sponsorship Updates
Communications (Sarah Marynowski)
· ParentSquare: Weekly newsletters and announcements will publish regularly on Tuesdays at 9:00 AM.
· Social Media: Focus is actively promoting and recapping school events, facility improvements, and deadline reminders.
· Payment Platform: Ongoing implementation and rollout of Zeffy.
· Yearbook: Chaired by Jen Tily, Angela Riordan, Sheryl Wojtasik, and Rachel Melyon. 10% early order discount currently active via TreeRing; photo submissions can be emailed to yearbooksspringave@gmail.com.
Programs & Events (Erin Simunovic & Cendy Gutierrez)
· Fun Lunch: Increased from 4 to 5 dates this year. Fun Lunch #1 is scheduled for October 2nd (selection forms due September 18th). Every family is asked to submit a form even if
· opting out.
· Book Fair: Scheduled for October 27–November 5. Chaired by Colleen Garbe, Julia Andorka, and Kristin Sullivan; contract signed.
· Math & Science Night: Scheduled for February 18th (Chairs: Megan Goggin & Kristin Sullivan). Interactive "children's museum" style hands-on event in the gym paired with student hallway exhibits; promotional video buzz planned after winter break to sustain strong participation (~130 students last year).
· Spirit Wear: Managed by Jen Wendorf with Wami Swag. Transitioning to a
· direct-to-home order website with possible student shirt design competitions.
Sponsorships & Adult Events (Kristin Sullivan)
· Trivia Night: Confirmed for Friday, November 6th at the American Legion. Theme: Saturday Morning Cartoons. Reserved GP Italiano food truck; Chicago Trivia guys booked. (Chairs: Becky Baker, Elyse Polickey, Hamorabi Mkrdichian).
· Adult Social: Scheduled for March 5, 2027 at La Grange Country Club (LGCC). Coordinated by Ashley Diciurcio and Erin Schirack (community experiences, adult/family parties, staff experiences). Meghan Cusack coordinating auction parties and seeking a co-chair shadow to take over next year.
Upcoming Events Calendar
School Fun Run - Friday, September 25th
Run Club - Wednesdays and Fridays September 9th - October 28th
Fun Lunch #1 (Ledo’s) - Friday, October 2nd
PTO Board Meeting – October 15th
Book Fair - October 27th-November 5th
Halloween Class Party - Friday, October 30th
Trivia Night - Friday, November 6th (American Legion – "Saturday Morning Cartoons")
Veteran's Day Celebration - Wednesday, November 11th
All-School Assembly: No Brain is the Same – November 12th
PTO Board Meeting – December 3
Fun Lunch #2 (Mangia Mangia) - Friday, December 11th
Winter Holiday Class Party - Friday, December 18th
Family Trivia Night - Thursday, January 21st
PTO Board Meeting – January 28th
Fun Lunch #3 (Breakfast for Lunch) - Friday, January 29th
V-Day Class Party - Friday, February 12th
Math & Science Night - Thursday, February 18th
Adult Social - Friday, March 5th
Fun Lunch #4 (Jimmy John’s) - Friday, March 12th
PTO Board Meeting – March 18th
Fun Lunch #5 (Cafe Salsa) - Friday, May 21st
Field Day - Friday, May 28th
(Rain Date - June 1st)
Stepping Up and Kinder Celebration - Thursday, May 27th