Summer 2026 PTO Board Meeting

Date: Monday, July 6, 2025

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Kenny’s Pub

Attendance

Megan Goggin, Lisa Barbaro, Julia Kepler, Sarah Marynowski, Erin Simunovic, Cendy

Gutierrez, Kristin Sullivan, and PTO Board Members.

Updates from Board Members

Welcome and Intros & Review 2025/26

The meeting opened with welcome and introductions, followed by a review of the 2025/26

school year and follow-ups from the previous meeting.

Communications–Social Media & Parent Engagement

1. The board discussed creating a schedule to promote events with social media posts and

post-event photos.

2. Promotion of Instagram and Facebook will target new families and be included in the first

ParentSquare communication.

3. ParentSquare will remain the primary tool for weekly communications.

4. Sarah and Megan will review communication plans.

Planning for Events & New Family Engagement

Plans were discussed to add new family engagement events, including a fall fun run and a

holiday walk/scavenger hunt. Additional event ideas considered:

●Bike Bus: Coordinate with local police to block off a bike route for students. Showcase

new bike racks and assess capacity.

●Family Trivia Night: Proposed for January in the Spring Ave Gym with teacher

involvement.

●Art Showcase: Proposed for March/April hosted in the gym or hallways.

Goals for 2025–2026

Primary goals include increasing engagement across two key areas:

●School & PTO Alignment: Facilitated by Spring Ave PTO Liaisons Nicole Musillami and

Ms. Melone.

●PTO & New/Younger Families: Direct outreach to incoming kindergarten and new

families.

Fundraising & Partnerships

  • The board reviewed fundraising efficiency to ensure impact matches effort. Successful

events returning include the Block Party, Trivia Night, and Adult Social.

  • Food Partnerships: Continuing partnerships with McDonald’s, Chipotle, and Buona Beef,

with potential additions like Panera. Ledo’s pizza box decorating brings in under $1,000,

so a break or a game night at Ledo’s is being evaluated.

  • Spirit Wear: A small order of PJs and kids' hoodies will be sold at the Block Party to clear

remaining stock. Julia and Erin will investigate direct-order companies with Jennifer Wendorf.

PTO Calendar & Operational Planning

  • Meeting times were agreed for 6:00 PM (pending confirmation with Martne and Julie).

  • Meeting Dates: Thursday 9/17 (7 PM at Kenny's), Thursday 10/15, Thursday 12/3, Tuesday 1/28, and Thursday 3/18.

  • Digital Directory: Rachel and Mrs. Jones will coordinate.

  • Recess Cleanup / Map Mural: Lisa & Julia will coordinate with local Scouts for early August.

  • Staff Participation: A list of requested teacher roles (Block Party, McDonald’s Night, Trivia, Math & Science Night, Run Club) will be shared at a 7/13 meeting with Mrs. McCoy.

  • Fun Lunch Dates: Proposed dates are 10/2, 12/11, 1/29, 3/12, and 5/14.

Co-Chair Openings

  • Co-chairs are needed for Adult Social Parties/Online Auction, 5th Grade Stepping Up (5th grade parent), Retail Partnerships (Lisa considering), School Supplies, Book Fair (Julia & Kristin), and Yearbook.

Welcome Committee

  • Outreach for new families includes water bottle stickers and personal outreach.

  • The New Family Meet & Greet / Welcome Breakfast will be held August 21 at 8:35 AM in front of the school following Kindergarten drop-off, hosted by Megan, Kristin, Julia, and Cendy.

Block Party Update & To-Do List

  • Date & Approval: Brigid Arapia got approval from the village for Friday, Aug 21st (5:00 PM–8:00 PM). Barricades dropped off at 4:00 PM. Megan and Lisa to send notes to neighbors before and after the party. Food Trucks & Treats: 3 food trucks & sponsored treats (snow cones and cotton candy)—Lisa to coordinate food trucks, Kristin on treat sponsorship (Liam?).

  • Logistics & Setup: Coordinate with Fernando on tables and rain plan (gym approval via Megan). Personal canopies needed at both entrances.

  • Activities & Games: Face painting (Gurrie kids volunteering, need face paint), music (sponsored by Cendy's husband?), yard games (Kristin bringing Connect 4, Erin bringing Corn Hole, maybe Giant Jenga/Plinko with Julia, sidewalk chalk), bracelet making (Erin ordering supplies). Check if TV/game is needed and confirm games with Rachel.

  • Concessions & Volunteers: Gurrie concessions & volunteers managed by Megan.

  • Create a sign-up for Clean-Up crew (trash bags need strong upper body to hoist into dumpster).

  • Spirit Wear & Tickets: Sell spirit wear (needs cash box). Ticket sales online & QR codes at entrance ($20/family—Julia & Lisa checking QR codes from last year). Include volunteer sign-up code and Instagram/FB codes at entrance tables.

  • Promotion: Create graphic, promote, and create entrance map (Megan to talk with Ellie Valaisa). Remind families: no bikes on blocked-off street (park in bike racks).

Treasurer's Report

  • Julia Kepler will meet separately with last year's treasurer regarding tax-exempt forms and reimbursement processes.

  • The board approved switching payment processing to Zeffy for overall fundraising, auction, and merchandise while retaining Zelle as an option.

  • System transition to be completed with Kate by July 22.

Upcoming Events

  • Aug 19 1st Day of School

  • Aug 21 1st Day Kindergarten+New Family Meet & Greet / Welcome Breakfast

  • Aug 21 Back to School Block Party

  • Sept 3 Picture Day

  • Sept 10 1st PTO Meeting

  • Oct 2 Fun Lunch #1

  • Oct 27–Nov 5 Book Fair

  • Oct 30 Halloween Class Party

  • Nov 6 Trivia Night

  • Nov 11 Veteran's Day Celebration

  • Dec 11 Fun Lunch #2

  • Dec 18 Winter Holiday Class Party

  • Jan 29 Fun Lunch #3

  • Feb 12 V-Day Class Party

  • Feb 18 Math & Science Night

  • March 12 Fun Lunch #4

  • May 14 Fun Lunch #5

  • May 28 Field Day (Rain Date: June 1)