PTO Meeting
March 15, 2023
8:45am, Spring Ave School

Administration and PTO Members in Attendance

Ms. Read, Principal

Colleen Garbe, Paula Strozak, Pam Byerly, Valerie Nugent

Updates from Administration and Board Members

Colleen asked the Board Members to start thinking about their roles for the next school year and to bring to the attention of the board any interested Spring Ave. parents who would like to be involved. It was noted that the person who fills the Treasurer role needs to have a financial background. The election for the PTO board for the 2023-2024 school year will take place in August. It remains to be a priority for new Spring Ave families (specifically Kindergarten parents) to be engaged and active within the PTO. The board discussed conducting focus groups to learn how new families prefer communication from the PTO. The upcoming Kindergarten Tea event will be an opportunity to further engage with new parents and share what events take place via the PTO and what they can look forward to. The Board also discussed making a “checklist” on the PTO website for new parents so they are more aware of what needs to be completed, but also what is available. 

The Board discussed the timeline of PTO events (Back to School Night, Oktoberfest, Variety Show, Adult Social, D105 Movie Night, ect.) to begin planning for next year if dates/locations need to be adjusted.  This is ongoing and the board will continue assessing as planning continues. Typically the next school year PTO event dates are determined in May, prior to the end of the current school year. The Variety Show takes place every two years (January/February)  at Spring Ave. and typically each grade performs two acts (boys, girls). It was discussed that many at Spring Ave. are looking forward to the event next year. The PTO is considering the event and working to find a Chairperson(s).

Ms. Read offered many thanks for the programs and assistance the PTO has provided recently. She mentioned the food offerings for teachers at Parent Teacher Conferences was greatly appreciated and wonderful, as well as how successful Trivia Night, Fun Fair and After 3 programs are. 

The teachers and administration are preparing for IL State Testing and the MAP scores show good growth overall.  Teachers are focused on making sure students have a comfortable testing environment. Ms. Read also shared the 5essentials survey is open until March 31, 2013 and a 20% response rate is desired. https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/
Similar to previous school years, Ms. Read will be asking for parent volunteers to help at lunch and recess. The request and sign up will be sent out once the weather improves. She also noted that the school is looking into ways to combat the mud near the playground (where the garden was). It was mentioned to explore grant funding options to ensure the solution is helpful and safe for the students. 

Pam shared that Trivia Night was a great success and funds raised were an increase from last year.  Overall feedback for the event was positive; it was suggested to explore different options for a more engaging and interactive host (more of a MC). 

The planning and organizing for the upcoming Adult Social are going well.  Parent Volunteer, Grace Diaz attended the meeting to discuss the progress being made in the planning of the Social. The event provides great sponsorship opportunities and the committee(s) have done well with offsetting costs due to sponsorship deals secured. In addition to sponsorship, the committee members are working to secure exciting fundraisers through the silent auction and Parent/Kid party options. The PTO will be working to find high school age student volunteers to assist at the social with selling raffle tickets. In addition some parent volunteers may be needed to assist with other aspects. 

Paula shared the work on the School Directory continues. There will be an option on Parent Square where families can opt in to make their contact information visible. Additionally, the PTO will still have a paper directory. As previously noted,  the collecting of new Spring Ave. Family (Kindergarten) contact information remains a priority.  The spring After 3s are off to a great start and the PTO is going to offer Run Club after Spring Break. The selection for the Scholarship given to graduating LT students who attended Spring Ave. is underway and there will be an opening for a PTO volunteer position within this committee next school year. The parent volunteers who organize Teacher Appreciation Day are starting their planning, Teacher Appreciation week is May.

Erin shared that planning for Field Day, including coordinating with  Mrs. Read has begun. The final Fun Lunch will take place on Field Day, May 30th, the same day as Field Day.

Elizabeth’s Treasurer’s Report shared Trivia Night made a $7,000 net income and the Fun Fair raised an additional $4,000. At this time the PTO financials are in a good spot and adjustments to the budget for next year are in the brainstorming phase.

Elizabeth and Pam are still communicating with Anderson’s to return the check for the Book Fair in return for store credit so the PTO can purchase summer reading books for students.

Upcoming Dates:

Wednesday, May 17th, 8:45am- Thank you Breakfast for PTO Volunteers 

The final PTO meeting of this school year will be April 26th, Location & Time TBD