Klinger Middle School PTO

General Membership Meeting Minutes

November 07, 2016

Call to order: 7:17 PM

In Attendance: Tracy Alessandro, Toby Koehnlein, Denise Hellenbrand, Diane Lewicki, Bonnie Richardson, Theresa Ropars, Pam Marone, Jenn Clark, Christina Murphy, Tina Gade-Lieb, Lisa Gallagher, Melissa Devine, Stacey Stier, Jennifer Thackray, Caryn Karff, Sunshine Silenzi, London Graves

Approval of minutes of prior month’s meeting: Diane Lewicki, Caryn Karff

Treasure’s report: A detailed report was distributed and always available in the Klinger Lower office. Current Grand Total is $21,891.19with $8,152.56already dedicated. 6th grade class has $234.43, 7th grade class has $2,537.33, 8th grade $4,810.94.

Principal’s Report – Mr. Bloom

  • Special Thank you to the Veterans Day committee. Utilizing Signup Genius to sign up for items needed for Veterans Day Assembly worked out well.
  • Fall Dance was a success. Kids had a great time.
  • Conferences coming up.
  • 6A & 6B Parents Breakfast is coming up. Looking for great participation.
  • Student of the month- Mr. Ford & Mr. Bloom will eat lunch with the student of the month trying to share ideas with the kids.
  • 8th Grade meeting – Met with the 8th graders and addressed BYOD, getting food out of cafeteria.
  • Parent Camp – Joe Maza, is planning to hold sessions for patents, 30 minutes in length tentatively 3rd week in January.
  • Refreshments will be served
  • Would like to see many attend
  • PSSA – The children are tested more on what they are learning in each grade.
  • Writing Benchmarks
  • 6th Grade- Narrative
  • 7th Grade- Informative
  • 8th Grade- Persuasive
  • CDT test- Classroom Diagnostic Tool- Grade level test data
  • It is a real time data to drive classroom development and show what each student can do.
  • Question from parent- What % of children opted out of last year’s PSSA? – Approximately 40 kids.
  • Question from parent- Why were the grade weight change in middle of the semester? This was a district wide change. Review the Board wrap ups to get details and also there is a grading committee that we can get information from.

Teacher Rep- Mrs. Clark & Mrs. Silenzi

  • Thank you PTO for the Veteran’s day assembly. It developed into a community event where we had 100 Veterans in attendance.
  • Thank you Stacey Stier, Darlean Proctor, Jenn Gin for a great day. It is getting bigger each year.
  • Would like the shirts for Veterans. Guests loved the T-shirts and want more. T-shirt design will be given to enhance the kid’s design and have it available for sale and fundraiser next November 10th.
  • Next year, they would like to live stream it.

Executive Board-

  • President - Jade Lane
  • Vice President - Toby Koehnlein
  • Treasurer- Diane Lewicki
  • Please complete the payment request form and attach the receipt in order to be reimbursed.
  • Recording Secretary – Denise Hellenbrand
  • Corresponding Secretary – Michelle Chester

All requests and questions for the above board members can be sent to

New & Existing Business

  • Safe has been approved to buy.
  • Clothing drive made $297.40 to go toward 8th grade. Next fall, it will be scheduled earlier, 09/23/2017.

Committee Chair Reports

  • Giant Rewards– (Toby Koehnlein) Current balance at $1076.62
  • Box Tops (Mary Burke Gillen) –
  • Membership (LynnLucot) –
  • Veteran’s Day (Ms. Clark, Jen Gin & Stacey Stier) –
  • Merchandise (Bonne Richardson) – Looked at samples: PJ $16.00, Phys Ed shorts $10, Hoodies red/black $15, Long sleeved Tie die black or pink $12.00, T-shirts $6, Sweat pants $12
  • Hospitality (Tina Gade-Lieb)
  • Bowling (Brian Chester) –
  • Designer Bingo night (Melissa Devine) –Late start getting the word out. We have a low turnout so we should move the date to Jan/Feb next year.

Grade level reports

  • Co-Chair (6th Grade) – Mary Jo Ridge & Donna Hewitt
  • Co-Chair (7th Grade) Erica Vogt & Lucy Sharpe
  • 2nd clothing drive, April 1st
  • Winter Dance January 20th
  • Co-Chair (8th Grade) – Toby Koehnlein & Denise Hellenbrand

Upcoming Events/Important Dates

11/08/2016 / All Schools Closed
11/16/2016 / Picture Retake day
11/17/2016 / 6A Parent Breakfast
11/18/2016 / 6B Patent Breakfast
11/19/2016 / Designer Bag Bingo – Changed
11/22/2016 / Early Dismissal
11/23-11/25 / All School closed

Next PTO Meeting December 06, 2016

Meeting adjourned 8:00 PM by Toby Koehnlein & Lisa Gallagher