PTA Meeting Minutes
September 30, 2015
PTA Board Members present: Heidi Dvornski, Wendy Gorczyca, Melissa McGrath, Kelly Valenti, Tracy Boggs, Bonnie Gordon
Agenda:
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance and took a moment of silence
2015-2016 PTA Board members each took a moment to introduce themselves and explained their role in the PTS Board
Mrs. Dansa provided an update on the BLT(BuildingLevel Team) report
May 2015 minutes were reviewed
Ideas for red ribbons were discussed
The Golden Spatula award was reinstituted
School Banking will begin in October 2015
The space shuttle has been repaired on the school playground
Wood chips have been replaced on the school playground
Start of the school year supply drop off ideas for younger were discussed
A reminder was provided that school report cards will be available on the parent portal unless parents fill out a form in the office to get a paper copy( request for paper copy has be completed every year).
Next meeting is scheduled for 11/24/15
Mrs. Dansa provided an update on the Principal Report
Mrs. Dansa will continue to provide updates related to the construction of South Park Avenue via student take home handouts. Please check your children’s book bags and feel free to go to the Blasdell Elementary website for status of construction.
Mrs. Dansa reported that there has been some delay in school menus being posted for October due to the transition of newly appointed staff. The district is aware and working to rectify this conflict.
Parent volunteers are still needed and are different than being a PTA volunteer. Please contact Mrs. Dansa for further details on training requirements.
Mrs. Dvornski provided and update on Council Report
First council meeting is scheduled for 9/30/15 and update will be given by Bonnie Gordon at next PTA meeting.
Mrs. Zarbo provided the Teacher Report
Kindergarten welcome night was well attended and fun was had by all.
Acknowledgements were provided to Rhonda Minkler, chairperson and to the High School Honor Society volunteers for having the best turn out anyone can remember
Mrs. Dvornski thanked all the PTA members that have volunteered to chair the PTA sponsor events that have been scheduled throughout the 2015-2015 school year. Volunteer sign up tables were provided. Feel free to contact any PTA Board member if you have any interest in volunteering for the many exciting old and new events coming this school year. We welcome all volunteers!!!!!
Mrs. McGrath provided the Budget/Treasurers Report.
Copies of the budget and spending for this school year were handed out.
Procedures for tax exempt spending and reimbursement for event chairpersons was reviewed. Please contact Melissa McGrath or visit the PTA website if you have not received an e-mail explaining the new guidelines for spending/accessing funds/reimbursement.
Mrs. Dvornski provided an update on the BooHoo-Yahoo event
Event was chaired by Melissa McGrath
Event was poorly attended this and last year
Motion was made and seconded to eliminate this event for next year
Thank you Melissa for all your efforts
Mrs. Dvornski provided an update on the Great American fundraiser (cookie dough/wrapping paper)
This was a PTA sponsored fund raiser
Event was chaired by Dawn Rowell
Sales total was estimated to be around $7300
We reached our sales goal
The extreme basketball team will be hosting an event later this school year
Check out the extreme basketball video on the PTA Facebook page
Thank you Dawn for all our efforts with making this new fund raiser a success
Mrs. Dvornski provided an update on the Yankee Candle fund raiser
This a PTA sponsored fund raiser
Event is being chaired by Dawn Rowell
Event runs from October 1-15, 2015
Mrs. Dvornski revisited the request for the television request for front lobby as another way to provide communication about school and PTA events to parents, teachers and students. This was initially voted on and accepted in May 2015, however TV has not been purchased. PTA approved $500 to be allotted for the purchase of the TV.
Mrs. Dvornski provided an update on the PTA Membership Drive
Event chair is Wendy Gorczyca – thank you for all of her efforts!
Memberships can be accepted until March 2016
Current PTA membership is 200 which is a 42% increase from last year
We are the first school in the WNY region to surpass our membership goal
This is the highest PTA membership in 10 years
We are looking to increase our male membership and surpass our highest membership of 204
Mrs. Dvornski provide an update on Square 1 Art
Reminder: This is not a fundraiser, just a service offered by the PTA
Event is being chaired by Connie Govenettio
Forms for will be sent home on 10/2/15
For each form turned in each child will free receive stickers of their drawing
Encourage your children to complete a drawing to turn into lifelong memories of their years at Blasdell Elementary
Mrs. Dvornski provided an update on the Blasdell School Apparel sale
Reminder: This is not a fundraiser, just a service offered by the PTA
Event is being chaired by Olivia Schwarzott
Sales will be offered in the fall and spring
Further details will be provided as dates are finalized
Consider making a clothing purchase for your children to wear at the Beehives scheduled the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month
Mrs. Dvornski provided an update on School Banking
Reminder: This is not a fundraiser, just a service offered by the PTA
Event is being chaired by Kim Everett Scott
Banking begins 10/6/15 and every Tuesday there after
Encourage your children to participate, it is great service that teaches life skills and the importance of saving money
Weekly deposits can be as small or large as you desire
There are many added incentives offered by the credit union for participating
Applications needs to be completed by parents/guardian for children to participate in this program
Link is being developed on the PTA face book page to access sign up application
Mrs. Dvornski provided an update on the Fall Fest
Event is being chaired by Lindsey Bzbibak
This is a new PTA sponsored event
Event is scheduled for 10/16/15
Many activities will be offered such as pumpkin decorating, crafts, games
Pizza will be provided for a fee
A local fire truck will be present
Please consider attending this event and having fun with the Blasdell Elementary community
Mrs. Valenti provided an update on the Fall Book fair
Fall book fair is being chaired by Kelly Valenti
Fall book fair runs from 11/18-11/19/2015
Theme for the book fair is friendly monsters
Photo booth has been booked for the hours of 4-8 pm for the family evening events on 11/18/15
Entertainment will either be Hawk Creek or the zoo mobile
Volunteers are always welcomed
Please consider giving your support as all proceeds go toward getting books in the library, classroom and to the students
Mrs. Dvornski provided an update on the Secret Santa Shop
Event is being chaired by Melanie White
Event is scheduled for 12/4/15 from the hours of 4-7 pm
Shopping will be offered to the children to purchase gifts from family and friends
Time was offered for questions. All question were answered by PTA Board members
Prize drawing took place due to the high attendance (10 or PTA members other than board members).
Thank you for your attendance. Hope to see you at the next PTA scheduled for 10/21/15 at 6:30 pm. Your children are welcome to attend with you if need be! Girl Scout Troop 30626 will be in attendance to color, craft and play games with any children who join us.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:03 pm
Respectfully submitted by Kelly Valenti, PTA Recording Secretary