Chestnutwold Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
General Meeting Minutes: March 2, 2022
ChCK Trait: Respect- “Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.” – U. Thant
Thanks- Thanks to Denzell Stanislaus, Sarah and Melissa for organizing Talking to Your Kids About Race, also thank you to all who attended and participated!
Teacher’s Remarks - Ms. Wroblewski and Ms. Corr joined the meeting representing the teachers. They send their thanks for a successful healthy heart day. Everyone had a lot of fun. Thank you to all the parents for the Valentine’s party help too! Ms. Dambman wants everyone to know about the upcoming Reading Olympics. It will be 2 nights (April 5th, April 7th), and there are many creatively named teams! Nicole Tallon sends along her thanks for the seat sacks. Ms. Beiter also says thanks for her seat sacks. (She and her class sent along a picture and thank you note for the PTO.) Finally, the teachers request help in getting a new microwave for the teachers lounge; theirs just broke.
Principal’s Remarks - Read Across America day and week happening. Mystery readers are coming into the building again. The 101 Dalmatians play is practicing right now. There will be 4 shows (equaling 400 seats available) to watch. The 4th/5th grade band concert is going to be outside this year. Be You by Peter Reynolds selected as the school book for the next year. Everyone really liked it immediately and it lines up well with the Chestnutwold ChK Traits. Assemblies are slated to return for the 2022/2023 school year. Field trips have been okayed for Spring of 2022. 5th Grade end of the year activities are being planned now. Floor Hockey is coming up (will be run similarly to the flag football). They are down to 2 lunch monitors again. Actively looking to hire if anyone is looking. Looking into opening up and re-igniting the new family orientation to already established students next year to reconnect with the ideas of who Chesnutwold is. (Maybe pair reading buddies style with young/old families?) They are building the school calendar to include more family curriculum. Ms. Dambman is retiring at the end of the year. Wish her well as she and her husband end their long careers in education. Teacher appreciation day is coming up on May 3rd. District has moved to Mask Recommended this week. Approximately 45% of the school (teachers and students) were masked the 1st day. Progressive decline in that number in the following days as people become more comfortable. 1 classroom is still requiring masks.
IDC Update Bridget McCormick
Thanks for answering social/emotional feedback form.
Gov Wolf’s budget moving forward - although probably won’t end up staying the same as currently written. As is though - school districts will have major impact with a change to flat rate charges for charter schools. $9800 flat vs. $13k reg ed and $39k spec ed
Nicole Velicelli, Director of Pupil Services, is addressing the district’s social and emotional wellness and mental health needs. We currently have 2 social workers in the district, 2 licensed psychiatrists, and 1 behavioral specialist. Lakeside (contracted company) offers additional programs as needed. Also Holcomb has outside services for student assistance available. SDHT is doing some screenings - 6th and 9th grade started this year. They want to do 3rd grade next but they need an additional counselor available first. If you are noticing your child having a problem, reach out to the teacher first. It then goes to the counselor who knows about all the resources available now. This information is on the District website under pupil services, left side menu - mental health resource guide. You can also find information on wellness, and the “Counselor's Corner.”
There is a live parent training by the DCIU in MAY regarding anxiety.
March’s IDC meeting will be about curriculum. If you want to send in questions, please make them in a general format (not regarding a specific personal situation).
Treasurers’ Report
Bank balance on 2/28/2022 ended at $25,241.91 up from January’s ending balance of $23,292.05.
Deposits totaled $5,500. This was mostly due to:
$4,000 - Bag Bingo tickets
$1,500 - yearbook Love Lines for 5th graders
Expenditures totaled $2,900.67. This was mostly due to:
$300 to CHOP (donation for gender webinar)
$300 to Denzell Stanislaus for Conversation about Race
$2,250.44 Bag Bingo expenses (MC, venue rental, prizes, bags, etc)
Working towards our goal of a big gift of 6 swings and possibly a picnic table. Next month we will vote on the spending - please plan to come and participate.
PTO board positions are open for next year (Co-treasurer, Co-president, In-school activities) - your kids will think you’re cool if you are on the PTO Board!!!
Chairmen Announcements
Bag Bingo- March 4th-SOLD OUT-
We’re excited - thank you to Amy and Amy!
Telethon/Talent Show
Submissions are due March 16th - get practicing!
We need pictures, performances, anything creative - send it in
Fundraising will happen in show
Chestnutwold Chase
Info coming soon
Clubs
Running club - need coach for 5th grade and Kindergarten, assistant coaches needed in all grades, trying to start around Spring Break - look for sign up
Yoga and Art Clubs coming April 6th
Track n Field for 4th/5th graders - sign ups will be in school. Coaches - Lucas and Funzio
Approved Meeting Minutes for November 2021 and February 2022
Upcoming Dates/Events
March 4th- Bag Bingo
March 25th- Telethon/Talent Show
April 6th - PTO Meeting (School Board visiting)
April 23rd- Chestnutwold at the Philadelphia Union
Mothers Day Bundt Cake Sale
May 22nd- Chestnutwold Chase
Questions/Comments/Concerns
Can running club groups be split for boys/girls?
Up to the coaches, but generally can be worked that way
Phoenix Fun Day for next year - SEPT 30, 2022
Ursula’s last year - suggests that she be a co-chair to help hand over things before she leaves