Nov 2022 PTO Meeting Minutes

Chestnutwold Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

Meeting Agenda: November 9th, 2022

(*Haverford High School student Melana on hand for any child sitting needs)

November ChCK Trait- RESPECT

“Kindness and respect go a long way. The way you treat others is how you end up being treated.” 

―Heather Bennett-Smallwood

  • Trunk or Treat and Bake Sale - Thanks to all the parents and volunteers for another set of fun and successful PTO events! 

  • Recording Secretary Remarks

    • Proposal for last month's minutes to be passed, as they have been posted and no one has come forward with corrections.  - Minutes Pass!

Teacher’s Remarks -  Ms. Meagher (1st grade) came representing the the teachers:

  • Thank you for the classroom enchantments! 

  • First grade did pumpkin math the week before Halloween, thank you for the grown ups who volunteered! 

  • Mrs. Kunsa and Ms. Esposito said thank you for the soundproof foam. They are hoping to get it installed soon.

  • Mrs. Montgomery shared that there are 25 veterans coming for the assembly tomorrow. Thank you for completing the stars! 

  • -Mrs. Lucas said thank you for the PTO classroom enchantments. Her class is loving the flexible seating options! 

  • Ms. Naylor shared something new for this year .. Something new this year is if families would like to contribute to a cwold family in need of help cover an unexpected tax cost on a kid’s book for the book fair, the “book fairy” funds from my e-wallet/library e-wallet will be used for that purpose! I’ve already reached out to both counselors and we’re excited to start this! This will also be helpful before the holidays.

  • Principal’s Remarks - The American Legion will be present at the Vetern’s Day assembly this Thursday.  Around 25 parents/grandparents are coming to be honored.  Monday kicks off American Education Week. Tuesday parents will be able to observe their child’s classrooms. Please make sure you are cleared in our system beforehand if you can.  Come into the office and get your driver license scanned to get in our system. Wednesday will be para professional day, and Friday is Young Writer’s Day.  The lost & found is growing again, please check it out for lost items.  The PSAA scores are out. Overall we are happy with the direction of the scores; we seem to be recovering from some of the covid loss.  Be warned that the system had a recent change and our school number may look a little different than before because of it.  

  • President Update

    • Learning Express Fundraiser next week - use the flier, available on the website.

  • Treasurers’ Report - 

Bank balance on 10/31/2022 ended at $25,495.43 up from September’s ending balance of  $22,143.67

Deposits totaled $9,031.73. This was mostly due to:

  • $3,889.25 Phoenix Fun Day Donations

  • $900 Winter Market Vendor Fees

  • $277.53 Town Tap Give Back

  • $3,964.95 PFD Spirit Wear 

Expenditures totaled $2,479.97. This was mostly due to:

  • $1,505.00 Spirit Wear

  • $886.05 Classroom Enhancements

  • Spirit Wear - sale running through Friday,  If you tried for a size and they said it was unavailable, try again; there has been a problem with the whole system and they think it is fixed. 

  • Chairmen Announcements 

    • VP of In School Activities

      • Art in the Classroom - is back! A few classrooms still need volunteers. No experience or expertise required.

      • Young Writers Day - Amanda - most classrooms get 2 - 50 minute blocks with children's writers (of all kinds); 1 block for 1st and K classrooms. A lunch will be catered from Pepperoncini and a coffee & pastry spread will be provided by House Cup.  

      • Book Fair - Natalie - Week after Thanksgiving. Students attending during their library time.  Tues & Thurs nights are the family nights. Volunteers needed.  Students may bring in cash in an envelope or use the eWallets.  Note - money on eWallets are non-refundable; you will keep the credit, but not be able to cash out the remaining change after the sale is over.  You can use the credit online as well.  Looking into whether the eWallets are per student or family. Keep in mind there is tax to all purchases. Also looking into whether there is a way to send a note with gift purchases through teachers eWallets.

  • VP of After School Activities

    • 2nd session of clubs will get going after winter break.  Chess club being added!

    • Dec. 3rd is the Holiday Market - this year indoors

  • IDC Update - carryover topic of Sustainability.  The District has no specific plan.  Talk of solar panels, and adding the issue to a club.  The Director of Public Safety will be at the next meeting.  The issue of excessive computer curriculum is a soon to be a  topic.  Chestnutwold keeps bringing up good topics and the group is happy to bring any new discussions to the group. Also, the high school is looking for help with their BLAST (after prom party); please consider volunteering as we will all benefit from this event at some point. 

  • Upcoming Dates/Events

    • November 18th: Young Writers Day

    • November 28th- December 2nd: Scholastic Book Fair

    • December 3rd: Holiday Market 

  • Next Meeting- February 1st- Members of the School Board will be attending

  • Questions/Comments/Concerns 

    • Bake sale we earned $805!

    • Picture re-take day is 11/17. Will composite classroom pictures be the new way of things? Probably yes, easier to include everyone.  

    • Will class parties be opened back up to more parents again? Hard to say with the new security system.  It has to do with safety. Tuesday will be a good test for the system to see. Parties should not just be for homeroom parents though, it is okay for attendance to be on a need base.  

    • In general discussion about the squeeze being felt - In regards to redistricting, some feasibility studies are happening. However, this year we have 585 students, which is lower than last year.  They have however added 15 new students in 2nd grade, and 25ish in 1st.