Chestnutwold Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

Meeting Agenda: March 4th, 2025

Attendees: 5 board members, 7 attendees, Mrs. Leach, 2 teachers (3rd grade)

Teacher Appreciation - thanks to all who have been involved. Fun to come up with the themes as well

Ladybug Launch Assemblies in the morning today (3/4). Lots of kids came to meet the author tonight as well for book signing
Spring Assembly 4/19 - PM K and younger grades only; Space Station Conservation

March Madness 3/15-19 - google interest form first, then you’ll get a link for the bracket
Virtual Variety Show - 3 min or less, due 4/6, hoping to have posted by 4/10 (Fri), tie-in with a fundraising event with a local eatery
Mixed Bag Bingo (not just designer bags). Tentative date in April, will be finalized in the blast next week. Will NOT be at the CREC
Save the date 5/17 - Chestnutwold Chase - will talk more about this after spring break

Looking for an MC for the event (Mrs Martin as an option - but needs to check baseball schedule)
Fundraising helpers needed (contact local businesses)
Volunteers all good for the day of event

Spring Parent Social Lead needed (Parent night bowling, happy hour etc.) No date set. Hoping it can be a small fundraising opportunity as well
Clubs - going well, may need a few more Run Club leads

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!! Executive Board; Parent Social Event Chair; Chestnutwold Chase Committee Support

This is the start of things ramping up. Make sure to check dates in the Smore (year at a glance calendar is kept up-to-date)

Grateful for Teacher Appreciation events each month. Little nuances are appreciated(succulents, St. Patricks day theme, leaves during Fall conferences, blue and yellow snacks etc.) Pens, stickers are things the teachers can use. Overwhelming positive feedback from staff
Bingo Committee thanks for prize donations from PTO. A bit quieter than years past. Able to raise funds for 5th grade graduates
Kids are loving the clubs
3rd grade math - area of non-rectangular shapes, moving into fractions (long, complicated module, lots of manipulatives)
Language Arts - wrapping up module 2 (Space) - writing on what the most important thing they’ve learned about space. Completed a research project (in the hallways). Kids enjoyed using canva to make slides. Moving on to immigration unit shortly, talks about a father and son who migrate (Japan <> US). Kids always ask about going to Ellis Island. 2nd year of wit and wisdom is getting better with kids having had it last year too. Writing longer 4 paragraph essays, kids are rising to meet the challenge

No notes sent out this month, topic changed last minute so had an internal meeting instead.
Next meeting - topic is Community Engagement

Haverford Township Education Foundation ~ Twilight Run (Welcome Tara- Chestnutwold PTO alum)

Actively seeking board members
New Paid exec director brought on this year, hoping to reinvigorate the board and grants to the schools
Thanks for PTO support every year
Funded things like Big Umbrella program last year, ADA swings, Kid power presentation
Check out the website to see what else we do https://haverfordedfoundation.org/
Back in action with 5k - Twilight Run (was on pause last year). At Linwood this year as opposed to at the HS. Sat 4/18 in the evening (4:45 is the mile challenge, 5pm walk.) Kid zone and entertainment as well. Ice cream party for elementary school with the greatest participation numbers. (Info is also in the Smore)
Trying to streamline the grant process - reach out with inquiries and we can help with the application

IDC idea - highlight achievements for all school levels, thought to bring in HTEF to help bridge events etc

We are rethinking the Check Traits to make them more accessible, understandable eg. using acronym of “RISE”