PTO public meeting  2/11/25

Attending;  Suzy Skinner, Anna Englehart, Jona Nykreim, Libby Little

Three parents joined as well

 

1. Fundraisers 2024/25

   • Wild West Days- major district-wide fundraiser.Good turnout.Only PTO parents volunteered, and Suzy supplemented with HS students needing volunteer hours.How can we enlist more parent engagement?

   • Butter Braids.Consider changing the season of sales due to other schools selling during the same perioed

   • Santa Breakfast with Dewey Dabbles.Great attendance.Anna spoke with Jennifer at Dewey Dabbles and she’d like to continue her involvement with RHE

   • City Market Bucks.Link your CM card to RHE.Will send out reminders to parents to do this (in the newsletters)

   • School tool box- sent out to parents every summer

   • Crock Charms- sold at the fall festival and will sell again in the spring

2. Use of Fundraising dollars

   • Christmas Stipend for all certified teachers

   • Birthdays- monthly treats, snacks

   • Teacher Grants.This year these have been primarily for curriculum.Grants also tie into volunteerism from teachers and has been bolstered this year by this requirement.

   • 5th Grade Fieldtrip.Skating Fundraiser, bake sale, candygrams

   • Teacher appreciation

   • Teacher/staff meals during parent-teacher conferences

   • “Stock the Teachers Lounge”

3. Make a Wish Week

   • TBD overall.Will need to scale back if it’s done, per Principal Martinez

   • All agree that the kids really love it and it’s fosters gratitude and giving to others/service

   • Need balance between fun and learning- make sure it doesn’t interfere

4. Teacher Appreciation week

5. 100th day of School- teachers not aware of the plan for the hidden ducks.This was communicated/permission granted by Principal Martinex prior to the event.Work on better communication moving forward.Intention was never to interfere with learning or create any chaos for teachers.

6. Parent/guardian involvement.How can we get more involved?

   • Class dojo communication, newsletter

   • Keep it fun

   • Keep volunteer time slots varied and reasonable in time commitment

7. After School Enrichment

   • $600 cap due to IRS limits on income outside of primary employment.Would need to 1099 individuals (not businesses) if we are paying more than that.

   • Involvement of board in recruitment of volunteers.Communicate about any changes to the plan/programming

   • Try to keep things at same price point for all kids.This may call for creativity in funding moving forward.TBD

   • Spring:Soccer, lego club, others TBD

   • Ideas:board games, Spanish club

8. Issues/challenges identified

   • No Teacher involvement this year.Last year PTO was a committee.This year PTO was not considered a committee.Dr. Olson had it set up so that all teachers rotated through PTO.

   • Need better communication between PTO and school staff/teachers.

     • For example, the teachers didn’t know about the ducks for 100th day of school.

     • Also, do teachers approve/appreciate some assemblies or not?Mixed messages.How can we best support the kids and teachers and make sure that what we are planning is welcomed and enjoyable for all.

   • Anna asked if there would be a way of communicating directly with teachers.Have direct access to the calendar?Libby sits on leadership committee at school and will bring this up at their meeting.

Meeting Adjoured