ME & WE PTO MINUTES
May 2, 2011
CALL TO ORDER – 6:35 pm
President Laurencine Romack presided over the meeting.
Laurencine began the meeting by introducing the PTO and officers. She explained that this was her 6th and final year as a PTO officer.
The introductions were done to welcome the incoming Kindergarten Mom's in attendance.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
April 4, 2011 minutes read and stand approved with corrections.
Correspondence: A thank you note was received from Whitehall teacher, Mrs. Delon, thanking the PTO (Laurencine and Diane Kindling) for
the Popcorn her class received for the Duquense Light challenge.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The treasurer’s report was reviewed. The treasurer’s report was filed for audit. Kelly Bischoff made a motion to pay the remaining bills.
The motion was seconded and approved.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
No principal report
TEACHER’S REPORT
No teacher report
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Lifetouch (Spring Portraits) will offer a make up day for Whitehall students only. The make up date is May 9th. This make up has been
scheduled due to the high volume of children absent the day pictures were taken due to a communion practice and "take your child to
work" day. Committee chairs are asked to make a folder with all of the information needed to run their committee in order for that
information to be passed along to the next chairperson. Each chairperson can hold a committee for 2 years. Longer only if no one else is
interested in chairing that committee. Currently there is a need for 2011-12 chairpersons. Please see Laurencine or another PTO officer if
you are interested. This information will also be passed on electronically to the incoming Kindergarten Moms. Teacher/Staff Appreciation
Week- WES staff and teachers will have a luncheon in their honor on May 5, 2011. MES staff and teachers will each receive a $10 gift
card, teachers to Target, all others to Giant Eagle. The Duquesne Light Program was not through the PTO, but was through the school.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
5th Grade Pool Party: This event will be held at the Whitehall Pool on June 3, 2011. The rain date is June 6th. They have agreed to
cancel the adult swim that day. The children will each receive a t-shirt, a memory book, a pictures CD, and Pizza. Each parent (for a $2.00
donation) will be have the opportunity to write a special note for their child in the Memory Book. Mary Jo Barbano made a mo tion to use
the remaining D.A.R.E. money as a safeguard in the event that additional money is needed for the Pool Party. The motion was seconded
and approved. An incoming kindergarten parent, Tammi Shahan, informed Mary Jo that her husband may be able to assist with the cost of
Pizza because he works for Mm Mm Pizza.
Arts and Science Fair: This event was held April 28, 2011 at MES. The children really seemed to enjoy themselves. This is the first time
that MES has had arts and science together. There were a few kinks to be ironed out for next year regarding set up and table placement.
Also a child took her project home without displaying it due to miscommunication. A letter of apology will be sent to the child and parents.
Also a special thank you to the honor students who again volunteered for a school event.
Arts and Science Festival: This event is scheduled for May 5, 2011, at WES 6:30-8:30 pm. It will feature hands on science stations,
student artwork, and a Cake Bake. Cakes will be judged by appearance only by those attending the festival. The winner will receive a $25
Dairy Queen gift card. The Inspirations ceremony for both MES and WES students will take place in the gym beginning at 8:00 pm.
Basket Raffle: Whitehall will have theirs at the Arts & Science Festival on May 5, 2011. There is a total of 8 baskets.
Book Distribution: Whitehall's distribution will occur May11th (2nd and 3rd grade) and May 12th (4th and 5th grade). A reminder will be
sent to the teachers this week.
Box Tops: Box Tops were explained for those who were unaware of how to collect them and what they were used for. There are currently
5 teachers at 2000 box tops at WES. Box Tops will be collected until 5/6/11 for the teacher gift cards. The Pirate Parrot will be visiting
MES and posing with each class for a picture on May 4, 2011 as their earned box tops reward. There will be additional activities and the
children will receive Rita's Italian Ice. A special thank you to Dick's Sporting Goods for the $150 donation for the Pirate Parrot visit. The
Box Tops total earnings for this school year are WES: $2077.33 and MES $913.00.
Campbell's Labels: Campbells Labels were explained for those who were unaware of how to collect them and what they were used for.
Giant Eagle (Apples for Students): Apples for Students and registering one's Giant Eagle Advantage Card was explained for those who
were unaware of this feature. Three IPads and a flip camcorder were purchased with the earned points. Two of the IPads and the flip
camcorder will be used as volunteer incentives and one will be donated to Family Bingo as a grand prize for next year.
Inspirations: The winner in each category (divided by grades) will receive a trophy and a $50 savings bond. All participants will receive a
medal. The awards are given at WES Arts and Science Festival May 5, 2011.
Market Day: Market Day was explained for those unaware of this fundraiser. The next pick up date is June 13, 2011, 11:00am and 12:45
pm. This months earnings were $325.47. Two orders were placed in PTO freezer at WES for pick up.
McMay Day: Schedule for May 27, 2011 and the theme will be McDisney. There will be 12 stations. Each classroom will decorate their
door to represent a country (representing Epcot) and the children will wear those colors to school that day or decorate a t-shirt in class.
This event is still in need of volunteers.
Munchie Mouth: Will be held at WES Arts and Science Festival. Volunteers needed.
Newsletter: There is not enough money in the budget to print hard copies of the newsletter for all families and complete the Parent Survey
responses. This newsletter will be available on the PTO website and distributed via email to those addresses currently registered with the
PTO, including the incoming Kindergarten Moms.
PR/Webmaster: If you would like any information posted on the PTO website please send it to Kelly Bischoff at kellybischoff@verizon.net.
School Stores: McAnnulty's remaining date is May 20th. The children are enjoying their shopping experiences. The April and upcoming
May store had homemade stuffed animals donated. Due to a lack of funds for the final store date Kim Stitt made a motion to use the 100
remaining sand art projects from the Arts and Science Fair at the Matey Store. The motion was seconded and approved. The Sandollar
Store has a final sale the last week of May. The budget there is also very low. The chairpersons will be meeting with each school
(teachers/principals) to discuss changes that may need to be made for next year, especially regarding the inequality in which dollars and
coins are distributed to the children. Next year the total budget will be $2000 for WES and $1000 for McAnnulty.
Spirit Committee: Whitehall: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 is Hat Day and Thursday, June 9th is Beach Day (no swimsuits)MES children will
be wearing colors to represent the different countries on May 27, 2011 for McMay Day.
Spirit Wear: Colleen Mondello has taken over this committee for the remainder of the school year. Items will be available for sale at the
Arts and Science Festival. They were sold at the Talent Show and the Arts and Science Fair at MES. Both sales did well.
Staff Appreciation: see President's Report
Talent Show: No report from the chairperson. It was well organized and well attended. The performances being at the High School really
made a positive difference in the lighting and the sound.
Tyson: no update however it was reported that for every 100 labels the PTO receives $25.00.
Ways and Means: The catalog sale earned about $4000 for the PTO. There were, however, 51 orders not picked up on the scheduled
date. This may have been due to the timing of the pick up (day after Easter). Clean Sweep is the fundraiser flea market. This is being
held May 14, 2011 at Harrison Middle School. Currently 13 tables have been purchased for $10/each. The Whitehall Library is promoting
the PTO flea market and the PTO in turn is helping to promote the Whitehall Library flea market.
Wild and Wacky: June 7, 2011. The theme this year is America.
Yearbook: Due to be delivered the beginning of June. Orders are still being accepted.
Volunteer Luncheon: This event is scheduled for May 13, 2011 in the PTO room at WES (room 115). This luncheon is for anyone who
has volunteered with the PTO this school year.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A motion was made to elect Diane Kindling, Kelly Bischoff, and Kim Stitt. as the auditing committee. The motion was seconded and
approved. The fiscal year ends June 30, 2011.
NEW BUSINESS
The election of the PTO Officers for the 2011-12 school year. Mary Jo Barbano made a motion to elect Chris Deiley (President), Cristy
Stipetic (Vice President- WES), Chris Rostek (Vice President MES), Colleen Mondello (Treasurer), Kim Maiden (Recording Secretary) and
Kelly Bischoff (Corresponding Secretary). The motion was seconded and approved. Congratulations to the new PTO Officers.
Approval needed now for 2011-12 school year Sarris' fundraising because the fall sale begins in early September. Kim Stitt made a motion
for the ME and WE PTO to participate in both the fall and spring Sarris' Candy sale. The motion was seconded and approved.
Sharon Bommer suggested that the PTO, along with the principals and teachers, organize a tribute for the 10th Anniversary of 9/11.
Several suggestions were made and this will be further explored.
Kelly Bischoff explained that the South Baldwin Fire Hall is requesting PTO members to volunteer at the summer carnival held in
Salvatore's paring lot. They offered a booth to the PTO to sell spirit wear and promote PTO involvement if PTO members volunteer.
Laurencine Romack brought up the donating of a molecule science item (currently sitting in PTO closet) to Baldwin High School. Mary Jo
Barbano made a motion to donate this item to the high school. The motion was seconded and approved.
Kindergarten Recognition will be June 8, 2011 at 9:45 am and 1:45 pm.
NEXT MEETING
TBA- the first meeting will be an evening meeting in September
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Market Day: June 13, 2011
No School: May 6, May 17 and May 30.
The meeting was adjourned at 813 pm.
Respectfully Submitted: Chris Rostek 5/4/11