Linwood Holton PTA Meeting Minutes

October 16, 2023 at LHES Playground

Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM.

Meeting Participants:
Shae McGrath, Brianna Burton, Katie Sanderson, Jon Martin, and Anne Chan from the executive committee. Chris Burton, Joel Ingram, Amy Berry, Valerie Warshaw, Meghann Kennedy, Kelly Cradle, Molly Brannan, Sara Reichert, Emily Hooker, Sean Hooker, Jeannie Bowker

Opening remarks from President McGrath and re-introduction of PTA Executive Committee

    Trunk-or-Treat:  teachers asking for support (Amazon wish list)

    Membership Update:  242 members

    Teacher Wishlists are pending—will be available later in the fall.

Treasurer Martin:

    Already make 25% of revenue for academic year (AY) with only 7% of expenses.

    Merch Committee — Big success! (see Sara’s report below)

    Purchased lots of exceptional ed classroom materials (budgeted).

    Sustainability Committee’s Fall Year Sale made over $600.

    $200 revenue from October’s Wednesday Night Food Truck Fundraiser

    New soccer shed

    Implemented a new reimbursement form.  Reach out to Holton Treasurer gmail account.

Principal Lindsay:  adding musical component to playground in memory of student named Nina.  Need help from Holton community to install.  Funding from the Whirlpool grant—will also do fundraiser to honor and remember her.  Lots of events coming up, e.g. Trunk or Treat.

Merchandise Committee Update (Sara):  Sold 215 apparel items

Harvest Festival Committee (Amy and Meghann):  November 4 from noon to 3pm.  Selling soup, bread, cider, donuts.  Apple sales and t-shirt sales open now.  Purchase via PTBoard; pick up at Festival.  In about a week, you’ll see a volunteer sign-up genius (We need your time!  All slots are 30 minutes!).  Also needing small grocery items.  Doing a canned food drive for the school.  Will have representation from Henderson Middle.  Face-painting and temporary tattoos.  Bluegrass music.

Updates from Ms. Terry (from Shae):

    Kindness Closet:  Ms. Terry has been working on this.  She’ll let us know when she needs a restock.  Has lots of coats.

    Ms. Terry is doing a Feedmore bag pick-up for weekend meals.  Will send another one for second half of year.

    Ms. Terry—still wants to do a Thanksgiving meal for Holton families who have requested help, as well as an angel tree.  Carra Rose noted that Matchbox (on North Ave.) is able to help and prepare a full meal.

Spirit Night:  Ellie’s Hot Dogs—wanting to partner

EIB Committee Update (Chris Burton)—meeting again tomorrow at 12:30pm.  If interested, please speak with Chris afterwards.

Hospitality Committee:  last week, brought beignets and coffee for teachers and staff.  Working on a lunch.

Upcoming Events:

    PTA Hosting a Happy Hour for Teachers

    After School Enrichment—10/23 thru 11/27

    Fall Pictures—10/26; looking for some volunteers to shuffle kids and support photographer

    Trunk or Treat—10/26

    Boo Bash PTA Dance:  10/31 during school…hopefully outside.  No volunteers needed, but families invited to dance with kids

    Harvest Festival on 11/4

In response to PTA member’s question about what else Holton families can do to help teachers, Ms. Hooker responded with DonorsChoose as an avenue to support Holton teachers.  Giving Tuesday is always an opportunity for your donation to be matched.

Motion to approval of last month’s minutes.  A first motion was made (Katie); a second motion was made (Molly).  No further questions.  The minutes from last month’s PTA meeting was adopted unanimously by voice vote.

Meeting closed at 6:20pm.

Linwood Holton PTA Meeting Minutes

January 22, 2024 via In-Person Meeting at Holton Cafeteria

Meeting called to order at 6:03 PM.

Meeting Participants:
Brianna Burton, Katie Sanderson, Jon Martin, and Anne Chan from the executive committee.  Joel Ingram, Molly Brannan, Maria Carra Rose, Michael John Bodnar, Jenna Conway, Meghann Kennedy, Sara Reichert, Amanda Molson, Mary Ashburn Pearson, Dana Wiggins.

• Welcoming Remarks by Katie Sanderson
• Treasurer Update 
  • Working within budget at the moment
  • Looking forward—might need increase to Staff Happy Hour and Teacher Lounge line items
  • A new digital reimbursement option — PayPal
  • Fall play:  broke even
• New Business/Committee Updates
  • All teacher grant items have been purchased. Most things have been delivered, and we are delivering them as they come. 
• The Hospitality Committee created a sign up for the next teachers lounge stock/Valentine’s surprise for teachers. You can find this on PTBoard.  Sign-up changed so Amazon will deliver to Erin Kilgore’s house.
• Skate Night THIS FRIDAY at Ashland Skateland
  • 5-7PM
  • $7 Skate, $4 Skate Rentals, $5 Skate Mates
    • Take credit card, but snack bar is cash
  • Reach out to Ms. Terry regarding scholarships
• Holton Has Heart (HHH)
  • One of the biggest fundraising events
  • We NEED donations so spread the word, email presidentholtonpta@gmail.com if you have any donation ideas
  • Event date: February 23, 2024 (dance and pizza)
  • Silent Auction will be live 2/12-22/2024
• Holton’s Got Talent 
  • Scheduled for 3/11 after a brief PTA meeting.
  • Is there anyone wanting to head up this initiative?
• Happy Holton Players
  • Spring musical is Wonka. Auditions took place and main cast will begin rehearsals.  3rd thru 5th grade performers; K thru 2nd as part of cast (no need to audition)
  • Meghann Kennedy:  There may need to be some updates to mics/stage (curtain) before this production.
•  Other Committee Updates
  • EIB:  If you want to join—contact Chris Burton.  Reading a book:  Every Child Deserves a Gifted Education.
  • Merch:  Giving items to staff—very successful.  House flags will be an option to purchase this spring.
  • Soccer starts in the spring
  • Wellness Day in March
  • HHH dance — consider selling flowers at Merch table
  • Wonka — idea of heart “grams” for $1
• Upcoming Events 
  • Skate Night 1/16
  • BBGB Author Visit (K-2) 1/29
  • Class pictures 2/15 
  • President’s Day NO SCHOOL 2/19
  • Holton Has Heart Silent Auction 2/12-22
  • Holton Has Heart Dance 2/23
  • Holton’s Got Talent 3/11/24
  • Holton Wellness Day 3/23/24
• Open Comments

Next Meeting 3/11/24 + Holton’s Got Talent

Motion to approve meetings from last PTA meeting—Approved.

Meeting adjourned at 6:31pm.

Linwood Holton PTA Meeting Minutes

September 11, 2023 at LHES Playground

Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM.

Meeting Participants:
Shae McGrath, Brianna Burton, Katie Sanderson, Jon Martin, and Anne Chan from the executive committee. Chris Burton, Jacqui Jones, Sara Reichert, Molly Brannan, Meghann Kennedy, Amy Berry, Amma Agyemang, Sean Hooker, Emily Hooker, Katie Harries, Abbey Miller, Michael John Bednar, Liz Chudoba, James Adams-Boyles, Elizabeth Nowrouz, Rachel WIllis, Toquilla Houchens, Joel Ingram, Paris Ball, Brad Perry, Kelly Cradle, Paul Cook, Lindsey Amores, Jess Smith, Rob Smith, Stacia Alexander, Kate Lainhart

Opening remarks from President McGrath

Introduction of Executive Committee.

Treasurer Martin reviewed the closing of the AY22-23 budget.  Had projected a deficit; ended up with $10k positive margin.  AY23-24 is budgeted at a $6,500 deficit.  Audit found no issues.

Membership Update:  218 members this year.  About 15% increase from last year.

Merchandise:  sold 130 items; profit of $1k.  Apparel will be distributed at Back to School Night.  Future items:  stickers and keychain pulls, house and yard flags, picnic blankets

PTA Reflections:  will restart.  Ms. Easter will assist—theme is “I’m hopeful because…”

Ms. Terry:  Working with her to support the Kindness Closet—what students and families need (new            underwear, plain shirts, travel sized toiletry, Ziplock bags, sweatpants, leggings.  Will have bins to collect at Back to School Night.

Co-VP Sanderson:  Committee Updates.  Please participate!  Some Committees don’t have leads.

EIB Committee:  Chris Burton—want to invite you to the conversation.  3 specific movements—                   education, context, application.

Harvest Festival:  Amy Berry / Meghann Kennedy — on November 4.  Big fundraiser—come hungry.

Sustainability Committee:  President McGrath—led by Rupa Singh.

Holton Has Heart:  Virtual Silent Auction

Holton Talent Show:  in March

Importance of events being accessible to all Holton families.

Co-VP Burton:

Wellness Day in Spring—fun day for families.  Kid vs. soccer game.  Community partners come.

Spirit Nights—if you have any ideas, please reach out.  Last year, we did Gelati Celesti.  Please contact Co-VP Burton.

Calendar of Events:

Back to School Night:  9/21

National Walk to School Day:  10/4

Fall Yard Sale:  10/7

HH for Teachers:  Fall

Enrichment:  Opens up in October

BooBash:  Halloween Dance

Harvest Festival:  11/4

Reminder of Methods of Communication:  PT Board, Instagram

MOTION — Approval of AY23-24 Budget.  A first motion was made, a second motion was made.  No questions.  The budget was adopted unanimously by voice vote.

Meeting closed at 6:22pm.

Linwood Holton PTA Meeting Minutes

May 13, 2024 via In-Person Meeting at Holton Playground

Meeting called to order at 6:02 PM.

Meeting Participants:
Shae McGrath, Brianna Burton, Katie Sanderson, Jon Martin, and Anne Chan from the executive committee.  Molly Brennan, Sandi Van Santvoord, Sara Reichert, Sean Hooker, Emily Hooker, Meghann Kennedy, Lauren Austin, Stephen Burns, Suzanne Burns, Rachel Willis, Katie Sanderson, Maria Carra Rose, Erin Kilgore, Michael John Rodnar, Kate Lainhart.

•     Welcoming Remarks by Shae McGrath
• Motion to Approve Minutes from March Meeting.  Approved.

• Treasurer Update 
  • Yard Sale:  Revenue $700 for spring; both spring and fall $1,200
  • Play Program:  Breakeven
  • Motion:  Increase End-of-Year Celebration by $1,000.  Approved.

• New Business/Committee Updates
  • Teacher Appreciation Week—Mr. Lindsay wanted to say a huge thank-you.  Every staff member and teacher felt appreciated.
  • Flying Squirrels Go Nuts for Reading Night 5/15 @6:30pm.  Kids have the opportunity to run the bases before the game.  PTA will purchase tickets for teachers—Mr. Lindsay is aware.
  • End of the Year Playground Party on May 23, 2024 — 4:30pm to 6pm.  Sign-Up Genius will be sent out for food donations.  PTA will purchase pizza.
  • EIB Committee:  No events done this year, but what do we want to do going forward?  They have a few sub-committees that will take on priorities.
  • Merch Committee:  Holton Yard Flags

• • General Elections
    • Explanation of newly formatted VP roles with 3 areas of focus: Teacher Appreciation, Belonging, Community Engagement
    • Election of Sandi Van Santvoord, Rachel Willis, and Steve Burns.  Voice Vote—all in favor.  No opposition.

• Upcoming Events 
  • 5/15:  Go Nuts for Reading / Flying Squirrels Game
  • 5/23:  End of Year Playground Party
  • 5/27:  Memorial Day (no school)
  • 5/28:  LHES Field Day
  • 5/30:  5th Grade Moving On Ceremony
  • 5/31:  Kindergarten Grade Moving Up Ceremony
  • 5/31:  LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

• Open Comments

Motion to adjourn meeting.  Approved.

Meeting adjourned at 6:27pm.