Linwood Holton PTA Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at LHES

Meeting called to order at 6:02 PM.

Meeting Participants:
Sandi Van Santvoord, Susan Norkus, Jess Smith, Liz Vermillion, Rachel Willis, Allen Rogers, Hannah Diomataris from executive committee. Sara Reichart, Matt Reichart, Amy Berry, Kate Lainhart, Caitlin Catts, Amanda Valenzuela, A. Darby, Myiesha Jones, Erin Kilgore, Cyndi Fleming, M. Gaskin, Shae McGrath, Suzanna Hagen, Marisa Day, David McRez, Catherine McRez, Paul Logan, Kristen Wiley, Justain Murphy, Audrey Christesen, Stacia Alexander, Tom Allison, Liz Allison, Michael John Bodner, Michael Archer, Maria Carra Rose, Elena Brownback, Kristina D’Apice, Julia Pippitt, Amber Soeul, Beth Orcutt, Jenn Ferguson, Logan Bowles, Stefan Marks, Beth Leftwich, Elizabeth Nowrouz, Morgan Friday.

  • Welcoming remarks by Sandi Van Santvoord.
    • Introductions of executive committee.
    • Introductions of teacher liaisons: Ms. Darby and Mr. Gaskin.
  • Motion to approve minutes from May 21, 2025 meeting. Approved.
  • Membership update - currently at 102 members as of September 1.
    • Open to new ideas for membership outreach & retainment.
    • Please remember to renew every year!

PTA Goals & Mission:

  • To support students, staff and families through community engagement and fundraising.

Treasurer Update:

  • Budget handout provided.
  • Current balance: $40,000.
  • Holton PTA financially supports teachers & students by:
    • Providing funds for classroom supplies, resources and programs
    • Facilitating teacher appreciation gifts and activities
    • Funding student enrichment activities and community events 
  • Reviewed programs and updated categories.
  • Received comments and questions.
  • Motion to approve 2025/26 PTA Budget. Approved.

Committee Introductions/Updates:

  • Finance - looking for a few volunteers to help.
  • Garden - Work day Saturday, October 25th. Looking for volunteers with access to pickup trucks, soil, tools, etc.
  • Hospitality - staff appreciation food & snacks - thank you for donations!
  • Soccer - 93 kids signed up, season to start next week. Need volunteer coaches for teams that only have one coach.
  • Sustainability - Please donate to clothing bin in front lot - tell your neighbors & friends. Fall yard sale October 25th: $10 and under - toys, clothes, sports equipment, books, etc. Need volunteers!
  • Harvest Festival - Planned for Saturday November 8th from 12-3pm. Big fundraiser for PTA. Need volunteers, support and donations from local restaurants.
  • Merch - all merch purchases will be available to pick up on Back To School Night. Hats available to purchase. Ideas are welcome!
  • Holton Has Heart - Big fundraiser for PTA, online silent auction. Need volunteers and donations from local businesses. Free school dance and auction winner pick up.
  • Holton’s Got Talent - School talent show planned for late spring.
  • Happy Holton Players (Theater) - Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School Jr. Auditions submissions accepted through September 11. For 3rd, 4th & 5th graders only. Participation fee $50, scholarships available. Need support with costumes, production, set, backstage teams.

** All committees need support and volunteers - please reach out if you can help!

Sense of Belonging Initiatives - Mr. Lindsay

  • Introduction of Ms. Duncan - family liaison
  • 3rd grade Arts to All theater program - build confidence and self-esteem
  • 5th grade Mural project

Open comments and questions.

Upcoming Events:

  • 9/18 Back To School Night
  • 9/25 Spirit Night @ Northside Grille 5-8pm
  • 10/1 PTA Meeting & Food Trucks @ Holton
  • 10/2 RPS Closed (Yom Kippur)
  • 10/8 Walk, Bike and Roll to School (details to come)

Meeting adjourned 6:32pm.

 

Linwood Holton PTA Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at LHES

Meeting called to order at 6:03pm.

Meeting Participants:
Sandi Van Santvoord, Susan Norkus, Jess Smith, Liz Vermillion, Rachel Willis, Allen Rogers, Hannah Diomataris from executive committee. Sara Reichart, Ayesha Darby, Tara Wiley, Jamie McLeod, Tom Allison, Liz Allison, Hannah Fverhoff, Erin Kilgore, Megan Phipps, Brittney Autozzi, Sophie Reidl, Audrey Christesen, Justin Kern, Katie Sanderson, Mary Bernardo, Marisa Day, Chelsea Haynes, Catherine McRez, Sarah Theimer, Caitlin Catts, Kristina D’Apice, Tim Luckritz Marquis, Samantha Seeley, Meghann Kennedy, Amy Berry.

  • Welcoming remarks by President Sandi Van Santvoord.
  • Membership update - 162 to date, including 13 staff. Goal 175.
  • Motion to approve minutes from September 3, 2025 meeting. Approved.

Treasurer’s Update:

  • Current balance $45,030.74 - including garden funds.
  • Renewed insurance. Now valid through September 2026.
  • Venmo and PayPal PTA accounts created for easier reimbursements and reporting.
  • New reimbursement form - anything over $250 needs prior approval.
  • Soccer raised $4770.
  • Hoping to provide quarterly updates.
  • Regular/monthly budget updates sent to committee chairs.
  • Need additional volunteers to help with the financial committee, particularly with the VAPTA audit due at the end of October.
  • Reach out to Allen at holtontreasurer@gmail.com.

Committee Updates:
Please sign up to help and volunteer!

Harvest Festival:

  • Saturday, November 8 12-3pm
  • All you can eat wristbands for purchase - soups, breads, treats 
  • Next planning meeting on October 14 at 4pm at the Holton Playground
  • Need lots of hands to make this event happen - please volunteer!
  • Looking for a musician to donate their time & provide background music during the event.

Hospitality:

  • Coffee & donuts on October 14
  • Meeting at the end of the month

Yard Sale/Sustainability:

  • Fall yard sale Saturday, October 25 from 9am-12pm
  • Donation drop off times: Friday, October 24 from 4-6pm and Saturday, October 25 from 730-830am
  • 100% proceeds go back into the PTA and our school!
  • We need volunteers! Sign Up Genius coming soon.

Garden:

  • Garden work day October 25 11am-3pm
  • Volunteers needed for tasks big & small
  • Save your cardboard for the gardens!
  • Wreath decorating event in early December? - please share your feedback around interest.
  • Follow @holtongardens on Instagram for more information

Merch:

  • Kids shirts are here!

Fall PTA Programs:

  • Enrichment - fully funded by PTA, and we pay teachers for their time.
  • School Play - early December, support our students

Playground Socials: make connections with school friends and families. Meet up at the Holton Playground.

  • Grades K-2 - Sunday, October 19 - 12:30-2pm
  • Grades 3-5 - Sunday, November 16 - 12:30-2pm

Teacher/Staff Updates:

  • Thursday, October 30 - Trunk or Treat 5-7pm - need candy donations and parent volunteers!
  • Ms. Bibi hosting Math Night at Food Lion on Chamberlayne Ave - Thursday, November 20 from 5:30-7:30pm
  • Teachers Favorite Things List coming soon - let’s spoil our teachers!

Open comments and questions.

Upcoming Events:

  • 10/8 Walk, Bike and Roll to School
  • 10/13 RPS Closed - No School
  • 10/20 RPS Closed - No School (Diwali)
  • 10/23 Fall Picture Day
  • 10/25 Fall Yard Sale + Garden Work Day
  • 10/30 Trunk or Treat

Meeting adjourned 6:20pm.

Linwood Holton PTA Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at LHES Cafeteria
Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM.


Meeting Participants: Sandi Van Santvoord, Susan Norkus, Jess Smith, Liz Vermillion, Rachel Willis, Hannah Diomataris from executive committee. Sara Reichart, Erin Traylor, Erin Kilgore, Susanna Hagen, Gretchen Friday, Audrey Christesen, Catherine McRez, Mia Foster, Tom Allison, Liz Allison, Rachel McCarthy, James Rudd, Hannah Watson, Amy Berry, Elizabeth Winn, Tim Wiley, Chelsea Hayner, Kat Winter, Amber Seely, Angie Warner, Katie Sanderson, Emily Jaquiery, Morgan Nagle, Rachael Deane, Bash Kustere.

  • Welcoming remarks by Sandi Van Santvoord.
  • Motion to approve minutes from October 3, 2025 meeting. Approved.

General updates + recap

  • Yard Sale
  • Trunk or Treat
  • Harvest Festival - food drive success
  • Playground Socials 

Angel Tree

  • Thank you Ms. Schoolfield for leading this effort!
  • Gift Wrapping on Friday, December 12th from 8am-10am - need volunteers

Spirit Event

  • VCU Women's Basketball Game
  • Sunday, January 11th

Junie B. Jones Play

  • opens next week
  • $5 suggested ticket donation
  • Need parent volunteers for backstage
  • Wreath-Making Event to benefit Garden Program
    • tonight!

Merch:

  • mugs and more merch for sale for holidays

Coming up - Holton Has Heart Auction

  • first week of February
  • looking for volunteers to help + donations!!

Treasurer Update:

  • New - Jess Smith steps into the role.
  • Yard sale generated $750
  • Harvest Festival generated $6500
  • Membership is currently at 192 members, 18 being teachers/staff
  • Filed 990s, tax returns
  • Reimbursements should be up to date, please reach out if not.

Questions/comments.

Upcoming Events:
12/11 & 12/12 Junie B. Performances @ 6:30PM
12/12 Angel Tree Gift Wrapping 8-10AM
12/17 Winter Concert 6PM
12/22 - 1/2 NO SCHOOL - RPS Closed
1/11 VCU Basketball Game @ 2PM
1/21 Virtual PTA Meeting @ 6PM

Meeting adjourned 5:08pm.

Linwood Holton PTA Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, January 21, 2025, virtual.

Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM.

Meeting Participants:
Sandi Van Santvoord, Susan Norkus, Jess Smith, Liz Vermillion, Rachel Willis from executive committee. Sara Reichart, Katie Sanderson, Mia Foster, Jon Martin, Shae McGrath, Jeannie Bowker, Brittney Antozzi, Adam Tignor.

  • Welcome from Sandi
  • Motion to approve minutes from meeting on December 3, 2025. Approved.

Open Comments & Questions

  • Wreath night, Junie B. Jones Play and VCU Women's basketball game were all successful!
  • Skate Night?  No spirit night planned yet.

RPS Parent Advisory Council

  • Meet monthly as a team with about 4 parents from Holton - opportunity to get involved
  • RPS State Advocacy/Lobby Day is 2/2
  • Reach out to Katie Sanderson for more information.

Virginia PTA (Katie)

  • Capitol Day is this Friday, 1/23 with Matthew Stanley hosting.
Teacher Grant Requests
  • 16 teachers submitted proposals.
  • $3,000 aggregate amount is budgeted amount. 
  • Approved as presented, unanimous. 

Holton Has Heart

  • in the midst of donation requests: 48 signed up, 57 outstanding.
  • Auction goes live on 2/11
  • Holton Has Heart Dance - Friday, February 20 from 5:30-7:30pm
  • pick up auction items during the dance

Treasurer Update

  • Snapshot: approved balanced budget of $90,000. We have brought in $48,000 and spent $37,000 including teacher compensation, fall play, etc. 
  • If any committees have not fully submitted, please do.
  • Clothing to Cash has been really helpful.
Reminders:
  • Enrichment - registration due 1/23
  • Spring Soccer - registration coming soon! Coaches needed!
  • Spring Play audition call went home today; due next Thursday
  • Hospitality will be working on door decorations (BHM) and need help – meet in front lobby tomorrow and Friday (1/22-23) at 3:00
  • Go Nuts for Reading is Friday, 1/30 during school hours
  • Holton Has Heart!

Meeting adjourned at 6:30pm.

Upcoming Events:

2/11 Holton Has Heart Auction goes live
2/12 Class Pictures
2/16 School Closed - Wellness Day
2/20 Holton Has Heart Dance and Auction Pick up - 5:30-7:30pm
2/23 Last day to register for Spring Soccer
2/24 Spirit Night at Ashland Skateland 5:30-7:30pm
2/27 Purple and Gold Spirit Day

 

Linwood Holton PTA Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at LHES Cafeteria
Meeting called to order at 5:30pm.
 
Meeting participants: Sandi Van Santvoord, Rachel Willis, Jess Smith, Hannah Diomataris from the executive committee. Katie Sanderson, Marisa Day, Jon Martin, Catherine Doyle, Sara Link, Erynn Mattera, Brenden Doyle, Cole Wasdin, Suzanna Hagen, Olga Burcham, Bridget Walsh, Kristina D'Apice, Blair Bowens, James Bowens, Kirsten Tyree, Elaina Breanan, Nicole Stonestreet, Gus Stonestreet, Taylor Hartman, Blair Hartman, K. Redling, Mike McGrath, Shae McGrath.
  • Welcoming remarks from Sandi Van Santvoord.
  • Motion to approve minutes from February meeting. Motion approved. 
General Updates and Recap:
  • Thank you to all who participated in making the Holton Has Heart Auction and dance such a great success. We raised $10,000.
  • Enrichment ends this week.
  • Spring soccer begins this week.
  • Flying Squirrels booklet was sent home - turn in by March 25th.
  • Book Fair coming up - starting April 13th. Ms. Timmons will need volunteers to help!

**The PTA Executive Committee is looking for new Vice Presidents to support the next school year. Please reach out to Sandi if interested and for more information!

Meeting adjourned at 5:34pm.

Upcoming Events:

3/25 Flying Squirrels Booklet due
3/30-4/3 Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
4/11 Garden Work Day 9am-1pm
4/13 Book Fair begins
4/16 + 4/17 Frozen Jr. Performances