Wass Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

• Call to Order – 7:02 pm, by Tony Porta
• Introduction of Board and Present Members 

2. Principal’s Report given by: Kristin Crowe

• New furniture – great feedback from students and teachers, different strategies being implemented     by students and staff
• Playground next year – playground is mostly designed as of this point- playground meeting upcoming, designs shared next meeting. We will not be able to keep any current structures aside from new Kindergarten playground

• Sara Konja moved from second to third grade, Shadia Martin is newly in 2^nd grade and Jacob Piontkowski from Troy Union is in 5^th grade replacing Mr. Kolbe
• There is currently a vacant resource room position

• Off to a strong start
• Casandra Mitchell has stepped forward to manage noon aides
• Mrs. Crowe is looking for team building opportunities during day to re-engage the staff and build up a positive environment

3. Budget Proposal, given by Kevin Tuzcek

• Mirroring what has been done in past years
• Money being spent on current students – not looking to build a reserve
• Added line item for hospitality – this covered first day welcome expenses and curriculum night engagement expenses
• Upped spending in teacher appreciation- this will help to accommodate provision of an additional meal with the changes to conference scheduling considered – spring is now required as the fall was in the past – no longer an opt in
• Motion to approve presented by Gina Savickis, Seconded by Emily D’Amico. Motion is approved by majority vote and 2024-2025 budget is adopted

• Highlights given with major events for each month
• Updated running calendar available on PTO google document

• Thank you to the committee chair volunteers for this year
• The PTO board members can be contacted to connect members with any committees that are of interest or committee chairs can be contacted directly

• Staff Appreciation, given by: Ashleigh Jennings

We started the year with a welcome back pizza lunch for the teachers. Continued monthly appreciation activities will be carried out as the year progresses forward

• Room Parents, given by: Amy Mills

1. Volunteer forms are due Friday
2. Leads and co-leads will be chosen by teachers and communicated to Amy – September 26^th RPL meeting
3. Discussed furthering the role of RPL to perform classroom tasks as needed through out the year, i.e. sizing student tshirts

• Auction, given by: Ashleigh Jennings

• Restaurant Night, given by: Ashleigh Jennings

1. Kristy Fleming is the chair
2. Likely Jet’s night in mid October

• Trunk or Treat, given by: Tony Porta and Holly Haberkamp

1. In the process of submitting to the city to have Willard and Harbor blocked off for improved safety
2. Will be combined with Hill
3. Will be dropping off flyers to homes within 500 feet, look for opportunities to volunteer for that is of interest to members
4. Holly Haberkamp reporting – with road block approval we will be able to spread the event out and use the teacher lot as well to improve flow and safety
5. Looking for parent volunteers to distribute candy
6. Involving NHS for extra support

• Officer Reports

1. Co Presidents, given by: Ashleigh Jennings and Tony Porta

Fundraising update – Pizza Kits will no longer be a fundraise

Thoughts on other things – Atchatz? Donuts? Bringing back bagel sales – we will leave this open to suggestions

2. Treasurer

Teacher appreciation allocations have been sent out

• Announcements

1. Spirit-Wear Sale, given by: Kristin Crowe – varsity shop has finalized link and it’ll be in the howl this week
2. PTO Auction Runs 9/13-9/24
3. Skating Night 10/14
4. Trunk or Treat 10/27
5.  District Security Liaison, given by: Tony Porta – will attend a Wass PTO meeting – likely November or January. Will be speaking at Troy Union on 10/14