PTO Meeting Minutes 2024-205

Subject - BKS PTO October Meeting

Date - Monday, Jan 6th 2025

Place - Virtual Zoom Call

Time - 7pm - 8pm

Call to Order

Principal’s Report – Mrs. Rodriguez

· Winter Gym Program

· Student Progress and Attendance

· Winter benchmark reports will be sent to all families.

· Reports will show student progress since fall testing.

· Attendance is a focus for the state of Massachusetts.

· Initiative called "Beyond Time Shine" to encourage punctuality.

· School day starts at 8:15 AM; announcements at 8:25 AM.

· Chronic absenteeism rate last year was 6.2%.

· Previous year's rate was under 1%.

Co- Chair Report- Katelyn Guimaraes

Upcoming Events

• 4th Grade field trip to Gillette.

• Next PBIS assembly will be virtual on February 5th.

• 5th Grade leadership summit on February 13th.

• Next PTO event – Family Bingo Thur Feb 27th 6pm-7pm

Diversity Initiative

· Partnership with Raising Multicultural Kids for diversity lessons.

· Proposal to purchase books for classrooms. Seven copies suggested for distribution

· Fifth Grade Planning and Scholarships - planning meeting on April 7th.

Beechwood Knoll Alumni Scholarship Details

· $2,500 awards for each high school, total of four.

· Application includes a brief essay on the impact of being a Beechwood Knoll

· Applications open until the Friday before April break.

PTO Updates

• Thank you to volunteers for the book fair.

• Cocoa and Craft night had over 200 attendees with positive feedback.

Feedback and Event Success

· Positive feedback on recent events.

· Great volunteers participated, including new ones.

· Attendance for Cocoa and Craft night was higher than last year.

· Teacher’s lunch was successful - Held the Wednesday before the break.

· Gifted a new Keurig Coffee Machine for the teacher's lounge.

Upcoming Events

· Bingo night scheduled for February 27th (Thursday).

· Anticipating attendance comparison with Cocoa and Craft night.

· Penguin Pizza fundraiser planned for February - Offers make-your-own pizza kits.

· Pickup at school after dismissal, with delivery option available.

Readathon Details

· Scheduled for early March.

· Previous years raised close to $5,000.

· Encourages reading during Read Across America week.

· Discussion on tracking reading.

· Previous methods included tracking by books or minutes.

· Need input from teachers on future tracking methods.

Fundraising Ideas

· Consideration of additional fundraising options.

· Previous fundraisers included Brick and Beam and Liberty Tavern.

· Request for suggestions on local small businesses for partnerships.

· Emphasis on supporting small businesses in the Quincy community.

Business Outreach

• Reach out to Penguin Pizza, Liberty Tavern and Brick and Beam. Suggest contacting Next Chapter Books in Quincy for potential donations. Kathleen will reach out to Next Chapter Books.

Treasurer's Report – Kristen Campbell

• Ending cash balance:

· General PTO account: $17,126.23

• Scholarship account: $3,755

• Upcoming transfers:

• $2,000 to be transferred from the scholarship account to the general account. •Outstanding payments:

• Scholastic: $4,851.48

• Kindergarten in-house field trip: $925

Receipt Management

• Receipts can be sent via text or email for reimbursement.

• Reminder for anyone holding receipts from the holidays to submit them.

Thank You Notes

• Received from Mrs. Mulcahy for book donations to Room 1.

• Received from Mrs. Ciulla's First Grade class for the glow stick dance party.

Citywide PTO Report – Grace Jae

Web Promotion Manager Position

· Position open for someone tech-savvy to manage digital information.

· Training period of two to three months required.

· Interested individuals should email by the end of January.

Citywide PTO Update

• Support for recognizing Lunar New Year as a school holiday.

• Upcoming school committee meeting on Wednesday at 6pm.

• Attendees encouraged to wear red shirts.

• Open Forum for speaking at 6:30pm or submitting letters by Tuesday at 4pm.

Upcoming Events

• Next PTO meeting

• Scheduled for Friday, March 7th at 8:30am.

• Will include coffee and conversation. Venue considerations

• Discussion about using the gym due to cold weather, may double up classes to accommodate.

Open Q&A

Meeting adjournment

Next Meeting – Friday, March 7th at 8.30am Coffee & Conversations

Minutes Taken By Cecelia Stanford

Subject - BKS PTO October Meeting

Date - Monday, October 6th 2024

Place - Virtual Zoom Call

Time - 7pm - 8pm

Agenda

Principal’s Report – Mrs. Rodriguez

Co- Chair Report- Katelyn
Vote In Sarah and Renu as Assistant Treasurers

• Successful Movie Night (present cost rundown for event)
• Purchase Screen Options
• BKS Gear Spirit Wear - will be available year round. Feedback
• Successful Open House
• Successful Coffee and Conversation Meeting
• Sign in sheet for meetings - win class prizes
• 5th Grade - Fundraising Committee?
• Upcoming events - Trunk or Treat 10/25 - accepting donations and sign ups!
• November 5th Grade Fundraiser - bake sale on voting Day 11/5 - sign up genius will be sent out to sign up for food and volunteering
• December - Cocoa and Craft Night
• Treasurer’s Report - Kristin - Account Review 2024/25 Budget
• Citywide PTO Report – Grace Jae - Terracycle & Book Fair
  
  

Meeting Notes

Call to Order:

PTO Board Member Introductions

Principal’s Report – Mrs. Rodriguez

Co- Chair Report- Katelyn

Vote in Assistant Treasurers

Treasurer’s Report- Kristin - Account Review 2024/25 Budget

Mrs. Fran - Phys Ed Budjet and Kindergarteners Teddy Bear Picnic Ideas

Citywide PTO Report – Grace Jae- Terracycle & Book Fair

Open Q&A for parents

Next Meeting: November 15th, 8:20 am Coffee and Conversation

Minutes Taken By - Cecelia Stanford