PTO Meeting
April 28, 2023
8:45am, Spring Ave School

Administration and PTO Members in Attendance

Ms. Read, Principal

Colleen Garbe, Paula Strozak, Pam Byerly, Valerie Nugent, Erin Schrieber, Jeni Graham, Elizabeth Vanderheyden

Updates from Administration and Board Members

The PTO plans to send out the PTO Board ballot by the end of May, per the bylaws. Departing Board Members will write any necessary notes and update job descriptions. There are still a few roles that need to be filled. Planning is underway for the next school year; the PTO Board and Ms. Read will meet to discuss programming.

Ms. Read shared that she has met with a Landscaping company and they will grade and seed the area that was previously a school garden (adjacent to the playground). The grass and flagstone path(s)  will decrease the amount of mud and provide a path from the school doors to the playground. Ms. Read also asked the PTO to reach out to parents to help supervise recess; a Parent Square message was sent out with a sign up. 

Ms. Read shared her enjoyment of the “return to normalcy” at Spring Ave. Students were able to attend a school orchestra concert and Ms. Read reports the Humane Society fundraiser has been enjoyed by many. At the time of the meeting, students have raised about $1,400 for the Hinsdale Humane Society and the administration is brainstorming a school wide incentive to promote the fundraising. 

The annual Adult Social was a success and $32,600 was raised. Pam and other PTO members received many positive messages from parents; the Casino theme was popular. At this time more parties are still available for purchase. Overall, more funds were raised, but bid numbers overall declined. The PTO Board is working to secure a date and location for next year’s social. 

Erin reported that planning is underway for Field Day and Fun Lunch, both taking place on the same day. Additionally, 6th Grade Stepping Up is in the planning stages and the details are being worked out.  The LT Scholarship winners have been notified and will be celebrated at an upcoming breakfast on May 17th. The 6th Grade, Lions Pride, group will help with setting up the breakfast. 

Kindergarten Preview Day was a success and the Lions Pride students gave tours to incoming Kindergarten families. The incoming kindergarten class is large and the teachers are excited to welcome a new group of Spring Avenue students! Paula also reported that Run Club has been a success; there are usually 80 students running and having a great time twice a week before school. The committee members of Run Club will do a small celebration for the participants on the last day.  The Administration and PTO is planning Teacher Appreciation Week and have many great ideas of how to show the teachers how much they are valued. The PTO will send out an email to parents via Parent Square. June 6th is the last day of school and the LT Scholarship winners will read their essays for the school at an assembly. 

Jeni continues her work on the PTO website. All PTO documents will be moved to PTO drive and she will work to better link the PTO website with ParentSquare, and make the calendar easier to view. At this time the PTO is still in need of someone to manage the Yearbook for next year. It is helpful to have parents help out (ideally 2) and it was suggested to have the 6th grade be involved as well.

Elizabeth shared she is working to reconcile the budget and will have the last budget meeting of the school year soon.  Expenses are typically around $50,000/ year, and she is making sure the budget is ready for next school year. Jeni and Elizabeth are making sure any requested refunds for the Social Parties (purchasing errors) are reconciled.

The next PTO event is the Volunteer Breakfast on Wednesday, May 17th at Spring Ave. More information will be sent out via ParentSquare. The Board will have a summer PTO meeting in July- Date/Location TBD.