Union Valley Elementary PTO Meeting Minutes February 12, 2014

Union Valley Elementary PTO Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2014
President Jennifer Pfliegler called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
President’s Report: Jennifer Pfliegler
CUB SCOUTS. Jen introduced our local Cub Scout charter representative, Mr. Phil Askins. He
talked briefly about developing a stronger relationship with the Union Valley PTO, which is the
charter organization for Pack 184. Pack 184 serves students at Union Valley, Erial and Lilley
Elementary Schools. Cub Scouts starts in 1st grade. For more information on joining the Cub
Scouts, visit www.pack184.com.
HELPING HANDS. An expanded Helping Hands Committee has officially been created. New
members include: Lisa Ardron, Jennifer O’Donnell, Jessica Guglich, Kris McDermott and
Janelle Gillis. The committee will meet after the April PTO meeting to brainstorm ideas for
meeting this committee’s expanded mission. If you would like to serve on this committee, please
reach out to Jen Pfliegler.
TABLE UPDATE. Per January’s meeting notes, the PTO purchased three 6-foot tables.
MULLEN DONATION. Mullen Middle School asked for a donation for their graduation
activities. The PTO does this annually and gave them a $50 donation.
HOLIDAY SHOP INVENTORY VOTE. Per the discussion at January’s meeting, the PTO
would like to try a new direction for next year’s Holiday Shop. Instead of purchasing holiday
shop inventory via consignment, the PTO would purchase the inventory on its own via wholesale
companies. The advantage is that we would obtain lower prices and can therefore offer the items
at a more afforable cost. However, it would require a cash outlay in advance. There was a a vote
on whether we would purchase inventory ourselves instead of using a third-party vendor. The
vote officially passed. The Holiday Shop Committee will now be charged with researching and
purchasing inventory for next year’s Holiday Shop. Assuming that the Holiday Shop becomes a
profitable rather than a break-even event, it was proposed that the proceeds be used by the
Helping Hands Committee, which helps needy families in the Union Valley community.
BYLAWS AND TAX-EXEMPT STATUS. In 2011, the PTO did not properly file the
appropriate tax forms so we lost our tax-exempt status. We need to fill out the IRS Form 1023,
which is a rather complicated form. Jen Pfliegler purchased a guide to assist in filling out the
form, but noticed our bylaws are not compliant with current tax laws. The PTO bylaws were
created in 2001 and does not include conflict of interest, collapse clauses, etc. Therefore, we
need to update the bylaws prior to resubmitting Form 1023 to get our tax-exempt status
reinstated. Before the March PTO meeting, Jen Pfliegler wants to send proposed new bylaws out
to the PTO for review so we can vote on them at the March meeting. She will need volunteers to
help review the changes before doing this. Per the information researched, the PTO might need
to incorporate to protect PTO officers from personal liability issues.
The current bylaws included the Sunshine Committee, which is responsible for small gifts for
retirements, new babies, weddings, etc. The PTO looking into reinstating this as a separte
committee or as part of the Helping Hands Committee.
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK. Teacher Appreciation Week is approaching in May. We
requested a wish list from our teachers, and they asked for a water cooler in the teacher’s lounge.
Mrs. Elwell is talking with the GTPS facilities manager about installing a water line (which
would let us provide the teachers with a permanent filtered water cooler versus signing a yearly
contract for water delivery). Plumbers will be looking into this to see if it is an option, and Mrs.
Elwell hopes to have a report by our next meeting. During the course of this discussion, it was
determined that a bigger problem is the lack of a sink in the teacher’s lounge. Therefore, another
option might be to look into whether it would be possible to add a sink as this might be more
useful and appreciated by the teachers. The sink could also include the installation of a PUR
water filter (or something similar) and thereby eliminate the need for a water cooler. Ideas were
tossed around for doing something additional for Teacher’s Week. If you have any suggestions,
please e-mail Jen Pfliegler.
Principal’s Report - Mrs. Elwell
REPORT CARDS. Report cards will be sent home during the next school day. For the first time,
this report card will include Star Math and Star Language Arts reports for Grades 1 through 5. If
there is no score, it means the student didn’t finish enough of the test to accurately assess their
progress. There is a web site to learn more, which will be included on the cover letter with the
report card. The district adopted Star testing in September as a way to monitor students’ growth
and progression throughout the school year.
SNOW DAYS. If we have an additional snow day (which we did on February 13th), May 23rd
will be a school day. If another snow day is needed beyond February 13th, April 22nd will become
a school day. If more days are needed after that, the school year will be extended into the week
of June 23rd.
UNION VALLEY SHINING STAR STUDENTS. The next Board of Education Meeting is
February 24th. The BOE will be honoring two Union Valley students--Leo and Leilani
Ramos. These two children are members of the family who spearhead the Bayanihan
Bracelets typhoon relief fund project. As mentioned at previous meetings this project resulted in
a boat named after Union Valley Elementary School. Congratulations!
PARCC ASSESSMENT. The PARCC Test will be coming to our district next year in place of
the NJ ASK test for grades 3, 4 and 5. This is part of the requirements for the Common Core
Standards. This year, two classes – Mrs. Mulloy’s math class and Mrs. Sweet’s math class – will
take a field test for the Math PARCC assessment. The test is taken on a computer, and this field
test will help determine if our district is ready for this requirement. NJ ASK will still be given
this year. If you would like more information about the PARCC Test or would like to help your
children prepare for the test, please visit http://www.parcconline.org. Many of the questions will
be available online to practice. Children will be tested on reading and writing but also on
computer skills, as they will have to type essay answers. Parents are encouraged to start working
with their children on their computer and typing skills in preparation for this test.
DAD’S NIGHT. Dad’s Night is scheduled for March 6th at 7:00 pm in the Gym. It will be a
BMX Bike Stunt Show. A flyer will be coming home in a couple of weeks.
OLSAT. The OLSAT Test will be given March 25th to Grades 3 and 5.
ASSEMBLY. The Zoo on Wheels Assembly was rescheduled from February 12th to Monday,
March 10th due to weather.
Treasurer’s Report – Jen Whelan
Congratulations to Jen Whelan and her family on the birth of their beautiful son, Michael Scott.
We can’t wait to meet the newest edition of our Union Valley family.
While Jen W is on Maternity Leave, please see Jen Pfliegler if you need reimbursement for items
purcahsed on the PTO’s behalf.
Bingo Night made approximate $1,700 and was a great event.
We currently have approximately $14,000 in the bank account so we are doing well financially.
Jen would like to go into next year with a cushion for beginning of the year activities.
Board of Education – Jennifer O’Donnell
During the last public meeting, Jen asked Mr. Bilodeau about the Union Valley roof. It is being
addressed.
Jen can’t make the next meeting but Nancy Sponagle will attend in her place.
Curriculum night video and information will be uploaded to the GTPS website shortly.
Union Valley will be getting a really nice sound system. Mr. Bilodeau is committed to doing it
right. Moving forward with the system but without video to save on cost.
There is once again a BOE seat open because the latest board member appointee, Mr. Pearce, did
not pass the background check. This raises concerns as he participated in several key votes in the
past few months – including executive session meetings. We are waiting to see if his votes will
count or not. More to come as information become available.
Applications and letters of recommendations are being accepted for the new BOE opening until
February 24th.
Box Tops – Jennifer Green
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On February 7th, the 1st Grade had their pizza party for winning the first Box Tops
contest.
The second contest is underway and will end in April.
Another check will be arriving for $1,300 in April.
5th Grade Committee Report – Lisa Ardon and Nancy Sponagle
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Ice Cream Social will be on Valentine’s Day if school is open. If school is not open, this
event will be rescheduled to Tuesday, February 18th.
Pretzel Sale Fundraiser – February 28th
Skate Night is scheduled for March 3rd
5th grade helpers will be needed for March 8th Applebee’s breakfast event. Approximately
5th grade volunteers will be needed to help. This is a great opportunity as they will be
trained by the Applebee’s manager and can see what it is like to work in a real restaurant.
Nancy Sponagle will be coordinating the 5th grade volunteers for this event.
Labels for Education – Erika Giovetsis
Submitted 100 point bonus sheet and will be distributing March Madness contest information
soon. A pretzel party will be awarded to the class that submits the most Labels for Education.
Spirit Wear - Tricia Wilson
Nothing new to report
Yearbook – Jennifer Shockley
Thanks for everyone’s help in uploading photos. We will have plenty of photos for the yearbook.
All pages have been assigned, and they must be completed by March 15. Another page of 5th
grade memories was added to accommodate the large number of photos received. Club photos
are being taken on March 4. Yearbook orders will be due for March 3. After the meeting, Jen
requested help in preparing the yearbook order form envelopes for distribution to students.
Fundraising – Jennifer Pfliegler
BINGO. Bingo night was a big success – everyone had fun and we raised about $1,700. Thank
you to all of our volunteers. Jen recently learned some fun new bingo games to try at next year’s
event.
BOUNCE U. Bounce U night is coming up on Tuesday, February 25th from 6-8pm. Tickets cost
$10.00 per child and can be purchased at the door. All bouncers must have socks and a signed
waiver. You can fill the waiver out beforehand to save time:
http://cdn.bounceu.com/docs/release_and_waiver_faxable.pdf. Wristbands for unlimited soda
will be available from Bounce U for $1.00. Snacks and water bottles will be available for sale. A
few more volunteers are needed to help with selling tickets and working at the snack bar. Parents
are not allowed to leave children at the event.
APPLEBEES BREAKFAST. Scheduled for Saturday, March 8th from 8am -10 am. Tickets are
$8.00 per person and must be purchased ahead of time. If we don’t sell 100 tickets, the event will
have to be cancelled and we forfeit our $100 deposit. 5th graders and PTO volunteers are needed
to serve drinks, greet guests, bus tables.
SPRING JOE CORBI. Information will be going home in March. Pizzas and desserts will be
available for purchase.
SPRING YARD SALE. The planning committee has formed and will be determining possible
dates. This committee will meet after the March PTO meeting to begin planning.
STUDENT FUN RUN. The committee has formed, and goal of this fundraiser will be to
promote fitness in our students and to raise enough money to bring the Peaceful Playground
program for our recess area in the back. Mr. Bellows, the UV gym teacher, is our faculty liaison
for this event. The Peaceful Playground program includes a variety of painted games on the
blacktop and instructions for use. (To learn more about Peaceful Playground, please visit:
http://www.peacefulplaygrounds.com/) The full program costs approximately $4,000. Students
can obtain sponsorships for the Fun Run either on a per lap basis or a flat donation.
Grades will be going out in 30-minute intervals. Wristbands will be handed out (color coded) and
will match to their run station. (These wristbands will be used again for field day.) Students will
have a brief warm up and then will have 15 minutes to run as many laps as they can. The PTO is
excited because we think this is a worthwhile cause for health and wellness. The event date is
tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 23rd with May 30th as the rain date. Parents can watch and
cheer their kid on and hopefully will help us with the other kids. Both kindergarten classes will
be able to participate and small prizes will be awarded for certain accomplishments. Please note
that the fundraising part isn’t required and students can participate even without obtaining
donations. However, if every Union Valley student is able to raise just $8, we will have enough
money to purchase the Peaceful Playground program.
It was suggested that the committee purchase small ducks or monkeys (like those used with the
Great American Opporunities fundraiser) to encourage greater participation.
Jen Pfliegler officially closed the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Janelle Gillis
PTO Secretary

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