PTO Meeting April 6, 2022 

Meeting called to order via Zoom by Mr. Needleman at 5:01 pm

Translation is available in Korean and Spanish.

Mr. Needleman announced that there will be two special guests, Coach Manny and Nicole Imhof from Share & Care. 

PTO news presented by Raj Raghavan

Congratulations to the jog-a-thon team for two successful events. Wrap-up by Kate Martin, jog-a-thon co-director:

Kids can still write postcards to send to space during lunch. Pledgestar will stay open for another week. 310 families have participated so far. The fundraising is not over yet! 

Additional news:

We are looking for sponsors for a playground on the big yard. Please send any leads to the PTO. 

Banners are coming this week. We have several new schools sponsors that have purchased banners. If you know anyone who would like to buy one, email banners@melrosepto.org.

We have more fundraising opportunities with Charity Buzz. Upcoming auctions include Music, Broadway and Entertainment auctions. 

We will be voting for new officers and directors at the next PTO meeting. See our signup.com form to indicate your interest. 

Upcoming events: 

  • Community Coffee Hour April 22 @ school 
  • Open House May 3
  • Teacher Appreciation week of May 2 (Maybe introduce Teacher Appreciation directors in case any parents want to volunteer to help?) 
  • Next PTO Meeting/Volunteer Breakfast May 18
  • Next Spiritwear Sale is April 27-28, we need a couple of volunteers  
  • (Explain how Spirit Wear Sales work (order online and pick up or purchase in person) 

Nicole Imhof from Share & Care spoke on social well-being. 

  • Share & Care is full this year but you can reach out for next year. 
  • The past two years have been challenging. If your child is struggling with social interactions, be curious. Problem solve with them. Kids learn through play and role playing can be beneficial. Try engaging in groups like sports. 

Mr. Needleman reminded parents that we can communicate through Shutterfly. 

Coach Manny talked about Star. Paid spring camps are available. 

  • There will be one more session of Star Nova. Signup April 14 @ 11:30 am. 
  • Registration for Star 2022-2023 Is on May 5 at 8:30 am. There are 83 spaces, primarily for kinder and first. Siblings automatically get in. 

Coffee with the Principal

  • Jog-a-thon in the park was the largest event we’ve ever had. It was great to be outside. Over 50% of families participated. 
  • Students are enjoying Spirit Week
  • We have more in-person events coming. Open house May 3 will be from 5:30 to 6 for hotdogs and 6-6:50 for classroom visits. 
  • In person 5th grade culmination will be on June 10.
  • SBAC scores are almost back to pre-pandemic levels. 83% of 5th graders are reading at or above grade level. 
  • New Staff
  • We are hiring 3 new TA’s and 3 supervision aids. There is also a new position for intervention/ELD coordinator. Ms. Arato will take this position. 
  • Morning drop off – we need to be careful! 
  • Please do not drop off in the bus zone. Don’t have your kids run across Detroit in the middle of the block. 
  • You can use valet, even for kinder. And thank you to the valet volunteers for a great job. 
  • Children are bringing home bad language like they never have before. We are planning a meeting with 4th and 5th to address it. 

Parent questions:

  • Can we go back to limiting screen time at YS? Yes
  • Shout out to Monica Vargas for helping with YS. (We need parent help because the district cut YS supervision from 2 people to 1) 
  • COVID
  • About 50% of kids have stopped masking. Recommending that everyone mask in the classroom after spring break. 
  • Every kid is going home with take-home tests. They should test on Saturday or Sunday. Only upload if it is a positive test and do not come to school Monday if it is positive. 
  • The next meeting will be in person and we will be voting for next year’s PTO positions. 

Meeting ended at 6:12pm