PTO GENERAL MEETING NEWSLETTER
________________________________
|
|
WELCOME
Tina Hayes | President
|
|
Hello PTO members, and thanks for joining our winter email General Meeting. As we head into a long stretch of winter (which I’m sure will be extra difficult because of COVID), I hope you’ll find some joy in all the little things we have done to keep our St. Roch community going—not to mention all the things we plan to do in the coming months. Please read through this entire email so that:
- You understand all the ways you can help the St. Roch community via PTO programs,
- You can give your input on how we should direct PTO funds in 2021, and
- You can be entered into a drawing for a $20 St. Roch spirit store gift card for simply reading this email!
|
|
TREASURER'S REPORT
Jennifer Tweedy | Treasurer
|
|
$9,688.24 is available to fund current and future PTO programs. |
|
MINUTES APPROVAL
Melissa Stahley | Secretary
|
|
Approved minutes for all PTO meetings (general and executive committee) are posted on the St. Roch web site. We also try to summarize everything you need to know each week in the “In the Know with PTO” section of the Rocket Report. Reminders and other updates are also posted on the St. Roch PTO Facebook page. |
|
PRINCIPAL UPDATE
Amy Wilson | Principal
|
|
I serve on the principal committee for the archdiocese, and at our last meeting, one of the primary discussion topics was how to improve morale for teachers and staff. Make no mistake: the past 12 months have been incredibly difficult for all of us (and by “us,” I mean teachers, staff, parents, and kids). The pandemic forced us to reinvent “school” and how it intersects with our personal and professional lives. I have to say, the St. Roch teachers have shown such admirable leadership in facing this challenge. They have offered creative solutions and, when they didn’t work, they remained flexible and open to trying new ones. And they’ve kept a smile on their faces the entire time. We don’t have a morale problem at St. Roch and, part of the reason for this is the community we have standing behind us. I would definitely say that of the biggest catalysts in our community is the PTO. All the extra things the PTO has done to show their love and support for the teachers and staff over the past year has made a tremendous difference in our morale. So, at the meeting a few weeks ago, I was very proud to spend my time offering solutions and ideas to other principals in the archdiocese. St. Roch is special place, indeed. Thank you to all members of the PTO (i.e., all St. Roch parents) for everything you have done and continue to do for our school. |
|
TEACHER LIAISON UPDATE
Susie Jordan | Teacher Liaison
|
|
How do I follow that, Mrs. Wilson? I’ll just say that we have felt the extra love and support throughout the past year and, I want all the parents to know that it does help. Even the smallest acts of kindness—especially during trying times—truly does make a difference. So, on behalf of all the teachers, thank you to the PTO!
|
|
OLD BUSINESS
Various Executive Committee Members
|
|
MONTHLY 50/50 RAFFLE
ASHLEY MAYS AND ANGIE MCHUGH | AT LARGE MEMBERS, FUNDRAISING & SPECIAL EVENTS
The PTO 50/50 raffle was invented to replace some of our former “in-person” fundraising programs, including Dine to Donate. The first two months of the raffle raised nearly $500 for the PTO, so please keep participating. It’s a fun way to raise money and, if you’re lucky—win money! And, as a reminder, the classroom that submits the most entries will win a free casual day!
As you know, we took a brief hiatus during the e-learning period, and the January 50/50 is underway! To participate, you know the drill: send those labeled envelopes (name, phone number, student, grade / teacher, and the enclosed dollar amount) to the school office for as many chances as you wish! $5 per chance. (License #2608)
SPIRIT WEAR STORE
TINA HAYES | PRESIDENT
We’re gearing up for another spirit wear sale! For the winter sale, we’re planning to bring back some of our more popular items, as well as introduce a few new ones. Although the official go-live of the sale is this Friday, you can already bookmark and preview the online shop here. Remember, a portion of anything you purchase will raise money for PTO programs.
If you’re in need of spirit wear in the meantime, you can always visit 1st Place Spiritwear! Now, and throughout the month of January, use the code JAN21 for 20% off all orders over $60.
SCRIPS PROGRAM
TINA HAYES | PRESIDENT
The PTO is looking for a PTO member (that could be you!) to manage the Scrips program. This program offers ways for you to earn money for St. Roch as part of your everyday spending. If you’re interested in playing a more active role in PTO and taking on this volunteer role, please contact Tina Hayes.
BOX TOPS
MELISSA STAHLEY | SECRETARY
Guys. Box Tops just got a WHOLE LOT easier. No more cutting and clipping. We’re in 2021 after all, and there’s finally an app for that. From this point forward, to get box top credits, all you need to do is log into the app and scan your grocery receipts. So, we need you to do a couple things so that St. Roch can continue to earn money from the Box Tops program:
1) Go to your app store, and search for the “Box Tops for Education” app.
2) Sign up via email, Facebook, or another integrated application.
3) Search for St. Roch using the keyword “ST ROCH CATHOLIC” our zip code (46227).
4) Go through the short graphical demonstration on how to use the app.
5) Try to remember to scan your receipts after each grocery trip!
AMAZON SMILES
AMY WILSON | PRINCIPAL
We recently looked into a program called Amazon Smiles to benefit St. Roch. While It was determined this fundraiser will not work for us, we wanted to let you know about it. Amazon Smiles is another great way to give back to any participating charity as part of your normal online shopping. Visit Amazon Smiles to sign up and select your favorite charity.
TEACHER LOVE
CHRISTINA MURRAY | AT LARGE MEMBER, HOSPITALITY & RECOGNITION
The month of December was a really busy time for our “Teacher Love” programs. Right before break, we prepared and delivered teacher/staff Christmas gifts. Each gift included a $25 gift card and a coffee cake from Boyden’s Bakery. During the holiday period, the PTO also assisted Principal Wilson in a program she invented called The St. Roch Days of Holiday Cheer. Each day, for the ten school days leading into Christmas break, Principal Wilson planned a fun holiday treat or activity for her teachers and staff. The PTO helped to fund and execute these daily events, and they were much appreciated. Some of the things the PTO purchased and organized included sweet treats (e.g., cupcakes, doughnuts, a hot chocolate bar); fun goodies and gifts (e.g., ornaments, lottery tickets), and a Margarita Fiesta.
Now that school is back in session, we have so much more love to give:
First, Catholic Schools Week is coming up. To help make the week extra special, the PTO will be sponsoring a Donut Day for all teachers, staff, and students. We also plan to host a teacher/staff luncheon on the early dismissal day.
Second, we plan to continue our “Monthly Love” program, where we provide encouraging messages and gifts to our teachers and staff each month. Stay tuned to the Rocket Report to see what each month brings.
And, finally—how you can help: We need volunteers to re-stock our very popular teacher snack cart. Visit our Signup Genius to donate some goodies!
|
|
NEW BUSINESS
Various Executive Committee Members
|
|
PURSE BINGO
MICHELLE WENZEL | VICE PRESIDENT
Rest assured, we haven’t forgotten about our most popular (and lucrative) fundraiser—Purse Bingo! We debated trying to host it online for a while, but we recently made the decision NOT to do so, primarily due to new guidelines from the Archdiocese. Right now, we’re in discussion about how (and when!) to hold it in person—while still complying with the current COVID gathering restrictions.
VOTE ON NEW PROGRAM IDEAS FROM SEPTEMBER GENERAL MEETING
MICHELLE WENZEL | VICE PRESIDENT
Over the last several executive committee meetings, we have been discussing the needs and fundraising ideas submitted by parents during the September General Meeting. During the discussion, we tried to eliminate ideas that were covered by another St. Roch organization (e.g., Women’s Club); easy to incorporate into existing PTO programs (e.g., “Teacher Love”); and potentially not achievable during the school year due to COVID-19 restrictions (e.g., Mother-Son / Father-Daughter nights). After a little more discussion, we’d like to share three ideas for your consideration. Use the survey link below to VOTE on which idea you’d like to see tackled by the PTO first! We’re hoping to achieve more than one, but we’d like you to tell us where to start:
1.) Gymnasium Banners
The walls of our gym are bare, and many people have requested banners that showcase the achievements and accomplishments of our Rockets in extracurricular activities over the years (e.g., all teams/years that won kickball city championships). These banners would be hung in the St. Roch Gymnasium for all to see and enjoy. Voting for this program means we would immediately begin working on designing and ordering the banners. It should be noted that, depending on costs/budget, this project could end up being completed in phases.
2.) Quarterly Anonymous Grant
You may not realize that PTO already gives a biannual stipend of $100 for each teacher to help fund classroom needs; however, some projects and teaching tools cost a lot more than that. This program would allow any St. Roch teacher, staff member, or club the ability to apply for a grant that would improve the educational experience at St. Roch. For example, it could be used to purchase science lab equipment or a new software program. Or, it could be used to fund a class trip or a guest speaker. The possibilities are endless. Voting for this program would kickstart our efforts in organizing the program and deciding how much the quarterly grant will be worth.
3.) Outdoor Movie Night
This program represents our commitment to get our St. Roch community together for fun and fellowship as quickly as possible. Keeping COVID in mind, an outdoor movie night seemed like one of the more achievable ways to do that. Voting for this program will ensure the planning and funding of this program begins as soon as possible.
COVID SUPPORT
MELISSA STAHLEY | SECRETARY
When members of our St. Roch community are quarantined at home with COVID, sometimes even one hot meal makes all the difference—whether you're saving the day when no one in the household can muster the energy to get off the couch to prepare dinner, or you're just letting your fellow Rockets know they are loved and not alone. We’ve started a new program called St. Roch Community COVID Relief Meals. Please consider joining our list of volunteers to provide meals (frozen or fresh) and meal delivery to any of our families in need. Gift cards or Door Dash / Uber Eats purchases and deliveries are also welcome. We'll text you if and when your help is needed. If you can't help at the time you are asked, we'll come back to you later. To join this program and help, visit the Signup Genius.
SCHEDULING
MELISSA STAHLEY | SECRETARY
The next General Meeting will take place outdoors, as soon as the weather cooperates with us! Stay tuned for a date and time. The next PTO Executive Committee meeting will take place on Monday, February 8. If you have any ideas or concerns, don’t hesitate to share them with one of your EC members! Access the EC contact Info.
|
|
CLOSING COMMENTS
Tina Hayes | President
|
|
If you’ve gotten to this point, congratulations! You’re up to speed on all things PTO. Before you leave us, let’s summarize all the things you can do to help PTO: |
|
Interested in running Scrips program?
|
|
Help re-stock our teacher snack cart! |
|
Join Community COVID Relief Meals program! |
|
Vote on which PTO program
to fund next!
|
|
Confirm you’ve read this email and be entered into our prize drawing! |
|
CLOSING PRAYER
Tina Hayes | President
|
|
Awesome God: As we move on to the next task, we put our trust in you because we know you will never shame us. We hope continually in you. Be our guide in everything that we do and lead us to the rock that is higher than us. Help us to abide in your word, and let it guide us in all that we do. We shall continue to look up to you because we know that you are our shepherd, and we shall not lack anything. In Jesus’ name, we believe and pray, Amen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
