PTO Board Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 3rd 2023 6:00 pm
Media Center

The meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM. Ashley Seymour introduced the board members who were present at the meeting and thanked everyone who had helped so far this year.
She offered the floor to Ms. Hager and Ms. Gadsden. Ms. Gadsden noted that she recently met with community partners. There are several new ones this year. Heart Math is up and running and reading buddies is getting started soon. The Art Club had their first meeting today led by a volunteer from Providence High School (the sign up for the Art Club was at Open House with a cap of the number of students who could attend).
Ms. Hager reported that Progress Reports were shared with families today (K-2 paper copies, 3-5 in power school). There are lots of events going on in October and Ms. Hager reminded families to stay connected and reach out to the teachers first with any questions. If you have additional questions after speaking with your classroom teacher, then reach out to Ms. Hager/Ms. Gadsden. We are a C school (been here for a few years but are only a few points away from a B) and Exceeded Growth! Gentle reminder from feedback from a Lansdowne neighbor – please remember to follow the speed limit while in the neighborhood.
Ashley announced Open House/School Tours from 10-11 AM on the following dates: November 3rd, December 15th, January 26th, February 23rd, and March 22nd.  TBD on Open House at LES. The CMS Magnet Fair will be at West Charlotte on October 14th. Lansdowne will be present. The PTO has provided marketing materials using Fun Run funds such as a life size Lucky, retractable banner, etc to be used for marketing the school at job fairs, open houses, and other events.
Volunteers Needed - Ashley DiPalma announced that the Fall Fest sign up genius link was shared and is available for volunteers to sign up. Opportunities will also be coming for School Psychologist Week and the Book Fair. Email [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering for these events.
1st Fridays - Ashley reported that PTO will help coordinate staff meal orders and offer parent volunteers to pick up and deliver meals on the first Friday of the month. PTO will also provide a snack/drink cart for teachers on these 1st Fridays. (staff members & parents suggested supporting restaurants with a LES connection such as Green Brothers, Yafo, Midwood/Pacos Tacos, etc. – contact [email protected] if you have a connection)
Room Parents - Ashley reported on behalf of Faith Atwood that all RP should have connected with their teachers. If you know of any teachers who haven’t heard from their room parents please let Faith know. We are still looking for a room parent for A. Edwards. Almost all staff favorite things sheets have been returned.
Fall Festival - Danielle McKim explained that the Fall Festival committee was able to drop the price of wristbands. Wristbands cost $7 and the day of cost of wristbands will be $10. Fall Festival will feature Kona Ice, Hungry Howie’s (one of our sponsors, Messer Financial is paying for this to be included with the cost of a wristband), Farm Haus Brat Truck, and the committee is coordinating with Home Depot for some donations. The committee is getting gift cards from local businesses (House Cleaning, Bad Daddys, Big Air, Flying Biscuit, Mani/Pedi, Local cocktailier). The committee needs donations of pool noodles from parents and would like to find a volunteer to help with facepainting. Ms. Fridley will help take photos during the event for the yearbook, website, social media. There will be lots of games – 3 bounce houses (by age), giant slingshots with large buckets & balls, bowling, face painting, craft station, bubble machine, DJ, etc. Teachers – if you have any students in your classes who you know cannot afford to attend please let PTO know so we can assist. Fall Festival will be held on the fields. Reach out to Danielle McKim with any questions. The Lost & Found table will also be set up at Fall Festival.
The Night of Stories    - Kim Rowe announced that the Night of Stories will be held on Nov. 29th. Time is still TBD with afterschool, but the event will probably start at 6 PM. Night of Stories will serve as a kick off for the book fair and will also be a community event around storytelling. The idea is for parents to get off of work, kids put on PJs and head over to the event with a cozy feel at nighttime. There will be a main stage with storytellers between the gym/cafeteria, along with the K/1 hallway for smaller groups of storytelling, students will have a small passport. There will be a hot cocoa/hot cider bar and also will have options for dinner (picnic/handheld dinner and maybe a food truck). Lumi (musical theater) will perform Frozen, Sam from CharMeck Library will do a story time for preschool/younger kids and there will be reading buddies/staff members/volunteers reading. Two traditional storytellers will also be present and possibly puppeteers. Kim and her committee need lots of help with details from volunteers. A sign up genius will be coming out asking for help with organizational roles and then another sign up genius for actual volunteers the day of the event. The committee would like donations of blankets/Christmas lights.
Beautification Day - Carrie Gelinas shared that Beautification Day will be on October 28th from 9-11 AM. We will work on updating the teacher’s lounge & the wellness room. Need requests/feedback from the staff. Please let Ashley/Carrie know suggestions by using the drop box in the lounge.
Restaurant Spirit Nights - Rachel Campbell announced that our September Hungry Howie’s night raised $250 and our September 20th Tacos 4 Life Spirit Night raised $200. The next Hungry Howie’s night is this Thursday, October 5th. The next Restaurant Spirit Night will be at Mi Pueblo in Matthews on November 15th (DATE CHANGE). Lansdowne will receive 10% of any sales between 5-close. We are guaranteed at least $200. She is working on the rest of the dates for the year.
Custodian Day Recap - Ashley shared that PTO made baskets, gave custodians lunch & dinner, and the staff provided cards to show their appreciation.
Let Me Run - Nikki Prenoveau announced that Let Me Run is starting 10/12 on T/Th from 4:30-5:45 with 12 4th/5th boys signed up (max is 14). If anyone is interested in coaching a 3rd grade team we could add that program to Lansdowne in the future. The End of Season 5K is a great event and Let Me Run would appreciate volunteers to cheer on the kids.
School Store/Spirit Wear - Ashley reported that the School Store going on during the week on Fridays is set up in front of the reading room & K-1 hallway. PTO made $60, $150 the last few Fridays. Spirit Wear – placed an order for Fall Festival for Spirit Wear to be available for purchase. Ashley can pick up at Cotton Gin and will distribute online orders at school (is this all orders or do parents have the option to pick up themselves or have it delivered at school - YES). When ordering online there will be an option to include your child’s name/homeroom teacher.
Recess Kits - Ashley explained that PTO provided these last year. 4th/5th grade kits were replenished and she reached out to any other classes who need supplies replenished.
Sprout     - Ashley noted that PTO will use Sprout as our vendor for school supply kits again this year.
Ashley also reported that the Hospitality Crew put supplies in the bathrooms for all staff - mints, etc and the church partners will be covering the Snack the Staff early release days for the remainder of the year.
The meeting was adjourned at 7 PM.
Please note the following Upcoming Dates:
10/5 Hungry Howie’s Spirit Night
10/10 Fall Picture Retakes
10/18 Early Release, Snack the Staff (Church
10/21 Fall Festival, 4-7PM
10/26 Principal’s Chat, 8-8:40AM
10/28 Beautification Day, 9-11AM
10/30 SIT Meeting (virtual) 6-7PM
11/2 Hungry Howie’s Spirit Night
11/6 & 11/7 Teacher Workdays
11/6-10 School Psychologist Week
11/10 No School (Veteran’s Day)


NEXT MEETING: 11/14 PTO Meeting, LES Media Center, 6PM