PTA meeting minutes for October 11, 2017
Meeting called to order at 6:31pm by Tracy Boggs.  All said the Pledge of Allegience and took a moment of silence. 
Board members present: Tracy Boggs, Kristin Pitirri, Courtney Maliki, Kim Evertt, Helen Senese, Linda Dansa
BLT report - Mrs. Dansa
The first official meeting is planned for the end of October.  Mrs. Dansa is still working on obtaining the application for the parent volunteers.
Principal's report - Mrs. Dansa
An information sheet came home last week with important notes about upcoming events.  Mr. Ostrander is again planning for the Halloween scavenger hunt, which will be held on Monday, Oct. 23rd at 6pm.  Mrs. Dansa included the guidelines for Halloween costumes allowed in school.  NO scary clown costumes will be allowed.  The main office does have a collection of costumes that have been donated for students that may not have one.  They will continue to take donations of gently used costumes.  
Parents are invited to join the Blasdell Parent 2017-2018 group on the Remind app.  Important notifications about school events, snow days, etc will be sent out through this app.
Red Ribbon Week is coming up, October 23 - 27th.  The school partners with the PTA and WNY United against Drugs & Alcohol to promote students making healthy choices regarding substances.  Each day has a different theme to promote keeping our bodies drug-free.  The 4th and 5th grade students may also have a visit from the Sheriff's department discussing this theme.
Open House is coming up on Weds, Oct. 25th.  Parents are reminded to fill out the form in the main office if they would like paper copies of report cards.
Teacher report - Mrs. Senese
Tracy Boggs has been working on creating a spreadsheet for the teachers of all the parents that have volunteered to help in classroom.  Mrs. Senese will be distributing this list to the teachers, who will contact parent volunteers.
Mrs. Senese noted that our school has a large ESL (English Second Language) population, and would like to see if we could work wtih Mrs. Anderson to have some translations done of the flyers that go home for school events.  Mrs. Dansa will forward the flyers to Mrs. Anderson after she has approved them to be translated.  
Council report - Kim Evertt
Kim attended the first meeting on 9/27, not a lot pertinent to the elementary school level yet.  She will report after the next meeting. 
Treasurer's report - Tracy Boggs
Melissa was unable to be here for tonight's meeting, but Tracy relayed that some expenses we have had so far include $797 for assemblies, $154.50 for kindergarten welcome night, and $233.80 for Red Ribbon Week.  
Old Business
Membership - Tracy Boggs
We are currently at 172 members, and our unit goal is 215.  We accept memberships all year long.  Continue to encourage friends and family to sign up!
Kindergarten Welcome Night - Becky Zdrojewski
Thank you to Becky for chairing a fun event for our kindergarten friends!
Great American Fundraiser - Dawn Rowell
Thank you to Dawn for organizing this important fundraiser.  This year's sales were $9300, which is increased from about $8000 last year.  Delivery of orders anticipated on Nov. 8th.
New Business
Newsletter - Courtney Maliki
A quarterly newletter will be coming home by the end of this week, with information about upcoming events.
Pop Tabs 	
Mrs. Poliseno collects the aluminum tabs from the tops of pop cans.  There will be a collection box in the foyer.  These tabs are donated to Ronald McDonald house to fund purchases of items to stock the house, for families with children receving medical care at Children's Hospital.
Fall Apparel Sale - Olivia Schwarzott
The order form will be coming home on 10/16, with orders due on 10/25.  The same items will be available for purchase.  Suggestions for items you would like to see for the Spring 2018 sale are invited!
Square 1 Art - Amy Sanders	
Order forms were due Weds, 10/11.  These personalized art creations make great gifts!
Fall Fest - Donna Gill & Stephanie Petrie	
Fall Fest is coming up next week, Thursday 10/19.  Information flyers will  be coming home this week.  There will be 3 different crafts for the kids to complete, then they receive a mini pumpkin.  There will be a DJ, face painting, games and the Blasdell Fire Department talking about Halloween safety.  Pre-sale pizza and a drink available for $1.  Volunteers are needed to help at this event!
Chuck E Cheese fundraisers - Lindsay Bzibziak
2 fundraisers this year, winter and spring.  The winter date is Friday, November 3rd, which is a noon dismissal day.  This is our main fundraiser that allows us purchase Field Day t-shirts for the students.  Every student gets a grade-specific color t-shirt to wear on Field Day.  
Fall Book Fair - Jonel Papucci
Coming up next month!  Volunteers needed.  
Barnes & Noble winter "book fair" - Donna Gill
The date for this event will be Friday, December 1st, which is a noon dismissal day.              Donna had her first meeting with the manager to start discussing the event.  
Cider & Donuts - Heather Palmer & Jennifer Silver
Cider and donuts are distributed, courtesy of the PTA, to all the students on the day before Thanksgiving. 
 
Reminder to submit photos for the yearbook when you attend school events.  Email them to Dawn Carcione and Brandi Fanning at blasdellyearbook@gmail.com
Congratulations to Melissa Gach, winner of tonight's raffle for meeting attendance.  Melissa won a one-month membership, valued at $149, to Vitality Buffalo, a new gym on South Park.  Thank you to owner, Tabitha Sweeny, for this donation!
Tracy Boggs motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:55pm, motion seconded by Donna Gill.  

Respectfully submitted, 
Kristin Pitirri, Recording Secretary