September 2023 Newsletter

 

BES PTO NEWS – SEPTEMBER 2023

BES PTO Board 2023 – 2024: President – Diane Holven, Vice President – Sue Bair, Secretary – Ashley Kivela, Treasurer – Lisa Recek.

 

Follow us on Facebook @BanksElementaryPTO

Email us bankselementarypto@gmail.com

Website: bespto.blogspot.com

 

What we are: A group of parents and teachers at Banks Elementary School who want to help support our students to learn to the best of their ability. We also get to socialize and have fun while doing it!

What we do: We get together to brainstorm ideas to fundraise and each of us pitch-in to run or facilitate those fundraisers however works best.  Everyone has their own abilities, resources, and contacts that they bring to the group. This is why we need you!

What we support: The money that we raise goes to help fund special projects and programs in the school to help our kids learn.  Last year we helped fund I-pads and Chromebooks. We also fund teacher’s appreciation events and make funds available to each teacher to use for the classroom.

Come join us for the monthly meetings! Our monthly meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 6pm in the Banks Elementary School Cafeteria. Our September meeting is on September 13^th.  Please like us on Facebook to get notified or keep an eye out for our newsletter sent home with students every month. You are not required to volunteer if you come to the meetings.  You can even bring your kids if needed.  If you are unable to attend the monthly meetings you will find the meeting minutes posted on our website. The website also gives you access to newsletters, budgets, and other information about PTO activities.

Volunteers:  We are currently in need of a Volunteer Coordinator and a Social Media Promotions Coordinator. If that sounds like something you would like to do please contact us or come to a meeting.  We are also gearing up for our 2^nd annual Cookies with Santa event on December 9^th.  We will be needing lots of volunteer help for that event.

All BES volunteers will need to have passed a background check even if they are volunteering outside of regular school hours. The front office has background check forms to fill out and to return to the office before volunteering. Or you can go to http://www.helpcounterweb.com/welcome/apply.php?district=banks to fill out the background check electronically.

 

 

 

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Earn Easy Money for BES

Here are some easy ways to earn money for our school.  All funds raised go directly to BES and our children's education. The PTO provides funding for field trip busing, technology improvements, classroom supplements, updated textbooks, and much, much more.  Last year we helped fund new I-Pads and Chromebooks! Please help us do all we can to improve our school, help our teachers, and enhance the education our children receive.

 

Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program
Register your Fred Meyer card at www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards and designate Banks Elementary (our organization number is NG018) as your donation school. Each time you shop our school gets money! 

Box Tops for Education
Get the new Box Tops App! Scan your receipt, no clipping necessary.  https://www.boxtops4education.com/

Cash Donations

The BES PTO is 501c3 Charitable Organization. You can make monetary donations by sending a check made payable to Banks Elementary School PTO to PO Box 515, Banks, OR 97106. You will be provided a receipt of your donation.

Employee Matching Programs

Many companies, like Intel and Nike, give matching donations for volunteer hours you spend at our school. Please ask your employer if they offer a matching grant program.  If you need help, contact a PTO member and we'll figure it out!  Intel employees: The cause name for the PTO is BANKS BUXTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION.

 

The programs below are good to sign up for to directly donate to Banks Elementary School.

 

Safeway
Register your Safeway card at www.escrip.com and designate Banks Elementary School as your donation school.  A percentage of your purchase will be donated back to our school!

Office Depot Back to School Program
For every qualifying purchase BES gets 5% of it!  Simply present our school number (70083347) when shopping in-store or online.

 

 

September 2023 Meeting Minutes

 

BES PTO Meeting Minutes from Sept 13^th, 2023 from 6p-7:20p

Meeting called to order by BES President Diane Holven

In attendance: Diane Holven, Marjorie Salter, Lara McCabe, Ellen Lytle, Katie Blanc, Angela Hammack, Mike Wormington, Heather Dials, Sam Benvic, Bobbie Gregg, and Paige Minchue.

May 2023 meeting minutes reviewed and approved by Diane Holven & Ellen Lytle.

Principal’s Message: Parent survey results were reviewed. BES overall score was 3.94/5 and areas of improvement were targeted - those include improving school/teacher communication/feedback to parents regarding students, improving consistent enforcement of rules, and increase positive notes and communications with parents regarding students. The cleanliness, equipment and teachers showing concern and care for students were among the highest scores. Recommendations from parents in attendance included an early/accurate release of the school supply list, $ instead of supplies in the future, more opportunities for parent/teacher conferences, continuing with book bucks rewards system. Marjorie and Lara are working on APs for Oct 2023-Jan 2024 and will be implementing changes to continue to meet the schools 5 year - long term and short term goals. 

Treasure’s Report: Approved to remove Susan Bair from FCCU bank account by Diane Holven and Lisa Recek. 501c3 status was renewed successfully. Taxes were filed.

Fundraisers were discussed as follows: Cookies with Santa scheduled for Dec. 9^th. Ellen is working on sourcing signage for the event. Vendor fair sign up is underway. Reservations for the gym have been made as well as Santa Lance, Alison for photography, etc. Next step is to solidify a Volunteer coordinator and Social Media person for this and other future events. *Heather Dials interested in Volunteer Coordinator and *Paige Minchue is interested in coordinating social media platforms.

Catalog sale for November will be using Ackx Grinder coffee. Currently working on pricing, order forms, and flyers. Details coming for next PTO meeting.

Calendar of events was summarized for new members of the PTO.

Bobbie Gregg in attendance made a request for funding ipads and accessories for Title 1 reading use. Total comes to $3,420 and cost will be split with school. Unanimous approval to spend funds. Form will be filled out and signed.

Remaining meetings will take place in the library classroom. Next meeting Oct 11^th at 6pm.

Playground improvements/equipment will be researched for potential PTO funding project in the future.

Meeting adjourned.