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Link to the PTO page
Dear STM Family,
It's very hard for me to write a concise letter as I have so much that I want to share with you! First, welcome (or welcome back) to STM! If you are new to STM, let me just assure you, you've picked a wonderful Christ-centered school. There are many ways to get to involved and build great relationships at STM. In fact, I feel that is the PTO mission this year. I was privileged to serve on the No Place for Hate committee, and I've heard the teachers talk about their compassion about our children's future. I found a great quote that I believe our teachers follow. It's from Professor Robert Lee Madison at Western Carolina University. He said, "The true value of a teacher is determined not by what he knows, not by his ability to impart what he knows, but by his ability to stimulate in others a desire to know.” Teachers make lasting impressions on our children; it warms my heart to hear my two boys talk about their love for their teachers thus far at STM.
I would be remiss to not talk about our role and what exactly the PTO does at STM. Obviously, we are here to support our staff and teachers in many ways. We have a working budget to supply teachers with additional supplies and curriculum enhancements to assist in the learning process. We pay a Christmas bonus to thank them for their hard work and dedication. A large chunk of our budget goes to paying off the mortgage on the gymnasium, computers and licensing for our software. Our monies also go towards parenting workshops. One that is coming up is the Celebrate Calm parenting workshop August 25. I know we're all perfect parents (ha ha!), but I think any advice about better parenting is such a great thing. This workshop will focus on creating a more calm and stress-reducing environment.
So how can each of us work towards the mission statement to build our relationships? Volunteer your time! I have been thrilled to get to know some amazing people this summer who are chairing committees. We have a fantastic group of energetic parents who have been dedicating their time towards new fundraising efforts for the school. As a psychotherapist, there's a saying in the recovery community, "you'll only get out of it what you're willing to put into it.” The same goes for building relationships. I know that we all lead very busy lives, but just consider an hour a week for volunteering in the office, or at carpool or in the lunchroom. We have many committees from which to choose. You may sign up at Meet the Teacher, August 22.
I want to thank in advance the following folks for agreeing to be officers or committee chairs. Jenny Costantino, PTO VP; Dena Muller, PTO Secretary; Laura Harrison, PTO Treasurer and Jeff Kosmerl, PTO Parliamentarian.
Skip Mason is chairing Black History Month, which kicks off in February. Dana Heyl, once again, has agreed to chair Carpool volunteers. Elaine Phillips and Robert Patterson will chair Catholic schools week, which begins at the end of January. Sonia Fueredi and Laura Keyes will again chair our Christmas wreath sale. Our social committee, Family Connections, will be chaired again by Jane Chase and Heather McElroy (new co-chair). Please mark September 10 on your calendar for our Family Connections picnic!
Sharon Golden is continuing with Food for Thought, start saving those box tops now! Hospitality is being co-chaired by Wendy Angelety and Kelly Conlon. Lunchroom Duty chair again is Mary Breaux. Joan Moore is serving as our More Fest Liaison while Kate Kennedy is chairing More Love Hours. Jennifer Mann is our chair for Office Volunteers – this is a great way to get to know our very dedicated office staff.
While I would love to cut down on school fundraisers, we have some new ones as well as some good oldies! I know the economy remains tough, so participate in what you can, pick and chose what works best for your family. Our first fundraiser, QSP, which kicks off the first week of school, is being chaired by Dekia Scott and Machamma Quinichett. QSP is a combination of magazine and product sales. This company teaches students practical lessons in goal setting, planning, organization and teamwork - important facets of a successful real-world business experience. Our new line of spirit wear, designed by and co-chaired by Sarah Waller and Julie Walker, will be sold at many upcoming school and church events. We will be selling spirit wear to commemorate our church and school's 60th anniversary celebration on August 28 after 5:30 pm. mass. The Knights of Columbus are cooking free burgers and hot dogs. Additionally, we will have monthly spirit days where the kids can wear their shirts or simply be casual in school colors.
We have a brand new fundraiser this year, our Read-A-Thon will kick off October 4. Liz Bucko and Catherine Markwalter have been working very hard this summer chairing this event. This is a pledge-based fundraiser where students will be given prizes NOT on the amount of money they raise, BUT on the amount of books they read. This is a win-win for our school. The school will get 100 percent of the profits made, not an outside vendor. During the two weeks of the read-a-thon, we will have a fun family reading and pajama night, October 22, in Mulhern Hall. It will be a great night with storytellers and local authors.
Jennifer Monahan and Melanie Union have graciously agreed to chair our Spring Auction again. The date is set for March 19, please mark this date on your calendar!
To keep us all organized, Rachele Branson will be our overall room parent coordinator as well as the middle school room parent coordinator. Kristie Postero will be our intermediate room parent coordinator and Erin Brewster is our primary room parent coordinator. Tammy McKenley is continuing on as our Teacher Appreciation chair as Jenny Popovich-Jolly and Carol Norton continue as chairs for our yearbook. Conrad Rochefort and Jimmy Muller hosted a parent workday August 7 and will host two others January 22 and March 19.
Please thank these folks when you can. Again, consider being on a committee, it truly is a great way to get involved and build relationships at STM.
Lastly, thank you for the opportunity to be PTO president! Please know that I welcome your ideas and feedback this year. My email is susan@mpvanous.com.
Sincerely,
Susan Vanous
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