PTA Meeting held on June 12, 2025 # of Attendees – 21
Pledge of Allegiance: James Pellicone
Review Minutes from May PTA Meeting:
- Approved by – Kelly Natiw and Seconded by Rachel Denehy
- Treasurer’s Report – Theresa Cavinee
- Ending Balance May 22nd – $50,272.14
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- New money in May (post 22nd)
- Swag- $85.00
- Total Income = $85.00
- New money in May (post 22nd)
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- Expenses –
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- Total Expenses= $0
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- Ending Balance $50,357.14
- Starting Balance June 1 – $50,357.14
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- Income
- Swag – $45.00
- Picture Day Profits – $150.00
- Total Income = $195.00
- Income
Expenses –
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- Supplies for PTA – $433.94
- Joy/Retirement – $219.85
- Career Day – $85.23
- Total Expense = $739.02
- Ending Balance as of June 12 – $49,813.12
- Principals Report – Principal Porras
- We held our attendance at 93%. The 4th grade went to Albany, the 7th grade went to Philly, and the 8th grade went to DC. We were highlighted in District 11 re: Steam and Science. At the Steam Fair, our girls created and presented a robot that won awards to help with the CIOR. Pix 11 news showcased us at Yankee Stadium re: future city project. Four of our girls competed in the Minecraft Battle of the Boroughs competition. The middle school girls’ team will represent the Bronx as the only team. One team in each borough, and our team was the only one made up entirely of females, and came in 2nd place.
- Jo-Ann thanks P.S. 175 because her daughter was in these competitions and feels the experiences that P.S. 175 provides are over the top. Over 3,000 students competed in the Minecraft competition, and they only lost by a very small margin. The school that won was a gifted and talented school exposed to high-end technologies.
- Field Day is on June 18th, along with International Day and our last assembly. Awards for engineering, creativity, and design will be recognized. Honor Roll, Attendance, Graduation, and Moving Up ceremonies are also happening soon. Our volleyball team came in 1st place and will be competing again in Brooklyn.
New Business:
Proposed Budget
- Theresa shared the budget table for 2025/2026. We were able to revive the 4th-grade trip, which had been a 25+ year tradition. Explained how we don’t need to advertise in the Current due to social media. Some were upped just to even the number. The PTA has approved the budget, not just the board. We are going to be trying to fund a music program. We would like to fundraise 24,186.88. We also added a Pre-K moving up ceremony in the budget.
| EXPENSES | 2025-2026 | 2024-25 |
| Buses for School Trips | $14,000.00 | $8,825.00 |
| Card Party Ad in Island Current | $0.00 | $150.00 |
| Card Party Start up fund (includes decorations and such) | $6,000.00 | $6,000.00 |
| Election Day Sale | $1,500.00 | $1,500.00 |
| Hollyrock Game Show | $1,700.00 | $1,650.00 |
| Joy & Sorrow | $300.00 | $300.00 |
| Pre-K Moving Up Celebration | $300.00 | $300.00 |
| Kindergarten Moving Up Ceremony | $300.00 | $300.00 |
| Student Enrichment Program | $10,000.00 | $10,000.00 |
| PTA Office Supplies | $500.00 | $1,000.00 |
| PTA Scholarship for Good Citizenship (3 Students $100ea.) | $300.00 | $300.00 |
| School Start Up Fund | $1,800.00 | $1,800.00 |
| 8th Grade Cap & Gown | $800.00 | $725.00 |
| 8th Grade Graduation | $300.00 | $300.00 |
| 8th Grade DC Trip Offset | $2,200.00 | $2,200.00 |
| School Events | $3,000.00 | $3,000.00 |
| Retirement Gifts To Staff | $200.00 | $100.00 |
| Misc Pop Up (any expenses overage/new expenses) | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| Merchandise Replenishment (SWAG) | $5,000.00 | $7,000.00 |
| Teacher and Staff Appreciation Events/Gifts | $2,500.00 | $2,250.00 |
| Taxes | $300.00 | $300.00 |
| Communication Board and Scoreboard | $5,000.00 | $15,000.00 |
| Music Education for all Students | $10,000.00 | |
| Character Education (treats/crafts/school store) | $3,000.00 | $2,000.00 |
| Estimated Expenses for 2024-25 School Year | $74,000.00 | $70,000.00 |
| PTA Checking Acct Balance as of 6.2025 | $49,813.12 | |
| Funds to raise for 2025-2026 School Year | $24,186.88 |
Motion to approve the budget: 12/19 Approved
President’s Report:
Jo-Ann and Melissa thanked all for the past four years as PTA presidents for all of their help along the way as they step aside and pass on the reins. Melissa loved working with the parents, the kids, and staff. Jo-Ann expressed her gratitude to be a co-president of the best school in the city as a parent and an educator.
SLT/ PTA Board Position Nomination
Karen Esdelle is the moderator of the election process and will be moderating our elections today. Karen will read the description and people will nominate and vote.
The By-laws will be shared with the group. They were last approved in 2022 and are due to be updated and approved.
President / Co-President: Christina Hennesy read the responsibilities.
Karen Esdelle asked who would like to be nominated for president/co-presidents. Melissa Rosado would like to nominate Theresa Cavinee for Co-President. Rachel Denehy was also nominated. The group was asked if anyone else would like to be nominated. We don’t have to vote if no one else is running. Rachel Denehy and Theresa Cavinee accept the roles as co-presidents for the next 2 years.
Treasurer – Karen Esdelle read the responsibilities. Kurstin Laue was nominated at the last meeting. No one else would like to run. Kurstin accepted the role of Treasurer for the next two years.
Corresponding Secretary – Karen Esdelle read the responsibilities. Denise McGarry was nominated at the last meeting. No one else would like to run. Denise McGarry accepts the role of corresponding secretary for the next two years.
SLT
We have 3 SLT positions open now that Rachel cannot be on SLT as she is the new Co-President. Jo-Ann explained the SLT role. Jo-Ann Cautillo and Kelly Natiw were nominated at the last meeting. Jo-Ann would like to nominate Melissa Rosado. No one else would like to nominate themselves or someone else. Melissa. Jo-Ann, and Kelly accept this role.
School Tool Box
School Toolbox is an online service that puts together all of the necessary supplies for your student. You can delete or add any items to the bag that you need. When summer packets go home, the school list will go with them along with the information on how to order.
Old Business:
PTA Year in Review and Staff Recognitions
Melissa shared her screen to show a slideshow of PTA accomplishments, shoutouts to parents and staff who went above and beyond, recognition to all the businesses who supported throughout the year, and recognition to the PTA board. A shoutout was made to Santiago, who retired. Thank you for keeping our children safe, and wish you well and a happy retirement. A special shoutout was made for Mrs. Wiehler – Thanks to her for all that she has done. She has shown genuine care – parents and kids adore her. She is blessed to have worked with the best PTA in 33 years. Principal Porras admires her dedication, integrity, compassion, and commitment to support anyone in our school community. Julie wished her the best on her well-deserved retirement. Mr. Esposito admired her for being such a great math mentor.
Adjournment:
We wish everyone a great summer. Thank you all for supporting us. The meeting was adjourned at: 8:22