PES PTA Kickoff Meeting 

Created on September 24, 2025 at 11:41 PM by Summary AI

  • Date: September 24, 2025

  • Time: 6:30pm - 7:42pm

  • Facilitator: LaNiesha Cooper, PES PTA President

  • Board members:  LaNiesha Cooper, PTA President | Shienny Lie, Treasurer

*Note: This meeting is being held in person and via zoom (and recorded) and any inappropriate behavior or content will be removed, and the meeting will be terminated if necessary.

Overview

  • Providence Elementary School PTA held its kickoff meeting, discussing the budget, open positions, and upcoming events for the school year.
  • The proposed budget projects an income of $34,600 and expenses of $35,000, with the main fundraiser planned for the spring.
  • Key upcoming events include a Family Night Out on September 30th, Fall Pictures on October 7th, and the Book Fair from October 21-24.
  • The PTA is seeking volunteers for open positions like Secretary and for various events, highlighting the new FCPS volunteer registration system.

PTA Budget and Financial Review

  • Proposed budget projects $34,600 in income and $35,000 in expenses.
  • The main fundraiser, targeting $20,000, is postponed until spring.
  • Major expenses include grade-level grants ($1,000/grade), staff support, and PTA administrative costs.
  • The PTA has an accessible emergency reserve of approximately $6,500.
  • A new reserve fund is proposed for the Art Department to purchase a new table.

Upcoming Events: Fundraisers, Book Fair & Pictures

  • First FNO at Odominion is September 30th, 4-8 p.m.
  • Fall Pictures are October 7th with new vendor Victor O'Neill Studios; volunteers get a $25 credit.
  • The Book Fair is October 21-24, featuring a 'Share the Fair' coin challenge for students in need.
  • Halloween Boo Grams fundraiser sales occur the last week of October.
  • All volunteers must register on the new FCPS website; Level 3 clearance (fingerprinting) is only required for unsupervised roles.

After-School Programs and Volunteer Opportunities

  • After-school programs in planning: chess, yoga, STEM Minecraft, cooking, and soccer.
  • Schedule to be finalized in the next two weeks, running through the end of the calendar year.
  • SAC is launching a new, flexible program called "Beyond the Bell".
  • The PTA seeks parent volunteers for various roles, including shadowing current members.
  • Volunteers are needed to make ~950 photocopies for Tuesday folders.

Principal and Superintendent Updates

  • Gratitude expressed for PTA volunteers and new administrative staff.
  • The school year has a strong start, focusing on community building and project-based learning.
  • Barriers to PTA participation include misconceptions about time commitment and language difficulties for non-native English speakers.
  • Lockdown drill procedure: students outside should run away from the school building to find safety with an adult.
  • A superintendent search is underway, with a decision expected in October/November; community feedback is encouraged.

Budget Approval and Secretary Candidate Introduction

  • A motion to adopt the budget was proposed and accepted.
  • The PTA successfully passed its audit and is in good standing.
  • The budget prioritizes equitable grant distribution over cutting specific programs.
  • Teacher reimbursements are processed on a first-come, first-served basis for grade-level items and are not guaranteed.
  • A new parent volunteered for the secretary position, emphasizing fundraising and volunteering needs.