Present:
Jennifer Rodriguez
Alison Pouliot
Susan Angulo
Christen Ensor
Michelle Casella
Vanessa Orti
Call to order : 7:10 pm
Lisa Cohen, VP-Academics Sandy Bricka, Treasurer Jen Snyder - Secretary, Corr
Julie O-Brien, Secretary, Rec Michelle Walthour, Principal Tracy Young
Kate Barker
Shellie Klet
Richa Badami
Stacy McGee
Cris Casella
Rita Labosette
Susan Adams
Jinie Kang
Barbara Weisman
Dana Kotch
Julio Duarte
Terri Williams
Heather Mihalic
Steve Sandy
Christine Janaske
Anne Belardo
Michelle Ray
Caroline Credno
OFFICERS REPORTS
Co-President: Sandy Bricka for Jen Younce - Welcome Speech
Deferred ratification of minutes from August 2 nd Planning meeting until October meeting
Vice President, Academics: Lisa Cohen
Reviewed the two motions that had been approved
1- Restocking of the Guided Reading Library
2- Scholastic Newsletter for 5 th Graders
Three items up for discussion tonight:
1- Ms. Jinie Kang presented on behalf of the Preschool. She requested $384.01 for costumes/ manipulative, etc. for her children - things not covered by the County. Motion for approval made by
Heather Mihalic and seconded by Jennifer Rodriguez - MOTION CARRIED
2- Mrs. Angulo/ Mr. Sandy presented on behalf of the Kindergarten classes. They requested $398 for 2

net books (one for each class) to improve Clarity Report Card Assessments. This will enable them to enter information in real time and minimize reduction of Instructional time. Motion for approval made by Susan Adams and seconded by Caroline Credno and Jennifer Rodriguez - MOTION CARRIED.
3- Mrs. Barbara Weisman requested $285 to continue the Word Masters program for 3 rd thru 5 th grades. This is a national program that works with verbal reasoning, meanings and analogies.
Motion for approval made by Jennifer Rodriguez and seconded by Tracy Young - MOTION CARRIED.
Treasurer’s Report: Sandy Bricka
We have $16,744.86 in our Checking account and $3,141.33 in our Savings account.
Secretary - Corresponding Report: Jen Snyder
Invest in Your Child Campaign discussed:
So far only 15% of families have responded. Goal is to ideally have a 50% response rate or better Closing date listed as the end of October so that we can generate income and know how much the PTO has to work with for the year.
However, donations are accepted any time of the year. Ideas of having a jar or container and flyers at the upcoming
Spirit Night at Chick Fil A for donations and as a reminder. Another idea is to have a visual reminder of our progress such as a thermometer, need more signage and promotion overall. Christine Janaske volunteered to assist with this effort.
Tracy Young and Susan Adams also volunteered.
Secretary - Recording: Julie O’Brien - nothing to report
COMMITTEE REPORTS
After School Program Coordinator: Lisa Cohen - ran through the list of activities currently running.
Encore PE using the building on Mondays
Kidz Art, Athletics, Encore Art and Lego Robotics taking place
Odyssey of the Mind: We now have 2 coordinators and Registration forms should be going home soon
Bingo: Jennifer Rodriguez : Nov 9 th : Theme Nights: Family Bingo Night
* Need volunteers to solicit and collect prizes, gift cards, etc. - Michelle Casella volunteered
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Concessions: Pizza/ Drinks/ Snacks - Rita Labosette volunteered
Box Tops: Terri Williams (Dana left prior to the report)
Explanation given of what Box Top Program is and that this is free money. Submission dates are twice a year - end of
October and end of February. Usually there is a class participation contest. Harris Teeter is running a promotion this week to earn more Box Tops.

Dinner for Dollars/Spirit Nights: Jen Snyder - everything all set for the Chick Fil A Spirit Night. Stickers will be given to the students as a reminder and the Chick Fil A cow is coming to the school on Tuesday afternoon. Three more nights left and they are:
December 6 th - Fuddruckers
February (TBD) - Red Robin
April (TBD) - Fuddruckers
Email Database: Jen Snyder - We are working on going green with the PTO flyers and newsletter. There will be a new column on the copier lists. They will now be whole class or Newsletter/PTO instead of Oldest/Only. This will significantly reduce the number of paper copies we need to make for Thursday folders. It will require Committee Leads to send an electronic copy of all flyers to Jen Snyder. Each teacher knows which student receives the hard copy of the PTO information.
End of Year Social: Susan Adams - It’s on May 31 st , details TBD
Family Movie Nights : Susan Adams
January 25 th : Movie night - planning on having 2 rooms, one for the movie and one for younger children where they could play and maybe have a more age appropriate video. Asked for information regarding popcorn. Regal gave popcorn in the past. Karen Vickers will assist with this as she did this last year.
Fifth Grade Promotion: Lara Bryson/Jen Snyder
Explanation given of what type of even this is. Also, that class of 2013 gift ideas are welcome.
( Talent Show will be the last day of school on June 6 th )
Girls on the Run: Jen McNally
This is now Running with the Stars and it is open to girls and boys
Grocery Fundraiser: Terri Williams
To date, this is the lowest response this program has received in 6 years. Only 125 families have submitted forms.
Another reminder will be going home in Thursday’s folder. An explanation was given of how the program functions, what is needed from parents and that this does not cost parents anything and is the largest moneymaker for the PTO.
Harris Teeter - runs August through May
Giant - runs October through March
Target - Debit/Credit card
Terri is looking for someone to shadow her this year and take over the program for next year.

Hospitality: Ran through dates
August 23 rd Welcome Back Luncheon 11:30-1:00 - Jersey Mike’s catered and it was very successful
November 12 th to 16 th is American Education Week
November 14 th will be the Luncheon/ Pot Luck, theme TBD
May 6 th to 10 th : Teacher Appreciation Week
May 8 th : Luncheon
Sign up sheet will be set up about what jobs are needed for volunteers
May 31 st : End of the Year Social
Invest in Your Child Direct Mail Campaign: Jen Snyder
Discussed earlier in meeting , re-emphasized need for assistance
Landscaping: Tracy Young/ Terri Williams
Reviewed that during the summer mulch was done,. Through theefforts of volunteers and the custodial employees, all plantings survived the summer. Sod is needed.
LEAP: Allison Pouliot
Explanation given as to what LEAP does. Collecting Dues was brought up at last meeting, no representatives at PTO were aware of this in the past. Will follow up at next meeting.
Clarity: Portals open for grades 3-5 October 3 rd , K-2 portals open Jan 22 nd , Reports will go home 10/4 in regard to this.
New log-ins are needed each year.
MSAAC: No report given
SEAC: Michelle Ray
Explanation given as to what SEAC does. Dr. Hatrick spoke at the last meeting. About 10-11% of families in LCPS have special education needs. Discussion on how to provide those resources.
Membership: Anne Belardo
About 150 families have signed up so far. Cost to teachers is reduced at $5. We are still working towards a full school directory versus just a PTO member directory. Probably will not be implemented this year. The enrollment forms will go out again soon. Discussion on need for a Facebook page, nothing resolved.
Odyssey of the Mind: Lisa Cohen
Mentioned earlier in the meeting, information coming home in folders soon, 2 new coordinators

Skate Night: Steve Rodriguez volunteered to be committee head. Caroline Credno volunteered to assist. Details TBD
Spirit Wear: Sandy Bricka
Sales went well on Back to School Night and the Open House. New forms will be coming home soon as new items celebrating the 20 th anniversary of the school will be on sale soon.
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Design will be A’s retro shirt, should have more info in the next 2 weeks.
Spring Raffle: Michelle Casella and Susan Adams volunteered to head this committee.
Volunteers will be needed for selling tickets, soliciting donations from teachers and the community, etc.
Spring Walk a thon: OPEN
The need to have this be a fundraiser will be based on the results of the direct mail campaign. We may be able to just hold this as a family fun day
Volunteers: Kate Barker
Next email will be about volunteers for picture day on 10/2
Webmaster: Lisa Cohen
Encouraged use of Dropbox. Have been updating website. This position is being transferred to Abe Younce
New Business Item: Lisa Cohen
Brought up new After School Program for 3 rd through 5 th grades. It will be based on athletics and will be offered on those days not currently being utilized to give students more options. Mr. Willingham will run the program. Question if scholarships will be offered. Motion made to approve and seconded by Jen Rodriguez - MOTION CARRIED
Teacher Report: Mrs. Weisman/Mrs. Klet
Anything we would like communicated to the staff, please let them know. They are the new liaisons.
Principal Report: Mrs. Walthour
* School opened without any issues. Thank you to our great custodial staff who worked 12-14hr days to make this happen. Extensive renovations were done at the school over the summer including new ceilings/lights.
*Ashburn Elementary ranked in the top 25% percent in Northern Virginia for meeting objectives for the school year, 4 others in the area did not meet.
*We have 5 new teachers this year, 2 in 3 rd grade, one in Kindergarten, one in pre-school and a new Precision teacher in the Special Education program. He is ½ time at AES and ½ at Dominion.
*20 th Anniversary Celebration: October 19 th; *5:30-6:30 will have glow sticks, dinner, Mr. White as DJ. The

students will hopefully participate in a picture taken from the sky where they will outline the number 20 for the year book **, the whole community will be invited.
* School Improvement Plan meetings coming up. 15 parents are participating in two meetings.
* Reorganization of school boundaries: Watch the website for updates, Ashburn Elementary should not be affected as much as other schools are.
* Teacher performance is now being linked with student achievement
Next Dates for Meetings:
November 15 th
January 17 th
February 21 st
March 21 st
April 18 th
May 16 th : Final Meeting
Meeting Adjourned: 8:48pm