1. Activities
  2. Whiting Lane PTO Meeting Minutes (9/10/2026)
Whiting Lane PTO Meeting Minutes (9/10/2026)
Fri, Oct 9 1:03pm
Whiting Lane PTO Meeting Minutes     Thursday, September 10, 2026

Meeting called to order at 6:30pm

Principal's Update: Kelly Sousa Purcell 

  • Facilities & School Environment Update

    • The roof is leaking and we often call to get this repaired/patched. Per the town, we are scheduled to have a full roof repair in Summer 2027. 

    • Playground cleanliness - staffing is aiding in having this cleaner. There is no trash can due to ongoing wildlife concerns. Stairs next to Kindergarten rooms were repaired. 

    • Ongoing rodent control - mass abatement happened over the summer. However, chemicals and abatements cannot happen when students are in session. Pest control comes monthly and there are plans during the breaks for traps to aim for more consistent regulation of the rodent population. 

  • Whiting Wire

    • Communication is underway with translation services. This comes out every two weeks and is a key communication tool for updates. 

  • Morning Hoot! 

    • The principal did a recap of the most recent Morning Hoot! This reinforcement of community and culture showcases updates, focus points, historical components in relation to celebrations/holidays, and our school code. 

  • District Tech Points

    • The BoE is conducting a tech audit district wide. The teachers will have additional information during the curriculum night. The district received over 1200 responses for their survey. Ultimately looking at balancing technology needs against age appropriate and future-focused processes. This includes a pause on new contracts on technology and a thoughtful evaluation for current state. 

    • The principal will be sharing more in-depth in October about the technology systems (like Clever). 

  • Reminder of Road Resurfacing (in weekly communication to families)

    • This begins next week. Ongoing communications going to families with a police presence directing traffic. 

  • Curriculum Night - Thursday, September 24th 

    • 6-7:30 - looking forward to all joining us. 

Open Discussion Topics: 

Parent request: More bike/scooter parking for students. Primarily focused on parking in front of the building but more around the school (back of side, library) would be instrumental. 

BoE meetings are every other Tuesday and are open to attend. Classroom sizes and technology are in discussions with the Board of Education. 

Treasurer: Jess Damseaux

Current balance around 8500.00 including Back to School Luncheon and finalized expenses from carryovers from last year. Looking to keep expenses low which will yield higher income from all events.

Events: 

  • Back to School Teacher Luncheon - Alana Curren & Ernest Ourso

    • Teachers said they liked it

  • Popsicles on the Playground - Carolyn Considine & Jenny Kowitt

    • Day before school | 5th graders handed out popsicles | well attended

  • Back to School Picnic - Emily Thomsen & Ernest Ourso

    • Sept. 3 | Great back to school event

  • Reading Under the Stars - Emily Thomsen & Ernest Ourso

    • October 1 | 6-7 pm | West Hartford library present | RiverBend book truck will be here to sell books for those who want 

  • Fall Into Fun Family Festival - Paige Canty with Caitlin Lefchak

    • October 17 | 1-4 pm | Family event | pumpkin painting, raffle for kids, movie, online silent auction, Kona Ice, Ben & Jerry's (free scoops for first 200 at event)

    • GiveButter auction site goes live on Oct. 5. Teachers to submit their experiences to Ernest. 

    • This committee meets separately than the PTO meetings, welcome to join. Sept. 23rd after school at school

    • Konstella sign-up sheets coming soon for the festival

    • Need donated baked goods

After School Events:

  • Lego Club

  • Karate (fall and spring)

  • Girl Scouts (2 groups)

  • Scouts

  • MadScience Club (fall)

  • Art Club (spring)

  • Process for additional (afterschool) activities

  • Have an idea for activities? Fill out the form on our PTO website and this will be reviewed and approved by the Principal. 

Food Pantry: Stef Corsi-Travali

  • General Structure

  • Fundraising

Updates: 

  • Thanks to all who purchased Joey’s Picnic Pack for the Back to School Picnic; your purchases from Joey’s earned us a $250 donation from them! 

  • Applications for assistance went out with first day packets and are being received by the Social Worker. Plan to begin shopping and bagging groceries at the beginning of October.

  • “Shopping list” for groceries updated this year to allow for flexibility when items are out of stock; prioritize nutrition and macronutrient goals - reduced amount of snacks provided and increased whole grains/canned vegetables/lean proteins.

  • Applied to the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation RFP for Food Pantry grant. Application submitted 8/28; response expected in November. Applied for $5000 grant.

  • Next restaurant fundraiser: Wednesday, Sept 16th from 10am-11pm at Shake Shack, 1445 New Britain Ave (by the mall) in West Hartford. To participate, visit Shake Shack at 1445 New Britain Ave in West Hartford. Mention Donation Day at the register or use promo code DONATE on the Shack App, web or kiosk at checkout (orders from third-party apps like GrubHub or DoorDash do NOT apply). 

  • HELP NEEDED: Cleaning out/reorganizing food pantry closet; bagging groceries (times to help are flexible). Contact Stef scorsitravali@gmail.com if you can help. 

VP Communication & Volunteer Update: Alana Curren 

  • Virtual volunteer zoom meeting is slated for next Tuesday, 9/15 6-7pm

    • Link is in Konstella

Outreach:

  • Website/Store Update - Ernest Ourso

    • Link is on Konstella

  • Hartford Athletics - Jess Damseaux

    • Whiting Lane section on Sept. 25. 45 tickets sold. Link is on Konstella

  • Wolf Pack and Yard Goats - Alana Curren

    • Our choir sings at these games. Awaiting official dates. This is a longstanding tradition

ELC Representatives: Ernest Ourso

  • Seeking ELC representative(s)

5th Grade Coordinator: Carolyn Considine & Jenny Kowitt

  • In early planning for the year around events, fundraisers & more. 

President: Ernest Ourso

Thanked everyone for coming and helping get the new year started. Encouraged anyone looking to volunteer or for ways to participate to join the virtual volunteer meeting next week.

Upcoming Important Dates:

  • Tues, 9/15 6-7pm - Virtual Volunteer Mtg

  • Weds, 9/16 10am-11pm - Food Pantry Fundraiser at Shake Shack

  • Thurs, 9/24 6-7:30pm - Curriculum Night

  • Sat, 9/26 9am-12pm - Garden Clean Up

  • Thurs, 10/1 6-7pm -  Reading Under the Stars

  • Sat, 10/17 1-4pm - Fall into Fun Family Festival

Next Meeting: 

Thursday, October 8, 2026  6:30pm

Meeting adjourned at 7:36