Whiting Lane PTO Agenda (10/8/2026) - Whiting Lane Elementary

When

Tue, Oct 6 4:56pm

Description

Whiting Lane PTO Meeting Agenda

October 8, 2026

Welcome!

Meeting Minutes Vote

Principal's Update: Kelly Sousa Purcell

Open Discussion Topics:

Treasurer: Jess Damseaux

Fundraising:

Costume Trivia Night on Friday, October 30th 530-6pm (pizza), 6-8pm (trivia). BYO water bottle for hydration.
Tickets on sale on Konstella 10/5 - or pay with cash/check by emailing treasurer@wlpto.org, or bringing a check to front office made out to Whiting Lane PTO. Can also buy tickets night of, but preference is to purchase them ahead of time so we order enough pizza
Price of $5 per person (maximum of $20 per family) includes pizza dinner and entry into the family trivia game
We need volunteers for the following roles (no experience required!) -- middle and high school students, parents, guardians, etc. are all welcome and appreciated as volunteers (volunteer sign up live on Konstella 10/1)

Pizza server (2 people, 5:15pm - 6:00pm; 1 person 6:00pm-7:00pm): help us reduce the spread of germs in the fall season by wearing gloves and serving pre-cut pizza to attendees.
Answer sheet collector and scorer (1-2 people, 7:00pm-8:00pm): collect trivia answer sheets for each round and score each group's responses. This role is responsible for helping declare the winner for each round!

Food Pantry: Stef Corsi-Travali

Food pantry closet sanitized, organized and prepped - thank you Carolyn, Joe and Karina for help. Shopping for first month completed. Started grocery bag distribution on 10/1/26!
Pending feedback from Greater Hartford Gives on grant application; decisions expected in November
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to help shop for groceries and bag groceries. Any time commitment helps - email scorsitravali@gmail.com if interested.
Grocery bagging planned for each Wednesday at 2pm after school.
Fundraiser at Shake Shack generated $202 – THANK YOU to all from community who ordered and dined at Shake Shack
Next restaurant night fundraiser: Chipotle at 966 Farmington Ave in West Hartford on Wednesday, October 21 from 5-9pm. When ordering in person, please present the flyer and 25% of your bill will be donated to the Whiting Lane PTO’s Food Pantry. If you’d like to order online ahead for pickup, go to chipotle.com or use the Chipotle app, select “pickup”, and be sure to use the code NJPVVJA when checking out.

Room Parents & Volunteers: Alana Curren

Outreach

Website/Store update: Ernest Ourso

Wadsworth Collaboration: Alana Curren and Jennifer Kowitt

Wadsworth is able to provide free tours and free transportation (including accessible transportation)
Positive feedback from teachers; have formed a teacher subcommittee and have already scheduled a grade-wide visit (4th grade: gallery and studio program about mythology - connects to districtwide unit on myths)

Hartford Athletics Update: Jess Damseaux

Whiting Lane Ski Club: Jess Damseaux

Wolf Pack and Yard Goats: Alana Curren

5th Grade Coordinators: Carolyn Considine and Jennifer Kowitt with Erika Tapper

Flyer/E-mail distributed to 5th grade families providing information about the year.
We have started collecting dues and yearbook photos from families.
First bake sale at Reading Under the Stars - huge success! Thank you to all who donated baked goods and their time.
Next steps: Teacher planning meeting and starting to form a yearbook committee.

Up for a vote:

Upcoming Important Dates:

Next Meeting:

November 12, 2026 @ 6:30pm