January 9, 2023

Thanks to everyone who made it to the PTO meeting last night. It was great to see new families! Here's a quick recap of highlights of the meeting:

School Budget: Principal Cofield led the first of three annual sessions about the school's budget. This was the "priorities engagement" session, which gives families the opportunity to provide feedback on what we believe the school's academic and other program priorities should be next year. Principal Cofield will share more information and a link to a Google Form separately. The next school budget meeting will be in February/March, where we'll get a preview of the '23-'24 school budget allocation, and Principal Cofield will review school-wide performance data. The final meeting, in March/April, will involve a final review of the school's '23-'24 budget prior to the school board's approval.

PTO Budget: PTO Treasurer Matt Eskridge provided an update on the PTO's budget. Key points: the Parking Committee raised over $32,000 this year! Thanks to individual donors from Giving Tuesday and year-end donations, totaling over $2,000! PTO President Katie Wunderlich proposed a new line item, of $1,200 expenditure, to support the school musical. After discussion, it was agreed to make it a $1,500 line item, to be voted on at our February meeting.

PrepWinterFest: Mark your calendars and get your tickets now! PrepWinterFest is an adults-only party at Mobtown Ballroom on Saturday, February 4 (7:30-11pm). We'll have an open bar, appetizers, a DJ, karaoke, and a silent auction. Tickets are $65/person through tomorrow, then they go up to $75/person. Note: if the ticket price is prohibitive, please reach out to the PTO. We want everyone there who wants to be there! Contact Dan Anderson for more info (daniel-anderson@outlook.com).

Spring Fling: Spring Fling is our annual family-friendly carnival-style event, with bounce houses, carnival games, arts & crafts, face painting, food and drinks, silent auction, raffles, and more. It'll be Saturday, May 13. The planning committee is holding its first meeting on January 17 at 7p at Delia Foley's (corner of Fort and Charles). All are welcome -- if you enjoy planning events, please come! Contact Megan Bober for more info (meganbober37@gmail.com).

Earth Day: Ms. Thompson, along with the PTO's Green & Grounds Committee, is planning an Earth Day event. They will be having a planning meeting in the morning on January 23. If you're interested in helping out, please contact Ms. Thompson (msthompson@bcps.k12.md.us).

Thank you: To Celine Plachez, for organizing the holiday gift and coat drive. To Devon Conklin, for organizing the upcoming open house. To Jess Cash and Mike Bonsiero, for organizing the chess clubs.