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Hough Street School’s PTO is committed to fostering racial and social equity by bridging students’ home lives and Barrington 220’s equity objectives. As a community of lifelong learners, we seek to raise children who can work and live productively alongside others; acknowledging, validating and supporting each other’s backgrounds and abilities so all can realize their full potential. Our PTO commits to working to achieve equity at Hough Street School by:

• Eliminating racial and social equity barriers in PTO's programs, policies and practices
• Creating and maintaining an environment of diversity, inclusion and respect
• Ensuring that we are reaching and engaging disenfranchised people in our school and community 

• DEPOSIT/REIMBURSEMENT FORM: to make a deposit or be reimbursed by the PTO for any PTO-related expenses that you have incurred. 
   
• PTO PROCEDURES: This book details all of the procedures of the PTO Board and Committee Chairs.
   
• PTO LETTERHEAD 

• Thursday, September 12. 2024
• Thursday, October 10, 2024
• Thursday, November 14, 2024
• Thursday, January 16, 2025
• Thursday, February 20, 2025
• Thursday, March 13, 2025
• Thursday, April 10, 2025
• End of Year Celebration: Thursday, May 15 (Location TBD)

Attendees: Taylor Knapik, Christina Grana, Audra Meyer, Kendra Fiorito, Tammy Reinhart, Zoona Ali, Sara Jaureguizar Jenn Teuber, Cathleen Newcomb, Veronica Vides, Jill Stacey, Emily Klear, Kate Tracy, Victoria Spaeth, Jamie Byrne, Katy Kurnick, Rita Murray, Caitlin MacLaughlin, Ted Archer, Sam Kunio, Rebecca Vasak, Cami Tchoi, Libby Trzaska, Victoria Iardella, Rachel Menge, Megan Zarling, Briana Velinski

Call to Order- 6:33- Sam Kunio, Tammy Reinhart

Principal Schumacher Report: Character Strong- kindness, activities. Respect the month. Safety Week. Trophy can be earned for hallway behavior. Camera being installed on entire playground. Back to school night- great participation. Stock the lounge was success, thankful. Grass update- didn’t grow, trying fertilization. Hawk Squawk on website. Assistant Principal -still searching. Mr. D. coming a few days a week. 

Meeting Minutes Approved: Approved back at May Meeting

Treasurer’s Report: Kendra reported on the budget. We approved the budget 2024-2025 during May meeting. Reimbursement forms are available from your committee chair. 74,000 balance to start. Paid out invoice for book fair, 3,000$. There has been money in and out.

Presidents’ Report: Christina said Craig Winkleman coming to next meeting to discuss referendum. Place 2 B Theme for the 2024-205 school year. Fundraising bidding sites, other options? DEI - making sure every event Hough does is equitable. PTO slate is full, which is amazing. Ted Archer update on playground committee and background from last year. Still need answers

VP of Communications Report: Libby Trzaska asked the attendees if they are enjoying having only one newsletter bi-weekly instead of multiple and they all agreed it is much more concise. She said thank you to everyone who is contributing to the Hawkline information in the appropriate google drive documents.  

VP of Social Report: Victoria Iardella thanked everyone for attending and planning the Back to School bbq on the Hough Playground. We also had great Spirit wear success there as well.  There will be information In next week’s Hawkline about the upcoming dates for Donuts for Dads.  Family fun night will be 10/25 from 6-7:30pm. Emily Klear is leading the charge the year on that event.  Principal Schumacher doing the number calling and a costume contest

Teacher treasures will also be auctioned off at family fun night- bidding outside of event which is amazing. 

VP of School Programs Report:  Briana Velinski let everyone at the meeting know who the 10 committees are under her VP umbrella.  The Hough book fair will be held during conferences during the school week. Sign up genius for volunteers for the book fair will be coming out soon.

VP of Strategy Report: Audra Meyer informed the PTO about the new shed and shed floor for Mr. George. On 9/24 there will be scarecrow building after school. Hough will be using a new Spirit Wear company for school swag!  Room Parent overview will be after the October 10th PTO meeting. Packs of Plenty at 9:00am on Thursdays at Sunny Hill, please sign up. Service Club- how to get kids more involved will be coming soon.

Meeting Adjourned: Kate Tracy, Sam Kunio 

Attendees: Taylor Knapik, Christina Grana, Audra Meyer, Kendra Fiorito, Jenn Teuber, Cathleen Newcomb, Veronica Vides, Kate Tracy, Victoria Spaeth, Jamie Byrne, Caitlin MacLaughlin, Ted Archer, Libby Trzaska, Victoria Iardella, Briana Velinski, Kerri Ricci, Mafe Andrews, Una Colohan, Zoona Ali, Phil Kenar, Rita Murray, Stephanie Lindloff, Becca Comas, Julia Schacht, Ben Johnson, Elizabeth Watkins, Lauren Hummel, Sam Kunio 

Call to Order- 6:32- Kate Tracy, Kerri Ricci 

Superintendent’s Report: Referendum

64 Million Referendum has three main goals. Increase Safety throughout D220. Enhance STEAM and instructional spaces for students. Build a new community auditorium at BHS. Modern and accessible space! 700 seats to 840 seats so entire grade level can sit together. Vote on 11/5/24

Principal Schumacher Report: She is excited for Halloween and the costume themes. She wants all students to have fun and be safe. Mindful of allergies for food and be in contact with your classroom teacher. Halloween Parade will start at 12:15pm. Parties 1:30-2:30. Volunteers need to bring their ID. November 15th is the Talent Show.

Meeting Minutes Approved: Veronica Vides, Phil Kenar

Treasurer’s Report: Kendra reported on the budget. We approved the budget 2024-2025 during May meeting. Reimbursement forms are available from your committee chair. 74,000 balance to start. Paid out invoice for book fair, 3,000$. There has been money in and out.

Presidents’ Report:  Playground Committee Update! District is going to be giving Hough $210,874 towards it. Build will be scheduled for this summer 2025. Fundraising will also go towards the new build. Saturday, April 5th is the Hough Fundraiser plus some other smaller fundraisers! Scam warning to schools to not believe PTO email asking for money. 

VP of Communications Report: None

VP of Social Report: Victoria Iardella reported on the Family Fun Night- October 25th, 5:30-7:00. This will be a Halloween night with a costume contest with Mrs. Shoemacher as the Bingo caller. Pizza and snacks will be included with Gatorade for 1$. Teacher Treasures will be auctioned off as well. Wild Onion is the location for the Hough Fundraiser.

VP of School Programs Report:  Briana Velinski- none

Book Fair Update- a few volunteers are still needed. Setup is Friday, October 11th. Send your students with cash! Donations for your classrooms.

VP of Strategy Report:  Audra Meyer- none

Meeting Adjourned: Audra Meyer and Victoria Spaeth 

Meeting Minutes Approved: Briana and Audra

Treasurer’s Report:  How much do we want to move to an interest building account? We will vote on it. 1/3 into a one year CD. $1,950 PTO dues. Family Fun Night huge success made 1,800$ profit. $2,200 Talent Show donations. January meeting will have a barometer to keep track of money raised.

Presidents’ Report:  PTO Presidents’ Update- Referendum passed! Playground Committee Update- Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive. January 1st order should be placed. June construction will begin. Special Meeting on December 5th to discuss playground and vote.

VP of Communications Report:  Hawkline and school communications are running very smoothly. The PTO is so excited to have access and control of the Hough instagram for our use! 

VP of Social Report: Victoria Iardella reported The Hough Fundraiser Theme - Fundraising meeting tomorrow kick off for the leads. Google doc going out tomorrow to discuss theme. Holiday Market and Bake Sale- December 10th, 5-7:30pm. Please sign up to volunteer.

VP of School Programs Report:  Briana Velinski- Assembly Feedback Sharing— loved the assembly, $2,300 for Fall book fair. Yearbook Photo Reminder- upload pics.

VP of Strategy Report:  Audra Meyer Bernie’s Book Bank Drive - spread the word to donate. Mini Fundraisers: Action Plan/Group Activity- Selling flowers for profit. Movie night in December 13th?! January Code Ninja, February another movie night, March Culvers night, front row at the play and flowers and concessions.

Meeting Adjourned: Christina and Briana

Call to Order: Kate Tracey, Jenn Teuber

Attendees: Michelle Yokum, Jenn Teuber, Caitlin MacLaughlin, Kate Tracy, Jamie Byrne, Katy Kurnick, Briana Reyes, Audra Meyer, Victoria Iardella, Claudia Del Fiacco, Ted Archer, Katie Stetson, Emily Klear, Keri Ricci, Kendra Fiorito, Christina Grana, Taylor Knapik, Heather Schumacher

Meeting Minutes Approved: Kate Tracey & Briana V.

Principal’s Report: Beginning 2025-26 planning. Kinder kick-off welcome is Feb 3rd - all are welcome, there will be info sessions for all different groups. MAP testing & COGAT testing is coming soon.

Treasurer’s Report:  Budget and Fundraising Update. We are making big strides with little efforts and raising $9,000 . Kendra has a doc she will share with 2024 and 2025 expenses. Money is paused for moving to interest bearing account and so after the discussion of the playground we will talk about that. Reserves are one year of operating expenses ~$30k. Current balance $70k+; $50k is committed to the playground. “Thermometer” in front entry for reaching our goal of $400k. Moving toward a “cashless” system. Cash box, card reader, clipboards . New cash box system for checks and balances. Let’s discuss tipping during events beforehand

Presidents’ Report:  School Board Candidate Forum hosted by the 220 PTO Presidents Council will be held. Wednesday, March 12th 9:30-11:30 (Location TBD) open to the public. There are 4 spots the board is voting on for D220 with 8 candidates. The forum will be recorded to view at later dates. Hough time capsule/video and alumni/community involvement in fundraising. Heather and alum opened 20 year time capsule which sparked an opportunity for the playground rebuild. We’d like to work with alum in potential ways like: videos with students, videos with alum, community involvement, possible brick donations, etc. We are trying to get students involved to brainstorm their ideal playground.

VP of Communications Report:  Next Hawkline deadline this Friday!  Hawkline Tuesday, Jan 21st. Nominating Committee: Roles for next year and the process. Thank you to Michelle for writing Christmas cards on behalf of the PTO with a cash gift. PTO gives all full time Hough employees $100 and part time Hough employees $50.

VP of Social Report: Victoria Iardella-  Snowball Dance update is Friday, Jan. 24th . The revtrack link has had some issues, so please spread info by word of mouth. Bob the DJ, limbo, freeze dance, prizes, glow in the dark items for purchase. $10/ea for children or adults; volunteers are free. Snacks & water/gatorade available for purchase. 

Fundraiser Donation/Community Involvement Brainstorm: Photo Booth, Cocktail attire - no theme, Heads & Tails game. Fundraiser Package includes more options within our budget. Live Auction Items Needed (pooling money for a hotel/experience?) Do you have a connection to donate some form of an experience? Idea: “Golden Ticket” - Connect with Katie Stetson on how to do this. Progressive Dinner Idea - we need a group of 3-6 neighbors to join on a street/closeby.   Fundraiser Meeting at Kate Fanselows Home 1/29 @6:30pm. Kindergarten Happy Hour Host is Katie Stetson. Hough Tradition: PTO supplies a school bus to transport kinder parents.

VP of School Programs Report:  Briana Velinski- Spring Assembly/Author Visit update. Ann Shafer and Taryn are updating this with potentially partnering with Fellow Schools.

VP of Strategy Report:  Audra Meyer- Mini Fundraisers, (Family Fun Night, Fall Teacher Treasures, Talent Show, Movie Night, Bake Sales) brought in $8,000 before January. Teacher involvement to create events. Let’s have an evergreen QRCode in all places for donating. Variety Show - Can we ask if the high school is available for a better date? We would make more money next year. If you’d like to volunteer to help organize a family opportunity like Extreme Wheels roller skating night, Hough movie night, etc. let Audra know.  We have a Sign Up Genius for Volunteering. Spirit Wear will be sold at the Snowball Dance. We have a new vendor of Melon Ink. Flash Sweatshirt Sale will be posted on instagram $40 for tie dye; $35 for rainbow. Could we have spirit wear at Feb 3rd kinder round up? Ms. Johnson made sweatshirts that were sold at the Holiday Market. 
Art Show is May 2nd more details to come! Room Parents - lets discuss kinder planning.

Meeting Adjourned: Briana V. & Audra M.  

PTO Meeting Minutes 2/20/2025

Call to Order: Christina Grana, Audra Meyer

Attendees: Caitlin MacLaughlin, Briana Reyes, Audra Meyer, Ted Archer, Kendra Fiorito, Christina Grana, Taylor Knapik, Heather Schumacher, Chris Shade, Zoona Ali, Nazeer Ali, Amanda Hester, Veronica Vides, Libby Trzaska

Meeting Minutes Approved: Christina Grana, Veronica Vides

Principal’s Report: Thank you for Culver's fundraiser and Valentine’s Day parties. So much happening at Hough including: 4th/5th grade drama club, 5th grade basketball, track and field coming up, playground surveys, Hawk Squawk and lots of testing coming up for the students.  MAP testing & COGAT testing is coming soon. 

Treasurer’s Report: Kendra has created an amazing fundraising tracker. The students will be involved in updating the image at the school. The amount of money raised won’t be included on the school image but it will be on the social media posts for the adults to see. 

Presidents’ Report:  School Board Candidate Forum hosted by the 220 PTO Presidents Council will be held. Wednesday, March 12th 9:30-11:30 (Location TBD) open to the public. There are 4 spots the board is voting on for D220 with 8 candidates. Playground update: the committee met with the distinct and we are full steam ahead on the planning. We will give the district out final numbers one week after the fundraiser so we know exactly how much money we have to go towards the project. Phase 1 will be happening THIS summer with phases 2 and 3 coming after that depending on the amount of money raised. 

VP of Communications Report:  Overview of nominating committee process for the 2025/2026 Slate (Exec Board and Committee Positions): Google Forms will be sent via email/Hawkline to gauge interest ASAP. 

VP of Social Report: The Hough Fundraiser: April 5th, 5:30-10 pm @ The Wild Onion. The committee came up with a Hawaiian theme.  Tickets on sale March 1st, Please sign up to help! Big Hawk/Little Hawk Sports Night Friday, April 11th @ Canlan. Fun night for parents and kids!

VP of School Programs Report:  Briana Velinski- Spring Assembly/Author Visit update. Hough will have an author coming in May to tie into the “Creative” Character Strong theme. This will include creative writing workshops as well as the author assembly for the students. Field Day is coming 5/22 with rain date of 5/23. All the planning for that is going great. 

VP of Strategy Report:  Audra Meyer- Mini Fundraisers have  been a hit. Mini Fundraisers- Code Ninja’s drop off: Friday, March 7th 6:30-9:30 pm. There will also be a promotion for a summer camp as well for Hough to raise money. Stay tuned for more information about the Spring Art Fair, Book Fair, Bake Sale and Mini Marathon all coming in May. 

Meeting Adjourned: Briana Velinski, Veronica Vides

PTO Meeting Minutes 3/13/2025

Attendees: Taylor Knapik, Christina Grana, Amanda Hester, Michelle Yokum, Chris Shade, Katy Kurnick, Jamie Bryne, Briana Velinski, Audra Meyer, Kendra Fiorito, Cait McLoughlin, Libby Trzaska, Heather Schumacher

Call to Order- Briana Velisnski and Christina Grana

Principal Schumacher’s Report- 5 Essential survey, we need 20% of the school to complete this test so please encourage your friends to take the survey. 

We are currently in high testing season. The students will be taking science testing, Cogat, and then MAP testing. Teachers will build in extra break times. 

Parents/guardians will be asked for special requests for class placement for next school year. More information will be coming out about this to adults’ emails. 

The excitement around the new playground is building for all the students and staff. They are very happy to be involved. 

Meeting Minutes Approved:  Briana Velisnski and Christina Grana

PTO Presidents’ Update: Presidents’ Council Update- 5 Essential survey, we need 20% of the school to complete this test so please encourage your friends to take the survey.  The PTO Presidents hosted an informative Forum for School Board election candidates. Please keep your eye out for school year calendar changes coming up for next year and 2026. The school board might decide to have D220 off school for the entire week of Thanksgiving in 2026. PTO Kids Activity- kids will write thank you notes right now in the gym. Fundraiser opportunities during Lion King week. The dress rehearsal will cost 10$/person and will go straight to playground. PTO will sell flowers and bundt cakes for the performers.  Help Needed: Spring Musical Concessions/Bundt Cake Sales (April 23 and April 24) and Senior Clap out (May 28th @ 1pm).

Treasurer’s Report (Kendra Fiorito) - Kendra updated the PTO that we are getting closer to our phase 1 playground goal. She showed everyone a list of the mini fundraisers that have been successful to help raise money so far this school year. 

VP of School Programs (Briana Velinski)- Decided that every Tuesday in May the PTO will celebrate the teachers for teacher appreciation month. BBQ Place so good! Double R BBQ and Double R Dogs is an idea for lunch. Please continue to upload yearbook pictures to the drive; link lives in every month’s Hawkline. 5th grade baby pics info coming in the next hawkline.  Yearbook chair Rachel said ‘I would just remind everyone to throw photos in the drive or email them to houghhawksyearbook@gmail.com so I don't have to hound anyone at the end of the school year. Earth Week activities will be April 21-25th. Steph & Kelli working on stellar ideas- stay tuned! Spring book Fair will be the week of April 28th-May 2nd. Stephanie K running Bake Sale, and Claudia, Jill, and Sam running book fair. They are all collaborating to drive sales and engagement in one big event, so mark your calendars, you won’t want to miss it! Escape to Middle School. Stephanie Khalili & Jess Shatzer  working hard on this. Had a call with Heather, and finalizing budget to bring this to life. Field Day is 5/22 and the kindergarteners will be staying at school like they traditionally do. 

VP of Communication (Libby Trzaska)-  Update on 2025/2026 PTO Slate - PTO co-chairs, are you interested in keeping your role, etc. Lots of VP roles available. 

VP of Strategy (Audra Meyer)-  Art Fair and Bake Sale- Friday May 2nd. Carnival type stations will be set up, sounds so fun!  Code Ninja night was a big success! Thank you Cait M. Summer camp discount code will be coming soon! Good for all ages even middle schoolers. 

VP of Social (Victoria Iardella)-  Big Hawk/Little Hawk Sports Night (April 11th)- sign up link coming soon! 15$/person. Spirit Day/Fundraiser Input- Jersey day & Hawaiian shirt. The Hough Fundraiser (Saturday, April 5th @ The Wild Onion) Update.  Use the GiveSmart ticket link to buy tickets (early bird ends 3/14), partake in the sponsorship program, and donate to the teacher ticket fund-any amount! Send out to family members and ask them to sponsor a teacher’s ticket.  Kindergarten Pre-Party Info: Katie and Brett Stetson’s home: 420 Hillside, from 4-5PM. A bus will depart for The Wild Onion at 5:15PM— and thank you Kinder parents and Julie Keenan for the bar cart basket. Transportation from Wild Onion to Hough at 10:00 and 10:30 pm.  Help Needed: 1) Two volunteers to pick up items at Victoria’s house on Grove and deliver to Wild Onion April 5th at 11:30 am 2) Set up an online request list for Bob the DJ 3) Any connections for a facial and/or mani/pedi gift card for spa basket- Caryn Priscilla will donate.  Keep following social media for exciting updates and information!

Upcoming Dates Check Hawkline for More Dates

1. Conferences: March 19th and 20th, Early Release on March 20th—> SPRING BREAK!
2. The Hough Fundraiser: April 5th
3. Next PTO Meeting: April 10th
4. Big Hawk/Little Hawk Sports Night: April 11th

1. New Business