Garnet Mesa Parent Teacher Organization Meeting Notes

November 19, 2025

8:40-9:10am

Treasurer Report

• Balance in PTO account is $7292.44.
• This number includes the $500 payment to each grade
• A Kroger/City Market check of $535.92 was deposited. This money comes from people signing up for community rewards on their City Market card.
• A QR code with a link for signing up for City Market rewards will be sent home in the next Tuesday folder.
• There is still some confusion with the reporting method. Office staff will create a better spreadsheet to show itemization so PTO can better keep track of how money is being spent.

Kick-off to Christmas/Teacher Breakfast

• PTO will provide breakfast for teachers on December 4.
• PTO will bring a selection of fancy coffee, creamers, tea, and hot chocolate, Starvin’ Arvin’s will donate cinnamon rolls, and the GMES cafeteria will provide breakfast casserole and yogurt.
• PTO members will decorate a holiday tree in the teacher’s lounge soon, maybe over Thanksgiving break. Get in touch with Jenna Valdez if you’re interested in helping.

Christmas Books

• PTO provides a book for each student for Christmas. Books for 3 grades have been ordered through Scholastic, the rest will be ordered through Amazon.

Mr. Renfrow’s Business

• None

Open Discussion

• Franny Esplin, Accountability Council: Students are collecting food to create food bags to send home for families. Each bag has meal supplies for a family 5 to cook and eat together. Adults are creating a “parent cheat sheet” with resources available in the area. These resources include help with Power School, Safe2Tell, the library, google classroom, etc. They are hoping to have this printed as a tri-fold brochure.
• Panther Express has been the same for the entire month. Ideas for updating include book recommendations from students and teachers, highlighting Good Things happening at GMES, and celebrating bucket fillers.
• Fundraising ideas: discussion on how to make the color run better this school year. Maybe having something specific to raise funds for would help. Ideas include school beautification projects (landscaping, murals, etc.), playground equipment, or a stone GMES sign, similar to the one at DHS.
• Parade of Lights: GMES will probably not participate this year. However there was discussion on having 5th graders walk in the parade signing Christmas carols. This could be a fun new tradition.

Next meeting: Wednesday, December 17 at 8:30

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