Meetings
2025-10-13 LPO Meeting Minutes
Lancer Parent Organization
General Membership Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 13, 2025
Lafayette High School Room 180
Attendees: Suzanna Ney, Deanna Vardeman, April Ladner, Jennifer Adams, Sara Robeson, Chelsea Watson, Jennifer Zeck, Elizabeth Nolan, Cynthia Washington, Tim Washington, Jeanne Flowers, Giovanna Lear, and Aleta Harris.
Welcome/Call to Order, Giovanna Lear
- The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm.
Secretary, Suzanna Ney
- Deanna Vardeman motioned to approve 9/08/25 meeting minutes. Jennifer Adams seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Principal, Karen Calcaterra
- First Quarter ends Friday, October 17th.
- Homecoming and Teacher Conferences were both successful events. Thank you.
- The Fall Play (The Play That Went Wrong) will be held in the Theater starting at 7:00 pm Thursday, October 16th – Saturday, October 18th.
- Reminder for Seniors: November 1st is the 1st big deadline for college applications.
- Lafayette High has a goal to raise student attendance by 5% this year. School administration will review and analyze attendance, looking for trends using a data dashboard. The theme is “We Care”.
- Request for LPO Class Directors to align Class meetings with their Class Principals late night to allow principals flexibility to attend class meetings.
President, Giovanna Lear
- Eureka won the LHS vs. Eureka Magnolia Soap Fundraiser. Lafayette was in the lead until the last day.
- Welcome to Suveetha Mikkili, Class of 2029 Director. The first-Class meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 20th.
- LHS will host the Presidents’ Forum Coffee with the Superintendent on November 12th at 9:00 am in the LHS Library.
- The Membership Toolkit is the official Sign Up for all Class and LPO volunteer needs for the 2025 – 2026 school year. All class sign-ups are current and open for parents to volunteer. The early parent volunteer sign-up is working well.
Treasurer, Deanna Vardeman
- The September 2025 Financial Reports were included with the agenda and reviewed by Deanna.
- Class of 2029 Treasurer, Tara Sintek, is now a signer on the Class of 2029 checking account. The Class of 2025 Treasurer, Nancy Riordan, has been removed from the Class of 2025 checking account.
- The 2024 – 2025 Financial Review is substantially complete. There are a few open procedures to be completed on the review of class accounts and compiling the final report. The Financial Review Committee included Dawn Hagen, Martha Czymmek, and Jennifer Zeck. This was not a full audit, but a limited set of procedures to review cash and electronic receipts/disbursements on a test basis for accuracy and proper reporting in compliance with the Bylaws and Standing Rules. Although, not required, if errors are detected during the review, these will be noted in the report. Proposals for future process improvements or changes within the Bylaws or Standing Rules may be suggested in the final report. The final report will be submitted to the President and Treasurer and should be ready for review by the Board during the November meeting.
VP of Communications, Aleta Harris
- Please share feedback on Parent Square icons and the different communication platforms (Parent Square vs. Toolkit)
- The Social Media Chair position is open. If someone is interested, please let Aleta or Giovanna know.
- Directory/Membership Toolkit:
· Membership Toolkit will have updates soon based on feedback from the district.
- Website Manager – Membership Toolkit/LHS Website:
· Stay tuned for revisions to the School Website soon – clean-up and redirection to Membership Toolkit.
VP of School Community, April Ladner
- A Co-Chair for Class of 2029 Director, Spirit Wear Chair and Store Operations Manager positions are open. If someone is interested, please let April or Giovanna know.
- We should engage the Nominating Committee now as there will be many LPO volunteers graduating with 2026.
- Community Events:
· The Lafayette Homecoming Parade was a success. LHS Cheer won Best Overall. LHS Choir, Softball, and Volleyball also placed, to name a few.
· Special Olympics is scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026 and there is already parent volunteers signed up.
- Staff Appreciation:
· Custodian Recognition Day was a success with cupcakes and cookies. Veteran’s Day and Principle’s Month are already in planning.
· Teacher Conference dinners were well received by the staff. LPO discussed a few suggestions for improvement in the Spring including a RSVP list to include any dietary needs.
VP of School Support, Monika Sud
- Dr. Calcaterra said the LPO supplies donation drive was a success. The wipes are the biggest hit. Recommend the supplies donation drive at the beginning of school is scheduled and advertised next year.
- Spirit Wear Committee Chair position is open. If someone is interested, please let Monika or Giovanna know.
- Lancer Landing – Inventory/Operations Manager:
· Pretzel Days are October 14th, October 28th, and November 11st. Fun Food Friday is November 14th.
· The Spring Semester Store Volunteer Sign-up will be live in November.
· The Store was unable to open during some lunch shifts in early October due to lack of volunteers.
· New strategy implemented to advertise one week in advance in the newsletter, social media, and Parent Square.
· Open Shifts: Morning Shift Lead positions remain open but have filled Tuesday and Thursdays and some Wednesday and Fridays as the Shift Leads are able to volunteer. While the Tuesday Shift Lead is unable to work temporarily, people are volunteering to help out.
· The Substitute Sign-up List is located on the Membership Toolkit. Currently no substitutes on the list.
- School Grants:
· Grants will be in full swing beginning Spring 2026.
- Spirit Wear:
· The school store spirit wear sales during Homecoming were great.
Class Updates:
Class of 2026 Director’s Report, Elizabeth Nolan and Rhonda Shrum
- Senior Class Parent Volunteer Sign-up is open and up to date.
- Blink of an Eye Video Chair position is open. If you are interested, please let Elizabeth or Rhonda know.
- Fall 2025 Memory Maker Events Updates:
· Both events are scheduled for November 8, 2026 at Forest Hills Country Club. Please remember to dress appropriate and/or according to theme.
· Tickets are on sale now. Ticket prices are currently $45/person. The ticket prices will increase to $50/person on November 1st.
· Boots, Bling, and Brunch Mother/Special Guest and Daughter Event starts at 10:00 am and will be a Buffet style with heavy Hors D’oeuvres. Line dancing and a photographer are planned.
· Boots, Belts, and Blackjack Father/Special Guest and Son Event starts at 7:00 pm and will include BBQ. The Casino Night vendor brings tables and already has dealers to run the games. Casino games include Blackjack, Roulette, and Texas hold’em. Chips will be provided to attendees.
- Jostens Senior Class Informational meetings for students only are scheduled for October 27th, October 28th, and November 4th.
- The Spring 2026 Memory Maker Events are scheduled for March 7, 2026, which includes Mother/Special Guest and Son event and Father/Special Guest and Daughter event.
Class of 2027 Director’s Report, Jen Adams and Jen Olds
- Junior Class Fundraiser, Taste of West County (TOWC), Parent Volunteer Sign-up is open.
- Class of 2027 Meeting scheduled for 7:00 pm Monday, October 28th in Room 108.
- TOWC volunteers needed to better organize and spilt restaurant manager communication.
Class of 2028 Director’s Report, Jenny Champlin, Stacy Nagel, and Sara Robeson
- Sophomore Class Fundraiser, Trivia Night, Parent Volunteer Sign-up is open.
- Trivia Night Questions – need volunteers to help write questions. The committee should consider using Artificial Intelligence (i.e., Microsoft Co-Pilot) to help with questions.
Class of 2029 Director’s Report, Giovanna Lear
- Welcome, Suveetha Mikkili, Class of 2029 Director and Tara Sintek, Class of 2029 Treasurer.
- Class of 2029 Meeting scheduled for 7:00 pm Monday, October 20th in Room 137.
- Freshman Class Fundraiser, Winter Carnival, Parent Volunteer Sign-up is open.
Next Meeting
- Monday, November 10, 2025 at 7:00 pm.
Adjournment by President, Giovanna Lear at 8:25 pm.
Rockwood School District PTO meetings are reserved for district parents, community members and invited guests. If you are interested in speaking at a PTO meeting, please reach out to their executive board members ahead of planned meetings.