Nov. 2009 PTO Meeting Minutes (DRAFT)

PTO Minutes – Meeting November 11, 2009 (DRAFT)

 

Present:  Tammy Deppong, Jennifer Nevins-Lacasse, Cindy Roarke, Sally Sproat, Jason Gutting, Tara Fry, Lorri King, Lisa Russell

 

I.                    Call to order- 7:04pm

II.                  Approval of minutes
a.   Item 8a missing dollar amount: should be $5,290.25
b.   Innisbrook total should be $13, 864 (includes internet sales)

Motion to approve: Jason Gutting, seconded by Jennifer Nevins-Lacasse.  Motion passes.

III.                Additions to the agenda
a.   No additions.

 

IV.                Principal’s Report- Tara Fry

a.      Parent-teacher conferences went very smoothly, still working to get 100% participation.

b.      Book fair was very good, lots of sales. Volunteer support was greatly appreciated.

c.       Many thanks to Tammy Deppong for putting the student directory together.

d.      Activities for December:

Winter Program for Upper Elementary on December 14^th, 7pm

Brainstormers Assembly on December 16^th, at 1:30pm

5^th Grade Strings performance on December 18^th, 9:15am
Winter break begins Dec. 21, school resumes January 4^th

e.      The H2O problem provided a good test run of the voice AlertNow system. It may be used more in the future.

 

V.                  President’s Report – Tammy Deppong

a.       Acknowledged thank you correspondence from Jill Hough and Ann Rush for the buffet during teacher conferences.

b.      Possible EDRU Rollerskating date is Tue. January 19^th, 6-8pm (tentative). EDRU is donating a Birthday Party for 15 kids for FFN raffle

c.       Movie Morning flyer to come home on Friday, Princess and Frog, rated G, Dec. 12^th, 9:30am

 

VI.                Treasurer’s Report – Jennifer Nevins-Lacasse

a.      Paid bills for October.

b.      All Innisbrook sales are now deposited, Innisbrook expense was $6,255.62

c.       Paid recycling bill

d.      More startup costs paid re: enrichment grant and hospitality

 

VII.              Parent Council Meeting Report- Cindy Roark
a.   There was discussion at the Parent Council meeting of the upcoming transition and time frame.

b.   Also discussion of where remaining PTO funds will go from closed schools.  Parent Council consensus seemed to be that there should be no expectations of receiving funds from these schools.

c.   Discussed PTO meeting attendance, and how to encourage people to attend. Discussed having one combined PTO for both the 5/6 and 7/8 buildings next year so that there will be continuity of 4 years.

d.   Many PTO’s are sponsoring clubs at their schools.   

 

VIII.            New Business

a.      Nature’s Garden Club presentation – Mrs. King

Mrs. King has formed a Nature’s Garden Club for Cornell students. There are currently over 40 members, in 2^nd -5^th grade. They are planning to meet 2 times a month, and will include K-1^st graders in the spring. Mrs. King showed a video slideshow created by one of her former students (Will J.). The slideshow depicted her student’s artwork, writing, and photos of students planting and landscaping a nature area.   She and her students applied for and received a Capital Region Youth Foundation Grant and have used it to make a nature garden on the school grounds. This year they are applying for 5 additional grants, for total possible amount of $4,000. They would like to use this grant money to fund bird houses and feeders, bird baths, benches, plants (esp. endangered), gardening tools, a wheelbarrow, and even maybe a shed.   Boy scouts will also be helping with this project. Mrs. King was especially grateful to Mr. Brian Ruh, of Redwood Landscaping, for clearing and preparing the soil for planting.

 

IX.                Committee Reports

a.      Enrichment Grants
- Only 1: Mrs. Eddy is creating a Publishing center with parent volunteers, starting this week.

b.      Green School Update

-          Capri Sun (or Honest Kids, a Sam’s Club brand) recycling bin is set up for lunchtime and under bench in entranceway. We earn 2cents/pouch, and pickup is 1/week. 

-          Looking for volunteers to help with recycling. 

-          Discussed ideas for other items to recycle (boxboard, athletic shoes thru Playmakers, printer cartridges thru Officemax)

c.        Family Fun Night (FFN)

-           Tara Bogle has volunteered to Co-chair this event with Tammy Deppong.

-          Rachel Gutting has volunteered to chair the Variety show committee.

-          Other Committee chairs and volunteers are still needed.

-          Tentative date for FFN is April 23^rd.

 

X.                  Old Business

a.      Discussed Market Day pickup, and whether Cornell student council may be of any assistance.

 

XI.                Adjournment

Motion to adjourn Jason Gutting, seconded by Cindy Roarke. Motion passes.