November 2010 Meeting Minutes (DRAFT)
CORNELL PTO MINUTES
November 16, 2010
Call to order 7:00pm
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Present: Sally Sproat, Jason Gutting, Wendy Johnson, Cindy Roark, Kris Lee, Stacy Tanay, Kris Schoen, Don Mowry, Amy Petersburg, Jamie Baldwin, Eric Baldwin, Tara Bogle, Kathy Fortin, Jennifer Nevins-Lacasse, Ron Lacasse, Tammy Deppong.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve October meeting minutes was made by Jason Gutting, seconded by Tara Bogle. Motion carried.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
• Tara Fry was absent, but Sally Sproat presented information that had been discussed with Tara.
• 2nd – 4th grade music concert is scheduled for December 13, 2010.
• The X-wave apparatus was removed from the playground – The manufacturer gave Cornell a $1200 credit toward another piece of equipment.
• Plastic Friday folders – Tara is looking into purchasing 300 plastic folders to replace current laminated Friday folders. Current folders have poor durability and replacement involves additional laminating. Goal is to begin using new plastic folders in January. They should last until the end of the school year.
• Read Naturally Lab – Currently, this program for 3rd and 4th graders and is held before school on Mondays and Wednesdays. There is a need to run the program on more days- looking for parent volunteers to help with this program.
• Food Service provided free snack/breakfast to each student on Monday, Nov 15.
• The Weekend Survival Kit program began on Nov 12. This program provides backpacks filled with non-perishable food to eligible students. So far there are 9 students signed up to receive the backpacks twice a month.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
• Thank you letter was received from Marie Smith for the teachers’ t-shirts.
• Thank you letter was received from Jill Hough for the Mexican lunch.
• The PTO’s tax form 990 was filed- special thanks to Mr. Greg Deppong for his assistance, and PTO Treasurer Jason Gutting.
• CD listening stations for each classroom will be funded from the district’s 2007 Technology Bond; PTO had set aside money to pay for the stations, but that is no longer necessary.
• Jill Hough will not be able to coordinate the Field Day this year. PTO will need to find a volunteer to take over the task. Jill will provide assistance, as needed.
• Chair is still needed for the Mileage Club.
• Co-chair is still needed for the Book Swap.
• Thank you to Tammy Deppong and Jason Gutting for the successful roller skating event at Edru.
• Thank you to Johanna Foster for a successful Saturday morning movie event.
• Thank you to Christie McQuaid for organizing the Book Fair.
• Thank you to Rachel Gutting for coordinating the teachers’ Mexican lunch.
• Thank you to Cornell staff for PTO meeting refreshments.
• Spirit Wear orders are due Friday, Nov 19.
TREASURER’S REPORT
• Spreadsheets of accounts and budget available.
• The non-recurring revenues on spreadsheet include Central PTO donation, Wardcliff PTO donation, and parent donations.
• Innisbrook fundraising amounted to approximately $5000 net gain.
• Hospitality line item - expenses exceeded budget; may want to consider increasing that expense before approving 2010-11 budget.
• MSU Hockey Night line item, a late check was discovered and added to the November totals, the family was previously provided tickets.
• There will be approximately $23,600 balance at the end of the year if all expenditures and revenues occur as planned.
GRADE REPRESENTATIVES
• 1st grade – Amy Petersburg and Marie Smith are developing an at-home reading program. Funds will be needed for purchasing books and vinyl book bags. Amy and Marie will be applying for PTO grant as well as OEF grant. Additional money will likely be needed. PTO should be able to provide the additional money as long as proper paperwork is submitted.
• Kindergarten – Thank you to PTO for funds to purchase Time for Kids subscription.
PARENT COUNCIL
• Cindy Roark provided updates from Parent Council meeting held on Monday, Nov 15.
• PLCs were discussed including plans to provide parents with information about the process and the results. Parents will also receive a survey regarding PLCs.
• Community Education plans to offer activities for students on PLC early out Wednesdays.
• Playground equipment from Edgewood has been moved to Kinawa.
• Kinawa is planning a parent meeting to discuss 5th grade, 6th grade, Montessori interactions.
• Discussion was held regarding a need for a committee that includes parents from all the schools in the Okemos school district.
• Dr. Ash discussed school budget.
• Next meeting is Dec 13th at Cornell.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT COMMITTEE
• Event is scheduled for April 15, 2011; 6:00-8:30pm; Chippewa Middle School gym.
• Still need volunteers to help with the following:
o Concessions
o Teacher donations
o Corporate donations
o Silent auction
o Games and Prizes
o 50/50 Raffle
• First meeting for Fun Night volunteers is Dec 6th at 7:00pm.
• Parent volunteers are still needed from 3rd and 4th grades.
BUDGET COMMITTEE
• Potential expenditures in next budget year include:
o Hallway mat – estimated cost $500
o Chairs and storage racks for assemblies
o Sound system and microphones for assemblies – may be able to use technology money for this.
o School name on building – estimated $1000 or less
o Shade structure for outside eating area
o More tables for students to use when eating outside – Playground Committee can work on obtaining an estimate of cost
o Replacement for x-wave apparatus
• Teachers may bring additional expenditures to budget committee for discussion – e.g., more money for class field trips.
• PTO could provide money to purchase laminating materials, if presented with request from teachers.
• Amy Petersburg volunteered to be teacher representative on Budget Committee.
NEW BUSINESS – 2010-11 BUDGET
• Motion to increase hospitality line item to $800 was made by Tara Bogle, seconded by Jamie Baldwin. Motion carried.
• Motion to pass 2010-11 budget with hospitality line item change was made by Tara Bogle, seconded by Kris Lee. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS – PENNY DRIVE FOR CHOLERA IN HAITI
• Money collected will be given directly to Dr. Caldwell, who is affiliated with a hospital in Port au Prince, Haiti.
NEW BUSINESS – PTO INSURANCE
• PTO events are no longer covered by the district liability insurance based on discussion with the Okemos School Superintendent.
• Jason Gutting is in the process of obtaining cost estimates for Director and Officer liability insurance, as well as general liability insurance.
• Cost estimates will be presented at a future PTO meeting.
OLD BUSINESS – SHOPPING PORTAL
• Shopping portal (schoolstore.com) will not be made available to PTO. Program was felt to be too prize driven and involved too much marketing.
OLD BUSINESS – YEARBOOK
• Yearbook photos can now be uploaded directly to Lifetouch.
• 4th graders have been asked to provide additional information to be highlighted in “graduating class” section.
• Cost will be $19, up from $15 last year.
• Spring events will be published as a supplement that will be inserted into the yearbook.
OLD BUSINESS – HOCKEY NIGHT
• Jamie Baldwin provided feedback on MSU Hockey night event. There were a few glitches involving some of the other elementary schools that were invited to participate.
• Jamie offered to coordinate additional MSU hockey events and MSU women’s basketball events.
• Jamie may be able to provide MSU athletes to assist with Cornell Field Day in the spring.
Motion to adjourn meeting was made by Jennifer Nevins-Lacasse, seconded by Jason Gutting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:45pm.
