September 2010 Meeting Minutes

CORNELL PTO MINUTES
September 20, 2010

Call to Order 7:00 p.m.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Present: Sally Sproat, Jason Gutting, Aly Boggs-Smitley, Cindy Roark, Margo Devine, Bena Hartman, Jan Shearer, Tara Bogle, Jennifer Nevins-Lacasse, Yi Lee, Amy Base, Chandra Juarez,
Jamie & Eric Baldwin, Kathy Fortin, Kris Lee, Stacey Tanay, Tara Fry, Vickie Lehtoner, Kelly
Ozanich, Jenna Marr and Wendy Johnson.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion made by Jennifer Nevins-Lacasse seconded by Jason Gutting for approval of May's minutes.

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
*There has been a very positive beginning for the new and veteran students. Veterans of
Cornell helping to make everyone feel welcome.
* Thank you to PTO for helping with the Ice Cream Social.
* Staff and teachers like their new T-shirts. They really helped the new students recognize them.
* Thank-yous: To the PTO for their help with the Ice Cream Social.
To all that helped with Welcome Back Breakfast on the first day of school.
To all the volunteered to be greeters for the new students on the First day.
For the pizza luncheon for staff on first day.
The moms who organized the playdates this past summer.
* The new car line system seems to be working well.
* Upcoming events: First early release day, this Wednesday, 9-22.
Special learning communities during the early release afternoons. Learning
to work as a team and sharing data.
Targeted subjects include: PLC committee reading.
Accountability
* Picture Day is October 5.
* MEAP October 12-20, for 3rd.& 4th graders.
* Clubs- Teachers are deciding
* Student Council - Mrs. King
* Safety Patrol - Mr. Mowery
* Flat screen monitor was gifted to us from Wardcliff. We will be putting up a
plaque in honor of the gift.
* This year we will be focusing on making more time for dedicated reading. 90 minutes of
uninterrupted reading. Reading Street is the name for the new program. Different segments
of teaching it. Centers, activities. Helping students with spelling and writing. The program
will screen web students three times a year: Fall, Spring and Summer.
* Lesson plans for non classroom areas ie: Library, Gym, Lunchroom. Noise level chart. Lesson
plans on the the Cornell Web Site.
* Mrs. Fry has some safety concerns regarding the X-Wave. A discussion followed about whether
or not we'll be keeping it. It's a possibility an administration decision will be made about keeping it.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
Thank you to the teachers for providing the treat for tonight's meeting.
Awaiting funds from Wardcliff.
Volunteer folder will be in the office in a few weeks.
Walk to school day is Oct. 6th.
We still need a Cornell Interior Chairperson.
We need a Book Swap Co-Chair.

TREASURER'S REPORT:
Spread sheets of accounts and budget available.
Unencumbered budget balance should be $21,884.20, if all goals are met.
Need to approve budget in October.
Jason is talking to someone about getting the amount we've paid in taxes.

EDRU SKATING PARTIES:
Sept. 30th
Nov. 11th
Feb. 2nd
May 24th
Each party will be from 6-8 p.m. The cost is $5.00.

PARENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES:
Brief summary of what this is: Parent Council reps meet at other schools to trade ideas/information.
Cindy Roark and Nicole Benedict are Cornell's representatives. Meeting next Mon 12-2, at
Hiawatha.

GRADE REPRESENTATIVES:
4th grade curriculum night reported by Jennifer Nevins-Lacasse
1st grade report: there is a need for CD players with headphones.
Tara said she would discuss this with the teachers.

FUNDRAISING:
Innisbrook sale from Sept. 20-Oct.6
Great Pumpkin Raffle: Don Mowry. Margo Devine and Jennifer Nevins-Lacasse will help brainstorm about it and organize the sale.
Spirit Wear-Jennifer Jones. Sale would begin 1st week of November. Ideas for Spirit Wear, contact Jennifer.

NEW BUSINESS:
Enrichment grants. The Kindergarten teachers would like the magazine Time for Kids. Jenna made motion, Jennifer seconded, and motion was carried.
OEF banquet table tickets for Heather McNeilly. Motion was by Jason, Jennifer seconded, and motion carried.
Mileage track resealing at a cost of up to $400. Tara Boyle made a motion, Wendy seconded, and motion carried.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES:
Clorox grants for school programs
Lowes toolbox for Education

Guest speakers for future meetings discussed.

PTO funds balance: a committee was formed to evaluate options to use money.

OLD BUSINESS:
Online store portal for PTO website, schoolmall.com.
Cornell would benefit from any shopping (school would get a set percentage of total purchases made if accessed thru shopping portal).
Tara made motion to consider it, Cindy seconded, motion carried.

Tara made motion to adjourn the meeting. Jennifer seconded, motion carried.
Meeting adjourned 9:00 p.m.