PTO President Jessica Bivens called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm.  Members in attendance were Jessica Bivens, Rebecca Fahey, Pam Wyatt, Linda Twohig, Heather McLain, Audrey Collins, Varnie Elliott, Sharon Dowdy, Kasi Ross, Kristi Boruff, Jennifer Melton, Mary Yaun, Leigha Stewart, Pearl Goins, Vickie Quick.

 

Principalís Report:  Ms. Goins reported a good start to 2008. Testing for the 4^th graders will be on the 31^st.  The leveled reading program is now being done in K-4 and going well.  We have also received the rest of our LEAPís money.  A new program is in the works for the AR program to be on the web.  It will be more accessible and provide activities and more testing for the students.  (Cost to have access to this program is $4,000).  Ms. Bell and Ms. McCallen are in the process of getting things set up, as passwords will be required.  More information to follow.  Transportation and crossing guards are a big conversation topic right now and very important.  We are fortunate in that we donít have critical crossing areas for our students (except at the bottom of the hill) unlike Woodland, Jefferson and Willowbrook.  The Board is asking that this be brought up at the PTO meetings to see if there is any interest among the parents/family members to help.  It is a paid job supported by the Oak Ridge School System and the City.  The Oak Ridge Police Dept provides the basic training required. 

Minutes

Novemberís minutes were available for review & discussion.  Rebecca Fahey made a motion that the minutes be accepted; seconded by Jessica Bivens.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Treasurer's Report

Rebecca Fahey reported that adjustments would be made to the budget for the playground by the next meeting.  She also reported that $1,000 has been taken off from the cookie sales as we do not expect to recoup this money.  We are actually short about $2,000 with $1,000 of that being from one person.  All purchases have been made for the bike room and the total was less than we approved by approximately $200.  Pam Wyatt made a motion that the report be accepted; seconded by Kasi Ross.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Committee Reports

Book Fair:   Kasi Ross reported that this year the Book Fair will be in February rather than at the same time as the Spring Picnic.  The theme is ìTake a Reading Road Tripî, and all involved are very excited about this fair.  Setup will be on the 14^th, the 15^th will be preview for the teachers, and the Book Fair will be open during Grandparentís Day (which will hopefully boost sales).  Jump Rope for Heart and Parent Visitation are both on Monday the 18^th, and the Book Fair will be open then as well.  The big event, Family Reading Night, will take place on Thursday evening from 6-7 pm.  There will be different ìcentersî for the families to rotate through that encourage reading.  Door prizes will be drawn (including three $10 gas cards).  We will also be participating in the ìOne for Booksî again this year.  The money collected will be used to build the library in the cafeteria.  Scholastic will match what we collect.  If you can help in any way with this Book Fair, please see Kasi Ross!

 

Yearbook:  Sharon Dowdy reported that she has gotten in a few baby pictures of the 4^th graders to be used in the yearbook.  She is trying to think of incentives to get the pictures turned in i.e. a pizza party for the class who brings all their pictures first, etc. but as a last resort.  She is going to send out another reminder with a two-week deadline for the students to get their pictures in.

 

Grandparentís Day:  Jessica Bivens reported for Kesha Shipe.  She has e-mailed Kesha but has not heard from her.  Unless something has changed, she is still willing to chair this event.  Vickie Quick and Linda Twohig have agreed to do pictures.  Right now plans are to offer a buffet breakfast.

 

 

Teacher Requests

Ms. Boruff came to tonightís meeting to give us more information regarding her request from last month for the WhisperPhones.  We had discussed possibly purchasing a set that could be checked out by the individual classrooms.  Ms. Boruffís concern is that the items would have to be sanitized after each use and whether or not this would be done.  She said that these are not a novelty item.  She used these daily at her previous school as a reading tool, and the students were as use to using them as they were their pencils.  She has seen first hand how the use of these tools enhances a studentís fluency and comprehension.  Ms. Anderson would also be using six of them in her intervention group.  After Ms. Boruff left a vote was taken.  The majority voted to purchase the WhisperPhones for her.  Jessica will notify her of this approval.

 

Reminders / Upcoming Events:

∑        A chair is needed for Cubs-On-Track and the Spring Fundraiser,

∑        Mary Yaun will be sending out a February/March PAWS letter so please e-mail her with any information you would like to have included.

∑        Jan. 18^th ñ Parentís Coffee

∑        Feb. 15^th ñ Grandparents Day

∑        Feb. 18^th ñ Parent Visitation

∑        Feb. 18^th ñ 22^nd ñ Book Fair

∑        Feb. 21^st ñ Family Reading Night

∑        NO SCHEDULED PTO MEETING IN FEBRUARY DUE TO OTHER ACTIVITIES!

∑        Mar. 14^th ñ Parentís Coffee

∑        Mar. 17^th ñ 21^st ñ Spring Break

∑        Mar. 25^th ñ PTO meeting (vote on Fall Fundraiser)

∑        Apr. 15^th ñ PTO meeting

∑        Apr. 25^th ñ Spring Picnic

∑        May 9^th ñ Cubs on Track Assembly

∑        May 16^th ñ Cubs on Track Event

∑        May 20^th ñ PTO Meeting (Election of 08/09 Executive Board)

∑        May 21^st ñ K Field Day

∑        May 23^rd ñ 1^st ñ 4^th Field Day