January 31, 2006 PTO Meeting Minutes
PTO President Cassie DeJarnette called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. Members in attendance were: Cassie DeJarnette, Cheryl Guthrie, Lynda Marcoux, Pam Wyatt, Jessica Bivens, Tracy Viau, Mary Yaun, Sharon Dowdy, Missy McCallen, Nan Shugart, Jennifer Melton, Lisa Ridenour, Linda Twohig and Vickie Quick.
PrincipalŐs report - Missy McCallen reported for Mrs. Goins. Exciting things are going on right now. Author Mike Thaler is scheduled to visit our school on February 9th. From 9:00 am - 9:45 am there will be an assembly for K-2 and from 10:00 am - 10:45 am an assembly for 3-4 will be held. Mr. Thaler tailors his talks for each specific age group. The teachers will dress up in "Black Lagoon" attire for Mr. Thaler's visit. Before leaving to visit Willowbrook in that afternoon, Mr. Thaler will create a piece of artwork especially for Glenwood. His visit coincides with our reading month here at Glenwood. To kick off "Reading is a Monster-ous Adventure" a talent show was held for the classrooms. We have a lot of talent here at Glenwood, and this was displayed with fantastic enthusiasm during the assembly last week.
An issue that is being discussed is a change in the school day for the elementary and middle schools. A proposal has been made to push up the school day by 15 minutes. This would mean that Glenwood would open its doors to students at 7:45 am with the first bell ringing at 8:15 am. The tardy bell would ring at 8:30 am, and school would dismiss at 3:30 pm. Any child who would have to be dropped off at school before 7:45 am would need to enroll in ECC as no school personnel will be on hand to monitor them until 7:45 am. The reason for this proposed change is transportation issues with the buses. Our school is in good shape, but others are experiencing problems. If passed this will become effective in August. This proposed change is supported by the principles of each school.
The second phase of the reading tests is complete, and most of our students showed an increase in their progress. The school has purchased a web site called "Study Island" which will allow 3rd and 4th graders to log on and practice skills for TCAP's. This is something they can do from home. There are approximately six activities for each TCAP category so the students can learn as they play games. We will have this web site for the remainder of this school year and all of next year.
Missy distributed a calendar that outlined important dates for different activities that will be going on for the remainder of the school year. This year TCAP testing will begin on Monday, April 17th. There is a three-week window in which TCAP's can be completed. Due to state law, 100% of the children have to complete the tests.
Minutes - November's minutes were available for review. Lynda Marcoux moved that the minutes be accepted. The motion was seconded by Lisa Ridenour and passed unanimously.
TreasurerŐs Report - The treasurer's report was distributed for review. The web charges listed on the report were explained by Lynda. Lynda did point out that not every item is discussed at each meeting but she will be glad to answer any questions at any time. Nan Shugart moved that the report be accepted. The motion was seconded by Linda Twohig and passed unanimously.
Committee Reports
Yearbook
Linda Twohig reported that to date $824.06 has been donated towards
the cost of this year's yearbooks. All of that money has been
collected except for $100. All those who donate will be recognized in
the yearbook no matter the size of their contribution. Everyone will
get the same recognition. It will take $400 to put a "bare bones"
yearbook together. Nan Shugart suggested that our partners in
Education (Rogers Group, Doubletree, Wendy's) be contacted for
possible donations. Lynda Marcoux also mentioned the t-shirts that
she and her committee are getting together to sale. Once a shirt is
picked, the committee will set a price for the shirt that will
basically be our cost plus maybe $3.00 more. This extra money will go
towards the cost of the yearbooks as well. If you know of anyone who
would be willing to donate money, please feel free to ask them
yourself or pass their name & number on to the committee.
Remember to turn in any photographs you have from class activities! A
box will be set up in the office that you can drop your CD in. Sonya
Parker has agreed to collect these. It's okay if you are unable to
put your pictures on CD. The yearbook committee can scan any
photographs turned in.
BoxTops
Pam Wyatt has volunteered to take over as Box Tops Coordinator for
Melanie Braden through the end of the school year. (Thank you Melanie
for all your years of hard work and dedication! :) Currently a
competition is underway between the classrooms. The box tops are
being picked up and counted routinely. Jennifer Melton, Cassie
Shipley and Cheryl Guthrie have been such a big help in this area.
The last day to turn in box tops for the contest will be Friday,
February 24th. The winning classroom will be announced on Monday
morning, February 27th, during the morning announcements. The winning
classroom will receive a fun filled afternoon, and the winning
teacher will receive the afternoon off. Cheryl Guthrie has
volunteered to sub for her. (Thank you Cheryl! : )
New Business
Cafeteria Issues: Lynda Marcoux made available to everyone at the meeting a list of cafeteria concerns. The main area focused was the charging of lunches. Children are allowed to charge two (2) meals. This means lunch or breakfast. After that the children are given a peanut butter sandwich and white milk as an alternative to not getting anything to eat. This is at no charge to the student. The cafeteria personnel try to discretely and respectfully serve those children with an attempt not to embarrass them. Brenda Dunn has been making an attempt to send notes home with the children regarding their accounts however many of the notes never make it home. They are trying to find a better way to assure that the parents get these notes. Missy McCallen suggested that the notes be held in the cafeteria and someone from the front office can pick them up and put them directly in the teacher's boxes. In extreme cases Nan Shugart will personally call families who are over extended.
Newsletter: Mary Yaun has volunteered to undertake the publication of a school wide newsletter. This newsletter will be published on a bi-monthly basis and will provide a means of communication between the faculty and parents. It is to be noted that the software program has the capability of translating the newsletter into Spanish. There will be a section for PTO reminders i.e. upcoming meetings and events. Thank you, Mary, for your willingness to undertake this task!
Safety Patrol: Missy McCallen reported that the safety patrol is doing an awesome job. She is very excited about a trip to Washington D.C. that is planned for them June 2-5. Glenwood will be sharing a bus with Linden, and Missy, Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Ridener will chaperone. This will be the first time Glenwood has done this, but hopefully it will become an annual event. So far 18 children have signed up, but there are 6 who cannot pay. A fundraiser is in the works for a pancake breakfast at Applebee's. Right now they are working with Applebee's and hope to be able to have the event one Saturday in March. Missy has asked for volunteers to help out as they will need servers. Several teachers have volunteered, and Missy is going to see if she can get Dr. Bailey to volunteer his time.
Chess Tournament Winner: Missy McCallen was very excited to announce that our own Nikki Lee, a 3rd grader in Mrs. Blevins' class, has earned a chance to compete in the upcoming Chess Tournament in Cookeville, TN on February 18th. Teri Weist will chaperone Nikki on her trip. Russ Bivins from Live @ 5 will be coming out to the school to do a story on Nikki. Congratulations, Nikki, and best of luck!
Upcoming PTO Dates:
|
Grandparents Day |
March 17th |
|
Spring Picnic |
May 5th |
|
Spring Book Fair |
May 1st - 5th |
|
Teacher Appreciation |
May 8th - 12th |
|
Cubs on Track |
TBA |
The only upcoming event that does not have a chairperson or a scheduled date is Cubs on Track. Missy McCallen explained what was involved with coordinating this event. Mrs. Ridener will work closely with the chairperson. After discussion was held Jessica Bivens volunteered to chair this event. The event will be held on May 11th (May 12th will be the rain date).
This month's door prize was a Big Ed's T-shirt. Missy McCallen was the winner! Congratulations! :
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Minutes by Pam Wyatt, Secretary