Minutes from Glenwood PTO Meeting
September 18, 2007
PTO President Jessica Bivens welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the year. The meeting was called to order at 6:38 pm. Members in attendance were Jessica Bivens, Rebecca Fahey, Pam Wyatt, Scott Spaid, Leigha Stewart, Varnie Elliott, Audrey Collins, Heather McClain, Jennifer Melton, Kasi Ross, Carmela Ashburn, Sharon Dowdy, Charyn Powell, Mary Yaun, Mona Ridener, Danielle Carrier, Pearl Goins, Tammy Williams, Kim Brinkman, Marsha Anderson, Jeanie Phillips and Alesia (unsure of last name).
Principal’s Report: Mrs. Goins talked about the PTO to the new members. She stated that Glenwood’s PTO did a wonderful job and was the backbone of the school. She pointed out several things the PTO did for the job including but not limited to the mural in the cafeteria. Our enrollment so far is running right around 283 but this fluctuates with families moving in and out of the Glenwood district. Our numbers usually level off around Christmas. Eventhough our school is the smallest, this gives the staff an opportunity to work more individually with the students. One of the new programs for this year is the Reading Intervention Program. A reading specialist, Dr. Bev Tyner, will be working with the staff throughout the year. This program is for all grades and will allow students to work at his or her on level. Some classes, for instance, may have as many as four reading levels within that classroom. This is a system wide program. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped to make notebooks needed to get the program going. Mrs. Goins stressed that the staff is here for the children, and the children are their number one priority. She asked that the parents stay involved with their child’s schoolwork and if you have a question go to the source – the teachers. If you don’t get your answers there, you can talk with Mrs. Goins, as her door is always open. The new A/C was installed over the summer and seems to be working well except for the office area. Also Glenwood was the recipient of a $72,000 LEAP’S Grant.
Minutes: May’s minutes were available for review & discussion. Motion by Kasi Ross that the minutes be accepted; seconded by Sharon Dowdy. Motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: Rebecca Fahey went over the budget for the 2007-2008 school year as voted on by the board and committee chairs who attended the budget meeting back in August and answered any questions. Jessica Bivens asked that the line item for T-shirt sells be removed from the budget, as we will not be selling shirts. Kim Brinkman made a motion to approve this request; seconded by Rebecca Fahey. Motion passed unanimously. (Mrs. McCallen is working on a possible T-shirt sale for this year that does not involve the PTO directly). After review and discussion of the report Kasi Ross made a motion that the report be accepted; seconded by Pam Wyatt. Motion passed unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Book Fair: Kasi Ross brought up the fact that a volunteer is needed as a co-chair to help her with the Spring Book Fair (scheduled for February ’08) as Lynda Marcoux will be unable to help. Kasi briefly discussed the duties of a co-chair and asked anyone who might be interested to contact her. The reason for moving the date to February instead of coordinating it with the Spring Picnic as we have in the past is due to conflicts with getting volunteers. This Book Fair will be a reading night for the family. As far as this year’s Book Fair, things are going well. Over $1,000 in books has been purchased in 2 days.
Teacher Appreciation / PAWS: Mary Yaun reported that this year we will be scaling down what we do for teacher appreciations. Last year we hosted a Fabulous Friday once a month. This year we will do basically the same thing on we will host it once a quarter, probably when report cards come out. Mary will contact those who have signed up to provide goodies. Items came be brought in to the school or dropped off in line when the children are brought to school as a cart will be available for collecting the items. Mary will also be getting the Oct/Nov. issue of PAWS ready so if you have anything that you would like to submit please get that information to her by the end of the month.
Yearbook: Sharon Dowdy asked if we could possibly get someone to represent each grade so pictures could be taken on field trips and submitted for the yearbook. A box is in the office where pictures can be dropped off. As last year each student and staff member will receive a free yearbook compliments of the PTO.
Cookie Dough Fundraiser: Rebecca Fahey reported that the fall fundraiser is going well. We have actually sold more cookie dough this year than we did last year. We should make a really good profit from the sales. She would appreciate feedback from the parents as far as whether or not this is a fundraiser we might want to have again next year.
OLD BUSINESS:
Outdoor Classroom: Because of the huge success of the cookie dough sales we will be pursing this project. A lot of volunteer involvement will be required to see this project through. We need someone to chair this committee to see that permits are obtained from the city once a decision is made as far as what type structure we decide to build as well as to contact our partners in education, The Rogers Group, to see about them donating the materials/labor for the foundation. Someone will also need to talk with Home Depot or Lowe’s for donations of building supplies. If you think you might be interested in heading this project, please see Jessica Bivens. Ms. McCallen, Ms. Bell and Ms. Ridener have already informed Jessica that they will work on this project with the PTO.
USA Map: Ms. Ridener reported that she has everything needed in her office. The map will be painted on the concrete area outside the cafeteria. Hopefully a date will be set to get this project underway with the next month or so. Youth from Faith Promise Church will be helping out on this project.
New Business:
Gardens: Jessica Bivens reported that the gardens are in need of work. She will be here tomorrow and Thursday in the morning if anyone is free to help her. She would like to get things looking good before Open House Thursday evening. Jessica talked about having a “flower swap” which would provide our gardens with new things and prevent us from having to purchase items. Ms. Powell mentioned that she would like to get help in extending the milkweed garden at the back of the school. She said that the classrooms use this garden. She wanted to know if it might be possible to have this garden raised because it is a valuable resource as far as monitoring the lifecycles of insects.
PTO Socials: Jessica Bivens explained the PTO socials for the new parents at Glenwood. She said that good friends are made by working in the PTO and just by having children at the same school. Because the monthly meetings are for taking care of business the PTO decided to have a social in the cafeteria (last year they were on Friday mornings) that would allow parents to come in, have a cup of coffee and a bagel and visit with other parents after they dropped their child off for school. Mrs. Goins has already given her approval for the morning socials. More information to follow when a date is confirmed.
Ms. Anderson – Shelves: Ms. Anderson reported that the leveled reader library is going to be expanding. A good shelve system is needed to store the books. She asked for information and help and far as a carpenter. They are checking with Home Depot as far as the lumber needed. Willowbrook has a nice library, and she can go over there and take pictures so we have an idea of what is being requested. She is not sure how many shelves will be needed.
Ms. Casey – Musical Preparation: Ms. Casey has a musical preparation chair, Dawn Nye, but they need volunteers to help with the upcoming Kindergarten musical as well as future presentations. If you are interested, please e-mail a PTO member or Ms. Casey directly. You can also call the school and leave a message for Ms. Casey.
Clinic Needs: A list of items that are needed in the clinic will be updated on the PTO website shortly. If you can help out, it will be much appreciated!
Campbell Soup Program: Mona Ridener would like to see Glenwood participate in the Campbell Soup Program. The way the program works is labels are collected and turned in to the school. Each label is worth one point. Once labels are collected and turned in the school can “shop” from the Campbell Soup catalog and purchase items for the school i.e. gym equipment, classroom aids, etc. Ms. Ridener would like someone to chair this project, and she is more than willing to work with him or her. Kim Brinkman volunteered to work with Ms. Ridener on this project. (Thanks, Kim J)
Teacher Requests:
Pearl Goins: The staff went out on a boat in the Spring of ’07. Mrs. Goins coordinated this outing for the entire staff as she feels this is a positive psychological effect for the staff that translates into a benefit for the entire school. Mrs. Goins said that she has taken the money out of her budget (workshop expenses) in the past but the new business administrator and auditor said she could no longer do that. The cost for the outing is $350. Mrs. Goins is asking for the PTO to cover the cost of this. Kasi Ross made a motion that this request be approved; seconded by Scott Spaid. Motion passed unanimously.
Dottie Barkman: Ms. Barkman submitted a request for the science lab. A plastic cross-section 3-D model of the brain as well as the calipers was requested at a cost of $61.67. Heather McClain made a motion that this request be approved; seconded by Jennifer Melton. Motion passed unanimously.
Becky Hook / Nan Shugart: A request was submitted in the amount of approximately $100 for materials to be used by the students before school while they are in the gym i.e. crayons, colored pencils, games, stacking cups, etc. The reason behind this request is that they feel it would be beneficial for the students to have these interactive materials while waiting for the school day to begin. Discussed was held about having a “needs tree” put out to where parents could pick an item to donate. If parents do not donate the items the PTO will purchase them. Leigha Steawart made a motion that we approve this request; seconded by Scott Spaid. Motion passed unanimously.
Becky Hook: Ms. Hook submitted a request in the amount of $100 to be used to purchase healthy snacks for the CDC classroom. The parents of her students are asked to provide some snacks but many of them cannot afford to do so. A motion was made by Kim Brinkman that this request be approved; seconded by Kasi Ross. Motion passed unanimously. Either cash or a gift card will be given to Ms. Hook to purchase these items.
Mona Ridener: Ms. Ridener submitted a request for help in purchasing exercise bikes to be used in the mornings for children who need exercise on a daily basis. Ms. Ridener has cleaned out her equipment closet and will be turning it in to a cycling room complete with a TV and DVD. These bikes will also be used during gym class. Ten bikes are being requested at a cost of $88 per bike through Wal-Mart (free shipping). Total: $880.00. Discussing was held among the PTO members. Kim Brinkman offered to check with the local fitness centers to see if they have any bikes they can donate. Also a request for bikes will be placed in the upcoming PAWS newsletter. Ms. Ridener said that she has a couple of bikes but she is not sure how safe one of them is. Safety will be something that we will need to consider greatly when accepting any donated bikes. This request was tabled until further investigation is done.
Drawing for 30-minute massage gift certificate – congratulations, Mary Yaun!
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm
Minutes by Pam Wyatt, Secretary