PTO Minutes

Castle Elementary PTO Meeting
September 1, 2009
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President Bonnie Ciuffetelli called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM. She thanked everyone for their help during the first weeks of school. She had the volunteer list for picture day on Thursday. Bonnie reported our membership is at 350 families and 41 teacher/ staff members. She stated her goals for this year are as follows: 1. keep meeting to 1hour or less. 2. Expand our volunteer base. 3. Wrap up big fundraiser (playground) and start a new goal (possible document cameras) 4. Keep up attendance at events.

Principal's report:
Mrs. Scales said we currently have 803 students. No ISTEP will be given this fall so teachers have not had to spend these first weeks reviewing for it. She thanked everyone for their sympathy during the difficult time at the loss of her mother. We received $1,000 from Wal-Mart which will go into our Character Counts program. The state mandated every school send home the information about meningitis. The paper was sent home last week. She reported that the desks are being washed each night and special attention is being paid to the door knobs and other high traffic areas in response to the H1N1 virus. She asked the PTO to check into purchasing hand sanitizer for each classroom.

Minutes:
The minutes were emailed and passed out by Carol Mesker. Deb Titzer moved to accept the minutes as presented; Dawn Bratton seconded; motion approved.

Treasurer's report:
Dawn Bratton provided a financial statement (attached). Stephanie Parker moved to approve the report; Kathi Wilson seconded; motion approved.

VP of Funded programs-
Kathi Wilson did not have a report.

VP of School Activities-
Michele Brookman did not have a report.

VP of Special Events-
Deb Titzer did not have a report.

Committee Reports:
§ Birthday Book Club- No report.

§ Book Fair- Deb Titzer reported the book fair will take place the last week of October. Family Night will be October 27. Volunteers will be contacted shortly.

§ Community Donations- No report.

§ Community Service- Deb Titzer reported that Tiffany Bonnell would like a committee to help her with events. They will be helping student council. They will be collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald house. Would like to try to be in the million club. Tiffany is open to any ideas that don't involve the students asking for money. Contact Tiffany by email if you would like to help. tbonnel@gmail.com

§ Directory- Bonnie and Melissa Edris will be working on it and hope to have it out this fall.

§ Family Carnival- We need a chairperson. If you like to plan and organize events please see Bonnie.

§ Field Day- No report.

§ Fund Raising-Shannon Backer passed out flyers for our fundraiser at Roca Bar on September 16. Roca Bar will give 20% of your bill to the PTO. She will be getting a plaque for those families who have donated $20 dollars or more to the PTO fundraiser. She would like to look at getting a new piece of playground equipment for the kindergarten area. She reported that all the playground equipment was painted over the summer. She would also like to do the Pennies for the Playground campaign again. She is also open to doing more fundraisers like the Roca Bar one.

§ Helping Hands- Jen Metcalf still needs helping hands for Mrs. Hasenour, Mrs. Mattingly and Mrs. Mothersbaugh.

§ Hospitality- No report.

§ Landscape- No Report.

§ Library-Melissa Edris still needs help for 7 teachers. She will send a note out in the newsletter.

§ Market Day-Jane Small reported they have 71 customers for the first sale and pick up is Thursday.

§ Popcorn-Flavor Ice will begin on Thursday.

§ Publications-No report.

§ Special Rewards-Mary Miller said fall collection contest will begin October 5 and last until the 15th. The winning class per grade level will receive a cotton candy party. There are many opportunities for bonus box tops right now. She mentioned the website, Schnucks, and K Mart. There were 4 kindergarten students who filled out their box top sheets that were passed out at orientation. The other programs we participate in are Tyson A+, Staples, Schnucks escript, Target card and Paradise Ink. They are going to also collect old cell phones for recycling.

§ Spirit Store-Will start on Thursday.

§ Spirit Wear- Carol Mesker reported they sold 185 shirts for the first sale. The profit should be around $850. They will be doing a fall/holiday sale in November.

§ Student Incentives/AR parties-Mr. Flener will be doing the first AR party. Barb and Ami will meet to decide on the rest/

§ Sunshine- Michele Brookman reported that Amanda Wood will be getting gift cards for the teachers.

§ Web Site- No report.

Old Business
No old business.

New Business
Dawn went over the budget for the 2009-2010 school year (see attached paper). She said our bylaws stated we our checking balance must have enough funds to cover this year and the following year.

Bonnie stated that our PTO tries to provide things that the school corporation and state cannot provide. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful PTO.
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Meeting Adjourned at 7:01 p.m.
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, October 6 at 9 AM.

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Mesker, secretary