PTO Meeting Minutes for May 13, 2010

Gorman Fort Banks’ PTO Meeting Minutes

May 13, 2010

Board members in attendance:  Dawn Manning, Marcie, Jackie Drevos and Kristen Fainga’a

Meeting was lead by Co-President Dawn Manning.

• Dawn Manning opened the meeting by sharing the current budget and the results from the “Fort Fun Run”. A total of $3111.70 was collected from the bottle/can drive and the walk-a-thon.  Also, some money is still coming in.   
• Pre-school teacher Ms. Andrea purchased butterfly kits and will be reimbursed from the PTO.  A motion was made and approved.
• A motion to allocate $100.00 to purchase electric pencil sharpeners for the Pre-School classroom was approved.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:

• Mrs. Pearson reported based on the recent school survey sent home to families, the overall message was very positive.  Families shared positive feedback regarding curriculum, materials and safety.  The biggest concern shared was regarding the playground equipment.  Mrs. Pearson recommended the PTO add the “playground initiative” to next year’s agenda.
• Mrs. Pearson discussed the options for the Fort Bank’s summer reading program.  Will continue to work with Sheryl Queen from “Twist and Shake” to offer ice-cream certificates for children who read over the summer.  Mrs. Pearson offered to compile a list or she would be happy to review a list the PTO puts together.  The book lists must have a level of integrity. 
• In regards to future enrichment activities, Mrs. Pearson commented that Keith Michael Johnson, “The Bubble Man” has been visiting Fort Banks for several years and although his show is entertaining and the kids love him; it is also sometimes nice to bring in new “flavor.”  Suggestions were to create a theme for enrichment or a social skills, math, literacy activity. 
• Mrs. Pearson also provided an overview of what the PTO has done over this school year:
• She first thanked the PTO for a job well done!  She noted having “Literacy Night” and a community reading day was something she was wanting since she came to Fort Banks and is pleased that it happened and is hoping for each to become an annual event.
• She thanked Kelly Parker and Carolyn Gagnon for their leading and organizing Fort Banks’ Parent Substitute Volunteers.  Mrs. Pearson also thanked the parents who have committed their time to this initiative.  Not only is this initiative a valuable component it offers huge savings.  With parent substitute volunteers in the classrooms, teachers were able to do the following:
• Participate in professional development workshops
• Attend student IEP/504 planning meetings
• Attend an enhanced training for “Story Town”
• Meet with outside math consultants
• Perform DIBEL assessments
• Core group of teachers met to plan new math curriculum
• Reading teachers met 2x during the year
• Attend TST meetings on Fridays

FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

• Dawn Manning reported that $3111.70 was raised during the Fort Fun Run and bottle/can drive.  Some money is still trickling in.  Final results to be posted in June.
• CLOTHING DRIVE: The PTO is applying for a permit for June 10, 2010 to hold our Spring Clothing drive.  Date to be finalized.  Dawn will call “Scholars for Dollars” formerly, Bag2School, to arrange a time and date. 
• A vote was postponed regarding the fall 2010 fundraiser.  Representatives from Genevieve’s and Meadow Farms attended our April meeting but many PTO members expressed keeping our fundraising efforts local.  An idea to sell a “coupon” book with local sponsors was presented.  Tanji Daignalout and Kristen Fainga’a will share what they learn about coupon books during the June meeting.  Marcie Moline and Shannon Girard will be contacting Meadow Farms and Genevieve’s once a decision is made.
• Carolyn Gagnon lead the fundraising efforts for a raffle on behalf of Ms. Murphy:  The total raised was:  $307.00 towards the Winthrop Teacher’s Association Scholarship fund
•  

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES:

• Cara Huberman is looking into applying for a Grant through the Discovery Channel
• Keith Michael Johnson visited in May and was a hit with the kids.  A decision will be made in June regarding if he returns next year.

Additional Information:

§  Carolyn Gagnon spoke on behalf of her and Kelly Parker and the substitute parent pool.  She acknowledged that this program was extremely successful this year.  She would like the PTO to consider adding the role of “Parent Substitute Liaison” to a position within the PTO, separate from the general parent volunteer pool coordinator. This also may require a vote similar to that for board member elections.  This idea will also be discussed during the June meeting. 

§  Kelly Parker plans to speak to and recruit incoming K parents to consider being part of the parent substitute pool.

§  Both Carolyn and Kelly will continue to lead this effort next year, but would like to invite parents interested in leading this effort for the 2011-2012 school year  to shadow them

§  Kelly Parker presented the idea of adding certain responsibilities to the role of “room parents.” For example: encourage room parents to attend PTO meetings, forward the PTO minutes to room parents to help share info with their child’s class.  This will be discussed in June as well.

§  Carolyn Gagnon has offered to write thank you notes to our supporters this past year.  Jackie Drevos will assist Carolyn in this effort.

§  Dawn Hurley proposed having a reading initiative in the fall.  She was thinking of asking kids: “What would you do for reading?”

§  Field Day for second grade is scheduled for June 16, 2010.  PTO will sponsor the popsicles.

§  A motion was made and approved to allocate no more than $1000.00 for the purchase of class gifts for second graders. 

§  It was approved to send Jodi Harris a “Thinking of You” gift for $25.00

TREASURER’S REPORT: Reported by Dawn Manning            

• Current Balance: $9312.40 (as of April 30, 2010)
• (Above balance does not include the money raised from the Fort Fun Run)

                       

.  UPCOMING EVENTS:

§  June:  Clothing Drive - Date: to be determined

Remember, your thoughts and ideas are always welcome.  Please email Marcie Moline or Dawn Manning.              Marcie: marcie.moline{at}gmail.com

Dawn: kmanningfamily {at} comcast.net

OR

Check us out at:  http://www.fortbankspto.blogspot.com

Meeting ended:  9:50 AM

Minutes compiled by: Jackie Drevos and Kristen Fainga’a