- Call meeting to order: 07:05pm Emily L.
- Introductions: Best turn out for new members in a long time! Attendees: Emily L, Khalid W, Jennifer H., Carla P., Andrea B., Kristin G., Lisa F., Angela H., Tina S., Caitlin C., Erin G., Mandy S., Stacey B., , Brittany D., Jennifer O., Chris C., Allison H., Clay K.
- Secretaries Report- motion to approve meeting minutes from 8/6/2015 by Erin G., second by Chris C.
- Treasurers report
- Review budget for upcoming year, approval for budget to change from $13,000.00 to $12,838.00. Approval also granted for cultural enrichment budget to stay similar to last year. Fundraising raised approx. $6000.00 total with butter braids bring in close to $4300.00
- Discussed need for PTO to assist with the 5th grade field trip transportation costs which will be supported by PTO fundraising this year.
- Discussed cost for 8th grade field trip bus is around $800.00.
- Issue of debit cards for school lunch programs discussed. Per Mrs. Oliver, interested parties will need to bring this to Administrative Council level as there are budget implications.
- Please spread the word about Amazon Smile- we raise 1% of any money spent on site when parents sign up our school.
- Review budget for upcoming year, approval for budget to change from $13,000.00 to $12,838.00. Approval also granted for cultural enrichment budget to stay similar to last year. Fundraising raised approx. $6000.00 total with butter braids bring in close to $4300.00
- Committee reports
- Halloween happenings
- Erin G presented a plan for a change to this. Many details discussed. Motion approved for this event to be held at Sonny place this year. Will have trick or treat street, Dj and then a 20.00$ per child card could be purchased which will give access to go-carts, zipline, arcade, etc. More details to follow. Erin G has a draft handout for principals to view before sending out. Emily would like opt out info to go out first then flyer for Halloween happenings. Discussion in regards to candy safety for this event ensued.
- Book fair
- Conferences and book fair will be held 11/18, 11/19, 11/20, still need volunteers for this at SES. All set for MBA volunteers as it is much smaller.
- Raffles were successful last year and will do again this year if possible. Allison volunteered to co-chair this committee.
- Conferences and book fair will be held 11/18, 11/19, 11/20, still need volunteers for this at SES. All set for MBA volunteers as it is much smaller.
- Cultural enrichment report
- Had first program on anti-bullying yesterday thru 5th grade and was well received.
- Had first program on anti-bullying yesterday thru 5th grade and was well received.
- Erin G presented a plan for a change to this. Many details discussed. Motion approved for this event to be held at Sonny place this year. Will have trick or treat street, Dj and then a 20.00$ per child card could be purchased which will give access to go-carts, zipline, arcade, etc. More details to follow. Erin G has a draft handout for principals to view before sending out. Emily would like opt out info to go out first then flyer for Halloween happenings. Discussion in regards to candy safety for this event ensued.
- Halloween happenings
- Discussed need to make sure to blast reminder when the children have attended a PTO sponsored event during school day to increase PTO visibility.
- Angela H will continue on as chair of this committee until someone is willing to take over and she is happy to help train someone. She will meet with principals regarding dates and needed programs.
- Meanwhile will begin lining up events now that budget has been approved
- Angela to look into a program regarding disabilities suggested by Emily L.
a. Opt Out – flyer going out this week
b. PTO notepads will be given out to those who opt out. They were $497.00 for 300 of them to purchase. Approved to purchase
c. Tastebook – this was approved as a fundraiser this year. PTO makes a good profit from this book. They cost $25.00 and the PTO gets back $12.50/book.
d. Square One art project – parents will purchase items with their child’s original art and 35% of cost goes back to PTO. This is being supported by art teachers.
e. Box tops- continue to be worth while to do. Lisa F volunteered to count these at MBA and will contact Diane J to set up a video reminder for MBA students to collect them. Pat Clark is counting them at SES and always looking for more volunteers to help.
f. Sonny’s event is also fundraiser. Cards cost $20.00 and PTO gets back $6.00/card sold.
g. XL center representative, Ted, came to discuss fundraising options with them. They have a program where we can get discounted group tickets with no minimum tickets sold, no online fees, need to pay a $5.00 group order fee and a $5.00 fee to mail tickets then the PTO can determine the amount tickets should be after they consider the cost to cover the expense for XL center. They will also create flyers for us if needed and then we can print and distribute. Tickets available for Harlem Globetrotters, Marvel Universe, Disney Live and on Ice, Hartford Wolfpack, etc. PTO will continue to explore this as an option. Brittany Dwyer to chair.
h. Voted to do the gift card fundraiser again this year as this has been popular in the past. Brittany Dwyer & Caitlin Cooke to co-chair.
i. School spirit shirts- PTO approved this fundraiser to occur earlier in the year. Lisa F. to help chair/facilitate this. Mrs. Oliver to determine color of grades for the field day now. Parents can order their school spirit shirt and have the correct color for the whole year.
j. School carnival in the spring was a success, will consider making this a fundraiser as well
k. Still looking for spring fun run chair person
- General discussion:
- Many open positions still remain on PTO for board members and committee chairs. Emily L will remain acting president until 1/2016 or sooner if someone is interested. Cultural enrichment needs a chair person still.
- Many open positions still remain on PTO for board members and committee chairs. Emily L will remain acting president until 1/2016 or sooner if someone is interested. Cultural enrichment needs a chair person still.
Next Meeting at SES Media Center on 10/14/2015
Motion to adjourn: 8:46pm by Emily LeTourneau, 2nd by Lisa Forest