PVE PTO Minutes

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

 

 

In attendance:  Kirsten Wujek, Leslie Hargrave, Debbi Kuller, Becky Culp, Jen Kennedy, Carolyn Goebel, Chris Squier, Jennifer Pratt, Tracy Pappas, Sharon Gall, Rebecca Cunningham, Jill Bonnell, Kristen Jones, Emily Mattler, Amy Kiefer, Eileen Smits, Chad Smith

 

President:  Kim Nurkiewicz is heading up the New Welcome Committee.  There are over 100 names of children who are new to PVE (all grades).  This committee felt that it was important for these families to know a friendly face and have a “go to” person for questions, etc.  The 8-10 members of the committee made personal calls to the families this week.  The families were overwhelmingly appreciative.

 

The bylaws were amended to reflect the changes in combining the upper and lower schools and the administration containing only one principal.   Becky Culp motioned to approve the bylaws with the amended areas.  The group approved the bylaws.

 

Vice-President: The New Family Breakfast was Thursday August 27th at Jennifer Cross’ home (Spring Knoll).  About 15 women attended the meeting and had opportunities to ask Chad Smith and Scott Robinson questions. Most questions related to cyber safety and technology.

 

Arts Fair:  Chris would like to propose funding half of the cost of booking an “artist in residence” for the Arts Fair under the assumption that we would get a ZEF grant to cover the other half.  Last year, the total expense for the artist was $4450.  The artist will be doing stained glass windows with the kids during art class.  A total of 5 windows will be made – 4 to represent a theme related to each grade (e.g., animals for the first grade Beast Feast) and one to auction off.  The younger children will work on mosaic stepping stones.  There is no guarantee that we will get the grant.  Tracey Pappas motioned to approve this funding. Sharon Gall seconded the motion.  The group approved the motion.

 

Secretary:  The minutes from the August meeting were approved with one change to the Scholastic book fair  - one location vs. one book fair for the year. Becky Culp motioned to approve and it was seconded by Tracey Pappas.

 

Treasurer:  Please note the revisions made to page 3 based upon last month’s discussion on the enrichment program.

 

 

Student Services:  The ice-cream social went well – 1320 cups were distributed.  The event came under budget.  Akards donated balloons and helium and the bags to package up purchased Spirit Wear.

 

 

Fundraising: 

Innisbrook:  Catalogs went out.  Free samples will be given out on Friday morning.

 

Spirit Wear:  We turned a profit.  150 orders will go out after Labor Day. 

 

Labels for Education:  The program started Monday.  The 1st commercial aired during class (PVE News) and there will be 2 more going out.  The next one will be next week and the last the week after.  The winning class will get a healthy frozen treat and spots in commercials for the next competition.

 

There will be counting times held in the LGI room (Thurs.  9/3, Thurs. 9/24 and Friday 10/2).

 

There will be a holiday gift-wrapping fundraiser at the Amazon warehouse.  Each volunteer earns $.75 per package.  Volunteers will be required to stand for 4 hours and will receive training (video).  PVE hopes to get volunteers for one day and one night.

 

Staff Services:

The welcome back staff breakfast was well received.  Everyone loved the coffee bar!  There was a great outpouring of help.  The breakfast was scaled down to muffins and fruit.  A few teachers asked to have something delivered to their room but most were able to be served in the lounge.  A lot of donations were received so very little was spent of the budget besides the cost of the coffee plus 20% tip.


This same coffee company will be used for the Valentine’s Day treat for the staff as well. We will probably ask the coffee company to come earlier and open it up to volunteers as a thank you (8:45-9:30).

 

Enrichment:  The committee is looking at outside sources for grants and working on the forms for our application.

 

Newsletter:  Comes out today. Please have articles submitted to Ginger Lenig by the 20th of each month.

 

Publicity:  Thanks to Andrea for taking pictures.

 

Old Business:  Please sign-up for upcoming School Board Meetings.

 

New Business:

Beautification:  Kristin Jones noted that there is a lot of work needed, particularly with the bushes and shrubbery along the building and edging.  Basically a lot of work beyond the flower beds.  It is the school corporation’s responsibility – realize that there is a staff of 9 to maintain all the schools.  PVE is next on the list. 

 

Kristin is looking into Scout Troops who could volunteer to help.   She has also asked Perkins if they had anything to donate.

 

Could this be an opportunity for a teacher/student project?  Create a garden?

 

Kristin is also looking at grant opportunities (e.g., with the city, etc.).

 

Principal Chad Smith:  Principal Smith opened with a Thank You to all attending and to all those who helped with the Welcome Back Breakfast.  Special thanks to Jen Cross – it was the largest turnout at a new family breakfast. 

 

Also, thanks to Kathy Wood for getting 800 shirts donated for students and staff for the Walk Across America event.  After January, PVE will start a pedometer program with a goal to “walk” to Sacramento.  As we move west, we will conference in with another school.

 

The administration has gone through the budget and is looking for ways to become wiser in spending – better stewards.

 

In reference to the Beautification discussion, could we create a gardening enrichment club?  What about a 4th grade tulip garden?  We could spell out PVE in tulips!

 

The Discovery Center is going to be an additional resource beyond library time for the students.  It is planned to be a whimsical version of the center at the middle school.  The deep enriching literacy room will involve the senses with literacy. 

 

Donna Frecker attended the meeting and spoke to some themes she is working on for this special project:  Farm, Camping, Circus, and Beach. 

 

Funding will be needed to start themed areas but she doesn’t know how much yet.  Bean bag chairs for example might be useful in the center. 

 

·        It was suggested that we look at purchasing such items from some of our fundraising partners.  Scholastic has merchandise for which our profits are doubled to make purchases.  Campbell soup also has a catalog. 

 

·        Donna is going to come up with at list that could be put out to parents to loan items for each theme (e.g., tents).

 

Principal Smith gave a presentation entitled the “School of Dreams.”  It speaks to bringing 2 schools together and changing the culture.   The method used is to create a Professional Learning Community (PLC) to encourage teamwork and collaboration.  A PLC is the #1 model for school improvement.  It looks at what needs to change, focuses on learning and creates new mission, vision, and goals.  He would like to apply for an Imagination Grant to go to a conference to get the PLC going.  See www.allthingsplc.com for more information.

 

The school website is getting a facelift.  A template is being used by all the schools in the district.

 

Lastly, Principal Smith is looking for someone who has grant writing experience that could help the teachers.

 

 

Reminder: Next PTO meeting is Oct. 6th at 9:15 AM.