Waukee District PTO Minutes

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Present:

Tracy Aukes Staci Schnurr Todd Thorson Nichole Benge Susan Searcy

Julie Villines Stephanie Girard Tiffany Briggs Joan Skogstrom Kristin Jeffries

*Bolded items are Action items.

I. Susan Searcy called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

II. Secretaries Report

The minutes from the February 2, 2010, meeting were reviewed. Nichole Benge moved to approve the minutes. Staci Schnurr seconded. The February minutes were approved.

III. Treasurer’s Report and Approval

Todd reported that he sent out the financials in an earlier email. Stephanie Girard motioned to approve the financials. Staci Schnurr seconded. The treasurer’s report was approved.

IV. Old Business

A. Facebook – Nichole asked if Ginnie had gotten approval from David Wilkerson. Susan asked whether or not we needed to have approval from the district. We contacted Ginnie and asked where we were on this topic – she wanted to hear how the other schools felt about it. Her principal was concerned about the administration of the Facebook. The board decided that if we did it, the Facebook page would only contain information and not allow discussion or pictures. Nichole suggested that we add a section in the by-laws that gives the parameters for the Facebook page. Susan stated that the school VP should get the principal on-board before they set it up. The VP should highlight the benefits of having a Facebook page – it will minimize the burden to the teachers and the PTO can actively engage more parents. Susan suggested that we have one VP who would be able to get principal approval set up guidelines and then email it to the group. Stephanie and Tiffany stated they would try to get this done.

B. Slate – If you have anyone interested in the positions on the board, please let Tracy know. The Slate vote is scheduled for April 5^th from 6-8 p.m. at the Waukee Public Library.

V. New Business

None to discuss.

VI. Membership Report

No report.

VII. School Updates

A. Brookview – Nichole reported that PTO will be at the kindergarten roundup next Tuesday night. They are currently working on conference meals and gearing up for Art Town. Their spring fundraiser will be the spelling challenge in April. Staff appreciation will be held the first week of May, with a basket drawing, a “My Favorite Teacher” contest and lots of food and goodies for their staff.

B. Eason – Ginnie reported The Winter Carnival was very successful.  There was a profit this year of $500 due to a cost reduction for their services. Cultural Day was successful as well.  There were many compliments from parents about the set up and the parent volunteers did a great job. We are still looking to set Spring Book Fair dates for the ½ sale as we did have someone willing to organize it.  Science Fair is waiting to set dates based on Book Fair dates. Next meeting is April 19^th at 7:00 pm.

A. Maple Grove – Staci reported that they had their first movie night and about 200 people showed. Family Fun night is scheduled for May 15^th at Prairieview. They will have a cookie dough fundraiser in April. Staci also reported that they will have a pizza night for conference meals. They will not be having a spring book fair. For Fine Arts, the Des Moines Opera will perform Hansel and Gretel. There will be a newspaper craft and workshops for the older kids. They have a partnership with Panera Bread company and have raised over $500 so far.

B. Walnut Hills – Kristin reported that they will not be having a fundraiser this spring since they did two fundraisers in the fall. Conference meals are this week. For Fine Arts, the ISU dance teachers will come and perform on March 26^th. Walnut Hills will hold a basket raffle on May 2^nd. No spring book fair, but they were able to donating $1000 in books to the Waukee Head Start.

C. Waukee Elementary – Stephanie reported that family fun night was last Saturday and was a success. They had many mega tickets and baskets, with over 60 winners. They are currently working on Fine Arts, which will be held on April 23^rd. It will be a Science Center program. Working on making it more affordable. They will have a spring fundraiser, selling flowers, with the flowers being delivered after Mother’s Day. Conference meals are this week and Biaggi’s is catering. Spring book fair is Friday and Saturday. They are having difficulty finding volunteers.

D. Middle School – Julie reported conf. meals were held last Thursday and Monday. The menu was sub sandwiches and parents donated salads. Biaggi’s catered on Monday. They have a wishing well where teachers put notes on the board for things they need and they have received a lot of things. The have developed a team of mom’s that do laminating for the teachers. They also have a group of 9 moms that do lunchroom duty. This gives the teachers time to catch up. They had a table at 5^th grade orientation to sign up volunteers. Sent home a volunteer sheet at the table. Julie met with Diana Marschall, the new VP for South Middle School, and helped her come up with the list of volunteer needs. They are gearing up for teacher appreciation. Julie is also thinking about sending home a list to the current 5^th grades to see if they can get volunteers.

E. Prairieview – Joan reported that they did conference meals for fall and spring. For fall, she didn’t ask for assistance soon enough. Spring conference meals she was able to do more in advance and got a lot of response. Got the pizza’s for $8.00 for larges. The Prairieview Bazaar is scheduled for October 16. Joan asked the other VP’s to help get the communication out about the Bazaar. Stephanie recommended that she put it in the schools newsletters.

F. High School – no report.

VIII. Other Business

A. Susan stated that it is important to communicate with your principal to find out what they need the PTO to raise money for – then communicate it out to the parents so they will understand what their money is buying. This will make your fundraising for the year go better.

B. Stephanie suggested that if you are fundraising for technology, be sure to find out if you need to purchase additional cords, speakers, etc. to make them run.

C. Susan asked Todd if we had an audit done. There has not been an audit done. Todd didn’t know anything about it. Susan is going to email him the contact information about the auditors.

D. Julie asked if book fair and magazine sales were out of PTO. Magazine sales are not, but book fair may be. Nichole stated that her book fair shows that it makes a little money, but it goes right back into the library. Julie stated that PTO mans the magazine sales, but it isn’t a PTO fundraiser. Nichole stated that we should note this in the by-laws so down the road it isn’t questioned.

IX. Adjournment

Julie Villines motioned to adjourn the meeting. Staci Schnurr seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. The slate vote will be held at the Waukee Public Library on April 5^th from 6-8. The next meeting is scheduled for May 4^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Waukee Library.