Northridge PTO Minutes

8/23/2011    
     
     

 Northridge PTO Officer’s Meeting Minutes

August 23, 2011

 

Present:  Arthur Whillock, Stephanie Anton, Carmina Suter, Rachel Barron, Marcos Mendoza, Dawn Franz, Karen Tommer, Sarah Hill, Beth Unruh, Janet Young, Ana Schmidt, Andrea Yoder Graber, Sherry Carlin, Sarah Harkness, Rebecca Rodarmel, Melvin Rodarmel, and Tricia Petz

 

Welcome/Overview:  Dawn Franz introduced herself as the new PTO president for this school year and welcomed all members. One of her goals is to get more parent involvement. Stephanie Anton, who has been president for the last three years, explained to the group the role of PTO and where some of the money has gone in the last couple of years. Playground equipment was purchased 2-3 years ago, IXL software (math program) was purchased for teachers, some money goes to field trips, teachers are given some money each year for their classrooms and can use that money as they wish. These are just a few examples. Some discussion was held on goals for this school year, which included Support, Enrichment, and Enhancement. One idea was to have PTO help with more inexpensive items such as software for teachers, a possible sign in front of the building for “announcements”, etc.

 

2011-2012 PTO Officers and Committee Chairs:  President, Dawn Franz; Vice-President, still in need of; Secretary, Tricia Petz; Treasurer, Carmina Suter; Teacher Appreciation, Rachel Barron; Photography, Rachel Barron; Hospitality, still in need of; Fundraising, Stephanie Anton; T-Shirt Sales, Jodi Hirsch; Box Tops, Marcos Mendoza; Book Fair, Carmina Suter; Papa John’s, Dawn Franz; Library Coordinator, Karen Tommer; Field Day, still in need of; Christmas, Rachel Barron; Yearbook, Dawn Franz; Spring Carnival, Marcos Mendoza; Room Parent Coordinator, Jodi Hirsch

 

Principal’s Report:  Mr. Whillock handed out the September calendar of events. Some dates to note are September 2 and September 5, in which there is no school (Professional Day and Labor Day). This calendar will be going home in the students’ Friday folders. Another handout showed the enrollment list for the district. There are 1,398 students in elementary school, 1,035 in middle school, and 1,037 in high school for a total of 3,470 students. Mr. Whillock mentioned that September 20 is the official count of enrollment. The number of students present on this day indicates the revenue that the school/district gets from the state.

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Carmina Suter reported that the annual renewal of $1,250 for the IXL program was paid for. She also received a check for the Spring pictures from last school year. The ending balance is $15,852.03.

 

New faces and needs:  Discussion was held on how to get more people involved with PTO. One idea was to have each person at the table “find a friend”. If everyone tries to find one person to get involved in at least one activity, more hands will make the load lighter. Another idea was to look into creating a Facebook page. Information could be put on here such as particular PTO needs and “help wanted” for certain activities.

 

Pictures:  Rachel Barron reported that picture day, which was today, went well. She said that the new company who took the pictures, GS Memorymaker, did a fantastic job. The kids seemed to have fun and there were many complements. PTO members commented on how nice it is to be able to take home the proof the day the pictures are taken. Dawn wondered if it would be possible to have someone from that company come in and do a family picture night. If people are interested in this, we will look into it in the future. Ana Schmidt said that she contacted GS Memorymaker about making copies of the pictures if a CD is purchased. She was told that as long as you buy one “package”, which could just be one sheet, and then purchase the CD for $25, they give you the copyright release so that you can take the CD to any store and make copies of the pictures, put the pictures on your computer, etc.

 

Fundraisers:  The district wide fundraiser will be starting on Thursday and the final turn in date for this is September 6. The Northridge PTO fundraiser will be selling Entertainment books. This is a coupon book that sells for $30 and there are several different coupons in there (restaurants, Dillon’s, Dick’s, All-Star Sports, Bowling, Zoo, Exploration Place, etc.). PTO profit is $15 per book. Each child will have a book to “display”. They will collect the money then turn in their orders on the first “turn-in” date and get the books to deliver. If a child sells 10 books, they get two passes to All-Star Sports. The class that sells the most books will get a lunch of their choice. Another fundraiser for PTO is the Friday Fun Sales, in which items such as popsicles, smencils, ringpops, pickles, etc. are sold for $1.00 and under. It was suggested that these be held on the first Friday of each month, with the first one being Friday, September 9.

 

Book Fair:  Carmina updated everyone on the Book Fair to be held October 7 and on October 10 and 11 during conferences. Carmina still needs volunteers to help set up on Thursday October 6 as well as takedown on October 11. She mentioned that anyone who volunteers will receive a free book.

 

Other discussion:  Marcos Mendoza reported that he will be taking over the Box Tops this year. He said that the goal for this year is to raise at least $1,069 (last year’s goal was $800). He also mentioned that there will be incentives for students such as the class with the most box tops turned in will get a prize of some sort. Marcos will have flyers printed up soon. Mrs. Young, 2nd grade teacher made a request for a laminating machine for the teacher work room as well as the laminating paper/pouches. She currently purchases the paper at WalMart for $13.88 for a package of 50. One idea was to talk to Anderson’s and see if they would be willing to give Northridge a deal on the laminating machine if the paper was purchased from there as well. If this is not an option, then PTO members agreed that it would be okay to approve the purchase of the laminating machine (the one with the thermometer) through the office supply company Mrs. Young suggested. PTO also approved the purchase of one package of laminating paper for each classroom.

 

Next meeting:  The meeting was adjourned. The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 27th at 6:30 p.m. in the Northridge media center.

 

Respectfully submitted by Tricia Petz, Secretary