Wednesday, March 9, 2016 School Library, 7:00 ... - St. Ambrose School
PTO MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 9, 2016 School Library, 7:00 pm ATTENDANCE Mrs. Angela Rowley Steven Walker John Furey Alissa Nonis Kim Vores Marcia Healy Kate O’Connor Eileen Bliss Michele Robbins Kristen Gorak
Principal President Vice President Secretary Treasurer / Volunteer Coordinator Faculty Representative At Large STEM Committee Chair At Large Social Committee Co-Chair At Large Social Committee Co-Chair Member
OPENING PRAYER PRINCIPAL’S REPORT The annual gala did well. The ‘Fund a Need’ appeal raised $5,500 for new laptop computers. We are now able to purchase 30 new HP laptops. The price for each individual computer is slightly under $400, totaling $1400. Our current 25 laptops are still scheduled to be optimized for use in the after-school STEM Maker Lab. The advanced band received a superior rating at the diocesan contest. Our eighth graders traveled to Holy Spirit yesterday to attend the annual Vocations Mass, celebrated by Bishop Loverde. School registration is looking good for next year but we are still accepting new students. Over the last few days we have received inquiries from families with multiple children. We will switch to spring uniforms after Easter break. Julia Hecton and Margaret Kelty will be contacted to determine whether they are interested in running the spring used uniform sale this year. There will be some changes to the school uniform next year. Navy dress shorts and pants from any store will be allowed in lieu of the plaid walking shorts since the Dress Code closed earlier this year. Other small adjustments may be made as well. FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT In the fall the PTO will determine whether we are interested in partnering with Barnes & Noble to host a family book fair at one of their store locations. A percentage of the profit will go to the school. There is very little work involved: advertising, Principal’s Story Hour at the event, face painting (the store provides the supplies but not the painting).
The school hosts a book fair in November and in June so perhaps this event would be most appropriate after the holidays during the winter. SECRETARY’S REPORT Action Items from the 02-04-2016 PTO meeting minutes were reviewed: PTO Events 2016 calendar was reviewed. An updated version will be emailed postmeeting. One item to note: o The 5K falls on the same date as the parish 50th anniversary. Do we want to try to coordinate with the parish and celebrate together? PRESIDENT’S REPORT According to PTO bylaws we are required to form a nominating committee to select next year’s board members. Some members are rotating off of the board; those that have not served two years are asked to email Steve with their intentions. Any nominating committee suggestions should also be sent to Steve. TREASURER / VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR’S REPORT A budget balance sheet was reviewed: o To date the gala raised $42,456 o Gala expenses currently total $5,365 plus the bar bill (which is estimated at $1,400) and any expenses incurred from class pizza parties and super days o Approximately half of our classes have maxed out on their field trip money for the year COMMITTEES SOCIAL o 03/20: Easter Egg Hunt. The flyer went out in this week’s Buzz. o 04/10: Paint & Sip. Cancelled due to participation requirements (company requires 35 participants). o 04/21: Flippin Pizza Fundraiser. This eat-in restaurant fundraiser can be held MTH evenings and the school receives 50% of the profits. April 21st falls during Terranova testing. o Our spirit wear order was submitted. Forty families ordered a little over 100 pieces. Our profit will be about $200. Changing dress down days to spirit wear days may have boosted our order. SERVICE o 03/06: Strike Out Cancer bowling event went well with approximately 35 people in attendance (mostly families with younger children). STEM o STEM Maker Lab attendance varies from 7-15 participants. Some stay-at-home parents who do not require afterschool care are sending their children.
o
We are awaiting the teachers’ response in order to determine whether we will host a STEM career day.
SPECIAL TOPICS Schoolkidz back to school supplies program was presented by Kristen Gorak: o Schoolkidz takes our school supplies lists and creates individualized boxes for children delivered to the school. Bonuses such as ‘money from home’ envelopes and property stickers with child’s name as also included. On the flip side, there are some items that cannot be delivered (i.e. a man’s old t-shirt to use as an art smock) and others that need to be purchases separately from the company’s bulk supply list (calculators, nap mats, etc.). The school receive a supply pack worth $200 if we decide to use this company. o Pricing for each grade’s list (from last year) was provided to review the cost and demonstrate how the program works. Prices appear to be slightly higher than purchasing these items alone, however the convenience factor may be appealing to some parents. o Should we decide to pilot the program in K-5th next year, the following would need to be done: Contact Kristen with decision before the end of March Comprehensive supply lists completed prior to the end of year 05/02: Send out order forms to parents. Ordering can be done by paper or online. 06/16: Order deadline (last day of school). New families that are enrolled during the summer will not be able to participate next year. Supplies will arrive by mid-August. When and how will supplies be picked up prior to the start of school? The boxes cannot be left at the school as some supply prep will need to happen at home - pencils sharpened, supplies labeled with student’s name, etc. o Teacher feedback will be solicited before moving forward. ACTIONS Mrs. Rowley will reach out to Julia Hecton and Margaret Kelty to determine whether they are interested in running the spring used uniform sale this year. Alissa will create a list of fall PTO action items for first meeting in August. Mrs. Rowley will talk to parish staff about 5K/parish anniversary coordination. Mrs. Rowley will present the Schoolkidz program to teachers and provide feedback at next meeting. Steve will contact Sean Dewolfe for 5K update at next meeting. PTO board members who have only held their position for one year will email Steve with decision as to whether they plan to serve next year. Suggestions for PTO nominating committee should be sent to Steve.
NEXT MEETING 7:00PM on April 13th in the School Library. Meeting ended at 8:24pm.
Principal President Vice President Secretary Treasurer / Volunteer Coordinator Faculty Representative At Large STEM Committee Chair At Large Social Committee Co-Chair At Large Social Committee Co-Chair Member
OPENING PRAYER PRINCIPAL’S REPORT The annual gala did well. The ‘Fund a Need’ appeal raised $5,500 for new laptop computers. We are now able to purchase 30 new HP laptops. The price for each individual computer is slightly under $400, totaling $1400. Our current 25 laptops are still scheduled to be optimized for use in the after-school STEM Maker Lab. The advanced band received a superior rating at the diocesan contest. Our eighth graders traveled to Holy Spirit yesterday to attend the annual Vocations Mass, celebrated by Bishop Loverde. School registration is looking good for next year but we are still accepting new students. Over the last few days we have received inquiries from families with multiple children. We will switch to spring uniforms after Easter break. Julia Hecton and Margaret Kelty will be contacted to determine whether they are interested in running the spring used uniform sale this year. There will be some changes to the school uniform next year. Navy dress shorts and pants from any store will be allowed in lieu of the plaid walking shorts since the Dress Code closed earlier this year. Other small adjustments may be made as well. FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT In the fall the PTO will determine whether we are interested in partnering with Barnes & Noble to host a family book fair at one of their store locations. A percentage of the profit will go to the school. There is very little work involved: advertising, Principal’s Story Hour at the event, face painting (the store provides the supplies but not the painting).
The school hosts a book fair in November and in June so perhaps this event would be most appropriate after the holidays during the winter. SECRETARY’S REPORT Action Items from the 02-04-2016 PTO meeting minutes were reviewed: PTO Events 2016 calendar was reviewed. An updated version will be emailed postmeeting. One item to note: o The 5K falls on the same date as the parish 50th anniversary. Do we want to try to coordinate with the parish and celebrate together? PRESIDENT’S REPORT According to PTO bylaws we are required to form a nominating committee to select next year’s board members. Some members are rotating off of the board; those that have not served two years are asked to email Steve with their intentions. Any nominating committee suggestions should also be sent to Steve. TREASURER / VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR’S REPORT A budget balance sheet was reviewed: o To date the gala raised $42,456 o Gala expenses currently total $5,365 plus the bar bill (which is estimated at $1,400) and any expenses incurred from class pizza parties and super days o Approximately half of our classes have maxed out on their field trip money for the year COMMITTEES SOCIAL o 03/20: Easter Egg Hunt. The flyer went out in this week’s Buzz. o 04/10: Paint & Sip. Cancelled due to participation requirements (company requires 35 participants). o 04/21: Flippin Pizza Fundraiser. This eat-in restaurant fundraiser can be held MTH evenings and the school receives 50% of the profits. April 21st falls during Terranova testing. o Our spirit wear order was submitted. Forty families ordered a little over 100 pieces. Our profit will be about $200. Changing dress down days to spirit wear days may have boosted our order. SERVICE o 03/06: Strike Out Cancer bowling event went well with approximately 35 people in attendance (mostly families with younger children). STEM o STEM Maker Lab attendance varies from 7-15 participants. Some stay-at-home parents who do not require afterschool care are sending their children.
o
We are awaiting the teachers’ response in order to determine whether we will host a STEM career day.
SPECIAL TOPICS Schoolkidz back to school supplies program was presented by Kristen Gorak: o Schoolkidz takes our school supplies lists and creates individualized boxes for children delivered to the school. Bonuses such as ‘money from home’ envelopes and property stickers with child’s name as also included. On the flip side, there are some items that cannot be delivered (i.e. a man’s old t-shirt to use as an art smock) and others that need to be purchases separately from the company’s bulk supply list (calculators, nap mats, etc.). The school receive a supply pack worth $200 if we decide to use this company. o Pricing for each grade’s list (from last year) was provided to review the cost and demonstrate how the program works. Prices appear to be slightly higher than purchasing these items alone, however the convenience factor may be appealing to some parents. o Should we decide to pilot the program in K-5th next year, the following would need to be done: Contact Kristen with decision before the end of March Comprehensive supply lists completed prior to the end of year 05/02: Send out order forms to parents. Ordering can be done by paper or online. 06/16: Order deadline (last day of school). New families that are enrolled during the summer will not be able to participate next year. Supplies will arrive by mid-August. When and how will supplies be picked up prior to the start of school? The boxes cannot be left at the school as some supply prep will need to happen at home - pencils sharpened, supplies labeled with student’s name, etc. o Teacher feedback will be solicited before moving forward. ACTIONS Mrs. Rowley will reach out to Julia Hecton and Margaret Kelty to determine whether they are interested in running the spring used uniform sale this year. Alissa will create a list of fall PTO action items for first meeting in August. Mrs. Rowley will talk to parish staff about 5K/parish anniversary coordination. Mrs. Rowley will present the Schoolkidz program to teachers and provide feedback at next meeting. Steve will contact Sean Dewolfe for 5K update at next meeting. PTO board members who have only held their position for one year will email Steve with decision as to whether they plan to serve next year. Suggestions for PTO nominating committee should be sent to Steve.
NEXT MEETING 7:00PM on April 13th in the School Library. Meeting ended at 8:24pm.
