Waggoner  Elementary School
P T O

August 2009 - General

Waggoner PTO General Meeting Minutes

August 18, 2009  9:00am

 

 

In attendance:  Lisa Gibson, Lesley McCoy, Barbara Crawford, Autumn Muir, Gail Paredes-Ewen, Lisa Ross, Jim Kenehan, Jami Howser, Traci Estenson, Stacy Novis, Courtney Johnson, Lora Wait, Kelly Davis, Mindy Douglass, Jill Cohen, Tessa Lamb, Julie Torrance, Lisa Risch, Jennifer Bradley, Melissa Hudsen, Alicia Brown, Katie Broderick, Jill Metzger, Louise Austin, Michelle Mahan, Alexis Kapela, Stephanie Durland, Lisa Low, Cindy paler, Holly Schineller, Jeni Hunter, Lisa Brethour, Kim McIntyre, Karen Felty, Rosalie White, Karmie Christian, Christine Farley, Kathleen Clark, Ingrid McCann

Meeting called to order @ 9:00am, Reading Area

 

1.      Welcome to Waggoner PTO – Introductions of Board Members

2.      May Minutes Review & Acceptance

a.       Motion to accept: 

v      1st= Jill; 2nd= Autumn

 

3.      Treasurer’s Report - Autumn:

a.       Reviewed “Profit & Loss Detail” dated 8/13/09

b.       $18k+ in savings; $26k+ in checking; $3-4k in bills to pay, leaving approx $22k in checking

c.       Budget is balanced at $59k, income and expenses; some of reserves will be needed if specific fundraising events do not bring in expected revenue

d.       Budget will be posted on website by end of week

e.       The budget will be reviewed at the Sept PTO General meeting

 

4.      Lisa Gibson Introduction:

a.       Lisa gave a brief synopsis of her time at Waggoner and her career

v      She started at Waggoner as a teacher in 1996 teaching 1st then 3rd grades and coaching; she then became an assistant to the principal and then the full time principal assistant before going to Manitas as assistant principal for 2 years.

b.       She stated that it is nice to be back at Waggoner

 

5.      Waggoner Night Out (WNO) - Ingrid:

a.       Polar Ice; 8/13, 5pm to 7pm; ice rink is exclusive to Waggoner; first event of the year; great savings to parents over public prices

b.       October’s WNO at Moe’s:  Moe’s has closed!

v      Alternatives: 

Ø      Firehouse Subs = will give 10% of Waggoner sales; 10/20 available

Ø      Boston Market = will give 15% min of all Waggoner sales; 10/20 available

¨       If Waggoner schedules at least 6 fundraising events thru the school year, they will donate 15% of their TOTAL sales for the time period on those dates; no commitment or cost is required other than scheduling the dates

¨       Boston Mkt will also provide all flyers for events

¨       Will ‘advertise’ as ‘Boston Market Night Out’ or equivalent

¨       Concerns raised that it might be too many WNO events therefore we will not advertise as WNO

¨       Participation is optional

¨       Perhaps combine these Boston Market dates with Teacher Conference Nights to help families during tight dinner times

¨       VOTE:  to commit to 6 dates thru the school year as ‘Boston Market’s Night Out’  =  13 Yes; 8 No.  Motion passed

Ø      Another suggestion of a location = McCool’s on Ray & Rural

6.      Park Bench Vote:

a.       Comments received from a number of parents over a couple of years as to why there isn’t a place to sit around the older playground

b.       $1200; would be shipped direct to Waggoner; area must be Blue Staked; PTO would purchase cement; District Facilities department would install & maintain after

c.       The City Grant program discussed in May’s PTO meeting may take up to a year and these grant programs may be in line for budget cuts

v      Vote to approve the purchase of the bench: 

Ø      Yes votes=19; No=17

Ø      PASSED

7.      Fall Fundraiser:

a.       New Chairperson is needed – please see Lesley McCoy; last year’s information is very organized and much of the work for this year is done

b.       Goal is set at $13,000; last year’s goal was $15k.  A lower goal is set for this year due to the economy

c.       Fall Fundraising Ideas:

v      Time Magazine subscriptions to classrooms (Site Council may fund)

v      Library Enclosure (estimated to cost $50-100k); will not pursue

v      Replacement of items lost in flood (MPR Roof Collapse)

Ø      Teachers were asked several times for a list of items needed due to the flood damage; 2 teachers responded; some parents received a list from the teachers of items needed!

Ø      There seems to be a disconnect between the teachers and PTO on this topic.  Lesley & Lisa will get with teachers again to get their replacement lists.  It will be addressed 8/17 week during the first meeting with the teachers.

Ø      Lisa Gibson stated that some of the replacement items may be replaced by the East Valley Disaster Fund.  Lisa will investigate.

v      Teacher’s Wish Lists – it was suggested that the PTO fulfill more of the items on the teacher’s wish lists

v      Reference Materials for teachers

Ø      Parent was encouraged to get details and submit this expenditure proposal via the PTO website so that it may be discussed and voted on during the next meeting

Ø      Lisa Gibson stated that these materials must be approved and adopted by the District Office and that the Library already has a professional reference section

v      Continuing Education for teachers and staff:  is already in the budget; much training is done in house and is encouraged

v      DIBELs training for teachers is needed per Lisa Gibson in the area of interpreting results; perhaps money could be spent on lunches during long meeting/training activities typically held on Wednesdays

Ø      A concern was raised that there is already enough testing and therefore why are we training teachers on giving more tests

Ø      This training is not to increase the amount of testing, it is for the better interpretation of the test results and to make it more useful.  DIBELs is needed in order to understand the progress of each student as they progress thru the school year and is part of the ‘No Child Left Behind’ program.

v      Increase the Science program:  Lisa Gibson is investigating a program that is funded through a Science Grant.

Ø      Cindy Briscoe stated that we have 23 hours of volunteers who will be running the Jr. Scientist program during this school year!  If parents are interested in becoming a part of this program, please contact Cindy.

v      Microscopes for 5th Grade – would like teachers to support in every grade

v      Digital cameras for each classroom

d.      Will vote on all proposals at the September 3rd meeting

e.       Lisa Gibson stated that in her experience within the district, the Waggoner parents and PTO are very generous and thoughtful in their support of the school, teachers and children.  The teachers and staff are very appreciative of all that’s done and given to them.

8.      Book Fair - Jaime: 

a.       August 24 thru 28; volunteers are needed; signup sheet was passed around

 

9.      Sock Rock – Lisa B:

a.       Date moved to October

b.       Looking into having it catered by Johnny Rockets; % would go to the school

c.       DJ has been hired

d.       Investigating having performances by dance troops

10.  Yearbook – Christine Farley:

a.       Pictures would be appreciated; please give Mary in the office a CD of any pictures taken

 

11.  Fundraising Opportunities:

a.       Safeway will give 10% back to the school if certain items are purchased – see their ad or website for details

b.       Target credit cards linked to Waggoner, will give up to 1% of purchases to Waggoner – call their customer service or go on line to link your card to Waggoner

c.       Grocery store member numbers linked to Waggoner will also give portions to Waggoner.  This program begins Sept 1 and information will be sent home prior to Sept 1.

12.  Miscellaneous:

a.       A concern was raised about the lack of teachers present during the PTO meetings to voice their own needs or opinions and perhaps PTO meeting times or frequency should be increased or changed to accommodate more teachers. 

v      There was a concern that adding more meetings to the already existing list of meetings would be too much.

v      It was recommended that the PTO and staff will support and encourage the PTO liason program. 

b.       A concern was raised about the amount of paper (multiple copies of same information) coming home in backpacks, primarily from the district.  Holly encourages everyone to use the ‘youngest’ only list.

c.       PTO Volunteer List –Gail:  the description of each committee that needs volunteer assistance needs to be verified and will be sent home shortly

 

Meeting adjourned 10:13am

            1st= Jaime; 2nd=Kelly

 

 

Minutes submitted by Ingrid McCann, Secretary.