PTO Meetings

In Attendance: Dana Montalto, Kim Lotito, Marilyn Ruedy, Diane Barenberg, Lori Didio, Connie Huddle, Cathy Hesselink, Yvette Jefferson, Roseann Kelly, Janice Ovide, Ann Kelly

PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Dana Montalto
Dana welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming to the meeting. Diane Barenberg made a motion to approve the PTO Meeting Minutes of April 14, 2009, seconded by Dana Montalto; motion passed unanimously. Dana explained that the students loved being served by the staff at Sonic Spirit Night. Sonic Drive In Manager Clark Reynolds explained to Dana that because of the economic down turn business at Sonic has decreased and therefore spirit night was not as well attended as in previous years. Dana is waiting for a check from the April Spirit Sonic Night. This will be reduced by the amount owed to Sonic for the breakfast sandwiches purchased in a “2 for 1” deal for the Staff Appreciation Breakfast. Dana thanked Ann Kelly and Yvette Jefferson for Chairing the Luncheon and Breakfast during Staff Appreciation. It was a lot of work but these ladies pulled it off with great success.

TREASURER REPORT: Michael Lutsky
In Mike’s absence Marilyn compiled an end of year working budget with an estimated balance as of April 14th of $10,495.03. Estimated income includes Le Bleu Water Bottles $656.98, Sonic Spirit Night Check $120, Firehouse Subs Spirit Night Check $100, and Dunk Tank/Pie Toss Revenue $800 for a total of $1,676.98. However, the Le Bleu Water check, half of the Sonic Spirit Night Check and half of the Firehouse Subs check will not be considered in the final balance as we are not confident their receipt will be realized. Estimated expenses this month will include Ray Day $2,525, 8th Grade Dance $375, Staff Appreciation $100, and Alpha Beta Ice Cream Social $175, for a total of $3,175. This leaves an estimated funding allocation of around $8,000.

STAFF REPRESENTATIVE REPORT: Cathy Hesselink
Cathy explained that the PTO was truly appreciated! Staff Appreciation events were so appropriately planned and were a definite moral boost for all the staff! She reported that staff requested the poster maker is too expensive and will not be utilized enough to justify the cost. She explained that some staff have used The Academy for Arts, Science, & Technology (across the street) for assistance with posters, signs, banners, etc. The fee is nominal since they charge just for supplies and not time because the students are learning the task.

OLD BUSINESS: Ann Kelly provided an update on a fundraising suggestion involving preordering teacher supplies which would be needed by students for the upcoming year. She had prototypes of the supply bags for each grade. The sealed bags with handles are from a wholesaler and contain quality name brand supplies. Marketing for the supplies will include the convenience factor & the great value (lower than retail). Parents will pay and complete the request form at registration. There is no minimum order and the PTO does not have to pre-pay. Prototypes along with a price comparison will be available the day of registration for parents to view. Yvette and Dana will research Walmart for price comparison. Further discussion involved, including a small upcharge as a fundraising element for the PTO, allotments for low income families, and extra bags for new students. Wholesale prices quoted for 6th Grade supplies was $29.96 - PTO will charge $35, 7th Grade supplies was $21.54 – PTO will charge $25, 8th Grade supplies was $19.92 – PTO will charge $25. All proceeds will go to PTO. Yvette Jefferson made a motion for the PTO to provide and order these pre-packaged supplies, seconded by Dana Montalto; motion passed unanimously.

Lori Didio with Firehouse Subs reviewed Firehouse Spirit Night information to be held on May 13th from 4-9. Dalmatian volunteer still needed from 4-6. Ms. Hesselink will email teachers to solicit a volunteer. If no one volunteers then Connie will be the Dalmatian. Flyer & stickers will be in the teacher’s boxes Wednesday morning to be distributed to all students.

Ray Day needs teacher volunteers for dunk tank and pie toss. Dana and Kim have talked to the 6th Grade teachers so Connie will send out an email asking for volunteers from 7th and 8th Grade. Connie asked for volunteers during the faculty meeting. Also need parent volunteers, currently have 12 people need approximately 30 to cover possible no shows. Once the expenses have been deducted, use net profit from dunk tank and pie toss to fund needed teacher supplies. Kim Lotito will be the Chairperson for Ray Day.

PRINCIPALS REPORT: Connie Huddle
PASS testing is currently taking place. 8th Grade Dance will be held on Friday, May 29 from 6-9pm, theme is “Paradise at the Bay”. In previous years about 80 students have attended this dance. BarryYane will be the DJ ($100). Marilyn volunteered to Chair since she worked on this event last year. Diane will send out an email blast for parents of 6th & 7th graders to volunteer to help set-up and decorate on Thursday, May 28th from 2-5pm. School dress code will be enforced.

NEW BUSINESS:Yvette Jefferson, Chairperson for Nominating Committee explained that Bee Pieterse has accepted the nomination for the secretary position for next year’s PTO Board. Marilyn Ruedy made a motion to accept Bee Pieterse as the Secretary and Mike Lutsky for Treasurer for next year’s 2009-2010 PTO Board, seconded by Kim Lotito; motion passed unanimously.

This PTO meeting is the last official PTO meeting for the 2008-09 school year therefore allocations for PTO funded projects were reviewed and discussed. Lori Didio made a motion to allocate $1,715 for the PTO to fund the outdoor classroom project $1,215 to serve 30 students with 5 cement tables and 15 benches (3 per table) and $500 for accent landscape around this area, seconded by Ann Kelly; motion passed unanimously.
Discussion ensued regarding different educational program topics. Bullying was suggested as a possible future topic of interest. To continue holding the students interest it was decided to change the presentation venue from Poetry Alive (done for the past 2 years) to something different. Diane Barenberg made a motion to allocate up to $2,000 for the PTO to fund a program that promotes character development and education that is of benefit to all the students, seconded by Cathy Hesselink; motion passed unanimously. If this program cost decreases funding consideration may be given to computer stations and/or pillar benches in the library.
Kim Lotito made a motion to allocate $500 for the PTO to fund teacher supplies, seconded by Dana Montalto; motion passed unanimously.
The school landscape was discussed. The recent pine strawing expense of $160 barely made a dent in the beautification process. Kim Lotito made a motion to allocate $1,000 ($500 in the Fall & $500 in the Spring) for the PTO to fund landscape items needed for school beautification, seconded by Dana Montalto; motion passed unanimously.

Kim Lotito made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ann Kelly; motion passed unanimously.