Call to Order 3:21pm In Attendance: Lynn Martinez, Mary Vaughn, Michelle Jones, Stephanie Ross, Billina Dolezal, Shannon Ripp, Amber Fortner, Leigh Ford, Emily Stone, Katie Froslie, Kelli Sanders, Marissa Hahn, Tammie Chapman, Stephanie Koehler, Dana Gaches, Deborah West, BillieJo Thomas, Stephanie Ross, Katy Dehart, Janey Forsberg, Emory Storedahl, Kalisha Storedahl, Emmy Dolan, Sara Jackson, Sheena Mertens, Taryn Nelson, DeAndrea McClellan, Beth Robertson, Mrs. Bitten Approval of June, 2014, General Meeting Minutes motioned by Michelle Jones, seconded by Mary Vaughn. Motion passed. Mission Statement, read by Lynn Martinez. o The Parent Teacher Organization will support the student, teacher, and parent community to enhance our children’s educational experience. Fundraising Goals for the current school year, discussed by Lynn. o The fundraising goal is $20,000. This includes purchasing a class set of tablets for the Library, increasing individual classroom fiction and non-fiction libraries, and teacher grants. Teacher Grant Requests, presented by Lynn and Billina Dolezal. o Kindergarten is requesting 2 rugs, for $900. General vote approves purchase. Mrs. Whittaker was scheduled to speak but was unable to attend. Technology Updates given by Billina Dolezal o The district technology lead, Anthony, recommends 32 GB Google Nexus Tablets, at a cost of between $300-$400 each. The total cost would be more like $500 each after management software, applications, and accessories are included. o The district plan includes equipping the school with Wi-Fi as part of a 5 year plan. The cost for this is approximately $8,000. At this time, the PTO will focus on buying tablets and not paying for school-wide Wi-Fi. The tablets can connect to the internet in the library and teachers can check them out for classroom use. Students can use apps that do not need an internet connection when the tablets are away from the library. Treasurer’s Report, given by Stephanie Ross. o o Balances as of meeting time are as follows: Checking $1,500.54 Savings $16,097.70 The budget will be coming for the October meeting, and has been delayed due to board transition issues. Drop In, Drop Off Report, given by Mary Vaughn, committee chair. o The PTO spent $159 for ice cream and used some supplies that were already available to the PTO at no additional cost. There were 28 volunteers, as well as high school kids who helped. The event used a new sign-in service called Volunteer Spot, which links from the PTO website. Details about the event have been recorded on a new Event Report form. This information will be available for future reference. o Drop In, Drop Off was explained by Lynn Martinez and Billina Dolezal for those members who are unfamiliar with it. The event is a time when families can come to the school and leave student school supplies in classrooms. It is a great opportunity for families to meet teachers and support staff, explore the school facility, make new friends, and reconnect with old friends. Mrs. Dolezal used a projector screen to demonstrate and familiarize the PTO with the new website, Facebook group, and Volunteer Spot. The website has links to many things including important forms, a calendar, and contact information. The website is maintained by Mary Vaughn, who can be contacted through the website for questions, suggestions, or corrections. The Box Tops program and Labels for Education program were explained by Billina Dolezal. Box Tops need to be clipped nicely, bundled in packs of 50 in a plastic bag, and date checked. Janey Forsberg will be heading up these programs. Last year we made over $1,300 with Box Tops. The box top website has videos that explain more about the process. Janey is proposing an end of the year event that uses this money for a fun reward day for the kids, possibly chosen by the kids through a student survey. Labels for Education earns us points that we can use to buy educational items from a specific school supply catalog. Last year we bought science videos as well as a few other items. These need to be bundled in packs of 50. It is important to include the actual point certificate, not just a can label. 2014 – 2015 School Year Calendar Items, discussion led by Lynn. This is a tentative calendar. Events depend on how many volunteers and committee chairs, so the list could grow or shrink as participation and interest grow or shrink. o September Charleston Wrap fundraiser begins on the 22nd. Mrs. Dolezal is committee chair. This has been our biggest fundraiser in the past, raising over $8,000 last year. This year, the event will include a direct appeal for parents who do not want to participate in the fundraiser, but still want to donate to the school. Charleston wrap generates about 40-50% profit margin. The extra classroom at school will be used to count the money. This process takes about 2 days, will happen in October, and cannot involve Mrs. Dolezal. o The Book Tree will be planted in the lobby. Lynn is committee chair. October Bingo on the 17th or other date as the committee chair decides. Halloween Booth. Lynn is committee chair. She will need help with decorating and event ideas. We will possibly pass out candy with invitations to our next event or meeting. o November Book Fair 10th – 14th. You can attend a scholastic training seminar to learn more about the book fair process. o December Penny Drive. Classrooms collect change to buy gifts for community kids who won’t otherwise get gifts. We try to shop locally. Debbie Merz helps identify families to help. Fifth graders help wrap gifts. o January Fundraising Event Possible Adult Bingo at Community Center, pending 501c3 status, or Poker Night at Poker Pete’s o February Imagination Fair or Talent Show, to be determined by vote. There are concerns that the talent show does not involve enough students to justify the energy and time out of the school routine required for the event. The imagination Fair is much more all-inclusive. General Vote chooses Imagination Fair. o March Fundraising Event Possible Adult Bingo at Community Center, pending 501c3 status, or Poker Night at Poker Pete’s Missoula Children’s Theater o April o Possible Flower Sales, 50/50 Raffle during the two shows. Spring Book Fair on the 16th and 17th June Staff Luncheon, last day of school, and possibly monthly staff appreciation. It was mentioned by Mrs. Bitten that beyond teachers, we have many other staff members who are important and need to be acknowledged. New Business o Lynn has volunteered to attend the next school board meeting to voice an opinion about the student pick up and drop off process. There are two main issues – student safety and parent access to the facility. A spirited discussion was focused by Mrs. Ford’s timely suggestion for the formation of a committee to research and address the issue with Mrs. Whittaker’s participation. o Sheena Mertens would like to be historian. General Vote approved this. Next Meeting will be an evening meeting Tuesday, October 14th Meeting was adjourned at 4:39pm.