DESERT WILLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PTO GENERAL BOARD MEETING MONDAY OCTOBER 20th, 2014
MEETING MINUTES
Call to order:
Lisa Walford opened meeting at 2:34 pm
Approval of Minutes: Lisa Walford and Jenny Waage approve
In Attendance: Principal Mark Culbertson, CCUSD District Board President Dave Schafer, Lisa Walford,
Jen Whited, Monica Beal (via call in), PTO DWES Jenny Waage, Cassie Hunsaker, Nancy Reyes, Cheryl
Willis, Cindy Minor, Treasurer Milinovich, Sunny Wight, Leanne Lamoure
Principal’s Report:
Principal Culbertson thanked all volunteers for their hard work with Oktoberfest and the Fall Fashion
Show. District Board President Dave Schafer presented report for Principal Culbertson, and
reviewed/explained how solar panels were approved/installed at DWES: APS approached school with a
lease proposal and an understanding that energy savings will ultimately pay for the panels. Funds
provided for 1 of 5 adopted schools and in their cafeteria the old seating from 1980’s were replaced.
Discussed CCUSD ballot questions and why it is important for a “yes” vote on the following 2 questions:
1.
Repurpose $10M bond (meeting on 10/21/2014 for bond forum at Sonoran Trails Middle
School); and
2.
$30M for additional school projects. Since 2009, CCUSD has not had a funds reimbursement.
$400,000 to $700,000 spent since for upkeep of CCUSD schools.
Treasurer’s Report:
-PTO Balance: $32,012.89
-Outstanding Checks: $1,174.23
Funds Request:
President Culbertson and Sunny Wight presented an overview of the “Phase 1” Mindfulness program
currently implemented in two 4th grade classrooms and one 3rd grade classroom, which is now complete.
Phase 2 would continue to integrate the Mindfulness program into all 3rd and 4th grade classrooms and
eventually 6th grade. The goal is to eventually have the classroom teachers trained in Mindfulness
protocol from the Mindfulness instructors. A grant request was made to CCUEF to implement the
program, however, the grant was not approved so DWES PTO is asked to help pay for Phase 1 and/or
Phase 2 of the Mindfulness program. Motion to vote by Lisa Walford with a second by Principal
Culbertson. All in attendance at meeting except Sunny voted to pay for both Phases totaling
of$6,400.00 ($2,400-Phase 1 and $4000.00-Phase 2) Cassie Hunsaker approved. For more questions
regarding the Mindfulness program, contact Sunny@mindfulnessfrst.org and/or Principal Culbertson.
Committee Reports:
-Oktoberfest successful, however, due to multiple schools at event the distribution of funds was
challenging. DWES will plan to participate next year and Harold’s will have changes with event program
and management of booths.
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-Fall Fashion show successful with $1,999.00 in ticket sales and $6,300.00 for basket auction.
-Box tops will be picked up 10/22.
-Yearbook contest will be one entry for each grade to make a collage. Grace Armstrong committee
chair.
New Business:
-Kona Ice: Recently received approval to continue with their company. Kona Ice wants us to do a
fundraiser.
-Current fundraisers are Barnes& Noble, holiday fundraiser with DWES choir performing and a
restaurant spirit night at BJ’s Grill.
Old Business:
-Membership Directory update: Jen Whited has membership directory completed except 3 names and
plan is to print next week.
Upcoming Events:
-Apex Fun Run: November 3-14, Cassie Hunsaker committee chair. This is a low expenditure event on
our part.
-Turkey Trot: Tuesday, November 25, Nick Wolfenden committee chair. Looking for donations and
volunteers.
-Father and Daughter Dance: Saturday, January 24th, Kelly Bolender and Susan Menchaca, co-committee
chairs. Event will be from 6-8 pm and the theme will be masquerade ball.
-Read-a-thon: Monday, March 2nd thru end of month, Nicole Steiner, committee chair. Event will
conclude before spring break. Schedule of events are as follows:
Friday 2/27-Scholastic will drop books off in library and can set up for event
Monday 3/2-Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss Celebration
Tuesday 3/3-Coffee with Clifford
Wednesday 3/4-Lunch with loved ones
Thursday 3/5-Family night
Friday 3/6-Book Fair closes and pack up
Monday 3/9-Scholastic picks up books
-Next General PTO meeting at 6pm at Asados
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn made by Lisa Walford, seconded by Jen Whited, and unanimously approved.
Meeting was adjourned at 3:24pm.
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