Wanamaker PTO Minutes

Sept 1, 2011

Members in Attendance: Erinn Bradstreet, Bekah Pankow, Carrie Clark, Karah Hight, Pam Billups, Rene Hart, Mandy Gosney, Michael and Nicole Bush, Heather Miranda, Amy Ives, Ann Rausch, Mitzie Tyree, Sharon Stark, Kris Tajchman, Jeanette Stiles, Lara Copeland, Janice Black, Marc Sonderegger, Melissa Kasprzyl, Michelle McShane, Angie Byrd, Lynette Shufelberger, Jenny Armstrong, Cheryl Tuckwin, Glenda Dixon, Ahsley Charest, Suzie Paslay, Heather Kahre, Sara Evans, Dee McElwee, Matt and Krystol Frydendall, Colleen Dodge

Welcome and Introductions:

Erinn Bradstreet welcomed everyone. She expressed the Boards vision for more open discussion and communication with the Parents and teachers. Erinn introduced the new PTO Officers- Erinn Bradstreet and Bekah Pankow- Co-Chairs; Kara Hight and Carrie Clark-Co-Vice Chairs; Pam Billups- Treasurer; Rene Hart-Secretary. Bekah Pankow reviewed the meeting procedures.

May 11th Meeting Minutes were reviewed; motion to approve by Mike Bush, second by Ann Raush. Vote to approve passed.

Co-Secretary: Request to approve Mandy Gosney as a co-secretary. Motion made to approve by Ann Rausch, second by Colleen Dodge. Motion passed.

Treasurer Report: The audit from last year was good and our funding level is on track. We have paid out so far for the audit, school supply packs, spirit wear, back to school, and the fall fundraiser. We have brought in money for Spirit Wear, School Supplies, Room Parties, Eat Out Night, Fall Fundraiser and Returned Checks. Colleen Dodge asked about changes to the budget. We addressed the changes. Pam presented the budget for approval. A motion for approval was made by Colleen Dodge, seconded by Mike Bush. Motion passed.

New Business:

Funding Requests- Last year we did not have very many teacher funding requests. Reviewed the process for making those requests and encouraged the teachers to take advantage of the funding if needed. Request for a Roller Die Cutter presented by Mrs. Dixon. The cost after discount is $237. Motion made by Ann Rausch to approve the request, seconded by Mike Bush. The motion passed.

School Directories- The directories will be printed as soon as the Sept 15th advertisements come in. They should be available to the parents by the 1st week of October.

Fundraisers-

School Mall- Met our goal of 140

Club Choice- There is an issue with the on-line ordering. Erinn will check into it.

Fall Festival- The event will be simple and low key, no tickets or prizes. It will be $5 a person. There will be hotdogs and chips, a DJ, and 20 booths. Heather Kahre is in charge of the food. Mike Bush will bring a grill. Erinn and Nicole Bush can provide pop-up tents.

Valentine Dance moved to Spring and is now a Spring Fling on April 20th

Eat out Nights- Susie Pasley Reported:

Freddy’s (9/15) will give 10% of everybody that comes from 5:00- 9:00.

Chick Filet will happen in October. The teachers can work 3 at a time in 30 minute shifts.

Chilis would like to have two Eat-Out-Nights in November and December.

Wendy’s Chuck E Cheese and McDonalds are also scheduled.

Red Robin has contact Mrs. Black about scheduling a fundraiser night as well.

Jenny Armstrong and Mrs. Dixon expressed the desire for stickers the children can wear home.

Committee Reports

The following committee head positions were filled-

Box Tops- Melissa Kasprzyk

Landscaping- Mike Bush

Bulletin Boards- Jenny Armstrong

Earth Day- Rene Hart

Book Fair- Mandy Gosney and Nicole Bush

Open Topic

Access to the fruit and salad bar by younger grades was requested by several parents prior to the meeting. After research and discussion with Mr. Sonderegger, we found out that one other school offers this choice. To have one here at Wanamaker additional supervision and the purchase of a lower height bar would be necessary. To move forward on this idea we need parental support and commitment to supervision during lunch time by parent volunteers. No further discussion or action was taken.

Spirit Wear- Asked teachers and parents their preference on T-Shirt forms versus buying at events. Order forms are preferred in addition to selling them at events. Kris will send out order forms and place an order based on them plus additional items to have available to sell.

Teacher Reports

Teacher Allowances- The teachers at the meeting agreed that a one time payment for their allowances was fine. We asked for a long-term “wish list” for larger purchases that we might need in the future.

Smart Boards for Music and Special Education was brought up. Mr. Sonderegger will check on a number needed for us.

Additional sets of Clickers (Smart Student Responders). These cost about $2,500 for a set of 24. Currently we have one set. We would need to find a set that does not interfere with each other.

Sound Boards and a bigger screen in the Gym would help with echoing problems during assemblies and make it easier to see presentations and show movies.

I-Pads for Kindergarteners- It was asked if we had given this any thought. Currently we are on a 4-5 year placement for computers. We could look at this the future if desired.

Kendals/E-Readers- Mrs. Dixon will go to an In-Service presentation on this technology. When she knows more she will bring this item back to the PTO for discussion.

Cameras for the Kindergartner Classes would be helpful. It is easier for the older grades to borrow the ones from the library. The kindergartners sometimes have trouble knowing where to go. Also, easier accessibility by teachers would be nice.

Principal Report

Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is a new initiative at Wanamaker. The emphasis is on being clear about expectations and consequences. An effort is made to reinforce positive behavior by catching students in positive acts. A request was made for Mr. Sonderegger to share a personal story about how this has been applied at the next meeting.

Storage- Another storage shed from the District is coming. Mr. Sonderegger will look at the size to see if the PTO could use some of the space for storing larger items that are currently stored in homes.

Class room sizes- There are a couple of areas that are larger than we would like, but we are within our intermediate guide of 24-25. Second and Fourth are the larger grades.

Meeting was Adjourned

Executive Board Minutes
July 18, 2011

Members in Attendance: Bekah Pankow, Erinn Bradstreet, Carrie Clark, Karah Hight, Pam Billups, Marc
Sonderegger, Rene Hart, and Mandy Gosney

Discussed Fall enrollment- set-up, t-shirt sales, room party money, duck race. Enrollment is August 2
from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 2:00-6:00 p.m. Enrollment will be held in gym.

School supply packs sold by PTO will be delivered July 29.

Supply night at Wanamaker is August 15. PTO will hand out popcorn to all. Times of this event are 4:30-
6:30 p.m.

Meet the teacher nights are August 25 for K-3 grade and August 30 for 4-6 grade classes. PTO will
display bags, t-shirts and water bottles and will have an order form for parents to take home.

All t-shirts sold will be preordered this year with no middle of term orders. T-shirts sales are headed by
Kris Tajchman

Discussed upcoming year fundraisers:

Fall Carnival Fundraiser- Will be held on October 13 from 5:00-7:30. Charge $5 per person
which will cover cost of food. There will also several raffles items as part of the fundraiser.
This activity will be planned by Karah Hight and Carrie Clark.

Schoolmall fundraiser- Will be August 26. Discussed this being a one day fundraiser. Erinn
Bradstreet is heading this up.

Club Choice- starts the beginning of September and final sales will be turned in two weeks after
start date. Wanamaker PTO will receive 40% of sales amount. Headed by Erinn Bradstreet.

Sertoma club ducks- Will be sold at enrollment for $5 per duck. Wanamaker PTO will make
$2.50 per duck.

Valentine Dance- Will be moved to Spring. Headed by Erinn Bradstreet.

Marc Sonderegger will be in charge of Mustang News. This will be sent home with students on the
Wednesday before a PTO meeting.

Discussed the upcoming year budget. Changes suggested are as follows:

Child Care- Adding $90 to cover cost of childcare during executive board meetings. New total
will be $270.

Drop N Shop- An additional $300 for food costs. Budget total will become $300.

Fall Fundraiser- Adding $1000 for bounce houses, activities and any food costs. Total will

become $1000

Funding requests- Will decrease by $1000. Total for this line item would become $5000. The
money removed would be moved to the Fall fundraiser line.

Kindergarten Roundup- Will increase total by $100 bringing the budget for this activity to $400.
Increased amount would cover cost of new printer.

Misc Expense- Remove this line from the budget as it is too vague.

Mustang News- Remove from budget because the cost is covered by WE.

Returned Checks- Increase line item budget by $68 bringing total to $300.

Reward Parties- Add $200 to this budget. Money will cover cost of pizza, popcorn or other
items given as rewards for classrooms.

School Supply Packs- Need to increase this line by $46.58 which is needed to cover cost of
supply pack not yet paid for.

Social events- Discussed changing the name to volunteer appreciation to make this line more
specific.

Valentine Dance- Rename Spring Fling. Increase this by $500 to bring total to $1000.

Discussed new sign for front of Wanamaker Elementary. The school is not zoned to have the original
scrolling marquee sign wanted. Discussed other sign options and decided to look at other signs in the
area. Also discussed whether there was room for a sign with the new fence in place.