Thanks to all of you that helped, or ate at the Chick-fil-A, eat out night. The school earned more than enough to pay for a new camera for the office to use for several functions!
Sincerely, WE PTO

Anyone remember the Valentine’s Dance last school year?
It was a great success, lots of students and dads had a great time and the money earned during this fundraiser is now getting to be enjoyed by the entire school. The dance made enough money to buy 2 new Smart Boards for the school. This tool makes learning fun and exciting for the students.

Go to this site and the Wanamaker PTO, will get ~20% of your purchase
http://wespto.propellshops.com

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

Buy anything and I mean anything on Amazon through this link and 6% or more goes straight to the school’s PTO.  It’s the best fundraiser, since it’s stuff you were going to buy anyway.

No pressure, just bookmark this page and click on this link when you feel like buying something online. Thanks for supporting your school.

Go to Amazon Now!!

The PTO and all that it does would not be possible without the help volunteers. Thank you for volunteering and if you want to help, but don’t know were you are needed, please fill out the form to the right and we will contact you with opprotunities to get involved.
Sincerely,
Wanamaker PTO

Just a reminder…
 
Tomorrow, Friday, October 14, is the Wanamaker Fall Festival.  It will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Admission at the door is $7 per person which will include dinner and all the games.  Admission will be on the west side of the building.
 
Hope to see you there!
 
Wanamaker PTO