Bamber Valley Elementary

PTA Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Open Forum:

Joanne Barkmeier, Membership Chair of the PTA, had a social that included information on volunteer opportunities, treats and door prizes.

  1. Welcome and Pledge of Allegiance
  • Pledge was recited
  • Board members who were present introduced themselves (Missy, Lisa Lee and Michelle)
  1. Submit Past Minutes: Minutes from May were submitted
  1. Treasurers’ Report:
  • Lisa Lee went over two Treasurer’s reports: the 2014-15 school year’s ending report. She hi-lighted a wonderful carnival where we made almost $14,000.00. Money was also raised from our directory
  • Overall, accounts are healthy at over $40,000.
  • For 2015/16, not many expenses yet… One-time expense for coatracks from the suggestion from last year for the cafeteria
  • Our proposed budget will be brought back in October: the student allocation will change to $17/student for this year and the budget will be gone over in greater detail then
  • A question was raised re: profits from the carnival… we will ask for a committee to come together in October to determine how these funds will be used. Feedback from the school will be solicited on their suggestions as well
  • A motion was made to approve the budget and it was seconded.
  1. Principal/Vice Principal’s Report:
  • Our new Vice Principal Engbrecht and Associate Principal Klavetter were introduced.
  • Principal Wichmanndiscussed the many beestings at the start of the year. The bee traffic seems to be down now that the playground is in use regularly.
  • New paperwork for fieldtrips/classroom volunteers: If on a fieldtrip, adults need to have a criminal background check.
  • Meet the Teacher: It was done differently this year. Teachers felt it was overwhelmingly positive and the administrative staff is very happy with the return rate of the forms this year. This will likely continue in the future. Missy noted that PTA memberships are down due to lack of visits to the PTA that evening. Spirit wear was not available that night, which may have been another reason. Another PTA drive for membership will likely happen soon.
  • Principal Wichmann reminded us that Bamber’s doors are always open…The first few days there can be more flexibility for parents of children who need to be accompanied to class. Administration is happy to discuss any issues with parents. Keep the feedback coming!
  • The Catering form was discussed that was included in the school newsletter for an alternative for treats for birthdays.
  • Assoc. Principal Klavetter was so impressed by the BooHoo/Yahoo Breakfast! It was discussed that it needs to be clarified that this breakfast is for parents only.
  1. President/Vice President’s Report:
  • Missy is happy to report we’re up and running and thanks all of our volunteers for all of their help!
  1. Committee Reports:
  1. Boo-Hoo/Yahoo Breakfast – 9/10/15

Joanne thanked everyone who came and helped out. A suggestion was made to add signs for teachers next year so parents know who’s in whose class.

  1. Chip Shoppe Kickoff – 9/24//15

Our representative will be coming to drop the packets. The service has been excellent thus far. There are some gluten-free options. Take note: their prize structure is a bit different from former years. Even if your child sells one thing, they will get a prize. There are prize dates that will come out on Skyward along with other information. October 27th will be the evening of pick-up and will go until approximately 7:30. The Scholastic Book fair will also be available that night.

For parents who did the buy-out, we are working on an option for those children.

  1. Costume Bingo Night – Lead needed-Date TBA

Missy discussed our need for a lead for this event. It’s at the end of October – possibly the 30th? Please let us know if you are able to lead this. Joanne let everyone know it’s just popcorn and drinks and getting volunteers for that and getting a flyer out. Kids come in their costumes with their families and play Bingo and enjoy! It’s an easy thing to volunteer for.

  1. Spirit Wear: Trying something new… we are using a new company and it seems to be really organized. Orderforms are due next week on Sept. 23 and we will only place one order this year. Spirit Wear Days were discussed to wear shirts. Maybe once a month? Should be announced in the school so all kids have opportunities or put in skyward. We could also encourage either spiritwear or school colors days. A suggestion was made for a fall and spring order.
  2. Welcome back Night: This week on Thursday evening… lots of fun. Lots of groups here! A DJ too. There is a question of whether it will move inside if it rains. Missy will check with the leads on this. We will put out a skyward message and a Facebook post on this.
  3. Garden – There is an effort to find more volunteers to assist with the garden. We’re hoping to find some teachers that will spend some time in the garden. Please feel free to discuss with your teachers. There is mulch that needs to be spread.
  4. Scholastic Book Fair: Oct. 22-28th

Denise – Teacher Preview Oct. 21st in the am. Opportunity for teachers to fill out wishlist for classrooms.

Hours will be 9-3.

Family night will be Oct. 27th to coincide with Fundraiser pickup.

Missy let the parents know that we use Sign-Up Genius for various volunteer functions. It’s a great tool for volunteers and there isn’t a SPAM issue.

  1. Hospitality: Kristin Haywood is running our hospitality which is mainly to show love to our teachers! Our first date is Sept. 29th. Please let us know if you would like to volunteer for this date or Oct. or Nov. PTA also pays for a dinner for the teachers in November during conferences.
  2. Parent conferences are in early November and a form will be sent home mid-October.
  1. New- Business-Election of Secretary

A motion was made and seconded.

  1. Adjournment: Missy adjourned the meeting at 7:52.

Next Meeting: October 13, 2015

Open Forum at 6:30

Topic: Referendum

Speaker: Parent from The Alliance for Strong Rochester Public Schools

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