Eastview Elementary PTO Meeting Minutes
March 9, 2015
Attendees: Beth Lundrigan, Stephanie Folven, Taber Akin, Lori Foster, Mary Stevenson, Pam Tikalsky, Jackie Parris, Heather Kaufmann, Shell Jutton, Donna Matzke, Paula Hansen, Arika Hage, Marcy Buschbacher, Trish Goodrich, Michelle Colbert, Ann Zenner, Melissa Wilbur, Scott Sherman
Secretary’s Report: (Heather Kaufmann)
· February meeting minutes were approved by the Board.
Youth Teaching Youth Presentation: (Judy Johnson; Rachel and Natalie)
· Youth Teaching Youth is a teaching program offered by University of Minnesota Extension and involves teen teachers (high school students) who deliver educational curriculum to peers in elementary and middle schools.
· Youth Teaching Youth present their alcohol and tobacco program to the 4th graders every year. The students learn about alcohol, peer pressure, tobacco, advertising and refusal skills. The program includes activities and videos.
· The seniors presented one of the activities that they do with the 4th graders. They asked that everyone write with their opposite hand, “I promise that I will not put myself or others in danger by drinking alcohol.” After the students see how difficult it is to writ e with their opposite hand, the presenters ask them (and us) if it would be safe to ride in a car if the driver was impaired, similar to how it was difficult to write with your opposite hand.
· Previously a grant had covered this expense, which is $75 per classroom ($75 X 4=300 total cost). They are asking now if the PTO would cover this cost, since the grant no longer covers it.
· One parent brought up that kids at that age, students really have no idea what that means or what they are talking about. The Youth Teaching Youth explained that they show a short video on how alcohol affects you. They ask the students what they know about these things. The students also have an opportunity to write anonymous questions on a note card.
· Another parent brought up that there needs to be an opportunity for parents to opt their child out of the program if they don’t feel comfortable with this type of information. The presenters said that it is up to the teachers to have an opt out opportunity for the parents and they can make that mandatory for the teachers if we wish to do this. The teachers to receive a confirmation email one week prior to the presentation that includes an attachment explaining what will be covered and they currently leave it up to the teachers to ask for an opt out. The students also have a take home sheet that covers everything in the presentations.
Treasurer’s Report: (Jackie Parris)
· Bank Reconciliation: Opening balance as of February 1, 2015 was $28,996.81. Closing balance as of February 28, 2015 was $25,469.30. Income was $1,735.64. Expenses were $5,682.50.
· Please note that the board will vote to approve the 2015-2016 budget at the April meeting.
· The following are some of the changes made to the budget for next year, per approval at the next meeting in April:
o The spring silent auction was reduced from $7,000 to $3,000. Please note the change in the silent auction amount is to alleviate pressure on the FFN Silent Auction Committee, as this is a big responsibility and the group has been relatively small in the last few years.
o Added PBIS of $250. PBIS stands for Positive Behaviors Intervention Support. This program is oriented towards reinforcing positive behavior. It establishes expectations and teaches that to students (PRIDE). The program collects data and monitors behavior and follows through with where we need to go. The $250 supports incentives for this program, such as photos and pencils, etc.
o Science residencies were dropped due to the fact that students now have STEAM class. However, Kindergarten classes will still get a science residency with a cost of $650. They are not included in the STEAM class.
o It was agreed to use the cash earned from the book fair towards purchasing quality books for the library (instead of choosing Scholastic dollars). The school could choose to receive 50% of earnings in Scholastic dollars OR 25% of our earnings if cash is chosen.
o It was recommended to focus money raised from the fall Walkathon towards improving and adding to the leveled library. The following was discussed regarding a leveled library:
§ Small group of books designed to support guided and leveled reading.
§ Check-out of the books is similar to the other books.
§ Teachers use with small groups of students at a similar reading level.
§ Less than 50% are using the current leveled library due to its poor organization of books.
§ A consultant was brought in to look over the current leveled library and made recommendations on how to make improvements. The consultant’s recommendations were that it needs more resources and better organization.
o The PTO’s goal is to spread out the money as much as possible to reach as many kids as possible.
Principal’s Report: (Taber Akin)
1. Taber discussed the lockdown procedure at Eastview.
· Students will never know what is happening during a lockdown procedure. The teachers will hold a sheet of paper with a scenario, but students won’t understand what it is.
· Different classrooms will be doing different things and the teachers ultimately decide what to do.
· A lockdown is announced over the loudspeaker and the teachers then decide. They have had discussions with staff, police officers and fire fighters.
· It is very student friendly. The most important thing for students is to listen and do what the teacher tells them to do. Lockdowns last about 10-15 minutes.
President’s Report: (Stephanie Folven and Beth Lundrigan)
1. A big thank you to everyone who organized and brought in teacher dinners, Culvers chairs Tammie and Kate, 4th grade teachers for supporting the kindness retreat, and Family Fun Night chairs Arika and Melissa.
2. A motion was called to amend the absentee voting for teachers. Any teacher or staff member at Eastview, who is unable to make the meeting to cast their vote because they are working at the time of the meeting, will be given the option of an absentee ballot vote. Parent board members must be present at the meeting to have their vote counted. Approved by Stephanie and seconded by Lori.
3. The PTO would like to come up with a new way to recruit volunteers. Some suggestions include the following:
o Doing something in the spring for next year.
o Volunteer pledge.
o Need to market to get your volunteers.
o One parent said that the booths are really overwhelming.
4. Chair updates:
o Still need to fill the following chairs: Artist of the Month, Telegrams, School Pictures, and Spirit Wear. Shell Jutton volunteered to fill the Artist of the Month chair position. Also need volunteers to help with the Walkathon. Bookfair shadows are needed this year in order to take it over in the 2016-2017 school year.
5. Youth Frontiers will be hosting its annual fundraising event on Thursday, April 23rd from 5:30-8. This event helps to pay for the retreats. EVE has 20 tickets available to anyone who would like to attend the event.
VP Report: (Lori Foster and Mary Stevenson)
· Next teacher help date is April 24th and a sign-up genius will be sent out mid April.
· Spring pictures will be on March 17th.
· Nominations for the PTO board for the 2015-2016 are the following:
o Co-Presidents = Beth Lundrigan and Lori Foster
o Co-Vice Presidents=Mary Stevenson and ???????
o Treasurer=Jackie Parris
o Secretary=Heather Kaufmann
o Member-at-Large=??????
· People have been contacted for the Co-VP and Member-at-Large positions.
Committee Reports:
· Family Fun Night: (chairs:Arika Hage / Melissa Wilbur)
o Need help with baskets.
o Good with volunteers and prizes.
o Need more soda.
o Pre-sale tickets have been awesome.
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