PTO meeting Minutes 9/9/15
- Welcome
a)Introductions-Bill Blackwood, of Absolute Glassworks, was the high bidder for the parking spot in front of the school. He will attend PTO meetings and have a drawing at the beginning of each meeting for the use of the spot for the coming month, courtesy of Absolute Glassworks. 2 door prizes were also given away by Absolute Glassworks:
Runner up-Fahim
2nd runner up-CamoraKuo
Parking spot-JennRupe
- Voting procedures, quorum, Roberts Rules of Order
a)Ayumi read Roberts Rules of Order which defines how we will conduct meetings and vote on subjects. 2/3 votes to pass quorum=25
1) Phil McCormick, Treasurer voted in in May-left Twain over the summer, the executive board found replacement, Sabrina Sartori. 2) New Spooky co-chair, Annette Rodriguez
Linda Barcot-motion to vote on new board positions
Heather Barrow-2nd
27 votes
Heather Barrow-motion to approve May Minutes
Tony Houck-2nd
26 votes
- Principal’s report
a)SPARK park- Project in which Mark Twain will partner with city of Houston and HISD and will open our school playground as a park to the community during non-school hours (weekends and evenings after extended day). We are currently in the process of gathering committee members. An architect has been contacted, and we will be asking for feedback from community and kids. Kids will be able to submit ideas.
b)There will be an IB informational meeting in the next few weeks. IB is not our magnet program- it is the foundation of our school curriculum. LDC is our magnet program. We are not losing LDC, we are gradually losing magnet funding.
c)Mind up-mindfulness-pilot program we will participate in.
There will be a parent presentation on the basics of this new program
- President’s report
a) LDC/IB Anniversary-We will honor this theme throughout the year with our various activities such as Spooky Spaghetti, Book Fair, and Bash. A new logo for 25th anniversary was created by Ashley Anthony.
b)Website-Amanda Murray-please check out website and make sure all information is correct, if you need to add to website contact Amanda Murray
c)Twain Times-Keri Valdes –please submit content by Friday afternoon for Tuesday Times
d)Tuesday folders-Kyrsten Crawford-
This year we are trying to limit what we send out on a weekly basis. Corporate sponsors are given space and time to send out ads from time to time in Tuesday Folders.
e)SPARK park-The PTO’s main endeavor this year-committee members being set-if you have any ideas or input let Jenny or Ms. Patin know.
- Treasurer’s report
a) Sabrina-Friends and family doing well, school store doing well. If you are going over your budget, you must let Jenny and Executive committee know prior to.
Reminders: tax exempt status-use if you can.
When submitting for reimbursement, DO NOT include sales tax, sales tax is not reimbursable.
Sabrina goes to bank on Fridays-use lock box or contact her to make arrangements for large sums of money
She will attempt1 week turnaround for reimbursements.
Budget:
Gross margin $227,000
Cash on hand, undesignated $206,000
Expenses-gift to school $100,000
PTO cannot pay teacher salaries: this gift pays for copier leases, any supplies we can pay for to offset Ms. Patins’ budget, IB training, substitutes for IB training, technology upgrades,
2nd $100,000 from PTO to school covers: Staff supplies/appreciation-we give each teacher $250 at beginning of the school year. Holidays they each get a $50 gift card from Target, lunches and snacks were cut back this year, facilities-gardens, landscaping $20,000, Building community-Odyssey of the mind, UIL, art night, math night, $25,000
Keri Valdes-motion to approve budget
Jason Dyer-2nds
25 votes
- Fundraising Report
a)Nicole Shah- Event fundraising;
Spirit nights-Kathryn Hudson has arranged 3 so far throughout summer and brought in $1500. Will do 2 more in fall and spring
Read-a-thon will take place along with book fair
Remember these websites when ordering online:
4ourschool.com and amazonsmile.com
You can designate Mark Twain as the recipient and we receive a percentage of the purchase.
Also, you can link your Target Card and Randall’s card to our school and we receive a percentage of purchase.
Imagination toys-tell them mark twain and they donate a portion to us. Box tops-there will be a class party for the class that brings in the most box tops
VII. Friends and family update
a) Megan Rose-doing well but we have more to fund with the loss of Magnet funding. It is important to have donations in early, especially for directory and bricks.
1) This will be the last year for donating bricks-company will not be doing it next year.
2) LDCAnniversary Tree-on the wall of the front of the school commemorating IB and LDC anniversaries. We will only add leaves on major anniversaries-next one in 5 years
Donation levels: trunk $2000, leaves $500
VIII. Spooky update-Annette Rodriguez
a)Ms. Patin has extended the deadline for spooky t-shirtcontest until 9/14 due to 5th graders being away at camp.
b)Asking for volunteers for spooky.
c)Having t-shirts made for committee members.
d)Sponsor requests for events at spooky sent out in Tuesday folders.
e)Corporate sponsors will have names on back of spooky shirt
IX. Bash announcements
a)Madonna Bauch
1)Theme- incorporates LDC 25th anniversary-Pages from the Past
Location: The Julia Ideson Library Downtown, Friday Feb 12, 7-12am
Dress as favorite character or author.
2)There will be on line auction and big board, 4 hour set up, Audi may cover valet. There will be no baskets this year-Cash for the Bash-Liz Sanders . Please reach out to new families of Twain to come to bash. Will have t-shirts for bash this year
3)Committee positions available-first meeting 9/14, 6:30-8:30pm at Madonna’s house
X. Shout outs
a)Moya Varner, President elect, Rumble success-very organized
b)Tony-Dad patrol, need 3-4 dads today and tomorrow and Friday since 5th graders at camp
c)Mary Atherton and Tiffany Hawkins- Hospitality crew-Thanks for breakfast
d)School store-Holly Lee, Dave Edwards and Kathleen Fenoy, lots of work at Rumble
e)Lauren Bireley, Sentinel-full page interviews this year with lots of interesting information on Mark Twain Elem
- Final reminders:
a)TONY-VIPS certification-go online and register
b)Corporate matching-check with your employer if they match donations
c)Jenny Hymen-thanks for being president!
d)Yearbook prices go up October 1, this year will have 10% discount on 2nd book
- Motion to adjourn-Jinny Sisson
2nd-Amy Allen