Minutes of 9/10 PTO meeting

C.P. Smith Elementary School PTO
September 10, 2012

The meeting was called to order by Jennifer L’Cuyler at 7:10 p.m.
 
Principal’s Report
Principal Thom Fleury presented his report.

Staff Representative

• Dale Pecor will be the staff rep for the fall. Carolyn Pallutto and Patty Kissell will be back in the spring

Enrollment

• Smith gained + 56 kids in the school- enrollment now stands at 336
• 21 in each kindergarten class
• Flynn preschool is on site due to construction

New Family Orientation

• Great turnout at New family orientation- suggest using PA system; suggest having activities for the kindergarteners; new parents did not know if they should bring children; suggest having high school kids that need volunteer hours to provide childcare

• Parents felt it was very important for kids to meet the teacher before school starts and to see the classroom to enable a  supportive transition

• Dissatisfaction from parents that they couldn't meet teachers ahead of time

• Thom suggested 1/2 of one of the inservice days can be for parents and kids to come in to see the classroom

• Is it true that staff don't want students to see the classroom prior to the first day? Parents getting mixed messages about whether or not to come into the classroom

• Keep it informal was suggested, no appointments but do it informally

Ice Cream Social

• Nice to see teachers; also nice that our new librarian went around introducing herself to parents and children
• Some felt that it was better to have the ice cream social the same week that school starts; others like the fact that it was held the second week of school

BSD Goals- District goals- 3 year plan

• Student achievement
• School climate
• Family community engagement

• In services will be taking place this year for teachers around the "common core" to be implemented next year.

Holiday Policy

• On days that we know that attendance will be low BSD closes the schools.

PTO President’s & Treasurer’s Reports

• The PTO currently has $12,000 in the bank; this is slightly less than where we were last year.
• Staff report- concern about fairly empty classrooms- clarify the process for mini-grants for classrooms. We currently provide $7 per student for field trips, $150 for teachers, $120 for specials

Help Wanted

• Room parent coordinator - need someone- Room parents form will go out, if more parents are available and want to volunteer, at will be possible, if you have more than 2, it's nice to have alist of people who are willing- we will share

• Outdoor sign- need someone to update
• Garden- need someone to weed, etc.

Fundraising Ideas

• Discussion about bingo nights and fundraising?
• National costume swap day fundraising ideas, Sat October 13th is the national swap day, asking people to donate costumes that we could then sell. Amy Livingston will coordinate

Four Winds

• Lesson plans, activities, etc. training 9/19 6 to 8 pm on Wednesday in library
• Negotiating with teachers when Four Winds will be able to get into the classroom.
• Need additional parent volunteers; Alex Reutter will coordinate

PTO Communication Methods

• PTO mailing list
• Smith Times Newsletter - Newsletter submissions need to be in by Wednesday to Tina
• Front Porch Forum
• Facebook

Miscellaneous

• PTO Urns, coolers, and paper goods are available in cafeteria for use
• If making copies in the teacher’s lounge, never double side things in the copier
• CP Smith Pantry will be gearing up for the last Friday in the month of September. Bring donations for the pantry.
• Tee shirts- school based – looking into the possibility of ordering these

Next Meeting
Monday, October 8, 2012, at 6:30 p.m., school library