December Minutes

Mar Lee PTO Meeting Minutes for December 14, 2009
(7:00 pm – 8:50 PM)
Present:
Lisamarie Teeters, President; Jerry Bischoff, Vice-President; Beth Denbrock, Secretary; Lori Young, Treasurer; Kari Byrd, Co-Treasurer; Kat McDonald, parent; Rockne Finley, teacher; Claire Healy, parent; Maryanne Heatwole, parent.

Order of Business was as follows:
Item: November minutes approved.

President’s Report
Lisamarie is sending thank you cards for the leaders of PTO sponsored activities.
More volunteer forms have been received and are being processed as they are received.
Event contact list was handed out.

Vice-President’s Report
The defibrillator will be purchased, but we are lacking a certified individual to teach staff how to use it. Mr. Patton is coordinating this activity and has agreed to meet this need, but has to co-teach multiple times before he is considered certified. We will get an update from Mr. Letarte and a date by which this activity should be completed.

Treasurers’ Report
Two deposits (penny wars and snack day) were made and the new accounts at MCCU were opened. By Dec 31 the Chemical bank accounts will be closed. A written summary of all activity was presented to the Board.

Mrs. Finley visited to share with the PTO attendees
This is her 4th year at Mar Lee. She previously taught in a school near Grand Rapids, but was excited about the opportunity to move back to Marshall, her hometown. She loves the subject she teaches and the 7th graders. She has been using the science kits and has done many activities with the kids like diaramahs, and the bridge project. In particular, she loves earth science and considers herself a nerd. She feels strongly about preparing our 8th graders for high school. She has 2 gardens in the works and regularly recruits her husband to help out. Currently, she is having problems with the new greenhouse as it was not built for high winds and has encountered some destruction of the greenhouse because of this. Claire and Jerry have offered to help out through their personal connections. She has been impressed with the level of parental involvement at Mar Lee and plans to be involved with Mrs. T’s PBS program. She is still a little ambivalent about her stance on dissection, philosophically speaking, but thinks it can provide a good learning opportunity. She suggested that www.dissectafrog.com is a good alternative. Mrs. Finley takes her role as a nature advocate seriously and regularly encourages them to be a voice for animals and the earth.

Mr. Letarte stopped in to say hello and make an offer to support the PTO in any way he can. He congratulated Kat on the success of the float.

Committee Reports
Fundraiser - only one order snaffoo – an order had an error and the amount was refunded to the customer. Overall, the activity went very well and the company, Fund Raising Company of America (800) 482-2607, will be used every year in exchange for their support with the carnival. The company was very organized and orders were assembled correctly.

Parade Committee was recognized for their excellent efforts. Mr. Letarte sent a congratulatory letter and a note was also placed in the Advisor. The stars were returned to the students for Christmas. Way to go Kat! Look for the pictures on the school website.

PTO Snack
The Board decided to purchase the snack supplies for Claire to help minimize the work involved. Claire will be sure to track what is used for future planning. Kari will come to help Claire out on snack day. New common ground was found with all those present – everyone loves pickles.

Unfinished Business
Eagle’s Nest - The student council is working on collecting ideas for replacing the Eagle’s Nest. They are conducting a survey of 7th and 8th graders.

Paper products - The Christmas party is Wednesday so materials are needed.

Web Club - A link in the Mar Lee School website will lead to a website that will be maintained by the kids. Mr. McCann will help coordinate this activity.

PTO Board – plan to have your picture taken at the January meeting.

Library project - Painting is ready to begin! One corner will have a Jungle Book theme for the younger kids, the South wall will have a Where the Wild Things Are theme. Another theme may be the Swiss Family Robinson. Over 300 new books will be purchased.

New Business
Officers’ Meeting - The PTO Board had a meeting last week to cover agenda items ahead of time in an effort to reduce the amount of time used at regular monthly meetings.

The Giving Tree - We have 7 families to sponsor using $400 dollars. Kari and Claire will purchase the items needed for the families.

Box Tops – no new information to report

PTO Funding Requests:

Requests from staff for funding, specifically $400 approved monies for disbursement:
#Kathy Bloom – $100 for 6 walkie talkies for playground workers to talk to indoor staff.
Anonymous – folding chairs for school functions
#Sally and Mrs. McDonough – $100 for Christmas stockings, grab and go’s and carnations for grandparents’ day
Julie Burgstresser – aluminum foil dispenser and lunch trays
#Upper end teachers (6 – 8) – $200 contribution to the technology fund.
# = Approved by all Board members

PTO funding requests:
Approved Christmas field trips for DK through 8th grade.
Approved Mr. Stoner’s request for $300 for music flip folders and parade ponchos ($15 per student)
Disapproved Mrs. McDonough’s request for an area carpet due to PTO funds currently being spent on library renovations.

*Submissions before a purchase is made is suggested as reimbursement is not guaranteed.

Announcements – Next PTO meeting is January 11, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the Library.

Adjournment by President, Lisamarie Teeters, 8:50 p.m.