Salisbury Central School PTO
Meeting Minutes
October 9, 2007

Attending: Becky Lachaine, Jen Segalla, Julie Kremer, Karen Grimaldi, Kathryn Murray, Michelle Kinzinger, Tracy Kaufman, Marianne Ostendorf, Kay Lindsay, Vanessa Fraser-O’Connor, Amy Mckee, Anne Upson, Kelly Austin Rolo, Beth Vernali, Jan Randall, Kathy Wiggins, Jennifer Law, Linda Tittman

Call to Order: Co-President Julie Kremer called the meeting to order at 7:03

Principal’s Report: Mr. Butwill was unable to attend this meeting.

Treasurer’s Report: Becky Lachaine reviewed the budget. The PTO currently has $2,998.71 in the account carried over from last year. Some money was used to pay for the ice cream social held at the beginning of the year and we still have quite a lot of left over ice cream.

Old Business

Sally Foster:
Jen Segalla reported on the success of the Sally Foster gift wrap sale. We had several top-selling families. It was noted that many more online orders were placed this year than last year. As of October 9, the sales totaled $11,886. This total was about $2,000 more than last year! Because the PTO gets 50% of the sales, we will receive about $5,943 from this fund raiser. Jen said that more orders may still come in and she will add those to the total. It was helpful to be able to process our cumulative order online this year. Thank you to all parents and students who took the time to make this such a success!

Scholastic Book Fair:
Jen Segalla spoke about the book fair on behalf of Jennifer Weigel. The dates are October 15 th – 19 th. It will be open every day from 9 – 4 with extended hours (until 8 PM) on Wednesday. Wednesday night from 5:00 – 7:30 the PTO is hosting Family Night at the Book Fair. Events include story time (5:30 and 7:00), a book talk (6:15), a craft activity and Harvest Healthy snacks! Each student who attends may purchase a book ($7 or under) for half price and there will be a free raffle for a chance to win one of ten $10 book fair gift certificates.

The Elementary Building Open House will be running from 6PM – 7PM on Wednesday night as well.

Jennifer Weigel is still looking for volunteers. Please call 435 – 9939 if you are able to help even for an hour or two!

Box Tops for Education:
Michelle Kinzinger is our new Box Top Coordinator. Michelle spoke about implementing some ideas such as sharing our Box Tops for Education program with the community through the Salisbury Sampler, encouraging on-line shopping through http://www.boxtops4education.com/and perhaps initiating a school contest. It was explained that a contest would have to have approval from the principal. Michelle would like input and ideas!

Updates for the Handbook:
Julie Kremer asked if there were any new ideas for the SCS Parent Handbook. The PTO will be working throughout the year to collect ideas and suggestions about information that should be included in this handbook. The handbook will be updated for the 2008-2009 school year. If you have any suggestions before the next meeting, please e-mail Julie Kremer through the PTO website.

New Business

 Funding Requests:

• Janice Fitch, physical education teacher, had requested to use left over money from her mini grant for student prizes. At the September meeting it was decided that more details about her request were needed. Last year the PTO allotted $400 from the Box Top program to fund the purchase of pedometers. Mrs. Fitch used only $193.75 of the money. Mrs. Fitch runs the pedometer program in grades 3, 4, and 5. Students use the pedometers in PE class and at recess. She would like to award small sports related prizes such as pencils to students who met a weekly goal. She will also need to replace broken pedometers. The PTO voted to give Mrs. Fitch the remaining money to use at her discretion for the pedometer program.
  
• Jennifer Law Jen Segalla read a letter from Jennifer Law requesting that the PTO continue to contribute to the funding of Salisbury Central School enrichment assemblies. The Berkshire Taconic Foundation also partially funds these events through the Educational Enrichment Fund. The events are scheduled 3 or 4 times a year and involve the whole school. Each event ranges in price, but costs an average of $1,000. Past events have included Story Crafters, Ecuadorian Musicians, African Story Tellers, and Chinese Dancers. Jennifer Law explained that she applies for a grant from the Connecticut Commission of the Arts and splits the money received between the PTO and the Educational Enrichment Fund. The PTO voted to give $2,500 to the funding of Salisbury Central School enrichment assemblies.
  
• Fourth Grade A proposal fromVictor Cella and Shanna Balough was read. They requested a mini-grant for $538 in order to purchase paperback books for their reading program. The books would contribute to their guided reading program. Titles were selected at the 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th grade readability levels. The request listed approximately 15 titles and the number needed of each title ranged from 12 – 20 books. The books were selected from the Scholastic book order forms. There was a question about why Title 1 was mentioned as a member of the request and a question about whether or not such books should be part of the regular budget. The PTO voted to allow the co-presidents to find the answers to these 2 questions and approve the mini grant proposal if the proposal meets the mini grant criteria.

• Middle School A proposal from Bonnie Kinsman was read. She requested a mini-grant for $480 - 600 in order to purchase multiple copies of 2 literature books. One of the literature books was recommended by Mr. Butwill. Another book title was also requested. The request stated that the books would tie into the Social studies curriculum and that the teachers would develop an Understanding by Design Unit centered around the theme of the books.

Again, there was a question about why Title 1 was mentioned as a member of the request and a question about whether or not such books should be part of the regular budget. The PTO voted to allow the co-presidents to find the answers to these 2 questions and approve the mini grant proposal if the proposal meets the mini grant criteria.

• Helen Mahoney A proposal fromHelen Mahoney was read. She requested a mini-grant for $160 in order to purchase a third teepee. The third grade currently owns 2 teepees and sets them up in their classrooms during their study of Native Americans. Because there are currently 3 grade three classrooms, another one would be needed to allow all classes to utilize the teepees. The PTO voted to approve this mini grant request.
  
• Rob Nellson A proposal fromRob Nellson was read. He requested a mini-grant for $299 in order to purchase a digital music recorder. The PTO voted to approve this mini grant request.

Hoe Down (Previously Referred to as Ho Down):
Kay Lindsay and Beth Vernali are co-chairs of this committee. They reported that the Hoe Down is set for Friday, November 16 from 7 – 9PM. The caller will cost $400 and requires a $200 deposit. They will contact the eighth grade through Megan Baldwin Conklin to solidify the bake sale details. They will also contact Anne Day about taking pictures as she did last year. The cost will be $20 per family payable at the door. Kay and Beth will look into having sheriff badges, bandanas or similar Hoe Down paraphernalia available at the door.

Cub Scout Renewal:
Kathy Wiggins explained that the Cub Scout charter needed to be renewed. She requested that the PTO continue to sponsor the Cub Scout Charter. Her husband had been previously approved as leader of the Tiger Pack and Kathy had been previously approved as leader of the Wolf Pack. The troops planned to meet at the Methodist church twice a month as it did last year. Last year the troop consisted of 6 first graders. Activities are project based and the members enjoyed participating in the Pine Wood Derby. Several people voiced their opinion about the benefits of having an opportunity like this for the children.

There was a question about what the PTO agrees to and is responsible for when it sponsors a charter. It was decided that more details were needed before the PTO could agree to renew the Cub Scout charter. The vote was tabled.

Lunch Menu:
It was agreed that this topic would be addressed at a future meeting.

Other:
Jennifer Law introduced Dr. Gretchen Foster, Principal of Housatonic Valley Regional High School, who had stopped in to our PTO meeting after holding a meeting at the SCS middle school.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

Book Fair: October 15th – 19th.

Family Night at the Book Fair: Wednesday night (Oct.17) from 5:00 – 7:30

Open House: Wednesday night (Oct.17) 6:00 – 7:00

Next Meeting is November 13 from 7:00 – 8:00

Free babysitting is provided!

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Updated October 29, 2007