Toll Gate PTO Minutes - September 13, 2005

 

Present: Myra Bugbee, Kathy Green, Victoria Myer, Chris Murphy, Lynne Quinto, Pam Taylor, PTO members.

 

Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:10pm; introductions were made.

 

President’s Report

There will be two fundraisers this year.

  • Gift Wrap: Stephanie Brown: the sale will start on September 23 and last for three weeks; will be similar to past fundraisers.  Catalog has a broadened gift selection.  Orders will be delivered to Toll Gate on November 16.
  • Auction:  Molly Rice: the event will be on Nov. 5 at ETS, with the theme “Blue Jean Ball.”   There will be silent and live auctions, a 50-50 raffle, and new surprises.  Are looking for people to help solicit stores and businesses for donations, and for people to donate gift baskets, books, tickets, etc.  Will be class baskets and teacher baskets.  Event will be catered; admission will be $10 per person.  Contact Molly Rice, 737-7816 or Cynthia Wiley, 737-6722 to donate or volunteer.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Murphy detailed the budgeted income of $32,500 will come from gift wrap sale and the auction ($20,000), and corporate rewards, PTO fees, and school pictures/year book.  Budgeted expenses totaling $32,500 were reviewed.  The PTO office supply line includes the purchase of QuickBooks. The PTO accounting item is for CPA services for filing tax returns.  Teacher start-up funds have been dispersed.  The budget will be voted on at the next PTO meeting.

 

There was discussion on the state of the blacktop.  Bugbee has included it in the long range facility planning budget; district Director of Facilities puts cost at $15,000 - $20,000 to repave.  Suggestion that PTO get an estimate to gain better idea of what’s involved for this project.

 

Assemblies

Tara Russell reported that there are several assemblies being planned.

  • October 19 – Bullyproof Your School, the Magic of Character;
  • March 2 – Fabulous Folk Tales.

More details will follow as they are worked out.

 

Principal’s Report

  • There are 310 students and 65 staff.  Class size averages 16 – 20 students.  The pre-school program has moved to Bear Tavern.  The number of paraprofessionals has been reduced across the district.
  • A new language arts initiative started last year, focusing on guided reading, is continuing.  Stephanie Harvey, author of “Teaching Non-Fiction, Strategies and Techniques,” will meet with teachers on September 27.  On September 28 there will be an informal reception from 4:00pm – 5:15pm.
  • Focus on data driven instruction.  Are using the math and language arts assessments.  Leads to differentiated learning in the classroom.
  • Science committee is spending another year looking at curriculum.  Will pilot, and then plan to implement next year.
  • “Exploring the Gifts of Diversity” includes many things, including traits such as strengths and personalities.  The Education Foundation has agreed to fund a 2-week artist in residence program that will tie in to Howe’s Habitat and how animals get along.  Principles learned will then be applied to kids.
  • Over $400 was made for Hurricane Katrina survivors at the lemonade stand on Sept. 9.  Commerce Bank will match funds.  Suggestion made to include contact information for future projects to facilitate kids volunteering.
  • 1701 has caused significant budget reductions.  Hope there will be legislation to address this issue.
  • The gym floor was redone over the summer.  Also drainage repair on three sides of the building, and a new roof over the primary wing.  Butterfly garden was planted in the spring, tended by parents over the summer.
  • Safety: The police dept. will do occasional walk-thrus in the school; two more security cameras are being installed.  Important to check in the office and wear a visitors pass.  Lock down and freeze down procedures covered.  Discussion followed as how to address the issue of parents parking in the loop during school arrival and departure times; could address at Back to School Night. 
  • Please return emergency information forms.
  • All flyers will go home in Wednesday folders.  Flyers are due in the office the Friday before they are to be sent home.
  • Discussion as to if newsletter should be available in electronic and/or written format.  No consensus reached.

 

CAT

  • Second Thursday of each month will serve lunch for TASK.  Volunteers meet at school at 9:30am to carpool; usually done about 1:00pm.
  • 5th grade student council will make “bags of love” for Katrina survivors.  Each grade will be asked for a different item.  Can probably get them delivered at no charge.

 

District Food Service Committee

Committee meets 3 – 4 times per year at 6:00pm. Covers what they are serving at school, test new items, etc.  Does anyone want to serve?

 

Wish List

Bugbee distributed the Toll Gate staff Wish List, totaling $10,184.30 in requests.  The PTO exec comm. discussed the list, and suggested items to cut to bring the list to about $6600; proposed line item for this is $6,000.  The list will be voted on at the next PTO meeting.  [The list will be posted on the Toll Gate PTO website, www.tollgatepto.org]

 

The next PTO meeting will be on Wednesday, October 12 at 9:00am in the cafeteria.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:37pm.

 

Minutes respectively submitted by Lynne Quinto, secretary.