South Prairie PTO
Meeting Minutes
Monday, February 8, 2010
The meeting was called to order by Nicole Smith at 5:04 p.m.
Treasurer’s Report: Nicole gave the treasurer’s report in Helen’s absence. The expenses included a check to Nicole Smith for $50 for purchases for the recent school board meeting at South Prairie, which went very well according to Mrs. Graves. Expenses also included a check for $745 to ‘Face to Face’ for the school assembly, which was excellent. Thank you to Julie Breidenbach for all of your help and organization with the assembly. The income for the month wasn’t much since there aren’t many activities going on at the school right now. Profits for the month of January included Market Day sales and a small tote bag sale.
Beginning Balance (as of 1/1/2010): $3,973.40
Total Expenses: $795.00
Total Income: $238.08
Ending Balance (as of 1/31/2010): $3,416.48
Savings Account Balance: $5,295.59
Old Business:
Rhonda McConckey and Jen Schroeder will be co-chairs heading up the spring drive-up kabob dinner fundraiser. The date has been finalized by Mrs. Graves for April 9th from 4:30-7:30 p.m. There will be more information at the next PTO meeting. Tickets will be going on sale soon, so watch your children’s folders for more information.
New Business:
- Valentine’s Day classroom parties will be this Friday, February 12 at 2:00 p.m.
- Market Day was today, February 8, earning the school a profit of around $80.
- Book Fair is coming up the week of March 8-March 12. The theme for Book Fair this year is “Book Fair Diner: All You Can Read.” More information will be coming home in folders on specific times, activities, and events surrounding Book Fair. Sign-up sheets for helpers will also be coming home in Wednesday folders. Please sign-up to help if you can!
- Reminders about turning in box tops will be going home in this Wednesday’s folders. Box tops are due February 22.
- Second grade Breakfast Buddies will be on Friday, February 26.
Principal’s Report:
- Mrs. Graves reminded everyone to listen for any weather-related closings/cancellations due to the recent winter storm warning. If school is cancelled this Tuesday, Feb. 9, then kindergarten screenings will be rescheduled for February 23.
- Valentine’s Day classroom parties will be this Friday, February 12 at 2:00 p.m.
- There will be no school on Monday, February 15 in observance of Presidents’ Day.
- Multicultural Day will be held on Friday, February 19 with many special in-school activities.
- Second grade Breakfast Buddies will be Friday, February 26.
- There will be no school on Monday, March 1.
- ISAT testing will be March 2-March 5 for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades.
- Book Fair will be March 8-March 12.
- South Prairie is collecting buckets of change for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital now through Spring Break.
- Mrs. Lewis is collecting change/donations for children of Haiti.
Thank you, Mrs. Lewis, for bringing in treats for our meeting again!!
The meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
The next PTO meeting will be March 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the library.
Everyone is greatly encouraged to attend all PTO meetings. We’d really like to see you there!
South Prairie PTO
Meeting Minutes
Monday, January 11, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by President Nicole Smith.
Treasurer’s Report: Helen Sharp reviewed the monthly treasurer’s report with such expenses as an assembly down payment for Face To Face ($150) and a semi-annual payment for Sycamore Self Storage ($194). The question was raised as to if we still needed this storage space or if other accommodations at the school could work. Mrs. Graves said she will look into this matter. Helen also reviewed income such as fifth grade field trip money ($49) that will be put into a sub folder for future use by the fifth grade and a Tri State Photography kickback of $15.
Beginning Balance (as of 12/1/2009): $4,253.40
Total Expenses: $344.00
Total Income: $64.00
Ending Balance (as of 12/31/09): $3,973.40
Savings Account Balance: $5,295.59
Old Business:
Rhonda McConckey approved the December meeting minutes. Helen Sharp seconded the motion.
Spring Drive-up Kabob Dinners Fundraiser
Rhonda McConckey discussed dates for the Spring Kabob fundraiser with Country Store, who will be catering the event. It was suggested that Friday, April 9th would be a good date to have this fundraiser with a possible time from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Mrs. Graves will double-check on this date before finalizing. If tickets are handed out at the end of February, it will give close to four weeks selling time. Rhonda talked with a printer who said they will print tickets for the cost of the paper. Kabob dinners will consist of pork or chicken or a combo of both with sides of potato salad, beans, coleslaw, applesauce, and a roll. Those in attendance at the meeting suggested that a flat cost of $10 per ticket would be a good selling price. Having 297 children in the building, a minimal 600 dinners sold (about 2 tickets per child) would earn $1,650. Rhonda was thinking of having about 3,000 tickets printed, handing out 10 tickets for every child to sell. Tickets would go out in Wednesday folders. Rhonda is in the process of formulating a plan to keep track of all tickets. Specific turn-in dates would be set with incentives for students who turn in tickets. Those at the meeting suggested that students who turned in tickets would be entered into weekly drawings for small items such as Target gift cards, school gear, or books from the Book Fair. Julie Moriale suggested not using PTO money for incentives. Whitney suggested having some extra tickets printed in case of extra sales. Nicole asked if it’s possible to print extra tickets during the sale time. Rhonda will be checking on printing costs for extra tickets. It was also suggested that we ask Mrs. Wright if Student Council could be runners at the actual drive-up dinner date. Rhonda will be letting us know what she needs in terms of sign-up and assistance for this fundraising event. Thank you, Rhonda!
Fall 2010 fundraiser
We will be doing a pledge fundraiser in the fall of 2010 that will tentatively be titled “Soaring with the Eagles.” This fundraiser was discussed at previous PTO meetings and will be similar to a very successful pledge fundraiser that North Grove held. Nicole talked with Mr. Countryman about this fundraiser, and he said he is very interested, ready to go, and will be talking with Mr. Nelson about it. This will get us away from the catalog fundraiser for next fall.
Holiday Tea
Kelly Erickson said the Holiday Tea went very well this year. Rhonda said there were so many wonderful cookie donations from parents. Thank you, parents!! The kids were all very polite and well-behaved. Both teachers and children really enjoyed the event. A very special thank you goes to Mrs. Julie Breidenbach for her wonderful piano accompaniment at the Tea. In response to a request from the teachers, Kelly and Rhonda agreed they will stretch the time for each class to 20 minutes at the Holiday Tea next year in order to give the kids a little more time to enjoy their treats and the wonderful music provided. Kelly also requested new lights for decorations next year.
Winter Parties
The Winter parties went very well. Both the teachers and children were very happy.
New Business:
Board Meeting
South Prairie will be hosting the Board meeting in the cafeteria on Tuesday, January 12th at 6:30 p.m. The evening’s program will center on the Eagle’s Nest News broadcasting. Mrs. Graves encourages parents and students to attend as we will be looking at the Eagle’s Nest News, in which the 5th graders are working hard and being trained in reading, writing, reporting, and broadcasting the news for the school. Joe McCormick is walking, teaching, and cycling the 5th graders through this endeavor the whole year. At the Board Meeting, we will be looking at different grants that would help with expanding our student broadcasting. All of the fifth graders will be involved by the end of the year. Some of the fifth graders will be doing a live interview at the Board meeting as well as showing a previous broadcast at the meeting.
Breakfast Buddies
Kindergarten Breakfast Buddies will be Friday, January 22nd.
Rhonda McConckey questioned if the Breakfast Buddies program was getting stale. Mrs. Graves said she loves the opportunity to open the school to families and allow mingling. She is also open to ideas for enhancing/improving the program.
More parent involvement
Nicole asked for ideas to gain more parent involvement as well as ideas for low-cost family activities at school promoting family fun. A suggestion was made about a movie night at the school held in the cafeteria. More suggestions can be made at the next meeting. Please come to the next PTO meeting to share your ideas.
Box Tops
Box Tops are due February 22. Nicole asked the teachers to remind students in newsletters. There were 16,661 box tops collected last year. Box Tops for Education pays the school 10 cents per box top. `
Fun Fair
There was a suggestion at the previous meeting of having an outside carnival with a cookout and games/activities. Nicole is looking for suggestions/ideas for things to do at this event. Nicole added that we could have a suggestion box in the office for more ideas. She will ask for ideas in the next PTO newsletter. What kinds of ideas or activities or equipment can parents offer for this event?
Parent/Teacher Comments:
-Nicole reiterated that the PTO does set money aside for teachers to use for their classrooms and encouraged them to use this money for the children and their classrooms.
-Julie Moriale suggested that grade levels cater Breakfast Buddies for other grade levels instead of using PTO money.
-Julie also had a question about the school directories including parents’ names along with students’ names.
-Whitney is hoping to raise Market Day sales each month. She suggested letting others outside of South Prairie families know about our Market Day sales. Market Day this month earned $134.16 with 17 customers. Market Day has earned $814.93 so far this year. Whitney asked about distributing a Market Day newsletter after each sale with information regarding sales and specials to see if it will increase sales. Mrs. Graves agreed.
-Whitney asked if anyone was still interested in her organizing a vendor sale day (suggested at previous PTO meeting) at the school either in the spring or in the fall. She needs to start gathering information soon if there is interest. This vendor sale will have nothing to do with South Prairie. It is strictly a vendor event with Whitney only asking for building use permission. The consensus at the meeting suggested the event taking place in the fall for holiday shopping with a tentative mid-November Saturday date.
-Kari DeConnick asked how often the school receives money from Target Visa cards. Nicole believes it is twice per year.
Principal’s Report:
Reminders:
-There will be no school this Friday, January 15th for teacher’s institute.
-There will be no school Monday, January 18th to observe Martin Luther King Day.
-Progress reports will be distributed on Friday, January 22nd.
-On Tuesday, February 2nd, there will be a 1:00 p.m. dismissal due to a teacher workshop.
-Kindergarten registration will be on Tuesday, February 9th. (We will be having Kindergarten orientation this year in early May.)
-There will be no school on Monday, February 15th to observe President’s Day.
A special thank you to Mrs. Lewis for bringing cookies to our meeting. They were delicious!!
The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
The next PTO meeting will be Monday, February 8th at 5:00 p.m. in the library.
Everyone is greatly encouraged to attend all PTO meetings. We’d really like to see you there!
South Prairie PTO
Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 14, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by President Nicole Smith.
Treasurer’s Report: Helen Sharp reviewed the treasurer’s report, pointing out expenses (including paying for Book Fair and a couple of minor expenses) and income (including field trip deposits, Market Day, and a few other minor deposits). Helen said she is still awaiting transportation bills from field trips.
Beginning Balance (as of 11/1/2009): $6,375.11
Total Expenses: $2,504.99
Total Income: $383.28
Ending Balance (as of 11/30/2009): $4,253.40
Savings Account Balance: $5,306.60
Old Business:
The November minutes were reviewed and approved. Kelly Erickson seconded the motion.
New Business:
New fundraiser ideas were reviewed and discussed again with some new ideas brought to the table. Pledge fundraisers were discussed at more length, including “Jump for Hearts”, where the proceeds go only to the American Heart Association, and fundraisers similar to “Running with the Hawks” in which the school would make a hefty profit.
1. Jen Schroeder explained the North Grove “Running with the Hawks” fundraiser at length. At North Grove elementary, the P.E. teachers organized teams by classes. Individual students would collect pledges or flat donations for running laps in the gym. Although some money went toward purchasing small prizes like gift cards for student & class winners, the school received all of the profit from the event. North Grove made just over $21,000 in profit from their fundraising event, “Running with the Hawks.” The school offered incentives to the students to help reach their pledge goals. This type of pledge event would require a great deal of organization from the P.E. teachers and a great deal of work for the PTO treasurer.
Kelly Erickson and Rhonda McConckey suggested names for this type of pledge fundraiser at our school, including “Soaring with the Eagles” or “Flying with the Eagles.”
Nicole wants to find out more information on this particular fundraiser and discuss it with Mr. Countryman. This is an appealing fundraiser since pledges and donations can be a little easier to get instead of selling merchandise, and this fundraiser would be pure profit for the school.
If we do a pledge type fundraiser at the school, it was agreed that we wait for next fall in order to discuss with Mr. Countryman and to give time to organize if we get the okay.
2. Rhonda McConckey suggested gift certificates that can be purchased at participating stores and a certain amount of that money goes back to the school. Defining this as a fundraiser, the orders for gift certificates are sent into the school with turn-in dates twice a month.
3. Everyone in attendance at the meeting agreed that we will NOT have the catalog fundraiser next year. Many were disappointed with it.
South Prairie PTO
Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 9, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m. by Nicole Smith.
Treasurer’s Report: Nicole reviewed the treasurer’s report, pointing out this month’s Market Day profit of $147.77 as well as a Spirit wear profit of $31.00. There were also quite a few mini grants given out to teachers. The expenses included field trips, fall book fair, and a few late checks. Profit for the fundraiser was $4,362.25 plus donations made a grand total of $4,467.25.
Beginning Balance (as of 10/1/2009): $10,669.54
Total Expenses: $10,210.37
Total Income: $5,915.94
Ending Balance (as of 10/31/2009): $6,375.11
Savings Account Balance: $5,306.60
Old Business:
1. The fundraiser went very well. The names of the winners of the Scooby Doo and fifteen $10 gift cards to Walmart will be given to Mrs. Graves to announce this week.
2. New fundraiser options were discussed briefly again. A drive-thru pork chop dinner, selling candles (option between Aroma Light candles or local Galena wickless candles), and Hershey candy bar fundraisers were chosen as top options. These options will be voted on at the next PTO meeting. A larger parent attendance would be welcomed and appreciated next time for the vote.
3. Whitney Siebens has been looking into a vendor sale at South Prairie for next November 2010. The vendors would contact Whitney for a space at the sale. Whitney would use a building use form for using the school’s facilities for the sale. As long as the school doesn’t participate in any way, the proceeds could be donated to the school. Whitney would start sending information home through Wednesday folders starting in May after being approved by Mrs. Graves. If South Prairie decides the sale cannot be done at the school, then Whitney would find an off-site location.
4. There was also a suggestion made by Rhonda McConckey for a pledge fundraiser, for example Jump for Hearts.
5. Rhonda McConckey expressed her thanks for the community support on the Take Root fundraiser.
New Business:
1. New fundraiser options will be voted on at the next PTO meeting (December 14 at 7 p.m.).
2. Breakfast Buddies for the 4th grade will be on Friday, November 20.
3. Market Day was slow this month (total profit being $147.77). We need to make sure Market Day flyers go out in Wednesday folders for next month. The total profit for the year so far is $504.55. The next Market Day is Monday, December 7.
4. Mrs. Wright said the Student Council will be doing a canned food drive. Information regarding the food drive will be sent out in Wednesday folders. The Student Council will also be doing the December Book Giving Tree again.
5. Mrs. Wright mentioned that she had questions from parents regarding the PBIS program as to why there were assigned seats in the cafeteria. She said that she explained to the parents that PBIS helps reinforce structure and rules while allowing the students to earn privileges (ex. choosing where to sit) with good behavior. It has been noticed by many that lunchroom behavior and procedures are much improved this year.
6. Mrs. Graves said that conferences went very well. There were many positive comments about South Prairie. There were some comments regarding the desire for more time allowed for individual conferences and/or more “cushion” time in between conferences.
Principal’s Report:
1. There will be a brief flag demonstration on Tuesday, November 10. The DeKalb American Legion is thrilled to come to the school and perform a flag ceremony, say the pledge, and talk with the students about the flag and Veteran’s Day.
2. Mrs. Graves will be eating with the October Eagles of the month this Friday, November 13.
3. 4th grade Breakfast Buddies will be on Friday, November 20.
4. There will be a 2:00 p.m. dismissal on Wednesday, November 25 and no school on Thursday, November 26 & Friday, November 27 for Thanksgiving break.
Looking ahead:
5. There will be a 1:00 p.m. dismissal on Wednesday, December 9.
6. The Holiday Tea will be on Wednesday, December 16. Volunteers who signed up to help will be contacted.
7. The classroom holiday parties will be on Friday, December 18 at 2:00 p.m.
8. Conferences were wonderful. Thank you to the PTO volunteers for the wonderful food spread for the staff. Thank you to Kari DeConnick who did a great job organizing everything for the meals.
Parent/Teacher Comments:
There was a question from a parent regarding hand sanitizers used at the school due to the spread of H1N1 virus. Mrs. Graves said that proper hand washing with soap and water is preferred and reinforced at the school, but there are hand sanitizers located in the cafeteria and some classrooms in the building.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:27 p.m.
The next PTO meeting will be on Monday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m.
South Prairie PTO
Meeting Minutes
September 14, 2009
Meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. by President Nicole Smith
Introductions of new officers for 2009/2010 school year:
President: Nicole Smith, Vice President: Kelly Erickson, Treasurer: Helen Sharp, Secretary: Laurie Horn
Treasurer’s Report: Helen Sharp reviewed items from last year ending in August and upcoming events for this school year. Helen reviewed the PTO budget regarding fundraisers and other forms of income current to the school, such as Market Day, Fun Fair, Book Fair, etc.
Beginning Balance (8/1/09): $4,963.13, Total Expenses: $1,765.76, Total Income: $149.45, Ending Balance (8/31/09): $1,915.21, Savings Account Balance: $5,306.60
Old Business
- The Ice Cream Social was very successful. The overall turnout was better than expected since downsizing.
- School volunteerism is very high. However, there is still a need for more volunteer sign-up for Market Day and Breakfast Buddies.
New Business
- School pictures went very well. Inter-state gives us a percentage back for every order.
2. Market Day this month totaled $189.10. It still did well despite downsizing within the school.
- Third grade Breakfast Buddies is Friday, September 18.
- Take Root fundraiser is Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. It is doing well with many donations already.
- Curriculum night was Thursday, September 10 at 6:30 p.m. Tables were set up for Spirit Wear and yearbook sales. The school gets $1 back for every Spirit Wear purchase. A table will be set up at every school activity for Spirit Wear and yearbook purchases.
- PTO newsletter going out in Wednesday folders (Sept. 16) explaining the school fundraiser which will conclude on September 24th.
- Book Fair: “Destination Read Around the World” September 28-October 2
-Thank you to Nicole Smith for the library decorations and to Whitney Siebens’s dad for lending the hot air balloon basket for decoration.
-Donuts & Books is Tuesday, Sept. 29th. This gives extra opportunity for parents to buys books. (Last year, $1,000 worth of books was purchased in the morning.) Scholastic gives the school an additional $50 for an extra Book Fair event.
-Still need more volunteers working the Book Fair.
-Wednesday, September 30th is Family Night and Book Fair from 6:30-7:30 p.m. with a Book Walk and Cookies from Around the World.
-Need parent volunteers for morning duty for teacher book previews on Friday the 25th.
9. A suggestion was raised regarding researching a new idea for a different fall fundraiser for next year over the current catalog fundraiser. It was stated that we are currently under a two-year contract with the current fundraiser. A suggestion was also made to research another possible book fair company that carries different genres of books. Nicole said she is willing to research new fundraising ideas.
10. Mrs. Graves suggested the idea of having a spring fundraiser since funds are dwindling. The school hasn’t done one for a couple of years. The idea is being looked into. Nicole suggested a donation opportunity from Bill Cho Tae Kwan Do. Nicole has a letter in to Mrs. Countryman about this opportunity and will let us know by next meeting.
11. Helen provided information on Target Check Cards to help raise money for the school. Purchases made on Target check card will give a 1% donation back to the school. A $256 check was given back to the school from Target last year. Information will be provided in the next newsletter to inquire at Target for the check cards and for Target Visa cards.
12. Box Tops: Nicole suggested going to box tops online (box tops for education) to shop at online stores in which a percentage of purchases goes back to the school. Also, if you go to www.thebigclip.com, you can enter your e-mail address which in turn enters the school into daily monetary drawings until October 31st.
Principal’s Report
- PBIS is going very well. Drawings are every Friday for those earning eagle’s wings. Prizes are donated, and there are three winners every Friday. Morning assembly and the lunchroom are much better each day since starting the PBIS program. In the lunchroom, children sit with their own class. This helps maintain order in the lunchroom. Parent help in the lunchroom is very much welcomed and appreciated.
- The school website is currently being updated.
- Mrs. Graves thanked the PTO for the new PA system, especially for morning assembly.
Parent/Teacher Comments
Mrs. Clevan thanked the PTO for the teacher mini grants which allow teachers to purchase items for their classrooms.
Nicole Smith reminded teacher’s to use all their teacher gift certificates for the Book Fair.
The meeting was adjourned by Nicole Smith at 8:10 p.m. Helen Sharp seconded the motion.
The next PTO meeting will be Monday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m.
