March 2016 Meeting Minutes

• Call meeting to order
• Approval of Feb. minutes
• Treasurer report - Emily is still having trouble getting into our bank account, but we have had just a few little deductions and should have around $24,000.
• Teacher report - Mrs. Garner - What are we doing with Mr. Shewans jokes?? Stefanya says she will volunteer to take this project over!!  Everyone knows that something is in the works, but we need to communicate what is going on to all the teachers.  The assembly will be May 27.  K would like to go on a field trip to the Grand Rapids children’s museum.  Mrs. Garner has applied for a grant from the museum, if it is not received, they will be asking for assistance for the the two K classes.  Just like last years field trip.  
• Principal report - Ms. Kent - Academics report - we kept the small kids in for morning recess because of the ice and slush.  It was a big slushy mess at the soccer field today too.  Lunch recess we did not go out.  The drainage is working well, though! We had the science fair, and had a lot of great feedback from that!  We had 4 snowdays in February, we are as of now, making up 3.  We have mostly finished our winter assessments.  K-2 are taking a state test this year, similar to the Mstep.  We are piloting that this year.  We are getting 60 more chromebooks, this should help with 3-4 getting testing done a little sooner.  The ipads were reinstated, we are getting 19 back.  We are asking for a cart for the ipads.  Book fair is coming up.  We had a lockdown drill at lunch and it went super well!  The whole district sets a day for lockdown drills.  We have some Ferris people coming in to do some reading, lots of different groups coming in for reading month!  March 29 is calling all dads.
• Old Business:
  • Charging cart - we approved this last meeting
  • Rink Party - success
  • Science Fair - success
  • Assemblies - science/magic assembly was well received!!!
  • March reading month

• New Business:
  • Girls on the run - we tabled the vote for this from the last meeting - this is a unique situation - there has been a miscommunication where it has been communicated that PTO will cover the cost of the shoes.  There have been 31 girls signed up, and the cost would be $15 per pair.   There is also a $45 registration fee.  7 for No and 6 for Yes.    Is there a way that some of us could individually sponsor some of the students to make sure no one who has signed up will miss out?  We need to say something to explain this situation.  Maybe we can send a form out to the parents of those who have signed up that says PTO will not cover the costs, however, there are some parents/businesses who will sponsor those who are in need of shoes to participate for this program.  Can we state that you do not have to have the specific pair of shoes to participate?  
  • Box tops - Deater is not here - it looks like we are receiving a check for $1000+
  • Labels - the program is ending slowly, We can submit for a period of time, and we do have a point balance that we can redeem.  
  • Next book fair- next week- the sign up sheet is going around, the set up will be Friday at 6pm.  It will be in the library until Wednesday, then to the gym for the nacho night, then back to the library for the rest of the week.  Heather has everything arranged for the nachos.
  • Fill-a-tub - We were approached to fill a tote for each teachers room with snowgear, boots, gloves, etc.  Should we separate them by size?  To be brought in book fair night, we will have the tubs set up in the hallway.  Reading night is also going on that night.
  • Teacher conferences - this is March 17.  Make something light, Jenn Ames can order it if someone else can bring it.  Appetizers would be best.  Stephanie will take care of it!!  
  • Assemblies - We have one left, Reading Month Assembly March 15 at 8:30am
  • Teacher Appreciation - XX
  • Playground - can Curtis help with this project?  Let’s do this!!  We do also have a canopy catalog to look at if we are still interested in that.  The company is out of Holland, WHPorter pavilion.  Something similar to the pavilion near the tennis court.  A water fountain too?
  • Mr. Shewan - Stefanya will take this over - the joke book - surprise assembly
  • Signs for the sidewalk - we have looked into this.  Stefanya’s husband will volunteer to make them is reimbursed for supplies!!  What kind of options do we have?
  • Health & Fitness Day - somewhere around the 19th
  • Family Picnic - May 20th - probably 11:30ish
• Budget - still a work in process