November 2015 Meeting Minutes

• Call meeting to order
• Introductions
• Approval of October meetings - Megan approves
• Treasurer report - there are a lot of little things that reflect walk-a-thon expenses.  We also see Mobi max on there twice, and no big check yet from the walk-a-thon.
• Teacher report - Mrs. Bender - all the teachers only have wonderful things to say about the PTO.  Mrs. Fox wanted to remind us about doing something for the grades for Snowcoming.  The food was good for the conferences, the Subway platter was very well received!!  They would like to see that one again! Mrs. Bender also wants a rug for her room!! Amber will send a link to her to pick out which rug she wants.  Book Fair was a big success as well.
• Principal report - Ms. Kent - Academics report - We are the BEST PTO in Big Rapids, maybe even in Michigan!! Thank you for the continued hard work! Thanks for the food for conferences, it is greatly appreciated by everyone.  Christmas concert is December 1, a Tuesday.  We had some conflict with scheduling, so the date was pushed up.  It is from 6-8pm. Today, the playground people came and took down some info for their end.  On Monday, Meemic is coming in to do some filming.  There is a program starting that will help to refocus energies for learning that will be related to the filming by Meemic.  This will be good PR for Riverview.  Thanksgiving break is coming up.  No school that week Wednesday thru Friday.  Festival of Lights parade, Shrek the Musical is next weekend, and we will do Shrek the Halls for our parade float for BRPS.  Let’s hook back up with the dollar store for glow sticks, prefer the necklaces.  Reading initiative that the state is moving forward with will potentially having some impact.  They are discussing third grade retention for those not at desired reading levels.  Please read to your kids!!!  We are working hard with our kids at school, we love the book fair to help push the kids forward.  This may go into effective 2017-2018.  The dental program will be coming back.  The BWW lunch is next week Wednesday. The kids are excited!!  We are having the fourth graders go to Match Day, November 10.  Can PTO give $1 to each student to give? Emily can be there to facilitate if she needs to.  
• Old Business:
  • Walk-a-thon - Our money will get sorted out soon!
  • T-shirt sales - It was kind of big mess.  We are going to make it easier and less work on our end next year.  We will have the parents go directly to Kevin.
  • Book fair - Amber - last year we raised about $2500 for our fall bookfair.  This year we made over $3500!!  Our biggest book fair yet.  We choose to use our money as Scholastic Dollars instead of taking a check for a percentage of the total.  Our net will probably be around $2600.  Amber would like to send a link to the teachers and they can just let us know what they want from the Scholastic Dollars.  We do also give the kids a book at the Spring Book Fair.  If your kids have a request, have your kids ask Mrs. Booher.  She is super dedicated and willing to help.  
  • Conference dinner - The Subway platter was a big success, the teachers would like to do this one again!
  • Wreath Sale - We are sending our orders through BRAJCHA since they were already sending out orders and we are not making funds from this.

• New Business
  • Movie night - Mandy- We are watching Inside Out.  We have three honor students that have committed to helping.  Deater and Cooley have bought the candy.  This will run 6-8pm, NO DROP-OFFs.  
  • Survey - Mandy - There are some surveys on the table, we did get some really good suggestions.  It is mostly online.  There was a lot of positive comments and suggestions there as well.  Field trips, assemblies, chrome books, etc. what are we spending our money on?  We talked about doing a request form for the teachers if there were specific needs.  Some teachers have requested the bouncy chairs.  An assembly or workshop for parents , maybe math related?  Mrs. Zocco - parent university - where you can give the parents all sorts of different ideas in many areas.  What about videos of teachers explaining things that we could post online?  Let’s revisit this later.
  • Roller Rink - November 20 is the early release day for November, this is the walk-a-thon incentive for those who made it.  We will not have transportation.  We do have passes to go out if anyone can not participate.  The event will run from 2-4.  Can we do a mini Snowcoming in February?
  • Front office request - They would like a thermometer. Tayna has a Braun thermometer that she would be willing to donate.  Megan would be willing to help!
  • Box Tops and Labels - Tayna - They have been submitted, received, and the check is coming.  There is $560 plus on the way, plus our $500+ balance leftover from last year.  This is smaller than typical, but the bonus’ is back, so we should see it pick back up.  The check won’t come until December.  We are 17,000 points for Labels
  • Holday Shop - We decided to get dollar store stuff.  Heather, Erin, Megan will help!  December 18 is the last day of school before break.  Everything will be $1.  The bags were good last year.  We do have some leftovers from last year as well.  Be wary of breakable items.  December 14 and 15 will be the dates.
  • Match Day - the theme is black and silver for the 25th year.  Maybe black and silver records?
  • Budget - this is still developing, it is going to be a process
  • Mr Shewan - We are thinking about starting Jan. 1 - maybe new vacuums for the classrooms to help keep up!
  • Awesome work everybody!!
  • Next meeting is Dec. 2