CENTER MIDDLE SCHOOL PTA
General Meeting Agenda
November 13th, 2012, 10:00 am, Room 147 Annex
Call to order/Pledge
§ Barb Handloser called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m.
Secretary’s Report – Diane Chesney
§ Minutes from the October meeting were accepted as written.
§ Thank you notes were shared from last school year from Mrs. Schindler and Mrs. Bluemel for the Ladybug systems for the art rooms, from the Xtreme team and Mrs. Pelko for a wonderful staff appreciation week, and from Erin Peskura for the Center scholarship award.
Treasurer’s Report – Barbara Dutton
§ Beginning Balance: $4,054.08
§ Income: $7,923.78
§ Expenses: $5,296.94
§ Ending Balance: $6,680.92
§ Changes to the Budget were recommended by Barbara Dutton to adjust for changes in actual income and expenses. A motion was made by Michel Price to change the Book Fair income and expenses to $1,810. Diane Chesney seconded the motion. No discussion, motion passed. A motion was made by Michel Price to change the Ways and Means income to $7,500 and the expenses to $4,000. Diane Chesney seconded the motion. No discussion, motion passed.
First Vice President’s Report – Michel Price
§ The next Center PTA meeting will take place on December 11 at 11:00 a.m. at Rosewood Grill. The regular meeting will take place followed by lunch. Please let Michel Price know if you will be attending so that she can reserve enough seats. Her email is:
President’s Report – Barb Handloser
§ The Bylaws for Center PTA were approved. Barb will be making copies and getting them out to officers and committee chairs for their binders.
§ Barb would like to remind parents to sign up for the Heinen's and Giant Eagle programs so that Center can benefit from your purchases. Also, when making purchases at GFS, mention Center so we get credit for your purchase.
§ Special thank you to Donna Stephens for Red Ribbon Week, Tami Doyle and Grace Anderson for two wonderful Mustang Bowls, Michelle Foust for the Book Fair, and Christy Spaulding for organizing the Magazine Sale and the Center Dance.
§ The Walk-a-thon Luncheon will be held on May 10, 2013. For this event, the PTA donates hot dogs, buns, wrappers, and PB&J sandwiches for the kids for lunch. Donations of chips, fruit, carrots, and condiments will be needed. At this time we are looking for a volunteer to chair this committee. We will also be looking for volunteers for that day to get the food ready for the kids and to serve. Please contact Barb at if you are willing to help.
§ Reality Day will be May 17. We will need speakers to talk to students about their careers. Let Barb Handloser know if you would be willing to present to students. Her email is
Teacher Representative – Mrs. Gundlah
§ See Center Gives Back below.
Principal’s Report – Mrs. Pelko
§ Center was awarded $4,000 from the Strongsville Education Foundation. The money will be used to purchase two additional ENO systems for the classrooms.
§ Until the Board of Elections verifies the passing of Bond Issue 116, the schools will be proceeding with their planning for a new Middle School. They have decided to continue plans so that when the final results of the election are shared we are not behind in the planning phase.
Council Delegate’s Report – Nancy Lewandowski, Amy Shannon
§ The full minutes from the November Council meeting can be found on the district website under the PTA section after they are approved at the next meeting.
§ Applications for the Outstanding District Educator and Helping Hands Award can be found online at ohiopta.org/programs/awards/awardforms
§ Mr. Krupinski was very pleased with our Excellent with Distinction report card. Since Strongsville is such a large district this is an impressive accomplishment. The schools also still have a triple A credit rating.
§ Photos were shared of several new middle schools in the area that were visited. The goal is to get a better idea of what should and should not be included in the new school if/when it is built.
§ The contents of Allen Elementary school will be auctioned off online.
§ Administrators attended a new safety procedures workshop for training in a new lock down procedure called ALICE.
§ DARE reported that 1,700 children attended the Halloween Dances and 1,600 boxes of cereal were collected to donate to the Strongsville Food Bank.
Committee Reports:
Ways and Means – Christy Spaulding/Barb Handloser
§ Thanks to everyone that supported the Magazine and Dance fundraisers. The profit from the dance was $1,324.68. The Magazine sale made $2,228.80.
§ Mrs. Pelko sent out information about our next fundraiser which is gift wrapping at Southpark Mall. We will be wrapping on Sunday, December 2 from 11-2, Friday, December 7 from 5-9, Wednesday, December 12 from 5-9, Tuesday, December 18 from 1-5, and Friday, December 21 from 1-5. Please let Barb Handloser know if you are willing to wrap on any of these days. All proceeds/tips go to Center PTA. Contact Barb at or 440-668-9400
Staff Appreciation – Laura Housum
§ No report.
Mustang Bowl – Tammy Doyle, Grace Anderson
§ The two Mustang Bowls were a success and were well attended by Center students. Thanks for your support.
Center Gives Back – Amy Shannon, Carol Mancuso
§ The committee has been working hard to plan out this year's Center Gives Back. This is a program designed to raise funds for families of Center students that might need additional help during the holidays. Please support any or all of the following activities:
§ Xtreme Team Chain Link Sale takes place November 26-30. Links can be purchased by students during lunch periods for $0.25. The Xtreme team will then use the chain links to help decorate the halls. This will be a contest between grades. On November 27 the Xtreme team will decorate the hallways after school until 5:00. Students and parents are welcome to attend. Please bring cookies to share.
§ The Candy Gram Sale will take place December 3-7. Students can purchase a candy gram during lunch for $1. Candy grams will also be on sale during the two evening music concerts if you would like to send one to your child or others. If you are not attending the concerts, you can purchase a candy gram in the main office during the school day beginning December 3. The Grams will be delivered the last day before winter break.
§ Gift Basket Sale: Gift basket intent forms are due by November 19th to be included in the baskets that will be for sale. If you have anything you would like to donate, please drop items off at the main office by Dec. 14th. Gift baskets will go on sale at a pre-sale on Monday, December 17 from 3-4 in the media center. Baskets will then be sold on December 17 and 18 at the music concerts. Any questions can be sent to Amy Shannon at or Carol Mancuso at
§ We will also be planning a Marcos Pizza night during Center Gives Back. More information will be emailed soon.
Holiday Staff Lunch – Kathy Fabec
§ No report.
Book Fair – Michelle Foust
§ The Book Fair was a success. Thanks to everyone that helped to make this event possible.
Yard Signs – Tocoi Arthur
§ Yard signs are still being sold, see the CMS website for details on how to order your sign.
Membership – Tocoi Arthur
§ We are up to 104 members. This is an increase from last year's number of members. There is still time to join the PTA and be a part of this worthwhile organization. Membership forms can be found online on the PTA page. There will be a raffle at the December meeting for several gift baskets. If you are a member, you are automatically entered to win one of these baskets.
Bylaws
§ Approved by the state of Ohio. Copies will be sent out to officers and committee chairs.
Red Ribbon Week – Donna Stephen
§ Thanks for supporting this program.
Reflections – Suzi Foley
§ Applications and handbooks can be found on the Council PTA page on the District website.
Rockin' at the Rec – Nancy Lewandowski
§ The next dance is this Friday, November 16. Tickets go on sale this week. Contact Nancy Lewandowski if you are able to chaperone at
Unfinished Business
Vote on Teacher Applications for Council Grants
§ A grant was submitted by Sarah Silvestri for the Bill Nye the Science Guy DVD set. A motion was made by Michel Price to submit the grant to the Council PTA. Barbara Dutton seconded the motion. No discussion, motion carried.
§ A grant was submitted by Cheryl Lyndon to bring Dr. Mike Thompson to Strongsville to speak to the middle school students about his anti-bullying program. I motion was made by Michel Price to submit the grant to Council PTA. Nancy Lewandowski seconded the motion. No discussion, motion carried.
New Busines
Founder’s Day Nominations
§ Nominations due December 3. We will vote on our recipient at the December 11 PTA meeting. The nomination form will be sent home in an email from Mrs. Pelko.
Announcements
§ None
Adjournment
§ Meeting adjourned at 11:01. Total in attendance: 10
§ Minutes submitted by Diane Chesney.
Dates to Remember:
November 15th – Night of Entertainment
November 16th – Rockin’ at the Rec
November 21st-25th – Thanksgiving Break, No School
November 26-30th – Extreme Team Sale
December 3rd-7th – Candygram Sale
December 6th – Council PTA Meeting & Holiday Luncheon; Meeting at 10 am followed by brunch at 11:15 am at High Point Recreation Center, 17847 Brandywine Drive.
December 11th – Center Holiday Meeting
December 17th – Band/Orchestra Concert
December 18th – Choral Concert