St Albert The Great PTO

Wednesday, February 25, 2015Minutes

  1. Opening Prayer: Marie Gould led the group in an opening prayer.
  2. Secretary’s Report: Jennifer Starke asked for a motion to approve the November 12, 2014 meeting minutes. Emily McElroy motioned to approve. Ginny Meiners seconded the motion. Minutes were approved.
  3. Viking Gala Update: Thank you to the committee for a wonderful and successful event. Trish Ferree reported the event raised a total of $76,373 (including Fund the Need). We hit the $20,000 match. Dean Corbett did a great job. There is still money coming in the door. The previous Gala raised around $62,000. They would love to hear input, both pros and cons. The Seelbach has welcomed us back again.
  4. Vote for Officers: We need 27 votes and only have 20 members in attendance so the vote will be handled electronically.
  5. Treasurer’s Report: Angela Wetzel provided the Budget for 2014-15 school year to date (2/25/15) which reported an estimated cash balance of $122,800 (less Fund the Need). Open Classroom/Fall Open House expenses are reported together currently but next year they will be reported individually. There is a reimbursement form but receipts can be sent directly to her. If you have an event coming up and would rather have a check in hand, send her an invoice.
  6. Principal's Report: Mrs. Cooper
  7. Blue Ribbon School – 20 page application has been submitted. This included providing test scores, showing evidence of diversity, and written essays by two teachers (Mrs. Geerer and Mrs. Boone). An additional paragraph was added to include the Religion curriculum.
  8. A decision will be made in September.
  9. We had our second early dismissal on Tuesday, February 24th. The staff had meetings on vocations, Terra Nova testing, and online school. There were small group discussions around the online school program for K-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 6-8 as well as teacher pros/cons and parent pros/cons.
  10. There will be an Archdiocese meeting to discuss the good and bad of online school.
  11. Per feedback from parents, it was noted that the work load is hard for working parents and families with 2+ students; although, the kids didn’t seem to mind.
  12. We can have up to 5 online school days.
  13. The last day of school is Thursday, 5/28/15. Graduation is set for Tuesday, 5/19/15.
  14. There was a small group meeting with Marie Gould, Charles Stafford, Craig Vermost, Mr. Simms, and Mrs. Cooper to discuss what is needed from PTO. Mrs. Cooper will provide Marie Gould with the Teachers’ Wish List once she better understands what the school is responsible for first; however, it seems to mostly consist of technology needs and more professional development.
  15. Update on Old News –Marie Gould
  16. Tornado door – Looking at options to make the 4th/5th grade hallway doors safer for bad weather. Originally the doors were going to be replaced but due to lack of room between the ceiling and roof, the direction has changed. After inspection, Larry Brunner, an architectural engineer, and the vendor all agree that replacing the glass with hurricane proof glass is the way to go. The frame is sound. The anchoring of the frame will be ‘beefed up’ and the glass replaced. If approved, this should be installed over spring break.
  17. Estimated cost of $2500.
  18. Approved to use $500 left over from walkie-talkies.
  19. Need approval to spend an extra $2000.
  20. Work Plans – due on Monday, 3/13,to allow the PTO Exec to review and submit to Mrs. Cooper by April 1st. These plans should consist of steps taken to complete the event and the budget planned for each. If there is an increase in the needed funds, please discuss with PTO Execs prior to submitting the plan. If there is a decrease, just submit. The budget is reported from 7/1/15-6/30/16.
  21. Kroger rebates – still unclear on the percentage we get but we received $2300 from Sept.1 – Nov. 30 with 127 cards. We need to communicate this program again via Monday Memo and Tuesday folders.
  22. PTO email addresses – these are being set up as the need arises. If one is needed, contact Lisa Bowlin and she will get it set up.
  23. New Business – Marie Gould
  24. St. Baldricks – There are many ways to support the event other than by shaving your hair. This year there will be dance-a-thon. Beth Leith’s daughter is painting canvases, making crafts and decorating tervis tumblers to sell at the event. It was suggested to leave leftovers in the teachers’ lounge.
  25. Fundraising – last year there were many fundraisers but this year we decided to streamline and cut down to three. The City Saver book, the Gala, and the Spring flower/plant sale, which is to be timed with Teacher Appreciation Week. Deadline for orders will be the Friday before Spring Break. Start communicating this by tying into Teacher Appreciation week and marketing as a convenience, taking emphasis off ‘fundraiser’. Maybe advertise as “A Flower Sale” or “Donate a flat to teachers”. Molly Wolfram suggested this could also be tied into Mother’s Day. Looking into the possibility of an online order form. Another suggestion was made to have a teacher’s wish list.
  26. Sell by flats: 8 pk of 4 (32) for $18
  27. Hanging baskets for $20
  28. 4 ½” pots for $5 each but have to buy in units of 8. Discussion around whether to remove this option or leave it as people will understand what they have to buy and they can split with others.
  29. School Supplies (Brittany Pesce) – using same company as last year. Selling for $55/kit and will be online 4/27. Delivery will be the week of 7/20 to the school with parent pick up on 7/30. Feedback from parents was they wanted the kits prior to school. Class lists are now with Bill Henderson. He will post online with a list of what is included in each and then a list of what is not included. Order forms will also go home a few days prior to open online ordering and will be included in Monday Memo and Rediker.
  30. Class Art Suggestion (Brittany Pesce) – She suggested doing the 8th grade and 2nd class art project used in the Gala auctions every year and sell in conjunction with the timing of the event (example: 2nd grade First Communion). She thinks it could be a big seller and is willing to headup for these two classes.
  31. Open Classrooms (Emily McElroy) – approved by Mrs. Cooper to move to the afternoon/evening, possibly from 4:00pm to 8:00pm two days before school starts. The hope is to have more families attend and give the teachers the day before school starts.
  32. Open Classrooms will be 8/11
  33. First day of school will be 8/13
  34. Committee Reports (2 minute update)
  1. Santa Shop – Marie Gould reported on behalf of Elizabeth Recktenwald; total madewas $1121. The 6th-8th grades did not shop as a group; however, some students from these classes shopped on their own.
  2. Teacher Christmas Collection – Marie Gould reported on behalf of Janelle Richardson; Money that came in after the disbursement to the teachers was used to buy $15 gift cards that were then raffled off to the teachers at the luncheon. This was a big hit.
  3. Yearbook – Julie Corbett reported that Lisa Prather won the Innerstate Studio 2013-14 yearbook contest which made $500 for St. Albert. Every family gets a book for each student enrolled in school. The cost was added in the student budget. Julie is sending the teachers their pages to proof names. The deadline for pictures is 3/20 for all but St. Baldricks photos. Send to .
  4. Historian – Stephanie Kappesser reported that she is in need of pictures from all PTO events (Haunted Halls, the Gala, Student Appreciation events, etc.). Email to . Keep in mind for future events as well. The project is in basically a yearbook for PTO. This will be used during school tours or displayed in the office. Pictures will be reviewed at the end of the year for students not allowed to be photographed but this is a short list and most grades are good.
  5. Health Screening – Megan Cyterski reported that the date will be 3/25 starting after morning announcements and will be done by noon. Nothing to change this year. A sign-up genius will be sent out for volunteers. There are no specific guidelines to be followed other than that the school has to offer the screening and have a yearly plan. The hearing screenings are a big issue because Megan has to pick up the audiometers and they are not high quality. A lot of false positives due to poor equipment and from kids having colds, asthma, etc. Megan suggested to buy a used audiometer and perform the screening on as needed basis. She is going to look into cost.
  6. Teacher Appreciation – Marie Gould reported on behalf of Angela Nall and Tammi Dierken; this will be held the week after Derby. There will be a breakfast with parent volunteers, a lunch catered by PTO, massages if donated, a small gift card paid by PTO and flowers donated by parents.
  7. Field Day – Ginny Meiners reported that the date is Friday, 5/22. The 7th grade will be on a field trip to Kingpin. The theme is Ninja Style and there will be a movie and popcorn again in the afternoon. A sign-up genius will be sent out for volunteers.
  1. Helping Hands – Marie Gould reported on behalf of Allison Gibson & Aimee Brown; this PTO committee offers help to school families in time of need. It consists primarilyof meals but could also include yardwork, house cleaning and other tasks around the home. It’s anonymous and anyone can contact them directly or through a friend. They need a private email set up for stalbert.org.
  2. Book Fair – Marie Gould reported on behalf of Danielle Walters; The February Book Fair made over $8000. They will be purchasing books and four Chromebooks for the library. They also used some of this money and the October 2014 money to upgrade Alexandria.
  3. Used Uniform Sale – Paula Gyimesi reported that there would be a sale on 3/27 during the Fish Fry. This will be held in the cafeteria after Play Café at 6:00. A sign-up genius will be sent out for 3-4 workers.

Announcements:

  1. Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 22, 2015.
  2. Jennifer Starke will hold a fundraising roundtable in the next month to discuss things that worked, didn’t work, etc.
  3. Mindy Masterson is looking for help for the Art Fair. She will send out a sign-up genius.
  4. Thank you to everyone for their involvement in the discussion this evening.
  1. Closing Prayer: Marie Gould