PTO Meeting Minutes
PTO Meeting - October 12th, 2006
General John Nixon Elementary School
PTO Meeting Minutes
October 12, 2006
The meeting was called to order at 9:20 am
25 people signed the attendance sheet.
Treasurer’s Report
Stacey Danziger went over the 2006-2007 budget. Some of the line
items have been collapsed or expanded depending on usage. Fundraising revenue
was increased over last year due to an additional event (note card sales)
and a push for Box Tops for Education. Total fundraising revenue is budgeted
at $35,500. We are hoping to match last year’s “other revenue”
for a total revenue budget of $46,500. The expense budgets were decreased
over prior budgets if the money was not being spent by those groups. The most
notable budget increases were in: Aesthetics due to some improvements they
are hoping to do this year (hooks, storage units). Computer/website increased
due to the need for more software and mice. Educational enrichment increased
due to the addition of a 3rd program and the fact that a relatively inexpensive
program was brought in last year. General funds has a lower budget this year
since much of this expense was due to Rita’s retirement last year. The
Teacher’s Fund, which is the largest line item, is used to give each
teacher spending money for classroom supplies ($350 to head teachers, $175
to specialists and $88 to part-time help). Special Projects was for the kitchen
renovations last year and the cleaning of the curtains on the stage this year.
The overall budget results in an operating loss of $13,787 vs. an actual loss
of $9,518 last year. We have about $42,000 in savings to cover this loss.
Stacey is going to see if our non-profit status limits the amount that the
PTO is allowed to have in savings.
The budget was voted on and approved.
School Gifts
A request was made for three 4th grade teachers to attend a writing
and poetry workshop (the 4th teacher has already attended the workshop and
highly recommends it). The cost is $417. This was voted on and approved.
Box Tops for Education
Nixon has never heavily marketed the Box Tops for Education program.
This year, a concerted effort is being made to promote awareness and raise
$5,000. General Mills will fund up to $20,000 per school per year. In order
to reach our goal of $5,000, each child needs to bring in 10 box tops per
month. There is a collection box in the cafeteria. There will be a grade level
competition this year and a special bear that the class room can win for a
period of time.
Elementary Math Club
This is a math enrichment opportunity for grades 4 and 5. It will
start in mid-October and meet once per week. The participants will participate
in competitions, including the nationwide Math Olympiad, with the tests taken
at Nixon.
Family Curriculum Night
It was decided that it is too much to combine math and literature
so the night will primarily focus on math this year. It will be held on Thursday
February 8, 2007.
Fundraising
Participation in gift wrap sales has been low, so they will be trying
to come up with a new idea for next year. So far, revenue from gift wrap is
about $7,500. The deadline for gift cards is October 20 and orders are not
what they had hoped. The Monster Mash will be Friday October 27 5:30-8:30.
They still need a decorating committee co-chair and lots of volunteers and
supplies. Ticket sales are going well.
Community Service
The Cradles to Crayons program will begin November 1 and run for
2 weeks. They will be collecting gently used educational toys, school supplies,
arts & crafts, and books. There will be a bin in the cafeteria, one in
the front of the school and an additional bin at the book fair. Local businesses
are donating money to pay for the cost of renting the collection bins.
Library
The Fall book fair will be held November 3-9. We will not be using
Scholastic as the vendor this year, but rather a private book store out of
Winchester called BookEnds. There are still many openings for library volunteers
on a weekly basis and for people to help at the book fair.
Gardening
On Monday, October 16 they will be planting bulbs. Everyone is invited
to bring some bulbs and help plant them. They will provide snacks and a craft.
Geography Expedition
This year the theme will be “Geography of the American Revolution”
and will focus on Maine to Virginia. Based on feedback, it will be shorter
than last year, with about 30 questions. It will be sent home November 9 and
will be due back after Thanksgiving.
Yearbook/Slideshow
They are working on a big marketing push. They need as many digital
pictures of events throughout the year as possible.
Joni Jay’s Report
On the next early release Wednesday, the teacher’s will be
focusing on math differentiation and sharing of resources. Safety is a big
concern – she is focusing on parent pickup procedures, bus issues and
the wearing of nametags in the building. All visitors MUST wear name tags
when in the building. Mrs. Jay must also approve anything and everything that
gets posted to the Nixon website. She asked for feedback from the people present
and has decided to hold separate parent coffees, and not combine them with
already scheduled PTO meetings or other events. She will use the coffees in
the Fall to collect information and ideas and those held in the Spring to
work on addressing the issues. The soccer nets were taken down due to safety
reasons. She is hoping that SYSA will donate some unused soccer nets to Nixon.
It would cost approximately $2,000 for new, weighted nets.
Educational Enrichment
They have many special speakers/presentations scheduled for all grade
levels. Please see the school calendar for further information.
Note – all future PTO meetings will be held in the cafeteria, as the art room is being utilized.
11:00 meeting adjourned