|
General John Nixon Elementary
School
PTO Meeting Minutes
October 19, 2005
Welcome and coffee at 9:15. The meeting was called to order at 9:20.
19 people were in attendance.
Treasurer’s Report
The fiscal year ending Aug 31, 2005 forecast an operating loss of $12,650
but ended the year with a profit of $2,976. This is a favorable variance
of $15,626. This year, an operating loss of $17,714 is projected. Net
income has been increased $3,000 over last year’s forecast. Significant
changes to the budget include $6,000 for Special Projects. The Projects
include building a bridge in the parking lot where it is always flooded.
Alan LeBlanc will head this project with his Cub Scouts and hopefully
complete it this Fall. A second project is to renovate the kitchen area
in the Teacher’s Lounge. This would include removing what is currently
there and adding a new oven, microwave, sink, base cabinet and shelving.
The budget was increased $1,000 for Professional Services which would
be used to buy an insurance policy to cover the PTO during special events.
Funding for Fifth Grade events was increased to pay for a 5th Grade end-of-year
party and the Teacher’s Fund was increased due to an increased number
of teachers. Money was also set aside to pay for a professional accountant
to prepare the 2005 tax return for Nixon, as the collection of the Odyssey
trip money for the town put the school over the $100,000 revenue limits
used for the short form. Highlights: $6,700 collected from direct solicitations
and $13,618 collected in Innisbrook sales (50% margin). There was a motion
to accept the budget and it was seconded. The budget was approved.
Thank you to Intel for donating a computer to the
PTO.
The PTO by-laws were recently found after many years
and are terribly out of date. Tracie Nathin will work with other parents
who have legal backgrounds to bring them up to date. After they are composed,
the PTO will need to vote on them.
Fundraising
The Monster Mash is Friday, October 28 5:30-8:30. They are still in need
of many more volunteers, cakes and cookies. They will contact room parents
to solicit volunteers. Thursday, November 17 is the Learning Express Fundraiser,
with a 10% discount to Nixon families and an additional 10% of sales being
donated to the Nixon School. Gift Wrap has brought in $13,618 so far,
with a 50% profit. Gift Wrap can still be ordered online at www.Innisbrook.com.
A suggestion was made to do a stationary fundraiser, with the children
providing the artwork for their note cards. This will be researched.
Website
A questionnaire was sent out asking for input/feedback about the website.
They are looking to change the look of the website and want as many comments
as possible. Suggestion was made to add a classified section to the website
where parents and teachers could post referrals or needs. This will be
researched.
Educational Enrichment
On November 4, astronaut Dan Burbank will come speak to the 3rd-5th graders.
He was on the Atlanta Shuttle in 2000. They are looking for a skilled
volunteer to videotape the presentation so that it can be shared with
the lower grades. On November 10 the Ocean Lady is coming to the 1st grades.
On November 15, Wild About Weather is coming to the 2nd grades.
New Family Liaison
They are holding a reception at Sky Restaurant and have sent 41 invitations
out to the new Nixon families. RSVPs have been very slow.
Community Service
The backpack drive for hurricane victims was a huge success. Nixon donated
143 backpacks plus an extra box of supplies.
Nixon Gear
They sold $1,500 at Back to School Night and another $2,300 after that
for a $600 profit. Nixon Gear is available all year long and they will
start advertising an “item of the week” at a discounted price.
They are planning a “School Spirit” day when everyone can
wear their Nixon gear.
Geography Expedition
They will spend slightly more money than budgeted this year due to increased
number of children at Nixon and the fact that the National Park Services
donated patches and certificates last year which we will have to purchase
this year.
Library
The Scholastic Book Fair will run November 4-10 and there is still a need
for volunteers. There will be a “One For Books” program during
the Fair where a person buys a coupon for a $1 and with that $1 donation,
Nixon receives the money as profit from the Fair, the school receives
$1 in books and Scholastic donates $1 to a children’s charity in
Nixon’s name.
Yearbook
All 5th graders receive a color yearbook from the PTO. They have taken
in $675 in pre-orders which covers their deposit. They will have a table
set up at the Monster Mash. They people to donate as many pictures as
possible.
Craft Connection
Sudbury Farms generously donated all of the pumpkins for the Pumpkin Globes,
which will be made on October 24 and 26. They are in need of Grade Level
coordinators.
Science
They are trying to set up a “human body program” for the 5th
grade. They have found that Science Education and Educational Enrichment
are overlapping in their efforts and should try to work together. Linda
Gallagher has volunteered to manage the Science Wing and put interactive
displays there. A storage shed has been constructed to house all of the
carts, etc. that have previously cluttered the Science Wing.
PTO Event Calendar
Monster Mash – October 28
Geography Expedition – October 28 - November
Fall Book Fair – November 4 - November 10
Curriculum Night – February
Science Fair – March
Bingo Night – April
Spring Book Fair – May
General John’s March – June
School Picnic – June
Teacher Appreciation Lunch – June
10:45 meeting adjourned
|
