PLEASANT HILL ELEMENTARY PTO MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2007 in the ART ROOM

Meeting Called to Order By: President, Andrea Clark

Time: 6:38 p.m.

Attendance: 13

Minutes: Minutes of November 14, 2006 meeting read by all and approved by Donna Britt with the 2^nd by Corri Kendall

GUEST SPEAKERS

Ray Svendson from QSP (our current magazine fund-raiser company) spoke about his company.  The classroom magazine orders we were having problems with from last year will be resolved by March/April.  It was a problem from the publisher, not QSP.  Currently, we receive a 40% profit from our magazine sales.  If we continue with QSP, we will get 45% for the next 2 years.  Mr. Svendson also reported that orders can be placed on the internet at www.QSP.com.  He informed us of the Partners In English program for 5^th grade teachers.  Teachers would receive individual articles from Readers Digest and teaching guides to supplement their curriculum.

Our QSP Magazine Fund-raiser will begin Feb 16 and will run 10-14 days (length yet to be determined).

Steve Anderson presented information on his company, Great American Opportunities, Inc.  This is a magazine sales company and also offers a gift catalog program.  For the magazine program, classes receive 3 grade appropriate issues of Time for Kids.  Customers can buy and track purchases online.  A card is sent to students each year with the list of their orders from previous year.  This encourages annual renewals.  We would receive 40% profit of total magazine sales plus students could win prizes.  For the gift catalog program, an online store could be set up for our school and orders could be placed all year long.  The catalog includes wrapping paper, gifts, and food items.  Back ordered items are handled by purchaser receiving a voucher for back ordered item plus a substitute item.  We would receive 50% profit from total sales.

The PTO will vote on fund-raisers for 2007-2008 at the April meeting.

OFFICERS’ REPORTS

PRESIDENT: ANDREA CLARK

Updated By-Laws have been requested by our accountant.  Andrea and Jennifer have been working on them and they are almost ready to give to Paul Swinton (attorney) for review.  We hope to have them ready to present and vote on at the February meeting.

We did not get the Lowe’s Grant for the outdoor classroom area.  We will apply again in the spring.

The deadline for the Polk County Betterment Grant is Feb 13.  Need to decide on what to ask for.  Suggestions include: new benches for the playground, new outdoor classroom (same as Lowe’s), digital sign in front of school (Kim Smith will research costs), technology (Elmos and Smartboards) and Keyless entry for school security at $10-12,000 (Andrea commented the security of the school should be the responsibility of the DMPS District, and the PTO is hesitant to fund.) 

The Prairie Meadows Grant is due in August so we will need to decide what to ask for.

The magazine fund-raiser is being done by QSP this year.  The kickoff will begin during and all-school assembly on Feb 16 at 2:30.

The March PTO meeting will be moved to Tuesday, March 6 so as not to conflict with Spring Break and conferences.

Field Day has been moved to Friday, May 25.  The rain date is Tuesday, May 29.

Our PTO Executive Board is working with staff and with the DMPS Board to reinstate the position of a full time principal at Pleasant Hill. Judy Cunningham, Director of Early Childhood Education will speak at our Feb. 13^th meeting. We need strong parental attendance.

To meet emergency safety needs, “No Parking signs” are being added to Linden Blvd. by the Pleasant Hill Police Dept.  The new parking ordinance will go into effect this week.  The City Council has passed an ordinance to allow parking on the east side of Pleasant Hill Blvd. during pick-up and special events beginning in February.  A flyer will be sent home to parents.

A parking lane will be added to Pleasant Hill Blvd. this summer during the expansion of the street.  Andrea has requested a sidewalk to be added that would run from the back door of our school to the sidewalk on Pleasant Hill Blvd so people can get to the parking lane safely.  Rita Connor and Police Chief Bill Hanson will attend the March meeting to discuss the changes.

Kym Stein noted parents are trying to pick up in the teacher’s lot again.  This is a huge safety concern so cones will be placed to block the drive again.

VICE PRESIDENT: KIM SMITH

No report

TREASURER: VICTORIA JONES

Treasurer’s Report read by all and approved by Donna Britt with the 2^nd by Michelle Bodensteiner

A check for $1000 from the City for the Holiday Shop was deposited but is not on the report yet.  A new expense category needs to be added for the accountant fees.

SECRETARY: JENNIFER BRAAFHART

Jennifer gave our 2 custodians and 3 lunch ladies each $40 gift certificates to Target for Christmas.

PRINCIPAL: KYM STEIN

Donna Britt and Kym have written 6 grants asking for funds to increase the school’s technology.  The goal is a total of 31 computers so students do not have to share.  Parents are welcome to stop in any Monday, Wednesday or Friday morning to see students in the lab.

OPEN FORUM

Karla Wiebers is going to order planners early this year to avoid any problems.  They were late last year due to a flood at a warehouse so we will receive a $.30 discount per planner if ordered by March 15.  She will order extras because of the increase in class sizes.

The deadline for Box Tops this year is Feb 28.  Kim Smith will update the front sign as a reminder.

A correction to the January Newsletter:  There are 2 Sleepy Hollow dates in January: 12 and 26. The date in February, is the 15^th.

OLD BUSINESS

Holiday Shop: Kim Smith reported the success of the Shop this year with a $491 profit.  Heath Ellis (PH Park & Rec) invited us to do it again next year.  Kim agreed because it’s a great opportunity to be part of our community.  Contracts have been signed for next year but we can cancel as late as September if we change our minds.

Partytime Fund-Raiser: Victoria Jones reported this was a great success with a profit of approximately  $6,500.  She will get a breakdown of items sold (cookie dough vs. jewelry vs. catalog).  This information will help in our fund-raiser decision in April.

NEW BUSINESS

Friendship Party: Kim Smith reported the committee (Kim, Michelle Bodensteiner, Leigh Custard, Christy Cory and Sheila Warrick) will soon begin working on the party.  The format will be the same as last year.  Valentines will be passed out in the classes before the party so students can open them if there is time left after the game.  The party will be Feb 14 from 2:15-3:00.

Polk County Grant: Deadline is Feb 13. Please give ideas/suggestions to Andrea Clark.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Andrea asked the teachers to review the 2 magazine companies we saw tonight and try to decide which one would best meet their needs.  We will discuss in April.

Everyone was given the task of encouraging other parents to attend the February PTO meeting.  We ABSOLUTELY must have better attendance when we discuss the full-time principal issue.  Our guest will be Judy Cunningham, Director of Early Childhood/Elementary Education. Our staff and students need your support.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, Feb 13 at 6:30 in the Art Room.  NO childcare will be provided.

Meeting Adjourned At: 8:35

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Last modified: May 02, 2008