Cedar Island Elementary

Cedar Island PTO Minutes-Thurs. March 13, 2008

7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room

Attendees: 7 parents and 4 staff

The meeting was called to order by president, Bonnie Keating.

Treasurer’s Report: Shannon Manning

The treasurer’s report was passed out. The Bobcat Bash was very successful. Income exceeded expectations by approximately $6,000. Thank you to Jim Stanley and the committee for all their hard work!

Principal’s Report: Dan Wald

A sixth grade student, Nyonty Ekama, has died. An email was sent out to parents last week. Dan thanked the PTO for making a contribution. The parents and staff of Cedar Island have done much to help with the funeral arrangements. The family is extremely touched and grateful.

A transition team is in the organizational stages. The team will be made of parents, teachers and administrators. Next week is the first meeting.

A magician is scheduled to be at Cedar Island on March 18 th to celebrate the success of reaching the school reading goal. Two shows will be held during the school day and one in the evening at 6:30 p.m. A second email went out on 3/15 for families to register for this event.

Volunteer Update: Barb Lindsay

The RIF-Reading is Fun- book distribution will be Monday, 3/17/08. Volunteers will be here to help with book distribution. The Got Spring walking program will be starting after spring break. The students can walk a track at recess to increase their physical activity. A small prize is awarded for achieving a certain goal. An All Walk to School day will be held as well. The volunteer appreciation breakfast will be held May 9.

Cedar Island Memento: Bonnie Keating

Bonnie expressed that she would like PTO to purchase a Cedar Island memento for each student and staff member to give away at the end of this year. An insulated mug with a logo was discussed. The cost would be in the ballpark of $7-9 each, totaling approximately $6,500. A motion was made and seconded to spend approximately $6,500 on a memento item for students and staff. The motion passed.

Bonnie discussed the idea of giving a small welcome gift to the new students coming to Cedar Island. Ideas included a small welcome card with a Cedar Island pencil or water bottle.

The idea of students bringing the gifts to Oak View was discussed. A motion was made and seconded to purchase small gifts with cards to welcome new students. The motion passed.

Staff Appreciation Week: Bonnie Keating

$200 is budgeted for treats for Staff Appreciation Week. Bonnie suggested that we increase this amount in order to purchase better quality treats for the staff. Every one was in agreement with this idea.

Juice for Testing: Barb Lindsay

Discussion was held as to beverage/snack ideas for the MCA and/or Northwest test dates. Last year the Got Spring grant covered the expense for string cheese and bottled water. Grapes, bringing water bottles from home, and hard candy were suggested as options. A juice carton costs .23 per carton. The cost for juice for both test dates would be $525. We decided to buy snacks for the MCA tests and not the NW tests. Dan Wald suggested that the team leaders discuss snack options at the next meeting and get back to PTO. Discussion was held on how to fund the Got Spring prizes for walking laps. There was a motion and a second to spend $500 for Got Spring prizes. The motion passed. The school can hopefully assist with additional costs for this fitness campaign.

PTO Officers/ Division of PTO funds/next year’s budget: Bonnie Keating

Discussion was held on the election of officers for next year. The terms for president, assistant treasurer and secretary are ending this year. The spring election of a transition PTO board was determined to be the best option. The transition PTO board will be able to ensure that fall activities are planned. The forms to request PTO candidates will go home in the next Wednesday envelopes. An election will be held in April. Division of PTO funds was discussed. A count of students going to Oak View will be taken and the PTO funds will be divided accordingly. This practice has been tradition in the past. The dollar amount for the ESP salaries needs to be determined so that positions can be determined for next year. The bylaws state that PTO must keep one year plus three percent in reserves. Bonnie wants to suspend this bylaw as we need to make bylaw amendments. The bylaws will be amended to cover the transition PTO for next year.

Other: Concerns were expressed regarding the transition process. The hope was expressed that the district level will provide assistance. Uncertainty as to the future was expressed. The younger students will miss interacting with the older students. Discussion was held on having a cookie dough/butter braid fund raiser with proceeds to go towards transitional funds and activities. The plant sale proceeds will go towards the sixth grade trip this spring.

The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.

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