In Attendance:

Jodele Mistretta, Glenwood President
Kim Dunford, Glenwood Co-VP
Isabel Gress, Glenwood Co-VP
Lisa Henry, Laurin President
Karen Landgraf, Laurin VP
Janet Shattuck, Treasurer
Danielle Rebar, Secretary

Approximately 25 parents and teachers in attendance.

Secretary Report:

Jodele Mistretta summarized the minutes from the last meeting.  Minutes were approved.

Treasurer Report:

Janet Shattuck went through the 2009-10 financial statement which was handed out in hard copy to people in attendance.  Sandy Cain mentioned that the budget for box tops has a new goal of $3260.

Ongoing Business:

Ice cream social.  Jodele advised that we ran out of ice cream.  900 bars were given away.  1100 should be ordered for next year.  Laurin will not be having an ice-cream social on curriculum night this year.  Focus should be on parents learning about the curriculum and the ice-cream social component was a distraction in the past.

WinterHawks Tickets – Fundraiser.  $4.00 of each $22 ticket goes back to the school.  Comes with food and drink.  Can purchase tickets up front and return unused tickets.
The need for a chairperson was announced by Jodele.  A discussion about whether or not we should try this opportunity and how tickets would be purchased and distributed ensued.  Jamie Blick volunteered to chair this event.  Angie Krant volunteered to help distribute the tickets for Laurin.

Box Tops – Sandy Cain gave an update.  We had a successful year last year.  Sandy described items that have Boxtops labels and announced that we will be having a contest soon.  Parents should turn send them to school in a zip lock baggie with student’s name, grade and teacher.  Parents can make purchases at many online stores by first going through the BoxTops web site and a percentage of the purchase goes back to the school.  Kim D. suggested having the money go toward a specific object for the kids, like new play equipment.  Popcorn:  9/18 will be free popcorn day for all kids all Glenwood for being #1 in the area for Boxtops last year.

Popcorn Sales:  A new program began this year where parents can preorder popcorn for the entire year for $6.00.  Almost 200 students signed up for the preorder already this year. Money raised by popcorn sales goes toward Glenwood activities such as field trips, buses, assemblies, etc.  Many people made an extra donation toward activities on the preorder popcorn form.

PayBack Books:  Kathy Weinberg gave an update on this Glenwood fundraiser.  She advised that 11-12K is usually raised from this event.  The books are going home with students possibly Friday or Monday at the latest.  9/21 there will be an assembly with Ted the PayBack book guy to get the students pumped about selling the books.  Students who sell 5 or more books will win prizes.  Payback books are $20, with $10 of each sale going back to the school.   Some books will be available in the Laurin front office for purchase as well.

Upcoming Events:

Harvest Fest:  Originally scheduled for 10/10, but now some people complained that it’s too early.  Jodele suggested Saturday, October 24th 3-6.  There was a discussion about the Prairie Auction being the same day.  Motion to move the Harvest fest from 10/10 to 10/24 from 3-6 was approved.  Jodele announced that chairpersons and volunteers are needed.  All of the decorations are at a parent’s house and need to be retrieved.  Jodele described to a parent what chairing the event involves.  Angela Tait volunteered to chair Harvest Fest.

Monster Mash – Principal McMillen suggested October 29th as a possible date for this event as an after school event or the day before the Harvest Fest – Friday, October 23rd.  Many of the older students help run the Monster Mash.  A chair person is needed for this event.  Heather volunteered to chair this event.  Also Jayena Boldt and Kathy Weinberg will help with this event. 

School t-shirts should be sold at curriculum nights. Juli Fisher and Jamie Blick volunteered to sell.

New Business:

Jodele announced that she regrets having to step down as Glenwood President.  She has really enjoyed her time on the PTO.  Carlene Goodbody would like to be nominated as the new Glenwood President.  Carlene told us about her experience with volunteer coordinating and fundraising and is happy to help out.  Carlene was nominated as the new Glenwood President.  Nomination was seconded and approved.

Kathy Weinberg and Danielle Rebar will chair a movie night.  PG movies okay for Laurin.  Kathy will chair Laurin movie night and Danielle will chair one for Glenwood.

Upcoming Levy -  Principal McMillen announced that there will be a levy February 9th.  The levy funds are desperately needed especially with the recent budget cuts.  People can call the district office or the principals to get information about where the levy funds go and how they are used.  Angie explained the difference between levies and bonds.  The levies are needed to fund the learning aspects, teacher, supplies, activities, etc. and the bonds fund buildings.  For the next meeting, possibly someone from Citizen’s for Better Schools could make a presentation. 

PTO web site – A forum for parents and teachers to suggest agenda items will be added to the web site.  Teacher’s wish lists will continue to go through the Principals.  Motion to put on web site approved.

Principals and PTO should include information on how PTO funds are being used in newsletters.  Danielle Rebar will draft a quarterly PTO newsletter.

A parent expressed disappointment that Laurin doesn’t have any sports.  Lisa H. advised that it’s because of the lack of levy funds.  Principal McMillen advised that although there are no school sponsored sports, there are intramurals offered several times per year. 

Meeting adjourned 8:02 pm by Jodele Mistretta. Next PTO meeting Thursday, October 1st in the Laurin Commons at 6:45.