Board members present:
Laurin President, Juli Fisher
Laurin Vice President, Lisa Henry
Treasurer: Lori Robinson
Secretary: Missy Hannon
Glenwood Vice President: Kathy Weinberg  

Kathy Weinberg opened the meeting. 

Open Vacancy:

On behalf of the PTO, Kathy publicly expressed her appreciation for Fawn Clark and the role she has played as Glenwood President.  The PTO received her resignation notice and this meeting is to address that vacant role.  Fawn successfully served well as she spearheaded the Harvest Festival and worked tirelessly last year on the Spaghetti/Bingo Auction.  Her partnership with Glenwood will be missed.

Jodele Mistretta has offered to fill this vacancy.  Jodele has served faithfully in so many roles with the PTO that she would be an incredible asset to Glenwood Elementary and to the PTO team.  There was a motion to approve Jodele as Glenwood President.  All voted in favor.  Motion Passed.

Laurin Volunteer Coordinator:

Kathy introduced Jayena Boldt-Hanssen as the new Laurin Volunteer Coordinator.  She let us know that she also goes by the name “Jay.”  We are very excited to see the growing expansion of roles within the PTO and volunteers that serve at both schools.  Kathy will be working closely with Jay as they establish group emails for volunteers for Laurin, develop list of needs, etc..

Newsletter:

Juli shared that she and Lisa Henry just finalized the first quarterly PTO newsletter.  We are excited about this new communication tool that will bring better awareness to our parents of PTO activities, school activities and needs within the schools.  It will be sent out via email to all Laurin parents and printed to be sent home with students at Glenwood.

Upcoming Events:

Dads and Kids Pizza Night, February 12^th   Our first Watch D.O.G.S. Kickoff event will be held in the Glenwood Gym.  All Dads, Grandpas, Uncles and Father figures are invited to come have some FREE pizza and drinks with their kids and learn more about the Watch D.O.G.S. program starting at Glenwood.  Chairperson:  Jim Fairchild (360) 852-8209.

Laurin Cookie Dough Fundraiser:  March 9^th-20^th   The primary fundraiser for Laurin is sure to be a good one with all funds going directly to benefit Laurin.  Chairperson:  Lisa Henry (360) 546-3575

We are still in need of chairpersons for the following events:

1.     Glenwood BBQ and Open House, March 5^th.  Talk with the teachers and have dinner with your kids at the Glenwood Open House. 

2.      Laurin BBQ and Open House, March 26^th.  Come have a BBQ dinner while attending your child’s open house at Laurin Middle School

3.      Teacher Appreciation at Glenwood and Laurin, May 4^th-8^th.  This week we recognize and show appreciation for all of the hard work the teachers and staff have put into our students all year.  Please join us in celebrating this week with special goodies/cards/and tokens of appreciation to the wonderful staff at these schools!  Flyers will be sent home giving suggestions on how to help us make this week special.  Glenwood chair:  kim Dunford (360) 891-5929.  The Laurin Chair position is still open.  Please contact Jayena Boldt-Hanssen (360) 601-0554 to volunteer!

4.      Spaghetti/Bingo/Auction, May 2^nd   6pm-8pm.  There was much discussion regarding the enormous details of this event.  We are looking for four donation specialists in the following categories: 

a.       New Items

b.      Gently Used (Like new) items

c.      Homemade Crafts/Art/Etc.

d.      Teachers/Classrooms baskets

We also need a chairperson to coordinate the entire event, someone to coordinate the food, someone to coordinate the bingo (prizes, tickets, etc).  This team will encompass one overall coordinator with about ten other chairpersons.

5.      Family fun nights at both schools.  The PTO is interested in having a Family Fun Night for Glenwood (Sock Hop, Movie Night, Luau) and a Movie Night for Laurin Middle School Students.  If you have some creative ideas on a fun family night or would like to help organize the event, please contact Kathy Weinberg (Glenwood 360.892.5422) or Jayena Boldt-Hanssen (Laurin 360.601.0554)

Meeting concluded.  Next PTO meeting will be March 10^th, in the Library at Laurin.

Board members present:
Glenwood President, Fawn Clark
Laurin President, Julie Fisher
Laurin Vice President, Lisa Henry
Treasurer: Lori Robinson
Secretary: Missy Hannon
Glenwood Vice President: Kathy Weinberg

Minutes:  There were no changes.  There was a motion to approve the minutes. Motion passed with all in favor.

Budget:  Lori shared that there weren’t many changes since the last meeting.  Cocoa and Caring came in under budget.  We received $56 in donation from the parent who had a coffee cart at the Cocoa and Caring event.  The PTO also gave $50 to the cubby choir to help with the pianist needed for practice and for the event.  Motion to approve current financials, all approved.

Vice Presidents:  The bylaws allow for adding voting members of the Executive board.  Due to Julie’s illness, the Board realized how important it is to have additional elected officers.  Therefore, Lisa Henry will be the new vice president of Laurin and Kathy Weinberg will be the new vice president of Glenwood.  Motion was given to approve.  All in attendance were in favor, none opposed. 

Boxtops:  Sandy Cain wanted to inform that the last collection of boxtops was over $1000.00.  The deadline to mail the boxtops in was October 31^st.  Sandy met the deadline; however it wasn’t showing on the website as having been received.  She was able to track the box due to having a tracking code.  She called and boxtops is way behind with their counting and procedures.  She has been assured of receiving the boxtops check even though the shipment is being shown in their system.

The second issue is that she submits under Glenwood elementary.  They cannot make a check out to Glenwood Laurin PTO.  They let her know that Laurin has an account as well.    Lori let Sandy know that the checks can be deposited into the PTO account, even though they say Glenwood Elementary. 

Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students):  February 12^th, from 6:00pm-7:00pm will be the pizza kickoff event with dads and their children.  There will be a short presentation and dads will have an opportunity to sign up for this program.  Some opportunities will include playing on the playground with kids, having lunch with kids, reading with kids, etc.. 

Dads will wear a vest/uniform and will have a full schedule of needs for their day.  This program is in 38 states, over 700 schools and over 30,000 dads involved. 

Question regarding those students who don’t have a dad available to participate.  Eric let those in attendance know that anyone who is a “fatherly” figure can participate which can include grandparents, big brothers, neighbors, etc..  There will be background checks on every participant.  This program is also done in middle school systems.  The thought is to initiate it at the elementary level, where the students become adjusted and then possibly transition it to the middle school level.

8^th grade celebration:  Motion was communicated to give the committee $100 to help with their graduation needs.  Motion was approved and passed.

Family Fun Night-Glenwood:  Fawn is looking at a program that will come and provide all activities/equipment for something like a sock-hop or other event.  A chairperson is still needed.

Family Movie Night-Laurin:  The Laurin PTO team would like to use the new theater and have a movie night.  Jodi has approved a PG movie.  The 8^th grade celebration has requested selling refreshments and popcorn to help with their fundraising.  We are looking for a chairperson for this event.

Glenwood BBQ, February 19^th:  Eric requested to delay the open house/bbq.  He is working with his staff to identify the purpose of this event.  He is possibly looking at changing the open house and becoming more purposeful with this event.  Tiffany Gould brought up the opportunity to connect with the Dr. Seuss Read across America event around March 2^nd. 

Cookie Dough, March 9^th-20^th:  Lisa Henry will be chairing this fundraiser.  It is shelf stable and doesn’t have to be refrigerated. 

Laurin BBQ, March 26^th:  There is a need for a chairperson for this event.

Split Income:  Board discussed that we would like to split the income of the PTO so that Glenwood fundraisers go to Glenwood and Laurin fundraisers will go towards Laurin project needs.  Anything that is co-mingled will be split down the middle.  Discussion followed regarding individual events.   Most of the concern seemed centered around Harvest Fest and the Spaghetti/Bingo Auction.    There was a motion to have the payback books to be directed to Glenwood Elementary and Laurin cookie dough sales to be directed to Laurin fundraising efforts.  Motion passed by a vote.  The spaghetti night/bingo auction is scheduled for May 16^th.

Needed now:

Laurin Volunteer coordinator & SCRIP Coordinator

Needed next year:

Treasurer & Laurin President

Principals address:

Jodi would like to thank the board for the sweatshirts.  Jodi would like to bring up the need for easels and student reward incentives.  Eric would like to see the mentoring program funded as well. 

The Laurin wishlist as of this meeting includes:  student reward incentives $1000, safety backpacks $720, atomic clocks $1200, mentoring $3750, Easels $800, CD Players $250, CD Listening Centers $400, Math & Board Games $225.  Total $8345

Eric motioned that all $8345 is approved.  There was a second.  All were in favor.  Motion passed.

Next PTO meeting will be Thursday, March 5^th at 6:30 in the Laurin Media Center.  There may be a change in this date to accommodate a school event that may occur that week.

The meeting was called to order by Lisa Henry at 3:30 p.m.

Present:
Lisa Henry (Laurin Co-President)
Treasurer: Lori Robinson
Secretary: Missy Hannon
Volunteer Coordinator: Kathy Weinberg
 

Also in attendance:

Eric Hoglund, Glenwood Principal;  Jodi McMillen, Laurin Principal and 23 additional parents and teachers.

The PTO started out with a formal apology to the parents and teachers for the way the November PTO meeting ended.  It was never the intent of the meeting to discuss at such great length the problems that have been associated with the communication and volunteer issues that have plagued the PTO for years.   We will endeavor to improve and speak with the Principals much more often in private conversation and not bring problems to the PTO meetings.  It is our desire to strengthen and grow our organization to serve and partner with both Glenwood Elementary and Laurin Middle School.

Lisa shared that Julie was still having medical issues but it finally looked like she might be improving.   Everyone was very thankful to hear that news as she has been missed.

Lori shared the financial report.  Financials were voted into approval.

Missy informed with regret that her laptop had crashed and would have the November PTO minutes at the next meeting.

Lisa opened the discussion regarding the potential split of the Glenwood /Laurin PTO into two separate programs.  She asked and received pros and cons associated with such a split.  There were many past PTO Presidents and Board members in attendance who graciously shared their experiences which were very helpful.

Lisa thanked everyone for sharing their experiences.  She informed that this would not be a time for decision making but that input was appreciated.

Both Principals shared regarding their private meeting with the PTO Board and the dialogue that was opened, and how appreciative they were of the Board.  The Board in exchange shared their commitment to creating an organization that increases parental involvement and how much they really want to be providing unique opportunities and events for the students.

Jodi shared that she had already been in contact with other middle schools to find out how PTO organizations work in partnership with the Middle School.  There has been an increased focus on Jodi’s part to increase her communication and have an understanding of the goals of the PTO.  She will report back her findings to the Laurin PTO President and Vice President.

As well, Lisa Henry-Laurin PTO Vice-President will be working with Laurin and overseeing the upcoming cookie dough fundraiser. 

Kathy Weinberg shared that she had heard from Fawn that she may be resigning.  That was confirmed from Eric Hoglund, Principal of Glenwood elementary.  The board decided to wait for formal notification before acting on this possible news.  In the event that Fawn will be resigning, Kim Fallon offered her services to assist wherever needed.

Meeting adjourned.