Tavelli PTO meeting

December 5^th, 2006

The PTO meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. Paula Metcalf, President of the Tavelli Parent Teacher Organization. A sign-in sheet was passed around.

I. Approval of Minutes: Kristen Draper approved. Lynn Knebel seconded. Want to add the decision on volunteering hour for the boy scouts. Dr. Lawler

and PTO Board have found some things that they can volunteer clean up leaves and play ground area recycle bends every 2 weeks set up and break down need for events that will be held.

II. Treasurer’s Report: Given by Crystal Long, Treasurer of the Tavelli PTO.

Gold C is done. $6,000 earned, $1,200 sign-on bonus.

Sally Foster. Still need bill ($3000). Idea: Put together

Sign-on bonuses in budget. We decided to put the total separately in the hidden column, so that know for future references.

It’s there if needed. Lynne: Makes sense to check. Book Fair: This year was 5 days versus 4 days in the past, made the same $ as last year. ($2,058 actually earned). Trinkets were added this year to an unknown benefit. She will maybe do just 4 days next year.

III. Committee Update:

Gold C: Gold C: mentioned in Treasurer’s report. Will sell Gold C out of office next year.

Sally Foster: also mentioned in Treasurer’s Report. Lynn asked if it is in. Paula said that a note went home today for pickups and that it is in.

Read-a-thon: Kristen is thrilled with the schedule. They are trying to get bookmarks/stickers from Barnes & Nobel; not a major purchase though. Pledge Sheets: Kids made and voted on. Lynn and Kristen will have each class create a “Cat in the Hat” like poem then have a vote contest, either a classroom activity or a contest within the room. Will meet with the teacher’s in January. The end of February will do the pledging, and then two weeks before March 2^nd will go out Feb 15^th in the Thursday folders. Is the 50^th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’ “Cat in the Hat”. There are 267 words in the book. What they want is for the students to use the limited words that they will supply – words about Tavelli. Tavelli, Tigers, etc…Lynn says all will get involved, some in small ways, others larger. Kristen says 250 pledge sheets, and that Dr. Lawler and Bev will be Thing One and Thing Two.

Paula said to get in the Tiger Tails, and to get information from Crystal. Crystal said money goes to teachers for their classrooms and field trip contributions. Kristen said it is a good idea to be specific. Kristen also said teacher meetings are Thursday mornings. Dr. Lawler asked how important is it that teachers get back, encouraging kids more important. Kristen again said to be more specific, get teachers willing to help. Dr. Lawler will pick date later. Kristen said a week or two before the poems.

Melanie threw out the idea of coloring in the pledge amounts like a thermostat for the “Cat in the Hat” fundraiser. Dr. Lawler asked if we had a goal. Kristen said the goal is $4000. Kristen also said that last year they knew the author, $800 last year.

They will get a banner. Lynn and Kristen both wanted to bring the total $ down this year to lower the expectation, that way to have a lower goal that they hope would be reached. Or keep the goal the same, but do not raise it.

Team Tavelli. Posters up the 6^th grade. 1^st return on Thursday. Dr. Lawler said to put the pledge in weekly (i.e. We’re 65% there…). Kirsten said good to have reminder about the pledges. Kirsten also said they wanted to put the pledge sheets out with the bookmarks and tootsie rolls and gum. Paula said not sweets, but maybe sugar-free suckers. Melanie said stickers, but that kids love whatever you do. Dr. Lawler said that February is coming soon. We need to build this up, and put information out. Kristen said she would write up something and put in the teachers inboxes. Paula mentioned that seeing things 6 or 7 times is sometimes needed before learning. Lynn said that the gym is reserved.

In summary, poems up by Feb 2^nd, then tallied, then voted on, then the favorites announced over intercom.

Miscellaneous: Paula said the Tavelli Character and Education t-shirts will come out for Christmas. Paula said the pancake breakfast and book fair will be combined, and they are trying to coordinate.

Directory: This has gone to the printer and will have before Christmas. Kristen said the directory is needed for calling on parents to build the volunteer list.

Wellness Fair: Paula said the wellness fair will have it’s 1^st meeting on the 18^th. Need to coordinate with Jane on the Walk-a-thon. Want to have a flat donation, which has not been figured out yet. Pledge sheet in there – get t-shirt for Duatholon in the Spring. They are working on finalizing this. Dr. Lawler said that the event will not be day-long. The Wellness fair will be in April.

Fundraisers that are possibility: Collecting cans. Mrs. Bruella from Aragon said if the cans are brought to the dumpster This could be either 1 or 2 days a week. They will collect and make a flat donation to the school. A meeting will be set up. Possibly run with “Earth Week”.

Character Ed: T-shirts will be hand out before Christmas Fall group picture? How to do the group picture taken on same day as passed out.

Spirit Wear: Emma: Vest/Jacket project on web site. Will make about $5 per order. Used Burt’s Logo Apparel. “Rob did a great job”.

Box Top: When are all box tops due? By Dec 15^th.

IV. Special Guest

A. Dr. Lawler

Coloradoan paper released reports; he had a sneak preview. Ratings: Tavelli, High with Significantly Improving.

Dr. Lawler pleased. Said there is more going on in the school, but still nice to have a profile on the our school.

B. Title 1 Mary Anne Wherry

They like the little building, which she described as “cost”. They have 5 full levels, 2 half level, and 1 professional. They work with small groups of 2 to 4, mostly 3. They try to get reading skills up using reading strategies, etc… all components of reading that are appropriate.

They are assigned to first grade. They work on the same skills that they’re working on.

A Title 1 Book is sent home. Parents then sign, and ribbons are given. The 1 volunteer helps when parents don't. They use the computer to count words that are read. They then practice, answer questions, write summaries and graph.

Dr. Lawler asked her to describe the team, and she said “fantastic”. “Everyone shares information and material”. The 1^st grade partnership is excellent this year. She said the “1^st grade teachers are amazing”.

She had one request. She said the Title 1 program manages the McKinney homeless program or those with unstable housing (of which there is about 20 in the school). She wondered in they cannot afford this can $ be given to them. They are only approached about 3 or 4 times about this. Can this be an avenue of PTO funding? Paula thought that we had something set up for this, as a scholarship. Dr. Lawler asked how much $. Mary Anne said no more that $50. Melanie said that there is a K-2 Book Trust with 3-6 coupons for books. “Christmas Mouse”. Crystal said there is a line in the budget for “Education Title 1” with $ for special education. Title 1 for District has a $50 budget for those who need it for lunch. Those students who have free or reduce lunch get much for book that the student gets some much money a month for the book orders. McKinney is a grant that is renewed every 3 years for literacy. Crystal said she would follow through.

8:03 Meeting Adjourned

PTO Meeting notes

Jill Williams PTO Secretary