PTO News

Heartland Elementary PTO ~ General Minutes
Conference Room
Monday, August 31, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Call to Order
Anne called the meeting to order at 7:30, and talked about how this year the Steering Committee and General group will be meeting the same evenings.

Review Minutes

Introductions
People introduced themselves; there were 15 parents (this includes parents on the Steering Committee) as well as Mrs. Huebert. It was shared that there are many ways to be involved with PTO coming to meetings, being a part of the committee.
Officer's Report
President
1. Goals for Year
Anne reported that the goals for the PTO group in its second year is to have each committee have a chair, delegate to committees, and to increase our parent involvement. Also, continuing to increase the home/school connection.
2. Continued Positive Response from Teachers/Community
Anne Regier shared that the teachers loved things that everything that the PTO did last year, such as birthday treats, goodies for the classroom, and the meals at the Parent/Teacher conferences. Along with teachers being thankful for the things done last year, people in the community have shared that the PTO has been doing some great things.
Treasurer
Barb Casper reported that after starting last year with a balance of zero we currently have $638.61. Last year we did several fund raisers (concessions stand, sale water at Field Day, sale of T-shirts, cake raffle, etc.) purchased things for the teachers that they needed in their classrooms and have helped purchase materials needed to start a crossing guard program.
Committee Reports
There are none at this time.

Anne Regier shared what the chair of the each committee would do (refer to Announce New Committees Chairs later in the minutes).

Principal's Report
Mrs. Huebert shared information about the Crossing Guard program that will begin in the next week or two with the 6th graders as crossing guards after school. Para's will be outside helping to supervise this. Students who ride the bus will also have an opportunity to be crossing guards. Mrs. Huebert will let the bus driver know so he/she will not leave the student. A note will be sent home to parents and students in the 6th grade. If need be there will be a note sent home to 5th graders. The students will be able to volunteer.

We have an opportunity for PTO members (that are physically strong) to help put down the rubber mats down underneath the playground structure that was moved over from the Bradshaw center. This would be done with the assistance of the students involved with FFA.

There was discussion that we do not have a set project for the year, and that can be discussed at the next meeting.

Old Business

Fish Wish List Bulletin Board
This will be a bulletin board by Mrs. Huebert's office that has "fish" on it that will list supplies that is needed in the classrooms. The parents can "fish" for what teachers need, and then bring in the item to the class. Mrs. Huebert will have the board up by Parent/Teachers Conference. Anne Regier will organize the way it will look.

Email & Member Information Update
We had parents update their emails in attendance this evening. Anne Regier shared that if parents know of someone not receiving an email to let someone on the Steering Committee know so corrections can be made.

New Business

Email agenda & minutes
This year the agenda & minutes will be emailed to parents. There was discussion about the PTO having a link to the school web site. This is being looked into. Nichole Wetjen will email the minutes to Sara Arbuck therefore she can forward them to PTO members.

Announce New Committees Chairs
Anne Regier went over what each Committee is responsible for, and what she has in each file. For those who are interested in being a Chair of Committee had an opportunity to sign up this evening. If people are interested in being a part of the committee please contact the Chair of the Committee:

Teacher Care Packages Gina Mestl
Label & Box Tops open at this time
Middle School Basketball Concessions Ressa Real
Teacher Treats for the Lounge Megan Boyd
Parent/Teacher Conference Meals Angie Bergen
Book Fair Tonya Carr
Cake Raffle Toni Allen & Lisa Quiring
Water Bottle open at this time
Teacher Birthdays Cara Kroeker

There will be a note sent home and an email sent letting parents know of what committees there are, and who to contact if they are interested, or even to contact Anne Regier if they are interested in being a Chair of a Committee.

The Committees that are PTO funded are Teacher Birthdays (keep under $5), Teacher Care Packages (keep under $25) and Middle School Basketball Concessions (to purchase items that are sold at the concessions).

There was discussion about having Sara Arbuck, Coordinator, provide information on website or a possible newsletter about what various committees need.

Feedback from members
None at this time.

Upcoming events
Cake Raffle October 15th (Sutton Volleyball) and January 22nd (Centennial Basketball).

Anne Regier ended the meeting at 8:30 pm.

Next meeting date: Monday, October 5, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Nichole Wetjen, Secretary