SPPS Capitol Hill -- Capitol Hill Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Meeting Minutes

Minutes from October, November, December meetings were submitted. Due to time constraints, officers were asked to report changes by end of week at which time Darlene will approve the minutes. Annie Yetter will send them to Randi Madisen to post on line.

Treasurer’s Report: No report. Carolyn Larson not able to attend.

Principal’s Report: Mary Bridgeman reported on the St. Paul Schools’ Parents’ Fair. Specifically, she worked the jr. high booth and fielded many questions from parents about admission and whether program at jr. high level was a G&T curriculum. Parents at the PTO meeting were curious as well, and Ali Turner suggested attending next week’s Sit Council meeting to discuss more fully.

Site Council: Ali Turner raised safety concerns about the Green Door area. Darlene will pass along her folder of contacts and information. Anita Fisher voiced several suggestions for improvements which were met with brief descriptions of what has already been tried. It was agreed that it is a Site Council issue, not a PTO issue.

PTO Issues: One officer still has not submitted background check. Darlene to communicate a deadline to this person.

New Business

Peach Sale: Wayne Lundeen proposed that CH sell Colorado peaches to raise money for the school. He has contacted Cunningham peaches to explore the possibilities, and was told that CH could pre-sell 320 20-pound boxes at roughly $23-25 per box. If we ordered fewer than 320 there would be a shipping fee. The profit per box would be $4.50-6.00. His idea is to pre-sell to adults at the carnival, have them fill out a self-addressed postcard and mail the postcard when the peaches arrive, between August 10-30. Issues discussed included not knowing the depth of enthusiasm for peaches, whether people would remember to pick up their boxes, where the boxes would be delivered, among other things. It was decided that advertising in the newsletter, and perhaps at parent-teacher conferences would be key to gauging interest. Wayne will continue discussions with the farmer to firm up quantities and to confirm our interest in pursuing this as a fundraiser for the spring of 2008.

Old Business

Directories: Correction sheet due shortly from Ayesha. Still looking for lead volunteer for the coming year.

Direct Drive: Specifics not available due to treasurer’s absence. Roughly $6,000 collected to date per Darlene.

Junior High Microscopes: Received $2,000 from the Gary R. Carlson Charitable Gift Fund to fund repairs of jr. high microscopes. Darlene to determine if this is from a parent, or someone else, and then will send a thank you from PTO. Acknowledgement will appear in newsletter if donor gives permission.

Funding Rubric: Consultant who initially helped create rubric will meet one more time with group when her schedule clears.

Playground (Maggie O’Reilly): Gala is February 23 at the Children’s Museum with Mayor Chris Coleman as the keynote speaker. GameTime has been selected as the supplier for Phase 2. They were the equipment supplier for Phase 1. Maggie to work with Maureen Dolan to find volunteers for the gala.

Newsletter: Maggie O’Reilly reported that upcoming newsletter is full. Submissions must be received by Feb. 15^th for next issue.

Maureen Dolan to write recruitment item for milk lids/ink cartridges/box tops/soup label volunteers.

Lost & Found: Maureen Dolan to assist Dr. Garcia with overflowing lost and found bins located in nurse’s office. Ideally, items would be available for parents to go through during parent-teacher conferences in March.

Carnival: First meeting of organizing group held. Carnival is April 18, 2008.

Discussion List: No progress to report. Ed Davis not at meeting. Maggie O’Reilly sent name of district contact to Michael Caerwyn who volunteered to pursue this.

Fundraising: Darlene requested person to take charge of sorting through the many fundraising catalogues PTO receives. It was suggested that a spreadsheet comparing cost/benefit, number of volunteers needed, past successes would be helpful going forward. Maureen Dolan to examine.

Decision made to re-order t-shirts next year if a volunteer can be located. Current inventory to be sold when possible.
Maureen Dolan to pursue selling rakes at parent-teacher conferences March 18-20^th.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm. Next meeting Monday, March 3, 2008 from 6:30-8:30 pm, Room 1407.

People attending meeting: Anita Fisher; Mike Fry; Dan Marckel; Maureen Dolan; Wayne Lundeen; Aerine Caerwyn; Mary Bridgman; Maggie O’Reilly; Ali Turner; Darlene Haecker; Annie Yetter.

Respectfully submitted by Annie Yetter.