Minutes from the June 4, 2007 PTO meeting were approved as submitted.

Treasure’s report (Carolyn Larson and Julie Taylor): Budget was passed out to look over.

Principal’s Report (Mr. Mariucci): School budget is based on enrollment. We are down 11 students from our projected enrollment. Our 7th and 8^th grade is funded at the same level as the elementary grades as we are considered an elementary school. Capitol Hill is the lowest funded school in the district. Fourth grade boy/girl ratio was off due to random reading study and some tweaking was allowed to try to rebalance these classrooms. MCA testing results for last year were mailed home. Our math scores are accelerated but our reading scores were lower and raise concern. The junior high is not a gifted program, which does impact overall test results. The reading study should help shed some light on the reading level concern. This year focus on welcoming all students to school and have each child complete a simple questionnaire. Open positions still available include: receptionist, secretary and 7th and 8^th grade science teacher.

Old Business:

Joint Rondo Playground Initiative (Maggie O’Reilly): First phase costing $75,000 is complete and ready for the kids. Second phase will cost at least that much. First graders are the only class not using the new playground, Loius to look into. Next playground fundraising gala is scheduled for Saturday, February 23^rd.

PTO Funding Rubric: A rough draft is in place to use this year to see how things go. We are still struggling on weighing student impact, and in kind funding. May need to change the multi-cultural inclusion to demographic inclusion. The rubric would be used for 30% of the PTO budget focusing on funding requests. The completed rubric will give an objective decision to what is funded rather than a subjective one. We need a person to chair this project and additional volunteers to bring the project to completion.

New Business:

1st Grade Welcome Dinner (Julie Taylor): Everything is falling in place. Having a difficult time finding entertainment for $300. Will look at libraries for entertainers, possible jugglers, Mime, magician. Are need of more volunteers and will contact 2^nd grade parent ‘s to see if they can volunteer.

Listserv (Darlene Haecker): Communication between parent, teachers, students ongoing struggle. Would like to form a committee to look at a listserv to be able to email parents who give us their email. Email form here would identify Capitol Hill so parents know it comes form school PTO. Kristen Cleveland has contacted district to see if they can help. Margaret Celebrezze offered to be a part of committee.

Ergo Dynamic Rakes (Mary Weir): Received 1,400 of these free. They sell at Bachman’s for $25 each. Currently being stored above gym. Need to determine what to do with them.

Election of Officers: The following officers were elected for 2007-2008: Katy Haas, chair-elect, Carolyn Larson, treasure, Aerine Caerwyn, secretary, Maureen Dolan, Volunteer coordinator.

Site Council Liaison: Ali Turner volunteered to be the site council liaison for PTO for the 2007-2008 school year.

Parent Information Night: Provide childcare for this event. Last year restless and crying kids during teachers talk.  Can PTO or principal find child care workers?

Classroom Snack before testing (Mary Weir): Last year parents provided snacks and water for kids before testing. Louis Mariucci will look into getting a list of testing dates for school year to plan classroom snacks ahead of time. Have parents in each class donate healthy snacks and water.

Room Parent: Other schools have a room parent who organizes parties, email to parents, parents to volunteer when needed. Karen Percich will get a description to Darlene Haecker to email to teachers to see response. The room parent could also be another way to improve communication between parents and teachers.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:16 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Darlene Haecker, PTO Chair for Aerine Caerwyn, PTO Secretary