March 2014 Minutes

Union Sanborn/Southwick School PTO

Meeting Minutes

March 6, 2014

In Attendance: Christie Mingolla, Christina Cann, Heather Durgin, Jessica L., Leigh-Anne Phelps, Cindy Cilley, Mrs. Proulx, Mr. Hines, Mr. Cheney, Mrs. Swain, Mrs. Parker, Miss Wisler

The meeting was called to order at 6:34 by Leigh-Anne Phelps.

Secretary’s Report

• Leigh-Anne Phelps motioned to approve the minutes as submitted.  Mrs. Parker seconded.  All were in favor.  Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report

• Monthly Expenses: Applebee’s raffle winner ($40.00), Tiger Program for both schools ($1300.00), Valentine teacher breakfast ($450.92), Box Top postage ($43.20), Holiday Craft Fair expense ($16.65)
• Monthly Income: Applebee’s Breakfast fundraiser (reported on it last month, but not deposited until this month, $775.00), Spirit Wear sales ($75.00), Applebee’s raffle ($40.00)
• Anticipated Bills: Southwick School snacks ($4.32), Tilton Sport Center Night Out ($350.00), Parent Internet meeting ($150.00), Holiday Shoppe custodial fee ($200.00)
• Leigh-Anne Phelps motioned to accept the treasurer’s report as read.  Mrs. Parker seconded.  All were in favor.  Motion passed.

AiR Grant/Funding

• Mrs. Swain presented and passed out information about the residency and information on both artists.
• It will take place in March 2015, Southwick School to host the African themed residency.
• The theme will be on community: peace, love and unity; for grades 3-5
• Will have 2 artists working together collaboratively (they have done this before); Olusegun would focus on sand painting and folklore; kids will create their own personal sand paintings to take home and also create a large mural that will be displayed permenantly in the school.
• Theo would work with Mr. Winslow and Mrs. Morrill on African dance, drumming patterns and rhythyms; at end of the AiR, students will put on an ensemble and dance as the culminating event.
• The artists have given suggestions on things we can do with the kids before they come.
• It will take place over 8 consecutive days; on the first day, the school will meet together for an opening assembly; Theo will get the kids pumped up; then split into music and art room; kids will meet with both artists 3 times for about 45 minutes each time; on the 8^th day there will be a culminating event; that night the community is welcomed for an open house – grades will rotate to different activities: in gym to do their drumming and dancing then go to see mural then into classrooms to see individual work; meanwhile the librarian is going to get folktale books about Africa to read to students in library; computer lab will have sites to learn about African life style and every day life; kitchen staff will make African food for kids to sample; in the classrooms kids will do writing and response to their artwork they created and to celebrate community; beginning of next year start with kids creating colorful artwork based on Africa as a welcome for both artists and give kids background knowledge.
• Mr. Hines presented on the fees for the 8 days $3572.56 + $3576.28 for artists; have applied for a grant in the amount of $3574.42; the Southwick School budget is contributing $2500.00; looking for PTO to contribute the remaining $1074.42.  Sometimes grants come through fully funded, but usually not, therefore asking for a reserve of an additional $1425.61 from PTO for a total of $2500.00.
• There was lots of positive feedback from the group – skills across curriculum, enthusiasm across the board with staff; would be great to tie into Union Sanborn, maybe provide a live feed so they could see the culminating event.
• Cindy Cilley made a motion to approve the funds requested from PTO.  All were in favor.  Motion passed.

Tilton Sports Center Event

• Heather Durgin presented – 53 kids prepaid already to attend; total of $155.00 already paid.
• She has done up a flyer to send home the Monday before the event as a reminder; also will put one at Pines and town library; it’s been in the bulletins from school secretaries as well.
• Tickets for those prepaid to date will go home on Friday.
• $350.00 actual cost.
• Arts & crafts are still being offered; she has all the materials as a donation.
• 3 parents have expressed interest in volunteering; 3 staff members from the facility will circulate; they supply all the materials for sports games; divide field for soccer and kick ball.
• Epic and Dispicable Me 2 for movie choices
• Parking for 70 vehicles, no off street parking
• Bake sale – is there a policy there about this? She believes they offer snacks there, she will check on us being able to sell water.
• Cindy Cilley has samples from fundraiser that can be put on display that night.
• Christie Mingolla asked if we could get involved with Sanbornton’s PTO and extend the invite to their school for community.  The group decided that yes it’s ok to reach out to them.  Heather Durgin will contact the principal to see who to contact on their PT; can also advertise at town library.

Bus Driver Appreciation

• Cindy Cilley will pick up the gift cards.
• Mrs. Proulx will hand them out.
• Mrs. Swain’s art club will make the banner for Southwick School; Mrs. Proulx said they will do one down her way for Union Sanborn School.
• March 21^st is when we will have everything ready by.

Ideas for Parent Involvement

• Co-President and Treasurer terms are up this year.  In April, we will get candidates; hold elections in May/June; this will be posted in a Backpack Express and a flyer home.
• The group has tried to get more parent involvement by offering babysitting, providing food, and trying earlier times and different days of the week.
• Suggestions were made by group members: Facebook page (Miss Wisler will look into this with Maria Pearson tomorrow); having different events to spice things up; offer a give-away if they come to a meeting (i.e. tickets to event); Mr. Cheney will look into Pinterest for ideas; 6:30pm time is not convenient for all families (childcare with us is an issue if we change the time); what about a morning meeting (won’t get child care then); present at step-up days (wear an “ask me about PTO” badge, we can also wear them at events so that we are identifiable
• Concerns were raised with miscommunication with preschool families.  Mrs. Proulx will look into this.

Open Floor

• Tanger Grant – Cindy Cilley sent in the summary from last year’s grant and is all set; this year’s grant would like to speak to Mr. Hines and Mrs. Proulx about it before submitting.
• Nature’s Vision Fundraiser – goes home tomorrow; will run from March 7-21^st; needs help counting money last week of March (Tuesday the 25^th); Heather Durgin will help; if orders are in by April 8^th we will have everything in before April vacation.
• Last night at the 6^th grade introduction meeting Sue Collins said she does not want to do Box Tops any more; Christina Mingolla said she would do it for Union Sanborn School; Mr. Cheney offered to do it for Southwick School if there are no parent volunteers; will advertise in next Backpack Express.
• Tiger Program is scheduled for March 21^st at Southwick School; we were also able to get the workshop component for the third graders and Union Sanborn School for 2^nd graders; will get a curriculum and a CD.

Mrs. Parker motioned to adjourn.  Mrs. Proulx seconded.  All were in favor.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 pm.

*** The next meeting will be Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 6:30 in the Southwick School Media Center ***