Central School PTO Minutes

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Introduction: The meeting began at 9:03 am in the Library. The PTO officers in attendance: Mary Ellen Meindl, Michelle Marconi, Melinda Brom, Jane Wilhelm, Kathy Dudek, Nancy Hutchings, Linda LaBelle, Jennifer Sedivy and Patrick O’Laughlin. Also in attendance: Central School Principal Dr. Limperis and Central School Teacher Samantha Lutz.

Minutes: The September 9, 2008 minutes were approved by Nancy Hutchings and seconded by Michelle Hejna.

Officers’ Reports

President: Mary Ellen Meindl passed around a sign up sheet for volunteers to provide dinner to the teachers for the November 24^th Parent-Teacher conferences.

Correspondence: Jennifer Sedivy passed around teacher thank you notes for events and DVDs as well as the sign up sheet for the Hospitality table.

Treasurer’s Report: Jane Wilhelm reported on the budget. Items of note on the accounting: the amount in income under the Yearbook covers the calendar, the directory and the yearbook; the amount in income for the school directory should be switched with the calendar printing; and a profit of $111.50 was made at the Fall Family Fun Night from ice cream sales.

Principal’s Report: Dr. Limperis reported on the district initiatives for the writing program. The overview of the program can be found at www.regieroutman.com. The goal is to help the children to move from dependent to independent writers. For Social Studies, the Scott Foresman series is being used (2nd year of use) which dovetails with the guided reading program. For more information please go to www.sfsocialstudies.com. Dr. Limperis detailed the new K.I.T.E. program (Kindergarteners Improving Toward Excellence). The program is a two day a week program to develop motor skills, handwriting skills (using pilot program “handwriting without tears”, if it goes well, it will be used for all Kindergarten classes). The students are selected for the program based on testing: District-wide 31 students qualified for the program and 28 accepted. The draft of the Civility and Communication Guidelines for District 96 were presented which are: 1) professional/friendly language will only be used, if it isn’t, the conversation will be ended; 2) phone/email correspondence will be returned in one business day; 3) conferences will only be on a scheduled basis; 4) everyone must sign in when visiting the school. The ISATs for this year were 88% or above (met/exceeded standards) in every category. The 3rd grade achieved a 100% in Math.

Teacher Representative: Samantha Lutz reported that Parent-Teacher conferences are Friday. If you were not given a conference time, you will have one in November. Samantha passed around some examples from the 4^th Grade haiku poetry lesson as well as posters on common and proper nouns.

Meet the Teacher: Patty Dost, the P.E. teacher is a U of I grad who has taught at Shepard H.S. as well as St. Louise de Merillac in LaGrange Park. She is in her 11^th year in District 96, where she teaches at Central and Hollywood. P.E. is two times a week for 30 minutes. Every grade’s activities build on the previous year. Now the students are working on the Presidential Fitness test which is a series of sit-ups, pushups and agility exercises. The TDPE room is used for teachers to take students for one day of TDPE per week.

PTA Committee Reports

Flying Carpet Club: Aberdeen Ozga stated that the Flying Carpet Club is in need of volunteers. The program takes place from January- March during lunch and indoor recess periods. Donna Considine located and donated more materials, so we can have two more sessions without having to expend money on more materials. The new volunteer training will be in November and student’s signup will be at the end of November.

Halloween Windows: Nancy Hutchings stated that a flyer will be distributed tomorrow, please respond by Friday. The program is for 1^st-5^th Grade with painting to be done on the weekend (Oct. 16-18). The cost is $5.00

Hike and Bike Week: Tracy Sloan reported that everyone will receive water bottles on Friday and the roller skating party is from 1-3pm.

Original Works Fundraiser: Mary Ellen reported that the Original Works information has been sent out and is due on October 17th.

100% Fund Update: Kathy Dudek reported that the 100% Fund has received about $6000.00. The goal is $11,000.00. Budget plans are available and if your employer offers corporate matching, please enroll in it.

September Board of Education Meeting Update: Jane Wilhelm attended the shortened September 16^th meeting at Ames. The budget of $14 million was adopted. The next board meeting is Tuesday October 21^st at Hollywood.

Other Business

Tax Referendum: Ben Sells, Village Trustee came to speak about the Tax Referendum which has two parts: 1) an advisory referendum whether Riverside wants green oriented practices in the building code and waste removal; 2) a property tax increase equal to about 3 ½%. The village is a non-home rule entity where the Illinois Property Tax Cap is 2 ½% per year, but costs for the village have risen at 7 ½. Over the next 6 years, the village is projecting a $600,000.00 deficit. If the referendum passes, current services will be maintained and there will be an increase of 30% in additional services (increased parks maintenance, hiring additional police detective, ongoing sidewalk replacement program). If the referendum doesn’t pass, the village will make a $400,000.00 reduction in 2009: the community service officer (attends bond court for our officers) would be lost, the North Fire Station would be closed two days per week, Public Works would be cut and the Parks and Recreation Department would be eliminated.

Announcements: Thank you to all the volunteers.

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 am.

The Minutes are respectfully submitted by Patrick O’Laughlin, Recording Secretary.

Central School PTO Minutes

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Introduction: The meeting began at 9:05 am in the Library. The PTA officers in attendance: Mary Ellen Meindl, Michelle Marconi, Melinda Brom, Jane Wilhelm, Kathy Dudek, Nancy Hutchings, Linda LaBelle, Jennifer Sedivy and Patrick O’Laughlin. Also in attendance: District 96 Superintendent Dr. Lamberson, Central School Principal Dr. Limperis and Central School Teacher Samantha Lutz.

Minutes: The June 3, 2008 minutes were approved by Michelle Mendoza and seconded by Jeannine Glavas.

Officers’ Reports

President: Mary Ellen Meindl introduced the current executive board. The Staff of the Year award was presented to Samantha Lutz and the Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Aberdeen Ozga for the work they did with the organization.

Membership: Michelle Marconi reported that calendars are available for $3.00. The student directory will be out in about two weeks and will cost $3.00 if you haven’t paid yet. All Committee chairs have been contacted for this school year.

Hospitality: Jennifer Sedivy passed around a signup sheet for the hospitality table. The PTO is trying to be “green” this year by having a new coffee maker and not having water bottles.

Treasurer’s Report: Jane Wilhelm reported that the 2007-2008 audit was made and was approved. The 2008/09 proposed budget was passed out. Items of note: dues will be paid for 25 members of the PTA (to dissolve); the calendar, directory and roadrunner are separate entries; the Illinois Art Council grant is for $6165 and the cost of the program is $10100; Spring family night is eliminated and $200 is added to the Fall Family Fun night budget; $125 was added to turn off the TV week. A motion was made by Nancy Hopkins to approve the budget and seconded by Nancy Hutchings. The motion passed.

100% Fund: Kristine Adler reported that 39 families have contributed a total amount of $4333.00. Letters about the 100% Fund will go out in October and again in December for tax returns.

Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Lamberson detailed the district goals for this year: identify and practice civility and courtesy as teachers and students; reconstruct the website (www.district96.org) ; grade 5 for 4 program (Mac laptops for students for use during the school year, the laptops will be district property on loan for 4 years to the students. It will be presented to the Board of Education this month for approval. They are looking at grants for this for two years, so that no property taxes are used for this program to start). This year, there is a pilot of parent-teacher-student conferences for 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, and Hauser. The district wants the students to acquire the belief that it is their learning. District enrollment is at a 35 year high (1457), 6% higher than last year. Hauser is 10% higher than last year at 490. Central is at 390 only 50 students away from the all time high in 1969. If enrollment increases beyond space limitations, mobiles might be a possibility (placed in the t-ball field behind Hauser). This year, new student school registration had to be made by a legal guardian who had to provide 5 pieces of identification to prove residency. The district’s private investigator is checking on 4 possible residency issues, of which action will probably occur on 3 of them. The district is pursuing the collection of $31,000 from a family that allegedly misrepresented their residency.

Principal’s Report: Dr. Limperis stated that it was nice to see all the new and returning parents at the meeting. Central will be having a national election day for the students on October 15^th, complete with voting booths. The classroom materials have described the election process and the candidates for president. The new student teachers this year are Pat Hausa (McCarthy) and Becky Margill (Visek). Dr. Limperis reported that the teachers are very excited about the Striding Lion program. The leadership team has created guidelines for civility and courtesy which are: to communicate in a courteous/ friendly manner, return email/ calls in one business day, check the tone of an email — if it is really long it is time for a meeting, the priority is children in the classroom — so if a parent wants to meet please make an appointment, every visitor must register at the office and please wear the visitor badge, and no dogs on school property.

Teacher Representative: Samantha Lutz reported that Parent night is next Thursday, if you can’t make it please contact the teacher. C.A.K.E. is going well. Encourage students to say hi to teachers they see in the hallway and if they don’t know them, introduce themselves.

PTA Committee Reports

Box Tops and Labels: Michelle Hruska will send a flyer out next week about Box tops.

Cultural Arts — Classroom: Nancy Hutchings stated that there is an opportunity to volunteer in your child’s classroom with Cultural Arts. The meeting will be on September 24th at 7pm in the Library.

Family Fun Night: Mary Jurgens reported that Family Fun Night is Friday, September 26th from 5:30-7:30pm. There will be pizza, games, activities, dance and ice cream. Volunteers are still needed.

Flying Carpet Club: Aberdeen Ozga spoke about the Flying Carpet Club, which is a Junior Great Books program held during lunch/recess in the winter. The club members read stories (anthologies) and discuss them. Last year there were 26 parent volunteers and over 100 students. Volunteers are needed for this year.

Halloween Program: Dawn Gmitro and Kim Jacobs are the chairs for this committee. If you are interested, please contact them.

Hike and Bike Week: Will be next month; check the backpacks for info on Wednesday.

Library: Jeannine Glavas thanked everyone who attended the meeting last week. Volunteers are still needed for readers, monthly bulletin board, cover new books, shelving and shelf readers. Please give your cell number if you volunteer so you can be contacted if something changes.

PTO Update: Nancy Hopkins reported that the PTO is formed as a local organization with better insurance, no dues and has officially received 501 (c) 3 tax status. Central PTO has a new website www.centralptonews.org. The last meeting for the PTA will be the November meeting (evening) with the vote to disband. We will have 25 members pay PTA dues of $3.25 each so that we can vote to disband.

Roadrunner Yearbook: Kim Bolton passed around a volunteer sheet to take photos at events, since we want to make sure that someone covers every event at school. Room parents will cover the classroom photos. Ms. Nakis will coordinate the writers and students will also be taking pictures for the yearbook.

Other Business

Central’s PTO Things to know handbook committee appointment: Volunteers are needed to assist in creating a handbook of everything you need to know at Central for new families. The goal is to have the handbook finished by April/May for Kindergarten visitation.

Announcements: Thank you to all the volunteers.

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 am.
The Minutes are respectfully submitted by Patrick O’Laughlin, Recording Secretary.

Central School PTA Minutes

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Introduction: The meeting began at 9:08 am in the Library. The PTA officers in attendance: Mary Ellen Meindl, Michelle Marconi, Melinda Brom, Rick LaBelle, Jane Wilhelm, Kathy Dudek, Nancy Hutchings, Linda LaBelle and Patrick O’Laughlin. Also in attendance: Central School Principal Dr. Limperis and Central School Teacher Samantha Lutz.

Minutes: The May 6, 2008 minutes were approved by Nancy Hutchings and seconded by Jeannine Glavas.

Officers’ Reports

Hospitality: Jennifer Sedivy thanked today’s hostesses: Mary Ellen Meindl, Nancy Hutchings and Michelle Marconi. We are in need of a babysitter for the meetings (9-10:30 for morning PTA meeting), Teacher Appreciation luncheon and Halloween program. The pay is $25-35. Please let Jennifer know if you are interested. Correspondence was passed around including thank you notes from the Teachers for Teacher Appreciation Luncheon at Jem Café and from the students for the Book Fair and Ice Cream Social.

Membership: Michelle Marconi reported that last year 196 families signed up for the PTA, this year 101 have signed up. Everyone who already signed up for the PTA for next year will receive a refund of their PTA dues ($3.25). We will charge for the Roadrunner, the calendar and the student directory. Melinda Brom thanked all the volunteers and stated that we have a wonderful volunteer base. Some committees need chairs for next year especially Birthday Boards, Hike and Bike, PR Media Coordinator, Innisbrook (brings in about $7400- a big part of our budget) and Teacher Appreciation Week. Anyone interested in volunteering, please let Michelle or Melinda know.

Treasurer: Rick LaBelle stated that any expenses need to be in for this school year. Committee chairs should let Rick know if they need more money in the budget for their committee.

Philanthropy: Allyn Pilewski reported that there are two outstanding items: author kits (ordering books and discussion and teacher manuals) and stencils for the blacktop (waiting for district approval). Picnic tables and catering tables are on order.

Principal’s Report: Dr. Limperis stated that it has been a wonderful school year and she is looking forward to next year. Thank you to Bev Aieta for her work with the Book Fair, we received an extra $800 bonus from Scholastic. The Clap Out is tomorrow at 2:45 pm. Ms. Brackett will be going to Hollywood school next year. Mrs Walachek is retiring from the district. Mrs. Gangware left about three weeks ago. The district has hired two full time nurses: Geana Chapp and Judy Dalton. The topic for the June Board of Education Meeting is the district looking at 9th session for Kindergarten due to more children registering for Kindergarten. For next year’s district calendar, the specials classes will be shifted for early release days so that students won’t miss more than 3 sessions.

Teacher Representative: Samantha Lutz reported on the CAKE theme for next school year- be Courteous and Kind to Everyone.

PTA Committee Reports

Box Tops and Labels: Mary Ellen Meindl reported that from the Campbell’s points Patty Dost will be receiving two flip a scores and a jump and reach board. We should have about 6,000 points next year. We have about $398.00 from Box Tops.

Library: We have the Monarch and Caudill texts. Help is needed for shelf reading.

Pavers: Nikki Hajer reported that 5 pavers were sold for $425 profit. The profit for the year was $850.

PTO Committee: Nancy Hopkins reported that the papers will be filed today for tax exempt status for the Central School PTO. A motion was made “To give 9364.60 as a directed gift to District 96 to be used for hardscape and landscape in the area of Central Playground with funds to be returned to Central School PTO if not used by summer 2009″ by Nancy Hopkins and seconded by Allyn Pilewski. The motion passed. A motion was made by Anne Kodama to “transfer funds remaining in the PTA checking account as of the end of the fiscal year to the new PTO checking account” and was seconded by Jane Wilhelm. The motion passed. Jane Wilhelm made a motion to refund the PTA membership fee of $3.25 to those who already paid it and was seconded by Anne Kodama. The motion passed.

Roadrunner update: Kim Bolton reported that Kim Frank and Matthew Heine used Flickr for uploading the photographs, which was easier to pick instead of CD’s. The Roadrunner went to the printer Tuesday after Memorial Day and will be ready for distribution Thursday.

07/08 Talent Show Recap: Colleen Lieggi reported that 113 students, 47 acts, 15 announcers and 6 stage hands were in the Talent Show. They received a lot of positive feedback. The same group of volunteers has been putting on the show for the past 3 years. The students learn performance art, building self esteem and confidence as well as school pride.

Artist in Residence: Mary Ellen Meindl stated that the Illinois Council Grant that Dawn Gmitro has been working on was accepted pending Illinois State budget approval. The grant is a 60/40 split (about $6100), we will need to fundraise about $4,000.00. The grant will be used for the Striding Lion interarts workshop of creative drama. K-3^rd will work one time on the theme of geometry, while the core group of 4^th and 5^th Grade will work the last two weeks of January and February, concluding with a final performance. Mary Ellen stated that one assembly will be eliminated next year (saving about $800) as well as the talent show being held every other year (saving about $500, as well as classroom time used).

Other Business

08/09 Talent Show proposal: Kim Jacobs stated that the break from the Talent show would be difficult for the kids and volunteers. Kim stated that the talent show is aligned with the district mission to inspire creativity. Kim will present the proposal to the August Executive Board meeting. If there are any additional items to include, please contact Tiffany McManus. A motion was made by Kim Bolton and seconded by Sandy Briolat to continue the talent show as an annual event with two performances with a plan for provisions for budget and time issues. A motion was then made to table that motion by Jennifer Sedivy and seconded by Kathy Dudek. The vote was 16 yes, 0 no. The motion was tabled.

Announcements

None.

The meeting adjourned at 10:35 am.
The Minutes are respectfully submitted by Patrick O’Laughlin, Recording Secretary.

Central School PTO Minutes

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Introduction: The meeting began at 9:00 am in the Library. The PTO officers in attendance: Mary Ellen Meindl, Michelle Marconi, Melinda Brom, Jane Wilhelm, Linda LaBelle, Kathy Dudek, Nancy Hutchings and Patrick O’Laughlin. Also in attendance: Central School Principal Dr. Limperis and Central School Teacher Samantha Lutz.

PTO President: Mary Ellen Meindl welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Adopt Bylaws: A motion was made by Michelle Marconi to adopt the Bylaws for the Central School PTO and seconded by Jane Wilhelm. The motion passed.

Adopt PTO Standing Rules: A motion was made by Anne Kodama to adopt the Standing Rules for the Central School PTO (same as old standing rules except committee list and no dues to be a member) and seconded by Dawn Gmitro. The motion passed.

Committee Report PTO Conversion: Nancy Hopkins stated that the paperwork will go out today after the vote.

The meeting adjourned at 9:08 am.

The Minutes are respectfully submitted by Patrick O’Laughlin, Recording Secretary.