PTO Meeting 2/10/14
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm. Those present included Christine Berry, Angie Beyl, Julie Wood, Nancy Easley, Jeremy Reed, Rachel Hanko, Christy Saugen and Natalie Miller.
Jessica Manly from the Montana Food Corps spoke first in regards to plans to construct and maintain a Hedges Community Garden. She is working on grants to pay for the materials needed to construct raised bed gardens in the front of the school. These beds will be used as an outdoor classroom for the students of Hedges. Classroom teachers will be encouraged to participate in the outdoor curriculum and it is hoped that each grade level will adopt a raised bed. On April 1st, the National Day of Service, volunteers from the Mayor’s office will be at Hedges to help build and fill the beds with soil. Any parents interested in helping may contact Jessica at jessica.manly@foodcorps.org. Jessica also requested parent/community volunteers who would be willing to help maintain the garden during the summer. More information about what that would entail will be forthcoming.
Angie Beyl, treasurer, reported that a check was recently received from Smith’s Earn to Learn program and combined with Hedges gear sales, she made a deposit of $492.35. The checking account balance is $1826.87. A check to Flathead Valley Hockey Association for $240.00 for the skating party was not included in the final balance.
Mrs. Miller talked to the group about Hedges receiving funding based upon its Title 1 School status. Schools in which more than 40% of the student population qualifies for free/or reduced lunch are entitled to additional funding. These funds are used for instructional interventions to increase the academic achievement of all students. Currently Hedges has 3 1/2 paraeducators dedicated to providing math and reading support to students at risk. Mrs. Miller is requesting input from parents regarding what parents know about Title 1, what they want from these funds and what they feel is working well. Parents, present at the meeting, brainstormed ideas for communicating with the Hedges community about these issues.
Student safety, especially surrounding pickup and drop off around the school was discussed. Many parents aren’t following the traffic plan in place which puts students in danger. A representative from the city of Kalispell will be asked to attend a special meeting to discuss parent concerns and possible solutions for the situation.
The opportunity to participate in fundraising efforts through Five Guys Burgers and Fries was discussed. They offer a similar program as MacKenzie River Pizza in which a portion of the proceeds from an evening are donated back to the school. Rachel Hanko will check into it and report at the next meeting.
The ice skating party was well attended and those present would like to put it on the calendar for next year. It was decided that the date should be secured earlier in the season.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 14 at 6:30pm in the Hedges Library.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm.
