PTO Meeting Minutes September 10, 2013
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 in the Hedges Library, there were 17 parents in attendance.
The principal report: Mrs. Miller talked about the installation of new outer doors on the school which took place during the summer. She also discussed the growing student population at Hedges, the addition of a kindergarten class right before the start of school brings the student population close to 400 students this year. Several rooms had to be shifted to allow for the new kindergarten classroom but staff and students are adjusting in a positive manner and the school year is off to a great start.
Old Business: The cookie dough fundraiser will begin September 20 and run through Oct. 4. Funds raised will be put toward upgrading safety measures at the school. The P.A. system is at the top of this safety improvement list. Currently the PA system operates through the phone line but is not consistent throughout the school.
A discussion was had on the best incentive to employ for the fundraiser. The consensus of those present was to avoid the use of plastic toy prizes and instead offer a product incentive. For every 15 items sold, a free tub of cookie dough will be awarded to the seller. Several parents commented that they wouldn't be interested in having several free tubs of cookie dough and wondered about the possibility of donating any unwanted cookie dough to a charity. The idea was presented to have an area set aside on distribution day for parents to leave any tubs that they would like to donate and one person from PTO would take them to a local charity. This idea will be discussed further at the next meeting. October 30th is the scheduled date for delivery of the cookie dough.
Open House for parents will be September 19th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. All parents are encouraged to attend so that they may visit with their student’s teachers and learn a little more about what to expect for the school year. The school specialists, P.E., Music, and Library will be located in the gym for parents to meet and visit with. Rebecca Linden talked about the Share Fair that will take place in the gym. Local businesses and organizations offering activities for students have been invited to set up an information table in the gym for parents to learn more about activities for students. Several local businesses have expressed interest in attending. Contact Rebecca Linden for more information at 407-3778.
The Toyota truck, donated by Kalispell Toyota to the school district, will be on the front lawn on the night of Open house. Merisa has volunteered to sell raffle tickets. Raffle tickets are $10 each with 8 of those dollars coming back to Hedges. School apparel will also be displayed for ordering.
The perennial garden is starting to take shape in the front of the school. PTO is looking for donations of perennials to plant this fall, this could be new perennials or plants divided from home gardens. Donations should be dropped off after school on Monday, September 30th.
Volunteer forms are trickling into the office and Julie Wood is creating a spreadsheet with the names and phone numbers of volunteers.The development of the phone book was mentioned and that will take place as soon as all information forms are returned to the office.
New Business:
Jamie Lynn presented the idea of having an after school fitness club at Hedges. The club would meet Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30. Activities would be fitness related and fun taking place outdoors or in the gym. Students in grades 3-5 could attend without a parent but it is asked that students K-2 have a parent present at the club meetings. Ms. Lynn is looking for PTO support with coordinating parent volunteers to help with the program.
The continuation of the Fall Festival was discussed with the majority of attendees desiring to return to the traditional carnival format taking place inside the school. The fall festival will take place on Friday October 25th from 6 to 8 pm. Carnival style games, a cake walk, photo booth and a costume contest will be offered. Food will be offered for sale. Rebecca volunteered to contact local food vendors to find out if any might be interested in setting up that evening. If not the PTO will provide pizza or another type of food for purchase. A desire to have a different prize at each game was expressed.
The next PTO meeting will be Tuesday October 15th at 6:30 pm in the Hedges library. Thank you to all in attendance.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm.
