PTO MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 6, 2006
Meeting began at 7:10pm and in attendance was Betty Coady, Robin Besore, Patti Palagi, Linda McNamara, Alice Butler, Mary Schramer, Amy-Jo Wierenga, and Lisa Marie Vogt.
Report submitted by Betty Coady
Lisa Marie Vogt introduced the Library Board Members:
Linda McNamara, Matthew Suddarth and Karen Hannah.
The Board gave a brief presentation for the upcoming Library Referendum. Linda McNamara started with a quote from the actor Kirk Douglas.
She explained the proposed tax increase if the referendum is passed. Wanted to express voter awareness and the library development. The Referendum ballot will be on March 21, 2006. The proposed tax hike would be .15% which it is currently and to increase the taxes to .41%. This is the first request in 25 years. A presentation of the past history of the library was given. Our current library houses over 43,000 books whereas the space calls for 25,000 books. The current problems faced for the library are accessibility code for the handicap which are not met, heating and lighting are not sufficient, no study rooms, and the staff are one of the lowest paid. Some solutions if the new library construction is passed is accessibility for the handicap (bathrooms), we would have seating for at least 90 people for presentations and increased parking. If the referendum were passed it would be a year to 18 months before construction would begin. A question was asked where would the library be housed during construction? Matthew stated their two properties in mind. More on the Referendum is available upon request.
Principal report- Patti Palagi
Thank you for the use of the popcorn machine for the incentive program with the middle schoolers. A high % participated in the spirit wear/school colors contest. Have to decide in the case if all kidsparticipate may have to draw a class name out of a “hat” if there are multiple classes with full participation. Next assembly is on February 17, 2006 Wizard Apprentice (science related). Volunteer Tea is February 16th. Mrs. Palagi sent out the requests for the start up gifts as a reminder. She gave the staff examples on what to use their requests for possibly color cartridges. Mrs. Palagi has had a great response from the teachers about the upcoming Chili Fest. They loved the ideas for the silent auction: teacher comes to the students home, cooking with Mrs. Nelson, preferred parking places for and event and put the individual name on the space.Mrs. Palagi suggested having the art club create a theme and submit it for the silent auction. Teachers are willing to come to the Chili Fest and help out. Please be considerate to the teachers on what they are comfortable doing at the Chili fest. Some may feel more comfortable with the Silent Auction. Mrs. Palagi will approach Student Council to help with the games at the fest.
Teacher’s Report- Mrs. Butler
She again reiterated what Mrs. Palagi stated about what teachers feel comfortable doing for the fest. Nothing else to report.
Mary Schramer stated how excited they were that the $5,000 grant from Lowe’s was awarded for the Pre-School fence. The money should cover the supplies and then we will need to recruit volunteers (parents) for the building of the fence. Part of the requirement for this grant was based on Lowe’s volunteers to be involved along with community involvement. Tracy Kirchoff and Mary Schramer to purchase most items from Lowe’s in the hopes to get the materials at cost. If there are funds left over may consider the remaining money for plants etc.
Box tops- Lisa Marie stated that we do not have a figure yet and that they will be tallied this Thursday.
Spring Fundraiser- Lisa Marie we are going with Yankee Candle March 15th-18th and delivery on April 7th. Debbie Paler is the committee chair and Allison Hlinka will assist. Prosek’s sale will run in the spring.
Cooks’ Night out (Patty Daly) Lisa Marie said she did not get a figure yet; we will probably do Jake’s Pizza in March. Jake’s will be participating in the Chili contest. Tony’s Steamer may be in April.
Spirit Wear Contest- Mrs. Colon’s 4th grade class won with 100% participation. They received a popcorn party and have the privilege of keeping a large stuffed tiger in their room until the next contest. Since they were the first winners, they will also be able to name the tiger.
Linda McNamara wanted to mention the PTO flower sales for the upcoming Wizard of Oz play. Drama club will run the sales. They will consist of 6 roses in a bunch and sell for $10.00 each and all proceeds will go to PTO. Linda searched for the best price and found Costco selling 24 roses for $14.99.
Last year made about $400.00 from the sale.
Internet Safety- (Patti Palagi)
Presentation for the 5th-8th graders on February 13th. Do we want to have the parent presentation on March 6th at 6pm? Consensus was doing it on a separate night from the PTO meeting. Due to the fact that the presentation takes about an hour and then the floor is open to question and answer. Mrs. Palagi will call the officer and see if he can do the 2nd meeting either Feb. 21st or 27th at 7pm.
Philanthropy –Robin Besore report available upon request. $2,950.06 left. We spent 2,049.94 in Oct. 05; we currently have $1,818.42 in requests. There was a motion to pass all of the philanthropy requests. Mrs. Butler will all of the teachers know what requests were filled.
Mary Schramer suggested while she was on the Internet that there are many programs out there examples National programs for PTO, PTA. 1 program was called 3 for me, which was a free program. The program was about that parents would pledge in the beginning of the year and pledge to volunteer 3 hours a year. Another program “Project apple seed” this is a more involved pledge and cost $99.00 for the software. Think about these programs for next year possibly.
Market day- Amy-Jo Wierenga
For the March sales our school could earn a free freezer. It is called the Freezer Fest program thru Market Day. The goal is to increase sales 10% from our last March sales. In addition have to get 10 additional customers for this March. We will need a total of 82 customers for these months’ sales. Feb 06 total sales were $3,800. Need to get $4,600 in sales this month. Feb there were 59 orders. If we get the freezer Amy-Jo asked Mrs. Palagi if we could put the freezer in the concession area. She needs to check with maintence to see if the freezer can be plugged in there. March 1st pickup day and orders need to be in by Feb. 24th.
Great Cards- Need to follow up with Rita Grady and get some input on how this was run. May think of doingsales before Christmas. Oct thru Dec. and have the sale every other week and that would be it for the year. Jennifer Thompson may consider taking this on and possibly Debbie Paler.
Chili fest- John’s, Entrée Kitchen, Tony’s Steamers and Jake’s Pizza will be involved in the fest. Possibly Brian’s Charhouse and Oakfield. Subway does not want to participate in making chili. Not sure if Viking, Winfield house Entrée Express or Boston Market are interested in submitting chili. Patty Peletis is heading up the solicitations. She needs help (see attached) The Police and Fire Departments have been invited to have a table at the fest to reach out to the community and talk to our kids. Brian Duffy is donating the baskets for the raffle baskets. Lisa Zink is the committee chair for the raffles. Patty Daly is chairing decorations. There are 2 ways the chili fest was run in the past. 1 year certain people were able to bring chili and were judged. Another year they had restaurants bring in. Maybe have a restaurant category (most spiciest, etc) possibly 10 restaurant. The other category could be amateur (big crock pots full). It could be the 1st ten people that sign up would compete. The restaurants entrees would have everyone judge their chilis. Amateurs would just have a panel of judges. The plan is we will be serving approximately 300 people. We do not need to decide tonight if we are going to have an amateur contest also.
We need a Publicity chairperson to put in Winfield Stuff, newspaper, etc.
Patty Peletis is heading up solicitations. She needs help. She has distributed a letter that we need to use to solicitate items for our silent auction. She needs help with phone calls, faxing letter, follow-up with the corporations.
Mrs. Butler suggested businesses to address: Color me mine in Wheaton, Painted Penguin, Fired house in Glen Ellyn, Build a Bear and Wheaton drama. When we go to the businesses address either the manager or owner and state I am here on behalf of the Winfield PTO. We are having our annual fundraiser (Chili Fest), which will include a silent auction, would you be interested in donating. Let the businesses know we will be advertising their business and are expecting approximately 400 people.
Next Monday we hold another meeting on the Chili Fest 2-13-06 at 7pm at Lisa Marie’s home.
Patty Peletis has various sign up sheets for help on the day of the Chili fest. Then she will give all these names to Mary Schramer to list all the volunteers and where they will be helping on that day.
End meeting at 9:15pm