Manor PTA Minutes
April 25, 2008, 1:30, Room 224

Present:  Liza Wilkinson, Lauri Hofmann, Luanne Mansfield, Patty McGuire, Kelly Paganelli, Dan McCarthy, Michele Shone, and Sheryl Turner.

Treasurer’s Report:  Denise is working on the report and will get this to us when it is complete.

Committee Reports:

1. Earth Day:  It was a wonderful experience with many visitors and presentations.  High school students helped in the garden area.  Fourth graders went to the philharmonic, and then had presentations in the afternoon.  T-totes were made with t-shirts.  This project can also be done with the Day of Caring.  Some people missed the saplings.  We will look into maybe having high schoolers help with this time consuming project as part of their community service. Also, because we've used plastic bags to contain the saplings with some soil, we will look into using more earth friendly containers.

2. Roller Skating:  There is no sales tax on food items.  The snacks will be purchased at either BJ’s or Sam’s by the chairperson and payment will be reimbursed.  Snacks will meet the wellness requirements.

3. Staff Appreciation:  Laurie Phelps reports that only $60 of the $900 budget has been spent so far.  Smoothies will be prepared for lunch on Tuesday, May 6th.  With this, she is hoping to provide cups that the teachers will be able to keep.

4. Good Books Good Times:  The 3rd grade book cart looks great after receiving donations of gently used books.  If this continues to work, we will try it with the 4th and 5th grade classes next year.

5. Book Fair:  The Book Fair will run from April 28 – May 1 and is Buy One Get One Free.  There will also be “One for Books” that asks for change to be rounded up.  The dollar amount of rounded up change is matched by Scholastic in books for our school and also in donations to three literacy agencies.  The Bookroom and Library will choose our books by Lisa Moosbrugger and Julie Masterson-Smith.

6. Square One Art:  Luanne Mansfield reported that our school had 59% participation with 456 orders and a net of about $4,000 in profits.  Orders are in and will be sorted next week for delivery.

7. 5th Grade Memory Book:  Patty McGuire reported that a cover contest is currently underway.  The drawings will be narrowed down to the top 20 and will be put up in the display case for voting.  She has received quotes from Minute Man and Alpha Graphics for $1,307.00 and $1,382.00.  This is for 220 books, 34 pages, and full-bleed pages.  Order forms will go out in mid May.  They are adding a favorites page.  The cost of the book will increase to $11.00.

8. Grandparents Day:  This was held today and went very smoothly.  There were 527 people, up 5% from last year.  Staggering time slots for each grade helped with traffic control, as did the two extra tables in the cafeteria and the shuttle bus to the middle school. 

Chairperson Updates:

1. February Fitness Fundraiser:  We are still walking to the moon and have gone 114,000 miles so far.  We need to revamp for next year and make this more curriculum oriented (IE: Oregon Trail for the 5th grade, Iditarod for the 3rd grade).  This won’t be a fundraiser just something fun to do that reinforces the district wellness initiative.

2. Preliminary Budget:  We are still expected to have a $4,000 shortage in next year’s budget and need to either add a fundraiser or a cut the budget.  We have had Genevieve’s/Niagara Chocolate’s approved through the PTA as a fundraiser and it meets wellness requirements.  Kick off would be at Open House with delivery after Thanksgiving.  A vote was unanimous that we add the Genevieve’s/Niagara Chocolate’s fundraiser.

3. Committee Chairpersons for 2008-09:  We were asked to let Michele Shone know ASAP if we would be filling our positions next year or new chairpersons would be needed for the upcoming year.  As of right now a PTA Chairperson will need to step in for Michele.  Sheryl Turner would like someone to co-Chair the Secretary position for when she cannot make meetings.  Cathy Blocher will be taking over as Chairperson for Square 1 Art. 

District PTA Updates:  The next meeting will be May 5, 2008 at 6pm with Meet the Candidates at 7pm. 

Principal Updates:  The next PTA meeting will meet in the band room.  PTA business will be handled, and then it will be in a Q&A format for Dan McCarthy to address parents questions about placement for grades K-5.  He will send out the announcement. 

Next Manor PTA meeting Date:  Monday, May 19, 2008, at 7pm.