LAKEWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

GENERAL MEETING

September 7, 2005

President Lori Griggs called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m., with a verified quorum.  The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as read. 

Presentation of 2005 Bond Program

Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Support Services Bob Hart, Director of Facilities Ken Radcliff, Communications Director Melissa Loe and LTISD board member Kim Eudy were in attendance to provide information and answer questions regarding the upcoming bond package.

Principal’s Report—Sam Hicks

  • Sam reported that he is glad to be back at school and is fully recovered from surgery.
  • LWE students already have the choice of participating each year in poetry and art contests through the Rising Star Program.  This year Sam would like a few volunteers to help publish a book of the top 10 winning pieces from our campus from these contests.  The book does not have to be elaborate, but organized in a way to showcase our students and their achievements.  The first place winner from each category and for each grade level (2nd-5th) will advance to the larger Rising Star competition. A suggestion was made to possibly team up with Barnes and Noble or A Thirsty Mind to host art show. 
  • Regarding school security, the Leadership Committee approved the Raptor Security System in August.  Raptor checks driver’s license numbers and notifies the school of registered sexual offenders. 
  • Mood on campus among staff is high.  Each grade level has a spare classroom and those spaces will be converted to mini-labs.  LWE acquired six new students due to Hurricane Katrina. The State of Texas is coordinating an effort to generate any need school supplies.  The children we received arrived with nothing, but Debbie Combs secured need items.  Donations buckets for the Red Cross are in place on campus.
  • LWE lost 12 staff members in May, but we received great replacements in kindergarten, first, third, and fifth grades.

Officer’s Reports

1st VP/Volunteers-Patty Hoenig

  • All grade level coordinators and home room parents are in place.
  • A special area coordinator is still need as are Red Ribbon Week volunteers.
  • The Fall Carnival and Mustang Mixer/Auction dinner is going well.  Different grade levels will have certain responsibilities at Auction.  There will be inside/out usage for the carnival.

2nd VP/Fundraising—Terry Kelly

  • Passbooks sales are underway thru 9/15/05 and Sally Foster sales will begin in October.
  • The School store will be up and running next week on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings before school and during lunch on Wednesdays.
  • The Mustang Mixer is moving along well.  The committee is working on a venue and hopes to generate ticket sales of 400.  Currently the committee is soliciting auction items from parents and local business.  The committee is hoping to raise $10.000.00 and ear-mark the funds for technology. Volunteers are in place and information will be going home in Tuesday folders.

3rd VP/Faculty—Marilyn Gregory

  • Mrs. Gregory is the faculty representative for September. 
  • 28% of LWE teachers did not meet the LTEF grant deadline.  Mrs. Gregory suggested having teachers pace themselves to get grants in on time.  In the past, there have been computer difficulties.  A grant writing seminar was suggested to provide assistance. 
  • She reported that the entire staff appreciated the gift cards from Wal-Mart. 
  • Feel free to bring any concerns to the faculty at any time.

4th VP/Programs—Jay Hiller

  • Programs for the year will include Red Ribbon Week in October, Coat and Food Drives in November and December and a Cultural Awareness program in the spring.
  • Currently focusing on corporate sponsors and donors for the Fall Carnival.

Treasurer’s Report—Shelly McCannon

  • Shelley reported the current balance is $19,146.36.
  • Sally Foster and School Supply Sales will be tax-free fundraisers.
  • Shelley made a request to shred the 1998-99 records which are not required for PTO to retain. 

Motion carried to accept treasurer’s recommendations.

 

 

New Business

2005-2006 PTO Membership—Jessica Evans

·        276 families which represent 43% of the students have joined PTO.  The goal is to get more families to join.  Fifty-five teachers and staff members belong to PTO and we have received over $3,600.00 in memberships thus far.

LTEF Update—Tammy Mollison

  • The LTEF provided over $17,000.00 in grants last year.
  •  There are three events planned for the school year which include a golf tournament at Flintrock Falls on 9/28/05, the LTEF Gala on 2/25/06 and another concert for later in the school year.

Auction Request—Glenda Watters

  • Carlos and Charlie’s will host the Mustang Mixer.
  •  Currently, the committee is asking parents to contribute in creative ways like neighborhoods sponsoring dinner or theater entertainment packages.  Tickets will go on sale soon.

Healthy Living—Shirley Prescott and Lacy Liardon

  • Developing plans to educate parents on nutritional aspects at school via Tuesday folders and decorating in cafeteria. Shirley is in hopes of having a nutritionist and high school athletes address LWE on the importance of eating healthy.  They would like to offer a variety of foods through the cafeteria to introduce new items.  (Mr. Hicks stated that the PE staff already encourages the students with involvement through Marathon Kids.)

Chick-fil-A Spirit Night—Lori Griggs

  • Chick-fil-A will sponsor two spirit nights this fall and Kim Stotts will coordinate events.  Dates will be provide in the upcoming weeks.

Boy Scout Troop #441 Request—Lori Griggs

  • Troop 441 has prepared a memorial nature trail in memory of Maggie Gable.  They have asked the PTO to donate signage and 4 trail markers.  The total for the sign and markers is $135.00 and would be prepared by Stokes Signs.  The entire school can take advantage of the trail with teacher supervision.  The scout troop will maintain the trail as a service project. Motion carried to provide signage.

Wish List Items—Shelley McCannon

Kindergarten

  • A request for a classroom carpet for Myles King’s classroom. Motion carried.

Second Grade

  • Request for $500.00 for Pioneer Living Museum that comes to school. Motion carried.

Fourth Grade

  • Karma Ezell requested $565.00 for class subscriptions to Scholastic News Magazine. Motion carried.

Fifth Grade

  • Kathy Austrian requested $650.00 for Time for Kids from Time Warner. Motion carried.

Campus Technical Team

  • Kathy Mennen requested $4,941.99 for network printer jet direct cards, projector carts, Flash drives and Tech Mentor Tools.  These items are not related to the current bond package and there is an immediate need on campus. Motion carried.

Counselor

  • Debye Judge requested $694.00 for motivational products regarding drug prevention and self-esteem. Motion carried.

GT

  • Tom Seabolt requested $1,477.00 for Robolab team challenge kits and $1,069.00 for 5th grade GT students to attend state competition.  Only GT children will use the kits unless it is an after school program.  Currently there are 110 children involved in the GT program.  Motion carried with 1 objection from Melanie Hudelson.   

 Music

  • Requested items have been tabled until October meeting

Office

  • Sam Hicks requested $120.00 for 4 Sam’s Club Memberships. 
  • A request for $1,550.00 for providing beverages for teacher’s lounge.
  • Allison Fanning requested $400.00 for window shade materials for emergency lockdown; $684.25 for die cuts.  Motion carried.  A request for $2,500.00 for a laminator has been tabled.

A discussion followed regarding helping victims of Hurricane Katrina.  Some in attendance suggested that a percentage of the proceeds from the Mustang Mixer be donated to the relief fund.  However, a donation cannot come out of a PTO sanctioned fundraiser.  Funds collected through the Coinocopia Drive are donated to the Food Pantry and Salvation Army.  This is not a PTO fundraiser.

A motion was made to adjourn at 11:00 a.m., which carried.

Robin Thomas

Secretary