LAKEWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

GENERAL MEETING

October 5, 2005

President Lori Griggs called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m., with a verified quorum.  The minutes from the previous meeting were read with correction on the September minutes to reflect Kim Eudy in attendance and an objection from Melanie Hudelson regarding a GT wish list item. Principal Sam Hicks introduced guest speaker ComPASS Coordinator, Kathleen Hassenfratz. 

ComPASS Coordinator—Kathleen Hassenfratz

Ms. Hassenfratz attended the meeting to provide information regard the A Learning Community of Pride, Action, Service and Support or ComPASS.

Principal’s Report—Sam Hicks

  • Upcoming Tuesday folders will include numerous opportunities for academic competitions. UIL includes poetry, a spelling bee, an essay contest, and an art competition.  At this level, UIL teams are very competitive and students must try out for the various squads. 
  • UIL competition is earlier this year; it will be held on January 28, 2006.  Teams are beginning to form.
  • Regarding security, Mr. Hicks met with Mr. Radcliff of American Construction early this month.  Items discussed included side walks, security cameras on bus lanes and doors with video surreveliance.  American Construction will not be the sole contractor in the future.  Mr. Hicks is working on the walking track behind the school.  Telephones will be provided in all classrooms this summer.  The beautification of the front of the building hinges on the bond proposal.
  • Working on an alternative to the cones on the rear driveway.
  • LWE will have a new neighbor in the new construction of a church. 
  • Nurse’s office is being adjusted for toileting changes.
  • Fat Friday was very welcomed. Staff really appreciates the offer. 
  • In his five years at LWE, Mr. Hicks stated that he had never received as many compliments regarding the Cafeteria staff.  The choices are healthy and delicious.
  • Regard the snack bar, parents will need to be recruited to assist cafeteria staff.  PTO will check with the proper authorities regarding parental assistance in the cafeteria.  The snack bar is open 3 days per week from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  The issued of childhood obesity was raised.  Mr. Hicks stated the importance of talking with students about making healthy choices, but he wants to make sure the children are eating.  The majority of students are thin and healthy.
  • Mr. Hicks stated that teachers would no longer post wish list items on their doors.  Grade level coordinators would inform home room parents to contact teachers about specific classroom needs. 
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Officer’s Reports

 

1st VP/Volunteers-Patty Hoenig

All volunteers are in place.  The Fall Carnival is going well.  A bake sale chairperson has been secured. Concessions are on track.  $5,200.00 net profit has been collected with sales of wrist bands. The overall carnival layout looks great.  Activities will be inside and outside of the building.  There are several new booth activities, as well as old offerings like Sand Art.  Pre-order casserole sales are dramatically lower this year.  Brian Gilbert of Hill Country Pasta has offered to sell coupons for casseroles with a 24 hour order requirement.  The casseroles can then be picked up directly from the restaurant.  Regarding the Mustang Mixer, the Watch Band has been scheduled.  There are several exciting auction items.  The committee would continue promoting ticket sales. 

 

2nd VP/Fundraising-Terry Kelley

Terry was unable to attend, but Lori reported that $10,000.00 was received from Passbooks and the school store has registered $900.00 in sales and a second supply order has been placed

 

3rd VP/Faculty-Julie Besse

On behalf of staff, Julie thanked the PTO for the Wal-Mart gift cards and the PTO’s support.  She also thanked the organization for organizing the Mustang Mixer.  The faculty feels spoiled here at LWE.  Several staff members are donating auction items.  Patty instructed teachers to input auction donation on-line for Mixer.  Shelley McCannon proposed to purchase all kinder and first grade classes a class set of t-shirts that would remain with those particular grades each year.  Julie will investigate this option with her team and report back to PTO.

 

Treasurer-Shelley McCannon

  • Shelley reported the current balance is $27,248.30.

Shelley motioned to approve:

  • To increase the school supplies expense by $9,000.00
  • To increase t-shirt expense by $5,000.00

Motion carried.  

 

New Business

Heart to Heart Update-Lisa Johnson and Katie Kordzik

Heart to Heart (H2H) is a club open to fifth grade girls in an attempt to go beyond the superficial things girls seem to get caught up in.  H2H is not part of a national organization, but 11 schools across the Austin area are implementing clubs like this.  The club meets after school on Thursdays exploring issues of (H.E.A.R.T.) honesty, excellence, admiration, responsibility and the treasure within each girl.  The club is sponsored by parents Lisa and Katie, and a mentor, who is 22 years of age and delivers an essential message each week.  A faculty sponsor will rotate throughout the year including Debbye Judge, Allison Cobb and all 5th grade female teachers.  The club will hold a few outside activities and girls are eligible to join at any time.  The goal for LTISD is to have H2H on all elementary campuses and at the middle school level.

 

Cafeteria Changes-Mike Vilegas

The cafeteria is offering new choices of fruits and vegetables in an attempt to get the children to eat. He is doing taste tests and would like to reach out to students enrolled in Extended Care. Mike would like to work with parents in an effort to achieve healthy choices at school and home.   

 

Wish List-Shelley McCannon

Wish list items:

  • Kindergarten requests $750.00 for area carpet; $485.64 for classroom slate chalkboards; and $769.75 for field trip to Crow’s Nest Farm.  Motion carried.
  • 2nd grade requests $500.00 for field trip to the Exotic Zoo and $746.86 for math teaching kits on money, place value and fractions.  Motion carried.  A motion was made to table additional request of $329.53.  Motion carried.
  • 3rd grade requests $676.74 for electric pencil sharpeners for every class and $1,604.68 for math games. Motion carried.
  • 4th grade requests $191.98 for late homework notices and $305.46 for field trip to Wild Basin.  Motion carried.
  • Art requests $179.49 for an industrial pencil sharpener and $200.00 for marbling supplies. Motion carried.
  • Campus Technical Team requests $425.00 for headphones and hooks for Pony lab.  These items were not covered in the bond and motion carried to table items.
  • Counselor requests $970.00 for Capturing Kids Hearts staff development.  This is a 3-day training seminar and Ms. Judge will provide training to staff.  Motion carried. 
  • Instructional Support Team requests $775.94 for Starting Comprehension, Reading for Meaning; $19.79 for phonics resource guide; $461.93 for phonic readers in variety packs; $218.90 for Go phonics set of 48 interactive phonic games; and $383.90 for phonic readers classroom set.  Motion carried.
  • Motion to table requests from the Office and Music carried. 
  • P.E. requests $144.00 for TAHPERD convention registration for both coaches; $263.98 for a CD player/Dual cassette; and $1,494.50 for mixer, Public Address system, microphone systems with speaker cables.  Randy Saucedo addressed the meeting stating the requested items were an instructional need.  Both coaches have difficulty teaching trying to speak over the noise in the gym due to the A/C system and class size.  This PA system allows for wireless headsets.  These items will only be for the P.E. department.  Other elementary campuses within the district have received similar equipment from their respective PTOs.  Mr. Hicks stated that a lot of instruction is done through P.E. and he supports their request for a separate PA system.  Motion carried.

 

Following the next deposit, Shelley will contact board members via an e-mail voter regarding 1st grade wish list items.  These requests did not make the current list.

 

Important Date

The December PTO meeting will take place in the evening to accommodate working parents.  It was also recommended to move wish list items up on future agendas. 

 

Motion to adjourn at 11:00 a.m.

Robin Thomas

Secretary