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LAKEWAY ELEMENTARY PTO
General Meeting
Tuesday, October
26, 2004
Science Lab
President Jennifer Neuse called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m., with a verified quorum. The minutes from the previous meeting were read. Motion carried.
· Making progress on sidewalk construction. Construction to start during the holiday break.
· Blue Ribbon Status-LWE was very strong, but a nomination is difficult with our demographics. Only 3 schools with demographics like LWE will receive recognition. Discussion ensued as to other avenues for recognition.
· TAKS-Our 3rd grade placed in the top 10 TAKS Testers in 2003-2004; the 4th and 5th grades did well. The difference was in two test scores—only two students did not receive perfect scores.
· LTE Construction-Construction is on schedule and the building will be similar to LPE in design.
· Yearbook Sponsor-Janet Byler has agreed to sponsor to annual and Cynthia Casto will recruit parent volunteers.
· Technology-There have been no breakdowns, however there have been problems with outside e-mails. The computer system will be replaced during the holiday break. LWE has made advancements on Star Reader and Math and our Accelerated Reader Program. All are up and running, however significant purchases need to be made in reference to the AR program to include all books in library.
· Red Ribbon Week-There will be no assembly or special promotions due to the following: LWE has already scheduled 4 assemblies for the Peace Maker Program, mandated food restrictions and a focus of doing more drug prevention in the classrooms. Wristbands and stickers will be available. LWE desires to focus more on a drug prevention discussion than event.
· Fall Carnival-campus will be available if there is rain. There will not be an auctioned parking place this year due to the ill will that sometimes exists.
· Kindergarten Phonics-Not all students need direct phonics instruction everyday. Those that do will receive direction through phonic centers. LWE has input into direct phonics through the Language Arts Committee. There is a process in play that guides what we as a campus can do. The LA Committee consists of one representative from combined grade levels. Georgia Clegg represents K, 1st and 2nd. ? represents 3rd, 4th and 5th, with Cynthia Clinesmith as Chairperson.
· Gated area for bus driveway-to be addressed on a future bond package because of the expense involved. PTO can create signage to discourage unrelated school traffic from the blacktop area adjacent to the playscape. A security gate will be constructed for the Kinder hallway during the holiday break.
· A letter will be sent out to parents in November restricting dogs from campus.
Green Santa-This year LWE will sponsor families within our maintenance and cafeteria staff. Debbye Judge will oversee this.
1st
VP/Volunteers-Cynthia Casto
·
Hill Country Pasta House will resume lunch runs
for staff on Wednesdays in November.
Meals cost $5.00 and a volunteer will pick up cash and deliver meals to
LWE during the lunch hour.
·
150 casseroles will be available for sale at the
Carnival; 130 orders have been processed for the pre-sale.
·
All committee members are working hard. LWE has received many donations.
·
The custodial staff has been reserved for the
event.
Homeroom moms are challenged for volunteers for shifts during event. There will be a post-carnival survey to address issues within the carnival process.
3rd VP/Fundraising-Becky Carfer
· School Store is up and running. In the first five weeks, the store has a profit of $1,302. More parents are needed to volunteer during operation.
Cheri Delong has resigned her PTO board position. Since the bylaws are in a revision process, there will not be an election to fill the position at this time.
4th
VP/Programs-Felicia Collazo
· Coat Drive ended, but LWE still has contributions.
· Hudson Bend Ladies Auxiliary has suggested a 3-week period for the food drive, but LWE is going to hold food drive from 11/1 until 11/12/04. It was suggested to continue the food drive at other school events.
Trunk Show/Art Show/Rock Concert to be held on 11/18/04. Admission possible could be in the form of canned food. To be discussed with the Special Area Coordinator.
· Reported as of 10/26/04 a balance of $51,862.08.
Shelley motioned to approve:
1. Passbook expense increase of $2,253.50 for a total of $11,853.50
2. One-half of the Red Ribbon expense will be reimbursed from LTISD
3. School supplies to increase $177.98 for a total of $26,377.98
4. Teacher Appreciation Expense to increase $1,000.00 for a total of $2,500.00 due to increase in staff for the 2004-2005 school year
After discussion, motion carried to approve budget line items.
· Lyn Quinn expressed concerns about low morale among volunteers. She feels the culture at LWE has changed. Parents are encouraged to address their concerns with the source directly. The job of the PTO board is to be a support systems for teachers and staff at LWE, which has the most senior staff in LTISD. Discussion followed. Mr. Hicks stated he is aware of the situation with the faculty and added one of the factors behind the “A+” program.
· LWE lost a monitor, which was a LTISD decision. Coverage during lunch has been reduced to 5.
1.
Wish List Items-Shelley McCannon
·
Ms. Matt requested classroom set of dry erase
boards for $27.79 for a total of $83.37.
·
Ms. Williams requested balls, cards, stamps,
stickers for a total of $98.55 (tabled until 11/30/04).
·
Ms. Beeson withdrawn pencil sharpener request
· Ms. Ezell requested $500.00 for field trip to Wild Basin Preserve and Teaching Robolab Step by Step-teacher resource book for $17.00 for a total of $22.35
· 5th grade field trip to TX State Assoc. of GT Teachers. Students take part in Student Showcase, run a robotics exhibit November 15 for $995.00.
· Coaches Saucedo and Allen request a deluxe ball inflator for $219.00 for a total of $231.26 and overhead transparencies, band aids, Neosporin, gel ice packs for a total of $51.00.
Technology-Kathy Mennen
·
Requested $800.00 for a lesson plan
generator/software
·
Ms. Teach requested $261.00 for ink cartridges
for the Dell Computer Lab
Music
Music teachers requested $299.99 for stereo receiver and $50.00 for connection wire to system, for a total of $350.00
Meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
Robin Thomas
Secretary