St. Malachy PTO meeting Minutes

January 25, 2018

Principal’s report:

-The fundraising goal for the building addition has been met.  The addition will involve many changes for the school including moving the car pick up line, scheduling, hiring, etc.  With a recent closing of a preschool in town, Mrs. Simmons reported there will be additional preschool classes, including the option for all day 4 year old preschool.

-Mrs. Simmons also reported that the FAST assessments have shown increasing scores for our students

Treasurer Report:

–As of the end of December, total is $24,886.

Old Business:

-2^nd grade won most boxtops and won a pizza party  -Aiden Evans had most collected and won a single pizza

New Business:

-PTO will plan to send out a survey for new fundraising ideas and for any new ideas for the PTO

-Catholic schools week is next week.  PTO had a poll on the facebook page regarding what to serve.  Breakfast pizza won the vote.  Coffee, juice, and fruit will also be served.  Parents have also signed up to watch the students on Monday while the teachers enjoy a lunch out

-It was brought to a vote to give parents an option for ordering school supplies through Education Products Inc.  It was voted yes to provide this as an option.

-PTO will be planning a family movie night, which would include free admission and snacks will be available for purchase.

-Assessments will be coming up in April.  These assessments typically cost $9500 and PTO has funded this in the past.

-Lap-a-thon is scheduled for May 3^rd.  There will be a sign up genius sent out for volunteers.  Money packets will be sent home before Easter break.

-Teacher appreciation week is May 7-11.  Some ideas to celebrate include gift cards for all staff, and having PTO provide something each day to celebrate

-Mrs Simmons also discussed potential projects to be completed along with the addition including: projector update, bathroom updates, flooring, painting, updating courtyard etc.

-Parent teacher conferences will be March15th, PTO will ask for donated items for the staff on this date.

Next meeting Feb 15 at A & G

St. Malachy PTO meeting Minutes

September 21, 2017

Principal’s report:

-Upcoming events:  Panther spirit day- Sept 29

Muffins with Moms- October 19

STEM night – November 9

Fire prevention; October 9 and 10 for grades K-5

Mass reception for grades 3-5 – October 25

Treasurer Report:

-Current total is $18,280.  More information on the color run at the next meeting

Old Business:

-Previous By laws have been found.  These will be reviewed and updated soon

– Homeroom Parents:  Some parents have signed up to be a homeroom parent. Several more signed up at the meeting.  Still need a parent from preschool and 1^st grade.

-School supplies: This will be tabled until a later meeting

-T-shirt designs:  Lora Pellman presented three designs and the kids have voted on their favorite design.  There will be performance wear, polos, hoodies, etc

-Order sheets will be available at the Spaghetti Supper and at parent teacher conferences.

– Lora will also be designing window decals for cars to be sold

St. Malachy PTO meeting Minutes

August 31, 2017

Opening:  Introduction of PTO Board:  President: Heather Burwell, Vice President: Tiffany Ossian, Secretary: Michelle Wagner, and Treasurer: Alisha Stehr

Principal’s Report:

–Mrs. Simmons reported a good first week.  St. Malachy is planning a supply/fund drive for the victims of Hurricane Harvey.  More information to come.

-The first spirit day will be Sept 8^th.  This is a cy-Hawk day.  Students can pay $1 and wear shirts to support their team.  Proceeds may go to benefit Hurricane Harvey benefit

-Last year, each grade took a turn for a reception following Mass.  This year it will be consolidated into groups of K-2, 3-5, 6-8 receptions.

– Beginner Band display will be held Thursday Sept 7 for those in 4^th-6^th grade.

Treasurer report:

–Current Balance: $16,003

-In the recent past there has not been a specific budget for the PTO.  The PTO hopes to make a budget to track spending

Civic’s Club:

-Last year, the PTO approved giving the Civic’s club $1000 for replacing the games with large wooden games.  The PTO purchased the games already, but still owe $200 to the Creston Arts Club

New Business:

-The PTO plans to update by-laws this year.  This will be tabled for now as Mrs. Simmons/Heather look for previous by-laws and will update at a later time

-A teacher wish list sheet was given to teachers and support staff.  The PTO hopes to use these as ideas for a special birthday surprise or at random to show appreciation for all our staff do

-The PTO is hoping to have homeroom parents for each class to be a go-to person between the PTO, teachers, and all parents in the class.  Please let the PTO know if interested. Some have signed up already.

-PTO brought up the idea to use educationalproducts as an optional supply company to get school supplies for next year. This is the same company other local schools use.  Mrs. Simmons brought up importance of shopping local.  This idea would be optional for parents if they chose to use.  This was tabled for now as Heather checks with the teachers on their opinions.

-T-shirts:  Lora Pellman has agreed to do St. Malachy gear.  All present voted for the top 3 designs.  The students will get to vote on the top design as they did last year.  Some gear she plans to offer: t-shirt, v-neck, performance shirts, polo, pompom/oversized jersey.  After the students vote, orders will be taken at Spaghetti supper

-Family picnic is scheduled for Wed. Sept. 6 at 6:00.  The PTO will provide a small gift for new families.

-Food Fair- Scheduled Sept. 10^th.  PTO will have a table setup for Color Run signup

–  Creston Color Run:  Scheduled Sept 24 at 2:00.T-shirt Deadline is Sept 11.  More volunteers are needed to direct the crowd.  Daniel Buls to sing the national anthem.

-Vendor Fair- changed to Oct 28^th 9:00-2:00.  Civics club plans to do a bake sale.  Burnt Reynolds BBQ will provide pulled pork, chips, drink for $5.

-PTO is hoping to do a kids day in November as a fundraiser. Parents could drop kids off in order to complete some Christmas shopping.  Civics club agreed to help entertain.

-Boxtops may be collected this year by PTO.  More information to come.

-There was a drawing for A&G gift and movie theater tickets for anyone who turned in the pink volunteer form.  Kim Coen was the winner!!!!!

-Next meeting scheduled Sept 21.  Location of PTO meetings may move to park, A&G, or other locations.  Will be announced closer to the meeting.

PTO Meeting

January 19 ,  2017 / 6:00 PM

Agenda

1. The meeting was called to order by PTO President Shilo Gennaro and opened with a prayer. Minutes were read and approved.

Introductions

Principal’s Report

Jennifer Simmons, St. Malachy Principal reported that the most recently  purchased additional Chromebooks are up and running in the classrooms . There are 94 total in use for students on a 1:1 basis.

1. The teachers and staff have been hard at work planning Catholic schools week activities.  There will be staff appreciation day, student appreciation day, community day with a Area Business coffee, school wide Talent show and Grandparents/Special guest day just to name a few of the fun activities.  Catholic Schools week is Jan 29. – Feb. 3 this year.
2. The 6th graders wrote and recorded ads that will be aired during Catholic Schools Week.  There is also an insert written by Miss Steinkamp’s 8th graders  that will go out in the Creston News Advertiser and the Shopper that week.  It is a great way to let the community know about our school.

Treasurer’s Report

1. The balance is $19,555 as of October 1st.

Old Business

1. There were some items left over from the teacher’s wish lists at Christmas time.  We voted to purchase the remaining items.  Shilo will work with Mrs Simmons on this.

New Business

1. Fr. Ken Halbur gave a presentation about the planned school expansion project.  This expansion will connect all the current buildings as well as add 4 additional classrooms. Two of the rooms will be for an expansion of our preschool/early childhood  program.  This area will have it’s own entrance and bathrooms.  The other classroom will be for music/band.  The fourth classroom could have multiple uses including art and increased storage areas.  Part of this building will be a storm shelter for the whole school.  The shelter will meet FEMA guidelines and standards.  Bids have been called for and decisions will be made this week.  The project’s budget is $800,000.   A fundraising process is in place and is already starting to raise funds.  Many of the funds will be raised thru grants as well.  The plan is to be able to start construction this spring.
2. Next event for the PTO is the Sunday Brunch after mass on Jan 29 at Holy Spirit Parish.  We need volunteers to make breakfast casseroles on Saturday and get the other groceries for the brunch.  We also need so people to help serve and clean up.  Lora & Shilo will take care of the cooking.  We will make phone calls to find the other volunteers.  
3. The PTO also takes care of covering the school during the lunch hour on Monday of Catholic Schools Week so that the teachers and all the staff can go to lunch for Staff Appreciation Day.  Shilo will be sending out a Signup Genius for volunteers to cover the classrooms from 11:15 to 1 pm. The students will eat sack lunch with their Advent Angels then go back to the classrooms to watch a movie.
4. We discussed possible dates for the 2nd Annual Trivia Night fundraiser.  After much discussion we decided that it needed to be in February because the Auction is the first Saturday in March and then we get into Spring Break and conferences.  February 25th was chosen as the day.  Staci Pokorny will talk to the Lobby about using their room.  Lora will email Beth Kulow and Kiki Scarberry to see if they are interested in helping with the event again this year.  Shilo will talk to Fr. Ken about being our Rule’s person that night.

Notes

Thank you to Megan Pellman and Haley Simmons for providing child care during the meeting.

Meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote.  Next meeting is Feb 16, 2017  @ 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

PTO Meeting

October 20 ,  2016 / 6:00 PM

Agenda

1. The meeting was called to order by PTO President Shilo Gennaro and opened with a prayer. Minutes of the September meeting were read and approved.

Introductions

Principal’s Report

1. Jennifer Simmons, St. Malachy Principal reported that the most recently  purchased additional Chromebooks are up and running in the classrooms .

1. NCEA funding expected from the public school budget has been reduced to $3500 and $2700 of that will be used for lodging.  $2200 is needed for early bird registration.  Mrs. Simmons is asking for the PTO to cover this cost.  A motion was made to approve this expense and seconded.  Motion carried.
2. Bishop Pates will visit the school November 9th.  He will celebrate mass with the whole school and have lunch.  All the details of his visit have not been worked out but we are very excited to have him visit our school.
3. St. Malachy will be hosting a Science Technology Engineering & Math Festival on November 10th from 5:30-7:30.  STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  Families are encouraged to come and try out different types of STEM activities.  We will have people here from different STEM industries such as: automotive, veterinary science, x-ray/ultrasound, EMS, robotics, computer science and many more.
4. St. Malachy’s 2nd annual Muffins with Moms will be on Tuesday, November 15th from 7:30-8am. RSVPs will be going out soon.
5. A wish list item from the teachers is a rolling cart that would hold 36” bulletin board paper rolls.  We will look into costs for this item.

Treasurer’s Report

1. The balance is $19,555 as of October 1st. All expenses from the 1st annual Creston Color Run have been accounted for at this time.

New Business

1. Teachers Brea Steinkamp and Kim Cline reported on the poor condition of the carnival games that the Civics Club uses for the Spaghetti Supper and the Food Fair carnival.  Many of the games are broken and quite old.  They have worked to repair and update the current games as best they can.  Several of the 8th grade boys have worked very hard to make the games usable for this year’s Spaghetti Supper carnival but some new games really need to be purchased.   After some discussion we voted to give the Civics Club a budget of $1000 to repair, replace and purchase games.
2. Next event for PTO will be the Spaghetti Supper on October 22.  Lesha Clark and Abbey Clayton are the co-chairs this year.  All the volunteer spots and food needed sign up spots are filled and we hope to have another successful event this weekend.
3. The PTO will be taking orders for this year’s gear at the Spaghetti Supper and at Parent-Teachers Conferences in November.
4. Shilo will be sending out a Signup Genius for food for the teachers during Parent-Teachers Conferences.
5. Our Holiday Vendor Fair will be November 19th at St Malachy school.  Heather Burwell has contacted vendors and is working on getting information out.  Contact her if you would like to get involved with that.
6. Leslie Wurster reported on some ideas that she has for marketing and recruitment.  She is a member of the Union County Development Association and they are doing some restructuring and will possibly have an area in their office for selling Creston Panther Booster Club gear and she thinks they would let us have items available for sale there too.  We also discussed the possibility of having items available to sale at The Rectory Rerun shop.  We will discuss this with Fr. Halbur when he returns from vacation.

She also talked about yard signs to show our pride in being St. Malachy families.  She has found a vendor to make 2 sided color printed yard signs for a reasonable price.  She is willing to personally contribute enough money to buy one for each school family..  These would also be available for sale as a possible ongoing fundraiser.  All present were open to this idea and want Leslie to pursue it.

Notes

Thank you to Megan Pellman and Haley Simmons for providing child care during the meeting.

Meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote.  Next meeting is Nov 17 @ 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

Agenda

1. The meeting was called to order by PTO President Shilo Gennaro and opened with a prayer. Minutes of the August 25 PTO meeting were read and approved.

Introductions

1. The classroom Pizza Party contest continues this month.  This is a new idea to encourage parents to attend the PTO meetings. This year PTO will be rewarding meeting attendance with a pizza party.  We are  taking attendance at the PTO meetings and the classroom with the highest attendance will receive a year end pizza party.  Parents and grandparents are welcome to attend! Currently the 1st grade is in the lead.
2. Shilo went over the PTO mission statement that was developed a few years ago.

Principal’s Report

1. Jennifer Simmons, St. Malachy Principal shared a proposal to the Board of Education that asked for each student to be assessed a $50 technology fee at registration to be added to the technology budget for the 2016-17 school year.   This raised $7500.  These funds were used to offset the cost of upgrading the infrastructure of the WIFI system in both buildings.  Also for developing and maintaining a relationship with a company for the school technology issues and repairs. Cost – $2100

2. This money was also used to purchase 10 ipads and cases for use in the PreK – 1st grade classrooms. Cost $3700
3. Purchase of 26 Chromebooks with storage for Grades 2-5. Cost $6250.
4. Purchase and additional set of 20 Chromebooks for Grades 2-5. Cost $4900.
5. All of these goals have been accomplished except for the set of 20 Chromebooks.  Mrs Simmons is asking the PTO to pay for these Chromebooks..  The group has funds set aside for technology. Shilo called for a motion to approve the releasing of these funds.  It was moved and seconded and the motion carried.
6. Mrs Simmons also reported the Mrs Dinham, Kindergarten teacher, applied for a grant this summer and was awarded $9000 to be used for the purchase of a Smartboard and Smart Table for her classroom!  These items have arrived and she will begin using them soon.

Treasurer’s Report

1. $17, 959 as of today. The Creston Color Run is this weekend September 25.  Approximately $6000 is the expected from this fundraiser. 26 people are currently signed up to help with the event.  We are all praying for good weather.

New Business

1. Lora Pellman has agreed to do St. Malachy gear for this year.  She brought several designs for the group to choose from.  The group picked 3 of the designs.  They decided that the students and staff should vote on which design they like the best.  Mrs Simmons is going to work on making this an electronic survey.  We will have results soon.
2. Next event for PTO will be the Spaghetti Supper on October 22.  Lesha Clark has done a fantastic job as chair of this event for the past several years and she has agreed to chair again this year.  Signup genius will be sent out soon to families for donating food and volunteering to work at the supper.
3. Our Holiday Vendor Fair will be November 19th at St Malachy school.  Heather Burwell has contacted vendors and is working on getting information out.  Contact her if you would like to get involved with that. We are expecting 30-35 vendors this year.

Notes

PTO Meeting

AUGUST 25,  2016 / 6:00 PM

Agenda

1. The meeting was called to order by PTO President Shilo Gennaro and opened with a prayer.

Introductions

Principal’s Report

1. Jennifer Simmons, St. Malachy Principal reported on the many goals that were accomplished over the summer.  The 4 class rooms in the 3-5 hallway had wall dividers removed and drywall was installed.  The teachers picked paint colors and painted the new walls and trim.  Father Ken built and installed new cabinets in the lower wing classrooms.  WIFI systems have and continue to be updated.

1. There have been significant, exciting changes in the lunchroom.  Students use a keypad to input their assigned number now.  Other changes include 3-8th graders are serving their own fruits and veggies and salads have returned.

1. Middle School students have moved to 80 minute block scheduling.

1. The LEAP program will be starting after Labor Day.  These are  advanced placement classes for students in Science, Math and Language Arts.

1. We have a new web site and she presented many of the cool interactive features.

Treasurer’s Report

1. $17, 526 as of August 1st.  Ice cream social that was hosted by the PTO during open house was a success.  Expenses have not all been totaled but it is expected that the cost is under $50.

New Business

1. Creston Color Run is September 25.  This is a 5K run with 1.4 mile kids run.  This is a new event this year.  It replaces our Fall Fundraiser of cook dough sales.  The committee is currently working on getting sponsors, and getting the word out.  Registration will be taken up until the run but early registration with included t-shirt needs to be in by September 9th.  Anyone interested in volunteering or if you would like more information there is a committee meeting tomorrow night @ 5:30.

1. Next event for PTO will be the Spaghetti Supper on October 22.  Lesha Clark has done a fantastic job as chair of this event for the past several years and Shilo will contact her to see if she is willing to chair that again this year.

1. Our Holiday Vendor Fair will be November 19th at St Malachy school.  Heather Burwell has contacted vendors and is working on getting information out.  Contact her if you would like to get involved with that.

1. PTO agreed to help with expenses for the NCEA conference that teachers will attend in St. Louis in March.  Some funds from professional development that we were unaware of before will be utilized for this as well.

1. Previous years St. Malachy gear was sold during registration and we discussed ideas for this year.  Lora Pellman agreed to bring ideas to the next meeting.

Notes

Meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote.  Next meeting is September 15th.