Minutes from March 19 Meeting

Great News

Mr. Kerr shared the following information:

• There is now a PTO web page – it’s a link on the Boyden-Hull website. He thanked Greta Grond and Sandy Groom-Meeks for pulling this together.
• The student council is looking at selling wristbands to help the Mesman family. They are going to work with the student council at the high school as well.
• The elementary students had a great Dr. Seuss Week even though it was interrupted by the blizzard. There is still a skit the teachers plan to present and they will do this on the same day as the assembly for the Reach for the Stars (date TBD).
• The sixth graders did great at the math bee competition last Thursday. Two students from Boyden Hull were in the top 20: Kelsey W. and Brandt V. R.

Parent Volunteers

• Parent volunteer sheets are trickling in. Currently, 11 sheets have been returned. Mr. Kerr gave the completed volunteer sheets to Pam Wielenga, and she will work on putting them into categories so the teachers can begin requesting assistance as needed. It was noted we should add a category to these sheets for parents to volunteer over the summer (i.e. cutting and pasting) as some parents have more time to volunteer in the summer than during the school year. A parent volunteer sheet will be added to the PTO web site so parents can print a form if they desire. Click here to download the parent volunteer form.
• There are possible cuts to the Foster Grandparent Program. Mr. Kerr shared they play an important role at our school. He encouraged parents to write letters to Senator Harkin and Representative King stating this program should not have its funding cut. It was noted you can also e-mail these congressmen. Mr. Kerr is also going to look into having students write a support letter as well.
  
  Below is the information for the e-mail contact for both legislators who are a part of the committee to fund the FGP program:


• Senator Harkin: http://harkin.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm
• Representative King: http://www.house.gov/steveking/email.shtm

Registration

• If there are any additional suggestions to pass along to the SIAC committee to improve the registration process, please submit them to Mr. Kerr by March 26.
• Mr. Kerr mentioned there is a possibility of adding a shorts policy to the handbook (shorts could only be worn certain months of the year). Some students are wearing shorts when the weather is not appropriate, and then they do not wish to go outside for recess. This policy change will be brought to the SIAC committee and forwarded to the board for their approval. The handbook will be revised in the near future so if you see any corrections or additions you feel should be made, contact Mr. Kerr.
  

Fundraising

• The Reach for the Stars (reading incentive program) has been very well received. The final numbers are not in yet as students have until Wednesday, March 21 to submit their reading log/pledges. However, preliminary numbers look excellent. There will be an assembly the first part of April where Mr. Kerr will possibly have a crew cut (depends if reading goal is met). But either way, the students will get to see how many free books they have earned for the school. If parents or teachers have any suggestions or concerns about the program, please share them with Mr. Kerr as there is interest in offering this as a yearly fundraiser.
• The yearbook order form is done. It is written in English and Spanish (thanks to Mr. Vander Lugt for his assistance). The forms will be sent home this Friday, March 23, with a deadline of Friday, March 30. The student council voted on the cover. Cost will be $8. Questions will be fielded by the elementary school office.
• There is interest in selling Boyden Hull elementary t-shirts and possibly sweatshirts this fall. Tentative timeframe for this program – September or October. It was suggested to offer this fundraiser on an every other year basis and to change the color selection from year to year. This year, the color choice will be black. Cost and who will make the t-shirts is not finalized yet.
• A Scholastic book fair is a possibility for fall 2007. Mr. Kerr will provide possible dates to Peggi Olson so she can work on lining up this event.
  

Web Page
It was decided if a PTO member is the contact person for something, their full name and contact information will be listed.

Other Business

• Sheri Brunsting has volunteered to take over the teacher appreciation meals for the teachers during fall and spring conferences. Greta Grond will provide her with details on how this was organized the past 2 years.
• Crystal Rozeboom has a notebook for all PTO business. If a PTO member is in charge of coordinating an effort, they should submit a copy of their notes to Crystal.
• PTO funds were discussed. The PTO members would like to have some say on how the money they raise can be used. Mr. Kerr is going to talk to administration about how this will work. Preferably, PTO would make their recommendations and Mr. Kerr would be able to approve or disapprove (up to a certain dollar amount).
  

Next Meeting
The next PTO meeting will be Monday, April 23, at 7:30. PTO minutes will be posted on the PTO web site and also e-mailed to members.