Meeting Minutes

WOODLAND ELEMENTARY PTO

SEPTEMBER 2008 MEETING MINUTES

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT:

Mr. Carulli introduced himself and provided the following background information: he spent 4 years as the Pine Grove Principal, 24 years as a teacher and 2 years as an administrator at Baldwinsville.
Mr. Carulli complimented the staff for their dedication, professionalism and for their welcome in the opening days.
A School Improvement Plan has been devised and continues to be revised. This Plan will help to enhance student performance.
The PBIS Team is in full swing and there was a kick-off assembly the first day of school.
Woodland is taking steps to become a professional learning community.
This building (Woodland) is very well run.
Mr. Carulli is very excited to be at Woodland.

TREASURER'S REPORT:

The 2008-2009 PTO budget was reviewed and approved.

5^th Grade Promotion Gift – Traditionally, the PTO has purchased an atlas as a promotion gift for the 5^th grade students. Other possible gift ideas were discussed and are being pursued.

Tax Exempt Status: Our PTO has a Tax Exempt no. (a copy of our form may be obtained from Kerri Burr (434-3009, X2361)). Please utilize our tax exempt no. when making purchases over $50 for PTO events. Please see a Customer Service representative at the vendor where you will be making purchases and they will outline their procedure. Not discussed at the meeting but FYI: our PTO has accounts established with It's Elementary and Oriental Trading. Please contact Kerri before placing orders with these two companies.

TEACHERS' REPORT:

Upcoming Class Field Trips:

Kindergarten – to the Pumpkin Patch on October 10 (2 parent chaperones/class).
1^st Grade – to the Apple Orchard on September 18.
1^st Grade – to Hospital-Land on October 6, 20 and 21.
4^th Grade – Wegmans Eat Well Live Well Tour on October 6, 7 and 14
5^th Grade – Green Lakes State Park to study animals and adaptations in October

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be scheduled on Parent Information Night (Sept. 25).
School Picture Days will be on September 23 and 24.
PBIS events on September 26 will feature Milk and Cookies for Kindergarten through 2^nd Grade and a magician for Grades 3 through 5.
PBIS event on October 27 will feature pumpkins and crafts.
September 17 – Constitution Day – Mr. Kirkwood's Class will read parts from the Preamble.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be on October 31, November 5 and November 18.

CHAIRPERSONS' REPORTS:

Box Top$ for Education: Laura Abbott chairs this year-long activity. Please keep clipping the Box Top$ for Education coupon on many products and send them to school with your child. Last year our school received $1200 from this activity! So far we have earned $408. Which products have box tops? Check out General Mills' web site at www.boxtops4education.com. Currently, if you sign up on the Box Top$ web site to receive their Marketplace email newsletter, our school will receive 5 bonus Box Top$. A flyer will be coming home soon regarding Box Top$ for Education. Box Top$ submittal deadlines are October 31 and February 28. In January there will be a contest to determine which classrooms can submit the most Box Top$. The classroom at each grade level that submits the most Box Top$ will receive a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card to purchase books for their classroom library.
Dance Program: An after-school, instructional dance program taught by the Syracuse Dance Factory is being offered to boys and girls at Woodland and Park Hill. Different types of dance programs will be offered. The program costs $140 and includes 30 weeks of ½-hour lessons, dance costumes, pictures and a recital in May. Registration will be on September 16.
Roller Skating Party (October 17): There will be two family skating sessions: 6:00 p.m.-7:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Skate rentals cost $4.00 and personal skates are not allowed. Please contact Lori Fingar at 431-9774 if you are available to help sell tickets or refreshments. (Spring Date: 4/3/09)
Fall Scholastic Book Fair (Dates TBD): Patti Puma volunteered to chair this event. More information will be provided as this November event draws near. Please note that your book fair purchase will enable the PTO to provide a free book to every student at the conclusion of the Reading Incentive Program in March.
Barnes & Noble Fundraiser: Patti Puma will also investigate a fundraising opportunity at Barnes & Noble.
Enjoy the City Fundraiser (September 22-October 3): Enjoy the City is a book featuring discount offers at a variety of local merchants and restaurants. This is a Buy 1 book for $25 and Get 1 book Free. Chairpersons Jeff and Colette Seltzer are the coordinators. Per parent/guardian requests, it is the PTO's intention to send only one book home per family and that book will be sent with the oldest child. Please note that every child will bring home an order form. Enjoy the City does not permit the PTO to sell only one book at half the cost.
Fall Fundraiser (September 30-October 13): This fundraiser features gift items, chocolates, candles and wrapping paper. A Sally Foster rep. will have some products available for review on Parent Information Night. Sally Foster offers a prize program for the students and has "partner points" which the PTO will be able to purchase items for the school following the conclusion of the fundraiser.
Parent Information Night (September 25): The PTO approved the purchase of mum plants for our grade raffles. Woodland T-shirts ($8), youth sweatshirts ($8), adult sweatshirts ($10) and tote bags ($6) will be available for sale. If you can volunteer to assist at the PTO tables on this evening, please contact Sandy Raulli at 463-4474.

School Pictures (September 23 & 24): Pictures for students in Grades 3-5 will be taken on Sept. 23 and students in Grades K-2 will be taken on Sept. 24. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Russo at 656-5141 or Sandy Raulli at 463-4474. Every student will receive a free class picture. For families with three or more children: portrait packages for third and subsequent children in the same household pay half price for portrait packages of equal or lesser value.
BINGO Night (October 3): This family event will be held in the Woodland cafeteria and will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Volunteers will be needed to assist with calling numbers, verifying BINGO, helping children select their prizes and selling refreshments. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Sandy Buck at 656-7817.
Burger King Family Night: Please contact Kerri Burr at 434-3009, X2361 if you are interested in coordinating this event. Families would visit the Thompson Road Burger King during a specified 3-hour window on a weeknight. When placing a food or beverage order, families indicate they are with Woodland Elementary and the PTO receives 20% of the value of their purchases.
Winter Wear Exchange (Date TBD): Clean, gently worn items (coats, hats, mittens, boots, etc.) are donated. Then these items are made available for people to select free of charge. Kate Walters and Katie Hager will canvass the other ESM elementary PTOs to determine their interest in holding a joint event at Woodland. More details to follow as they become available.
Family Holiday Night: If anyone is interested in planning a family holiday event, please contact Aimee Hillman at 437-0013 or Sandy Raulli at 463-4474.

NEW IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS:

It was suggested that Mr. Carulli write an introduction letter to the parents outlining some of the items he discussed at the Kindergarten orientation.

NEXT PTO MEETING:

The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, at 6:30 p.m.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR/UPCOMING EVENTS:

September 23-24: School Pictures
September 25: Parent Information Night
October 3: Bingo Night (6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
October 13: No School: Columbus Holiday
October 17: Roller Skating Party (6:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.)
October 23-24: No School: Staff Days

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