Clarke County State Bank

CLARKE ELEMENTARY PTCO A Parent-Teacher-Community Organization MEETING MINUTES September 4th, 2016

The meeting of the Clarke Elementary PTCO was held at 5:30pm at Clarke Elementary. In attendance were 2015-2016 board members President-Carrie Benda, Vice President-Destiny Smith, Secretary-Peggy Lundquist, and Treasurer-Heather Kent.

Principal’s Update. Mrs. Kiger was in attendance. -Mrs. Kiger led the group on a walking tour to see new leader themed signage throughout the building. -There are currently 762 students enrolled at Clarke Elementary with 16 new arrivals since the first day of school. -Clarke Preschool has 63 students enrolled, which is up from last year. -The building now has 4 ELL teachers on staff. -There is a substitute teacher shortage with 4 total subs available for the entire building. -The Imagine Learning program is up and going, and has new features available this school year. -The Clarke Elementary fourth graders were chosen to take the NAEP national test this year. -This school year grades K-2 have 1-1 iPads to use, and 3-6 have 1-1 Chromebooks access, and can use iPads from a cart.

Teacher Update. Mrs. Elben was in attendance. -Mrs. Elben reported that the kindergarten is doing MAP testing on iPads. -They are working on their routines, such as the Clarke Way and the 7 Habits. -Kindergarten will be visiting the Harvest Barn and will have more information available for that trip soon.

Committee Reports

Carnival. Jaqueline Shinn will be organizing the carnival this year, and Lindsay Wade volunteered to help her.

Conference Food. Mrs. Kiger reported that conferences will be done differently this year with conferences Thursday 3pm-8pm of one week, and Tuesday 3pm-8pm the following week. There will be no school the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Good Friday.

Scrap Crop. None.

Movie Night. Heather Kent is organizing movie nights this year, and chose 10/7 as a possibility for the first movie night.

1 CLARKE ELEMENTARY PTCO MEETING MINUTES September 4th, 2016 Page 1 of 2 T- Shirts. Apparel is still being accepted for the Legacy Closet where gently used Clarke apparel can be distributed to new students, or students in need of Clarke gear. Mrs. Kiger shared that Avicci will print shirts at cost if used for a fundraiser for the school. Melanie Elben offered to sell our shirts at events where she sells apparel for the Booster Club.

Yearbook. Peggy Lundquist reported that the PTCO will be producing yearbooks to be printed by the AEA at a cost that will allow every student to receive one. She will get out information to teachers on how to get her photos for the book.

Newsletter. The parent volunteer that put together the newsletter last year has moved. Mrs. Kiger agreed to help find a replacement.

Vendor Fair. Carrie Benda will organize a vendor fair for the first Saturday in November. She will ask Jovee Blakely if she would like to sell lemonade to benefit the local animal shelter. Heather volunteered to sell food as she can get donations from Hormel.

Walk-A-Thon. Destiny Smith is organizing the walk-a-thon for October 5th to correspond with the Live Healthy Iowa walk. Prizes were discussed and ideas included: -A popcorn party for every room that has 100% participation (no dollar amount requirement per child) -$10 or more in donations-extra recess -$25 or more in donations-Clarke drawstring bag (or similar) -Top earning class: pizza party and fruit -Top 10 earners: open ended, maybe meet football players or band members, make it a personalized reward for each child

Destiny will get the donation forms out to students and film a video with her kids demonstrating how to ask for donations from friends, relatives, and neighbors.

Treasurer’s Report. There has been no statement available since May, but Heather estimated a balance of $50,000 before commitments.

Field Trips. Carrie will get information about mileage and driver costs for the school year and will create a field trip form after she has gathered that information. Each class will receive $2000 for trips. There is no transitional kindergarten class to include this year.

PR. None.

Old Business. None.

2 CLARKE ELEMENTARY PTCO MEETING MINUTES September 4th, 2016 Page 2 of 2 New Business. PTCO stored items need to be moved to the new shed.

There being no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm. The next meeting will be held October 3rd. Respectfully submitted,

Peggy Lundquist, Secretary, Clarke Elementary PTCO

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