Harper General PTO Meeting

Harper General PTO Meeting Wednesday, November 20, 2013 Harper Auditorium

Meeting was called to order at 9:18 by Robin Hungler, President.

Minutes from the September 18th General PTO meeting were approved.

Attendance – see attendance sheet.

Principal's Report: Dr. Kick - Book week has been fun and successful. Harper will pilot the visitor management system that is currently used at the MEC. When people enter the school their driver’s license will be scanned, a badge will be printed with their picture and the destination in the building will be printed on the badge.

For special events that occur during school hours we will have an alternate checklist system in place.

Reminders will be in the Harper Happenings – please be patient as the new system is put into use.

Elizabeth Brennen will be moving on so we will be getting a new library para-pro. A new special education para-pro will be coming to Harper as well.

Faculty Report: Miss Fall – The nurse has asked us to remind parents to please call the safe phone for absences.

2nd grade and Kindergarten would like to thank the PTO for the presentation by Debbie Miller Lou Aiello for Native American studies– they really enjoyed the visit.

Library thank yous – thank you to the volunteers, the Book Fair Committee and ATG. Kathryn Otoshi comes tomorrow (thank you ATG). She will be a highlight of book week. The book One has been read and has tied into our 2nd step lessons. Committee Reports:

 After School Programs – Sally Christ – Registration started and has done very well. Registration continues thru December 6, 2013.

 Advance To Go - Cheryl Moloney – ATG is our fund for enrichment activities and is funded by parents and family donations. It pays many thing including, but not limited to field trips, open gym, the extra crossing guard. Participation so far this year – K-74 %, 1st-72%, 2nd- 69%, 3rd-71%, 4th-69%. We’ve received generous donations from Let Us Entertain You and Jam Productions. Raffle winners were the Hirschtritts, Nortons, Kari and Will Clark and Jai Eisen. For those who have donated, thank you letters will be sent for tax purposes.

 Box Tops – Erin Ellis – no report

 Community Service – Nicole Jones – thank you for supporting Connections Homeless Shelter. Not only do they receive our assistance, but it also helps our kids develop a sense of community awareness. The hat, glove and scarf drive has been extended. The Halloween candy drive brought in 300 pounds of candy! We were able to make a donation to Connections as well as another shelter in Evanston. The Thanksgiving food drive is currently going on. Upcoming donation drives – Pajama, toiletry, sandwiches, recycle backpacks and our Fun Fair. A big thank you from Connections. Harper was recognized at their benefit for all that we do for them.

 Enrichment – Julie Bosen – Enrichment is going well. The committee is working with the teachers to bring in new and exciting activities to the school

 Great Books – Kaari Reierson - Central School has a math night that we are exploring for Harper. Thank you Maria for setting up registration.  FAN – Julie Lipford - Most FAN events are video taped and can be viewed online. There is a link on the Harper website.

 Nominating Committee - 3-4 Members at Large are needed for the committee.

Guest Speaker - Officer Julie Parisi (Wilmette Police Department)

Officer Parisi spoke to the PTO and discussed the many issues that parents and children face with the wide availability and the many forms of technology including the internet, texting, Facebook, and other forms of social media. A hand out from NetSmartz Tech Tips was distributed listing instructional videos and website help centers.

Meeting adjourned at 11:43.

Submitted by Terri Bielinski HARPER GENERAL PTO MEETING AGENDA - 11/20/2013

1.) Call to Order 2.) Approval of September 18th meeting minutes 3.) Principal's Report: Dr. Kick 4.) Faculty Report: Miss Fall 5.) Committee Reports:

 After School Programs – Sally Christ  Advance To Go - Cheryl Moloney  Box Tops – Erin Ellis  Community Service - Nicole Jones  Enrichment – Julie Bosen  Great Books – Kaari Reierson  FAN – Julie Lipford  Nominating Committee - 3-4 Members at Large needed

6.) Guest Speaker - Officer Julie Parisi (Wilmette Police Department)

Upcoming Dates November -25-29 Thanksgiving Break December -12 Harper Chorus Concert 20 Class Holiday Parties 23-1/5/14 Winter Break