EM Holt Elementary PTO Board Minutes

February 8, 2016

On February 8, 2016, an EM Holt PTO Board meeting was held at 5:30. India Kingery, our PTO President welcomed each of us and called our meeting to order at 5:36.

Members present: 12

Treasurer’s Report: Shanon Lee provided the PTO Treasurer’s Report

Cash on Hand $57,539.64 (12/14/15)

Deposits $ 3,357.14

Disbursements $ 11,789.48

Cash Balance $ 49,107.30 (2/8/16)

Announcements:

India opened up welcoming everyone. She told us that $250 was donated by PTO to EMH student that was killed in car wreck funeral expenses. This donation was made directly to the Funeral Home that handled the service.

Committee Reports:

Backpack Program: The backpack is now helping 25 students. Food Lion gift cards will be sent home with kids during Spring Break.

Book Fair: The book fair is scheduled for February 19-26. The book fair committee is still in need of lots of volunteers! There will be a family fun night & volunteers will be needed during that time as well.

Enrichment: Bricks 4 Kids is scheduled for March 15-April 26. The program will be $72 and there will be a flier sent home soon with more information.

Family Involvement: No date set for Tile night yet.

Hospitality: Souper Bowl went great. There will be some treats for teachers and staff for Valentine’s Day

Merchant Rebates: LINK your RED ROBIN rewards card so EMH PTO will get credit for your purchases.

Paw Print: will be coming home next week with students.

Spirit Nights: March 22nd from 4-9 at Firehouse Subs.

School Store: tshirts & sweatshirts are still being sold. Texas Roadhouse: There are still 4 $25 gift cards left from the sale. If you are interested in purchasing one, please let a Board Member know. Approximate profit from the sale of the gift card was $1,711.

Website & Calendar: Keep Jamie updated with current information so she can add it to the website & PTO Calendar.

A First Responders Appreciation Week is in the planning stages. We are working with local law enforcement, firemen/women, EMTs to schedule some assemblies, school visits, and even an appreciation luncheon for those serving for the week of March 21st. More information to follow.

Special Projects: The PTO is still working hard to narrow down the most beneficial thing to spend monies made on. A motion was made & approved by all present to purchase dictionaries for all 5th grade classrooms. Our 5th graders use dictionaries on almost a daily basis. Currently, the books they must work with are worn, torn, and battered, and because they are rather old, they do not contain some words included in their standard vocabulary lists. The Board set a $2,500 MAX purchase for approximately 125 dictionaries. Shanon Lee-made motion, Jaclyn Ellis-2nd. All present approved.

Some of the other ideas are as follows:

 Painting K/1 and 2/3 grade hallways. We are hoping to secure paint at a discounted price so that a team of teacher and parent volunteers can paint these areas of our school that could use a fresh coat.

 Technology enrichment program. We are investigating a partnership with local college in which college students would work with our students to begin learning to work with technology. Purchase of additional technology such as Chromebooks or laptops may be required.

 Installing steps on the football field. The hill near the concession stand is a very unsafe area during events such as the Fall Festival and Movie Night. We are reaching out to local civic organizations as well as the carpentry department at Southern High School to develop an acceptable solution with nominal cost. Developing an account or partnership with local printing companies to allow school staff to design and print posters and other materials in a professional manner.

IMPORTANT DATES:

February 10th 3 hour early release day (makeup from snow) February 19-25 Book Fair

With there being no further business to be discussed our meeting was adjourned at 6:55pm.

Respectively Submitted,

Jennifer Shaw 2015-2016 PTO Secretary