Christ the King-PTO

CKS PTO Board Meeting

MINUTES

November 12,  2014, 6:30 p.m.    

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Meeting started at 6:35 p.m.

People in attendance: Katherine Marsella (President), Katie Nunn (Vice President, until 2:20 p.m.), Mary Ann Lickteig (Secretary),  Tara Banks (Treasurer0, Angela Pohlen (Principal), Odile Steel (Associate Principal),  Jon Hughes (Advancement Director), Erin Dye, Darcy Church, Earl Handy, Justin Kelley, Debbie Byrne, Ryan Lyford, Pam Stevens, Amy Langevin, Lorin Holmes, Sarah E. Murphy, Jennifer Pizzagalli

1. Opening Prayer - led by Jon Hughes

2.  Accept October minutes -- Katherine Marsella moved and Katie Nunn seconded. Minutes were accepted.

3. Introduction of PTO board members and brief overview of PTO events

a. Board members introduced themselves.

b. Katherine listed the five main PTO fund-raisers: the golf tournament, Genevieve’s/Red Barn sale, Christmas Extravaganza, Cabaret/Silent Auction and Spring Challenge. In addition, the PTO facilitates teacher appreciation events.

4. Treasurer’s Report -- Tara Banks

a. The PTO has to meet a $47,000 budget, which it does through the five events. See attached budget for details.

b. In addition, we help raise $3,000 for teacher appreciation events, which include treats for faculty meetings; meals on in-service days and before evening school events, such as concerts and Cabaret; and surprises, such as lottery tickets for St. Patrick’s Day. Proceeds from the following events support Teacher Appreciation: Popcorn Friday, Hoedown, Ice Skating, Barnes & Noble Book Fair and gift wrapping.

5. New Business

a. Principal’s Report -- Angela Pohlen

i. Tarrant Technology Initiative -- Angela reported that the school has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tarrant Institute, which is giving CKS $175,000 over three years for technology, professional development and in grant money. Tarrant focuses on middle schools. Within the year, we hope to have a device (still to be determined) for each middle school student. We are now a Google school, using Google calendars for middle school. Angela said that she views technology as a tool and she wants kids to learn how they can use technology to navigate their lives. Also, students will start building personal web sites in third grade and continue working on them through eighth grade.

ii. Academic and Social Intervention -- Jen Hill runs the Student Success Team, which is designed to meet kids’ academic and learning needs that can’t be met in the classroom. Teachers and parents are involved in developing and executing a plan. The result is a documentation of accommodations that have worked and failed. Social intervention takes the form of a “lunch bunch.” Kids, in small or large groups, eat lunch with their teacher or with Angela to discuss social interaction.

iii. 75th Anniversary Plans -- Mary Ann Lickteig reported that Fr. Rich wants an anniversary activity each month for the entire year. Several events are school events that we’ll expand to include the whole parish. Highlights include the kickoff Mass and reception Dec. 7, internationally known tenor Dennis McNeil at the Flynn March 19 and the Gala Dinner/Dance at the Hilton May 30. Commemorative bricks are for sale and will comprise a new entrance to the church and school. Schedule attached.

b. School Board Report -- Jon Hughes reported that the School Board discussed the true cost of educating a child at CKS and the idea of doing project-based, rather than general fund-raising. Angela added that the school plans to hire a consultant, who specializes in Catholic elementary schools,  to develop a five-year plan for CKS.

6. Public Comment — Public comment was scattered throughout the meeting.

a. Justin Kelley noted that PTO minutes posted online are outdated.

b. Some people suggested that the 1:15 p.m. start time of many board meetings is inconvenient for many parents who may like to attend.

c. Earl Handy suggested promoting the Christmas Extravaganza more and suggested using lights and pitching a tent outside to sell coffee. Others suggested expanding the event to include a bazaar, breakfast and photos with Santa.

d. While Earl thought that the PTO could use a Facebook page, Lorin Holmes warned that too many school-related Facebook pages could dilute the school’s message. Earl suggested that Instagram could be a good tool for the school and said that our Facebook, Twitter and Web site need to coincide.

e. Earl suggested a bottle drive and Angela said she was open to the idea but it requires having one person pick up bottles and cans regularly and finding a redemption center to take them.

f. The group discussed the pros and cons of having a rummage sale. Some seem successful (Orchard School’s) but some parents worried that we’d get stuck with a lot of junk. Angela said we need to balance effort with return.

g. Angela reported that bathrooms are cleaned at least three times a day and get a deep clean on a weekend rotation. The school nurse is working on a handwashing initiative.

7. Old Business

a. Genevieve’s Update — Shipment came in and went home today.

b. Christmas Extravaganza Update — Dec. 6 and 7 event discussed during public comment.

c. Barnes & Noble Gift Wrapping/Book Fair Update — Katherine reported that CKS will get a percentage of all sales, including the cafe’s, if the buyer mentions CKS during the Dec. 13 book fair and for the following five days.

Meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.