Introductions and brief explanation of sign up sheets for different events.

Comments from Principal Mike Arth:

Mr.Arth went over new staff members for this school year and introduced the ones in attendance. Reviewed the school opening and said that it went very smoothly (Kindergarten orientation scheduled over two days, each with one half the class attending)

Said that our Bike Rodeo was well attended and had heard lots of positive comments.

The school celebrated the writing of the Stars Spangled Banner that week, and began a program called “Peace Builders” to promote school unity and teamwork.

The October 5th PTO meeting will be attended by Dennis Richards, the new town school superintendent. This will be a joint meeting with the school council.

August Meeting Minutes accepted with minor change.

Treasurer’s Report by interim treasurer Deanne Rockwood.:

Brief explanation for new members about how we raise money and what we do with it.

Savings $8973.76

Checking $2411.80

Total: $11385.56

Expenditures since last meeting:

Joy Paruch/Teacher Welcome $191.21

Joy Paruch/Holiday Fair $18.82

Paper for brochures $11.94

Printing of brochures at UPS store $35.70

PTO notebooks $13.94

Julie Lamson/Recycling money $104.95

Bike /Soccer Rally $185.00 (cash drawers)

Chase card services $270.28

(Paper $5.98, Bike/Soccer $30.28, Stencils $234.02)

Lori Raber $17.90 (Bike/Soccer ice)

Carrie Shanahan $21.54 (paint for stencils)

Corine Adams $71.43 (Bike/Soccer $47.29, helium tank $24.14)

Deposits since last meeting

Recycled cartridges $104.95

Sportswear $117

Bike/Soccer rally $354.80

Target $60.97

Bookfair 9/21 Kelly Geist & Lynda Gaudet chairpeople

Will be held at the K-1-2 “Meet the teacher” night. Request for sign up to help.

The other night will be 9/28 (for preschool, grades 3 & 4)

Per Mr. Arth, we are the only K-4 school in town to have this on two separate nights

Bookfair will also be held on Thursdays 9/22 & 9/29 during lunch (11:15 – 1:15)

For the students.

First Pizza Night (chairperson Sue Picard) on Thursday October 6th, Domino’s & Papa Gino’s flyers will go home. We will be doing separate forms for each pizza place this time so as to minimize the confusion.

Halloween Event to be held on Friday October 28th at the school from 6:00 – 7:30pm.

(Chairperson Yvonne Boots-Faubert)

Last year’s event went very well. Plan on having many of the same activities (story telling, fortune teller, face & nail painting, games, snacks etc) Will have a theme this year.

Cookie Dough Fundraiser (chairperson Lynda Gaudet)

Our safety First fundraiser will no longer be held as the products are no longer available, so we are really going to push this one. Has been moved to fall this year from the previous years we held it during the spring. Some new items this year as well.

Holiday Fair (Chairperson Kelly Crocker) Kelly not in attendance, but said that we have a lot of items already. Still have a need for Men’s items (need approx 80-120) Baby items (30 items) and Teen & Universal items. She said to those who plan on shopping for it, do not spend more than $1 on an item, we are looking for the deep discount.

Box-tops for Education (Chairperson Joy Paruch)

Goal this year $1500, same as last. Sign-up sheet went around for the ‘Box Tops Booster Club.’

4th grade Yearbook & School Newspaper. Terri Lewis was previous years chairperson, Lori to check to see if she wants to do it again. Mrs. Dwyer (3rd grade inclusion teacher) is the liaison for the newspaper.

New Business

Fundraiser to replace “Safety First” (no longer manufacturing products) Deanne Rockwood gave brief presentation on alternate fundraisers:

1. Dutch Mill Bulbs: Cost $5. Profit 50% ($2.50) Shipped in Spring (May-June)

Money back guarantee.

2. Original Works: Mousepads, calendars, keychains, mugs, sweatshirts 30-32% profit. Company provides paper, (free) for students to create works of art on (drawings etc) These are scanned into the company’s system and reproduced on the above items. Company offered to put 1 piece of child’s work onto magnets free-of charge for preview before purchase. (some parents new to this area said that this was done at their old schools with a lot of success.)

3. Other Possibilities:

Bike-a-thon (on the Bike path)

Walk-a-thon (3.5 mile walk up Maravista)

Read-a-thon incorporate with the Spring book program

January Reading Program – (Donna Skinner - Chairperson)

“Dr. Suess is on the loose”

-Put together Cats body parts as levels of reading are completed.

March 2nd (actual Birthday) Our event will be held March 1st.

Budget previously was $500

Donna wanted budget to be raised to $600, has plans of getting special storyteller: Keith Michael Johnson (cost of $500) and needs $100 for pencils etc.

Will be applying for the grant through Falmouth cultural council again, but doesn’t open til October.

Deanne Rockwood motioned, Dan Palanza seconded. Voted unanimously.

Bike Racks

Lynda Gaudet & Donna Randleman, small committee looked over the summer for possible placement and types of bike racks at Teaticket School (we are the only elementary school without one)

“U” shaped one for $77 (holds 2 bikes), Installation would be additional

Per Mr. Arth, Old-fashioned radiator style Bike Racks are unacceptable because they are unsafe.

Also, need to look at the issue of children bike-riding to school, we don’t want to be responsible for bikes stolen or left in the rain.

Children would also need to have a helmet, there are some who have been sent home in the past who were riding to school without one.

Lori suggested posting “Teaticket Elementary school not responsible for….” type of sign. Mr. Arth said a form would be sent home explaining the risks.

Voting tabled until we have more information (will bring up again at November meeting)

Re-Cap

Flowers and lighting around flagpole (in memory of Mr. Bud, custodian and volunteer who ran the a Mentor program at Teaticket School)

Flowers donated by the Lewis Family

Lighting to be completed in next couple of weeks.

Back-to-school Balloons.

Thanks to the Paruch family for getting all the supplies for the teachers, they really appreciated it.

Bike Safety & Soccer Game

Corine & Lori Co-chaired

All raffle items were donated, with the exception of the basketball & hoop.

Thanks to Dan Palanza for donating $50 for popcorn/snowcone machines

Cape Cod Crusaders who visited,

Dennis Souweine for visiting with the Ambulance.

Stencils & Spray Paint:

Thanks you to Carrie Shanahan, Kurt & Lori Raber for setting those up.

These were put out by the Big Toy and the 3rd & 4th grade playground.

Social Action for Hurricane Katrina

Per Mr. Arth: Agencies don’t want anymore donations of clothes & items, as distribution has become a difficulty. He suggests steering towards fundraising.

Ideas presented:

-Social night for adults

-Have High School Kids babysit our children so parents can holiday shop.

-Have a hat or pajama day, kids to bring in $1 for the privilege of wearing them during school.

-Collection Jar on Front desk, (this idea was well received, as the children can feel like they contributed.) Make sure to have it noticeable during the “Meet the Teachers” night as some 300+ people are expected. Can also incorporate the “Silly Hat day”

End beneficiary to be decided once Student Council has been formed.

Requests:

Carrie Shanahan requests $366 to purchase new playground equipment (individual bags for each classroom as purchased a few years ago by PTO)

Deb Murphy motioned, Lynda Gaudet seconded. Passed unanimously.

$47.99 Long arm Stapler. Not voted on, pricing on this item needed to be checked.

Per Donna Randleman: Reminder to fill out CORI & VIPS registration forms. Also, to fill out hours in the yellow volunteer books in the front lobby.

New Sportswear chair & possibly company needed for this year. Tabled for future meeting.

Meeting adjourned: 8pm