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PTO MEETING MINUTES 2007-2008 PTO MEETING MINUTES Prayer: Our last meeting of the school year began with the Hail Mary lead by Principal Karen Pawlak. Sally Foster/Entertainment Update: Both Chairpersons (Andrea Rowinski & Grace Bourdeau) were present to pass out cookie samples. Grace baked Otis Spunkenmeyer and Pine Valley cookies. Both were sampled to see what brand was favored. Pine Valley won. Andrea & Grace also explained that this new fundraiser has three different aspects to it; Sally Foster catalog sales, cookie dough sales, & Entertainment Book sales. On September 9th, 2008, each child will be sent home with an Entertainment Book. Each family will be asked to sell a minimum of three Entertainment Books. Then, on October 13th, the Sally Foster/Pine Valley Cookie Dough catalogs will be disbursed.
Spring Gala Money Disbursement: PTO has received $29,500 from the Gala proceeds (as does Athletics). PTO will be dividing the money towards playscape (40%), technology (30%), & other programs (30%). The playscape funds will be covering mulch removal and replacement this summer, as well as money being placed aside for the future playscape. Technology will be receiving projectors and cameras. Other programs will consist of COSI, Dino Dig, etc…
The Gym will be getting repainted. The PTO, Athletics, & the Parish will be sharing the costs. Renovations: We are still in need of volunteers for the June 12th and 13th move of the classrooms. Family Movie Night: Lisa Riachi updated the committee. There have been approximately 100 RSVPs so far. The movie that will be shown is The Water Horse – Legend of the Deep. It will be held on Saturday, June 14th. Summer Market Day Update: Market Day during the summer months will be handled by Julie Tsatsos. Funds earned will be going towards 6th grade camp. A huge plea has been issued for parents to help out on delivery days this summer and throughout the school year. Campbell Soup Labels Volunteer Needed: Tamara Ulicny needs assistance to complete this year’s project and also needs someone to take over for next year. Laurie Similuk & Lisa Kolpasky agreed to finish up this year’s project. Michele Micheilutti & Norma DiGregorio agreed to take over next year. Student Enrichment Update:
Open Discussion: Lisa Marcopoli suggested that PTO use some of its funds for a scholarship or financial assistance of some sort to underprivileged students. The PTO will have to discuss this with Father Bob. The PTO will give thought and consideration to donating a percentage of its income towards this cause, but strongly believes that it should not and will not choose the recipient(s). A “Donuts with Dad” morning was suggested. This would be where the students would be brought to school by their dads, walked into their classrooms and enjoyed a quick donut with their child. The PTO will put this on its September agenda. Tuition has almost been set. Karen Pawlak stated that there may be a very slight increase and the June deadline will be extended. Michele Milam (current PTO Vice President) has resigned from her post. Therefore, the PTO needs to elect a new VP for the upcoming school year, also with the intent of having him/her opt to move up to the Presidential post for the following year. SANDY WRIGHT volunteered to fill the position. Sandy currently has a 1st grade daughter and also another child entering Kindergarten in the fall. She is an attorney by trade, but anxiously and eagerly ready to embark on her PTO adventure. We are thankful and honored to welcome her to “our family”. Thank You to all who made this school year such a success!!! We look forward to another wonderful, prosperous, and enriching school year. PTO Meeting Minutes Prayer: Our meeting began with the Hail Mary, lead by Principal Karen Pawlak. Living Science Update: Scheduled for tomorrow and Thursday. Family Game Night Update: Scheduled for Friday, the 25th. Approximately 30 responses so far. Sally Foster Chairperson: May 10th deadline for application submissions. Room Parent Coordinator: April 30th deadline for application submissions. PTO Officers to Remain Intact for Another Year: Initially suggested by Karen Pawlak to Father Bob, we were asked by Father Bob to remain on- board for the next school year. His request was based on the ideas of continuity and stability during the new principal transition. After much consideration and discussion with each other & with our families, we decided to accept his request and stay on for one more year. Robert’s Rules Explanation: Amy Comito, PTO President, took this opportunity to further explain “Robert’s Rules” and how they pertain to our PTO meetings. The rules are also known as Parliamentary Procedure. They are basically a way of keeping order and etiquette during a meeting. These rules are usually followed in office board meetings where the same group of people meet at each and every meeting. They are mentioned in our by-laws, but are not a requirement to be followed. Our SLS PTO is governed by its by-laws. The only exception to that is that the Pastor can overrule and/or supersede any by-law. Any further questions or needed explanations can be directed to Amy. Monthly Budget Reports: Barb Corona, PTO Treasurer, has a list of all PTO’s expenses at each and every meeting. She does not provide a hard-copy to each in attendance for the simple reason that not each member wants a copy. Therefore, if you are interested, please see Barb and she would be “more than happy” to show them to you at any given meeting. Furthermore, a list of all our income and expenses will be and has been supplied in the News n Notes twice per school year. S.T.A.C.E. Basket: The PTO was asked to donate a basket for the Annual S.T.A.C.E. Golf Outing. We have asked St. Lawrence Parishioner Lee Gasowksi to make us up a Golf-themed basket in our school colors with a $175 value to be donated. Building Renovations: Father Bob has announced the summer renovation plans for the building. PTO was asked to handle all of the volunteers needed to execute their plan of having parents (both school & parish) help with the packing up and moving of the classroom items, as well as the painting of the classrooms upon completion. Finally, they will also be needed to move the items back into each classroom. The PTO will be scheduling the volunteers and seeing to it that the task is completed. Playscape Update: Mulch will be replaced in August. John Coric will be assessing any winter damage inflicted upon the structure and a plan for its repair work and maintenance will be executed. The following items were discussed during the Open Discussion portion of our meeting: Andrea Rowinski has confirmed that the Julius Caesar Performance has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 6th. It will be held in the Gym for grades 5 through 8.
Friends of Dennis Ulicny have scheduled various fundraisers to help offset his medical expenses while battling cancer. There will be a can/bottle drive at Mass the weekend of April 26th. There is also a ColdStone Creamery Night scheduled for April 24th, where various teachers and administration will be “guest scoopers”. Lastly, there will be a Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, May 18th at the Knights of Columbus (K. of C.) Hall next to St. Lawrence. PTO was asked to donate $600 to cover the cost of the sausage for this dinner. We took a vote and all in attendance agreed. May 2nd’s all-school Mass will be dedicated to Father John Hall’s 80th Birthday. There will be a surprise presentation in honor of him. Feedback was given in regard to the Spring Gala. Some were positive and some were in the form of constructive criticism. One question was if it would be possible in the future to have DC Sports replaced by parent volunteers and also if there could be less consignment items. These comments will be relayed to Tricia Bieniek, Gala Chairperson. Also regarding the Gala, the 2nd Grade Classroom Project (Photo Mosaic of Jesus) went unsold! This item is usually one of the top-bid items at each Gala. It will be offered to be sold. If interested, please contact Michele Grillo. Next & LAST Meeting of the year: Tuesday, May 27th, 2008 PTO Meeting Minutes Prayer: Our meeting began with The Our Father, lead by PTO Teacher Representative Donna Salerno. PTO Sponsored Gala Basket: The PTO will be donating a basket to the Spring Gala, with a value of at least $150. Colleen Gumbel and Lisa Riachi have volunteered to gather the items needed and donate them to the Gala Committee. Thanks to Colleen and Lisa. Gala: The Spring Gala Committee is also in need of various auction items to be donated, as well as help making phone calls and soliciting ads and donations. Grant Writer Needed: St. Lawrence is in need of a Grant Writer. If anyone knows how to write Grants, there are many available Grants which SLS could benefit. Michele Grillo will be writing a News N Notes ad requesting someone to come forward and offer to write for a Grant. Mom to Mom Sale: Dawn Irvine has suggested that St. Lawrence participate in a Mom to Mom sale. She, however, would need a group of moms to help her in this endeavor. If you are interested in helping, please contact Dawn. Once a Committee is formed, the PTO will bring the suggestion to Stewardship for approval to move forward. It was also suggested that the date be at/around the same time as other local Mom to Mom sales, as the frequenters are accustomed to visiting multiple sales. It was also suggested that it be on/near the date of the St. Vincent Di Paul Bundle Day(s), so any left-over, unsold merchandise can be donated at the owners’ discretion. It was also noted that the Mom to Mom sale would be a great opportunity for Students’ Christian Service Hours to be accumulated. Fundraising Presentations for next fall: We had 3 different vendors present their key points of the company they represent. The 3 companies/presenters were: Morley’s Red Apple, presented by Dan Morley, Market Day, presented by Kim Meerhaeghe & her supervisor, Daphne, & Sally Foster/Entertainment, presented by Nicole Eubank. Each proposed their various packages and profits that could be expected, as well as their current catalog and multiple samples. At the end of the meeting, the votes were cast. See below for results.
Committee Updates:
Student Enrichment: Andrea Rowinski spoke regarding Author Michael DiLorenzo’s upcoming visit and also about Family Game Night, which has been scheduled for Friday, April 25th. Lisa Riachi stated that the Family Movie Night has been scheduled for Saturday, June 14th. More information is to follow.
Teacher Enrichment: The Teachers’ Appreciation Luncheon has been rescheduled for Friday, April 18th, 2008. It was previously cancelled due to a snow day.
Parent Enrichment: Colleen Gumbel spoke regarding the “How to Raise a Successful Child” workshop being presented this Thursday, March 6th, 2008.
Spirit Wear: Most of our initial order has been purchased. We have placed and received another order. Those items were available for purchase at this meeting. John Coric, PTO Spirit Wear Sales Representative, was also taking special-orders. If there is an item you wish to purchase, please either contact John, look for order forms to be included in the News N Notes, or look on-line on the St. Lawrence PTO site for different items available and a downloadable order form. (Please note, the on-line option is not yet available, but will be in the near future.) Fall Fundraiser Vote: 30 people were present at tonight’s meeting. The votes were cast and Sally Foster won, having taken 22 votes. Sally Foster announcements and information will be provided in upcoming issues of the News N Notes. Briefly, Sally Foster has offered up to $10 back in sales of the Entertainment Book, sold at $20 each. Also, up to 57% of the profits of items sold in the fall catalog. Sally Foster will also give the PTO a $500 Cash Up-Front Signing Bonus, for bonus gifts to be purchased. The Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra are also proud sponsors of Sally Foster, and provide additional rewards. Teachers’ orders are given a 50% discount. Any questions can be directed to pto@stlawrenceparish.com
Please plan on attending our next meeting PTO Meeting Minutes Prayer: Our 1st meeting of the New Year began with the Hail Mary, lead by Principal Karen Pawlak, followed by Special Intentions. Presentation: Bridge Books: These are books, which will cover the grade your child is leaving, and introduce them to the next grade. They are designed for summer fun and contain Achievement Certificates, flash cards, and a Reward Chart. They go from Preschool/Kindergarten to 7th/8th Grade. There are also Christian versions available from Preschool/Kindergarten to 6th/7th Grade. Supplemental books are also available for more specific subjects, i.e., Decimals for 5th Graders, or 6th Grade Reading Comprehension. The costs of these books if you purchase them in the store are $12.95. St. Lawrence can choose to sell them for $10.95 each, or they can sell them for $12.95 and keep the $2 profit for the school. Family Game Night: Wendy would set up numerous games throughout the Social Hall or Gym. Each station would contain a game geared towards a certain subject, i.e. Math Scrabble. Each game is about 10 – 15 minutes long. They come in various levels, from Preschool to 9th Grade. The usual time slot is from 6:30 to 8:00. She will also raffle off 3 to 4 games, as well as have them available for purchase. Lenten Christian Service Project: Two ideas were presented and voted on tonight. The first idea was to purchase the little Kindergarten bags and have them filled with school supplies and a reading book, then donated to a Catholic School in need. The second idea was to further aid McRest by way of gift cards. Father Bob has asked PTO if they would consider helping out our own Parish when choosing our Lenten project this year. Our Parish is in need too, as envelopes are not as thick as in years past, due to the economy. St. Lawrence Parish always helps McRest, so if the PTO and school help McRest, we also help St. Lawrence Parish. Catholic Schools Week Update: Open House: Kicks off Catholic Schools Week (Sunday, January 27th from 1:00 to 2:30). Barb Corona has organized a “Name that Baby Photo Contest” with the SLS Staff’s pictures. She received over 30 submissions. The students will be offered a ballot slip. The winner with the most correct guesses will receive a Fly Pen. The Ballot Box will be available at Open House. The contest will conclude on Wednesday, January 30th and the winner will be awarded the Fly Pen on Thursday the 31st during the afternoon assembly. A calendar containing a list of various goings on will be sent home with the students explaining the week’s events. Thursday, the 31st of January is Student Appreciation Day. PTO always supplies the students with donuts and milk on each Student Appreciation Day. Barb Corona has request help from anyone who can lend a hand that morning to deliver the donuts and milk to the classrooms. You will need to be at school by 8:45. If you can, please contact Barb at your earliest convenience. Art Strips: PTO has purchased Art Strips (a.k.a. Egan Strips) for each hallway that does not have them. These are the strips that can grasp the student’s work that the teacher’s choose to “showcase” without having to tape them to the wall. The cost was $2,000. ZapZone/Beamerz Lock-In: The Student Enrichment Committee has scheduled this event for Monday, February 18th, 2008. There will be two sessions available. 10:00 am to 1:00 pm or 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Cost will be $15 per student, and only SLS students will be allowed to enter/participate. The establishment will be closed to anyone other than those of SLS that have pre-paid/registered. Kindergarteners – Third Graders will be allowed to participate as long as a parent/responsible adult remains on site and/or participates with the child. Games are usually $7 per game, so $15 for 3 hours worth of playtime is a substantial savings. Pizza and pop will be available for purchase. There is a 150 child maximum per time slot and the dead line for submissions will be February 8th. Family Movie Night has been scheduled for Saturday, June 14th. Head Room Mom Update: The position for Head Room Mom is available for next school year, as Barb Corona has decided to retire her position after 5 years of service. This position falls under PTO’s domain because PTO funds most of their activities/events. If you are interested, please contact Barb. Fundraising Updates: Cici’s nights have been cancelled so that we may better promote and encourage our other fundraising events…March 5th, Max & Erma’s (20% of all SLS sales, lunch - dinner) and April 24th, Cold Stone Creamery. Parisian Community Days: This fundraising event has been scheduled for Saturday, March 1st. The PTO will be selling Parisian Coupon Packs for $5 per pack. Each pack will contain a $10 off any purchase voucher, plus 10 more coupons for 20% off of any 10 items of your choice, valid on that day only. SLS Directories: Frank Slanczka did an amazing job on this year’s directories. He got 25 paid advertisers, which yielded SLS a net profit of $1970. Sharon May suggested that from now on, the current 8th grade class be pictured on the front cover of the directories, as a souvenir of their graduating year. She also suggested selling “Happy Ads” throughout. Morley Update: SLS made $15,220 net profit. The problems that were experienced with Morley were not financial…they were problems with the orders. We will be looking into other fundraising ideas to vote on at future meetings. BoxTops: SLS has made $1,457 so far. PTO Savings Account: We have already accumulated over $400 just in interest since June, per Father Bob. Kroger Cares Cards: We have earned our first $500. That means we have accrued $10,000 worth of re-loads on the cards sold so far! Market Day: The summer months’ sales are being offered to the current 5th grade class so they can earn 6th grade camp money. However, someone must be willing to run these months, as Michele Decker will be in Florida over the summer and unable to run it. Also, we have studied the profits from the Parish and have noticed that it has not been of value or profit to continue offering Market Day to the Parish. Therefore, we plan on speaking and discussing it with Father Bob to re-evaluate. Field Trips: Mrs. Pawlak has formed a Field Trip Committee to aid in the planning of field trips. She feels strongly about the students traveling via bus rather than parents’ cars to avoid problems and liabilities. However, with the price of gas so high, the cost of the trips has increased. She came to PTO and asked if we would be willing to help offset the fees by donating to the gas fund. We agreed to help, as that is what we are here for…to help students. We will discuss costs and amounts with the Field Trip Committee when presented. Open Discussion: It was suggested that anyone who knows of a Grant Writer, to please see if they would be willing to write a request on SLS’s behalf. Therese Lenzini wrote a letter to PTO questioning why/how money went missing from our mailbox in the school office. We stated that to the best of our knowledge, everything we knew was written in a letter, signed by Father Bob, answering her questions. We were also directed by Father Bob to directly refer to the letter when being questioned. We know and feel that we followed every single possible step correctly. We feel terrible that the money hasn’t been found, especially because we belong to a Catholic/Christian School. We have no leads or explanations as to why/how it “disappeared”. We do not believe the Police were contacted, as it was an administrative decision, not a PTO decision. Various people expressed their 100% support of the PTO board and it’s actions, decisions, and jobs done. Therese also stated that she feels that our “work is invaluable”, and to not take her questions offensively. Please plan on attending our next meeting, Tuesday, February 12th at 7:00. PTO Meeting Minutes Prayer: The meeting began with the Hail Mary, lead by Principal Karen Pawlak. Christmas Shop Update: All grades will shop on Friday, December 7th. Mass will be on Thursday, November 6th because of Christmas Shop. Student Enrichment:
Parent Enrichment: Colleen Gumbel passed out a list of various classes/seminars offered through CARE of Macomb County. The PTO will be choosing the most appropriate and desired class from the list. Colleen will then schedule it through/with CARE.
Playscape Update: John Coric has made many repairs, such as replacing boards and replacing the tire. Christian Service Project: Joanne Dixon was the chairperson of this committee, but has had to step back from it for a while due to the death of her mother. The boxes will be put into the classrooms on December 3rd. All items collected will be taken from the classrooms on the 10th and then donated to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society on the 14th at the all-school Mass. They will be blessed and donated to families in need. Monetary donations will also be collected. The money collected goes towards evictions and shut-offs. The SvdeP Representatives pay them. The families never personally get the money. It is handles from within the organization. Teacher Enrichment Update: The teachers expressed their appreciation of their conference dinners, saying they were delicious. Fundraising:
Spirit Wear: John Coric has requested proposals from four different vendors. When all the numbers are returned to him, he will compose a spreadsheet. From there, the PTO will determine who came in with the lowest bid and start placing orders. Next Meeting: Our December meeting has been cancelled. The next meeting is on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 Please plan on attending our 1st meeting of the New Year.
September 25th, 2007 Prayer: Our first meeting of the 2007 – 2008 school year began with the Hail Mary, lead by Karen Pawlak, SLS School Principal. Ramallah Presentation: Five 8th grade students, 1 teacher, & 1 aide from Ramallah are here for the next 6 weeks. They are staying with host-families. They will be attending SLS classes for the first-half of each day. The second-half will be spent with their teacher learning what they would be missing from their schools’ teachings. At this meeting, they were introduced by Lynda Hyde. Each student was brought up to the podium and spoke for a minute or two, describing their home-life, school-life, and religious-life. They then gave a Power Point Presentation on Palestine. Some of the key points and quotes they spoke of are:
Hats Off Gala Presentation: John Michielutti and Tricia Bieniek were there to present the proposal of the Hats Off Gala going School & Athletic wide. They explained that each family would have ONE obligation, either to school or to Athletics. Each obligation would carry a $150 dance ticket requirement or various different ways to fulfill your obligation. Those ways include donating a basket, sponsoring a table, advertising, working on the Dance Committee, or volunteering. If the family has an obligation to the school and not to Athletics, they will also have a few additional opportunities to fulfill their requirements, such as volunteering wherever the school is in great need of parental help. These positions will be determined on a year-to-year basis by Father Bob & Mrs. Pawlak. This year, the need is in the Lunch Room & the Library. Proceeds from the dance will be split 50/50 within the school and the Athletic Department. Many questions were asked. Some were answered, some were not due to time constraints. The committee is meeting with Father Bob & Mrs. Pawlak on Tuesday, October 2nd to work out some of the details. The dance will take place on April 19th, 2008 at the Mirage. Updates will follow at upcoming meetings. Market Day Proceeds: Last year, each grade was responsible for a certain month. That month, they were able to earn all the proceeds and keep it to purchase something for their grade. This year, after being proposed to Father Bob, Karen Pawlak, Mary Paonessa, and Stewardship, Market Day will be opened up to the entire Parish. Therefore, the profits will be put towards something from which the entire SLS Community can benefit, LIBRARY RENOVATIONS. Each month will continue to be sponsored by a grade. Playscape Update: Over the summer, we (PTO) received an e-mail from a St. Lawrence School Father who offered to help us in any capacity we needed. We quickly informed him that he was greatly needed to help with the Playscape and all it’s “issues”. He, JOHN CORIC, stepped up to the plate immediately, checked the entire structure, made various repairs, Caution-taped it off before it got sanded, power-washed, and re-stained, and has been in constant communication with the Board. We offered our sincere thanks and gratitude to him. We also stated to the members that if anyone could help him, it would be greatly welcomed and appreciated. Teachers’ Conference Dinners: We asked for additional volunteers to help out with conference dinners on November 14th and 15th. The teacher’s are always extremely deserving and appreciative of said dinners. Vendor Show Update: There will be no Vendor Show this Fall. There could possibly be one this Spring. A few interested ladies have contacted Barb Corona about holding it. A Passive Fundraising Public Relations Representative is needed to advertise our various fundraising events. Costumesupercenter.com is “the place” to purchase Halloween Costumes at a competitive rate with free shipping and a percentage kicked back to the PTO. The code to use is LAWR. Thank you to Lauren Komoroski for heading up our much needed HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE. Lauren has stepped up and volunteered to set up and clean up the food and beverages at each of our meetings and sponsored events. She has also recruited some help. She promised and already made good on her promise at two functions…this meeting and the Mandatory Parent Orientation Night. Thanks again, Lauren. Due to the length of the Ramallah Presentation and the Hats Off Gala Presentation, some of our Agenda items had to be shelved until our next meeting. Please plan on attending. We need your support. Thanks so very much!!
Next Meeting:
As always, remember…
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