The Ferrisburgh PTO met on Monday, November 21, 2011 at 6:15 p.m. in the FCS staff room

 

Minutes prepared by Kim Crawford

 

WLECOME NEW MEMEBERS:

Welcome Angie Richey and Karyn Kadar!

 

IN ATTENDENCE:

Matt DeBlois, Melanie Clark, Bill Clark, Kim Crawford, Chris Kayhart, Michelle Chamberlain, Mrs. Douglas, Mrs. T, Chris Wagner, Lori Moore, Laura Socinski, Melissa Muzzy, Patti Martin, Karrie Beebe, Angie Richey, Erica Andrus, and Karyn Kadar

 

SECRTARY’S REPORT:

The secretary’s report for October was distributed.   The minutes were approved

 

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:

November 22, 2011 FCS will have PJ day.  Student can wear appropriate PJ’s to school and bring in there favorite book.  Students are asked to wear shoes NOT slippers as it is also fire safety day.  Firefighters from the Ferrisburgh Fire Department will be in to speak to students in every grade about fire safety.  FCS will have an all school fire drill after lunch.  At the November school board meeting the FCS budget increase still stood at 2.4%.  Some reductions have been made on maintenance items.  A presentation was given by Heather Racine and Mrs. T discussing the possibility of increasing Mrs. Racine position to full time in the next school year.  This will be discussed further at the December school board meeting.  Mrs. T has gained better revenue projections and everything is level funded.  Each classroom will have $1500.00.  The next school board meeting was rescheduled for December 21, 2011.

The FCS food manager position is a contracted position.  An exploratory committee was created.  They will meet on December 12th to become better educated about the contract details with a union representative as well as Kathy Alexander.  

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

The PTO budget and monthly statement is available upon request.  The PTO had one expense in the month of October; $50 to the Echo Leahy Center for the school pass.

 

TEACHER ALLOCATION:

Mary Shield was approved the use of her $75 classroom allocation to purchase informational text for grades 3-6.   The garden committee submitted a mini grant request for funds to purchase soil for beds in the new greenhouse structure.  This request for $150 was approved and will come from the mini grants budget.

 

 

 

 

 

FUNDRAISING:

FALL FUNDRAISER:

Letters were sent home on September 30th with a donation deadline of October 14th.  As of Wednesday, October 12th the fundraiser had only brought in $775 before gift product purchase.  Kim emailed the committee and it was decided that a second letter needed to go home to families on Friday, October 14th extending the donation deadline to Friday, October 21st.  

As of October 21st the Fall Fundraiser numbers are:

First letter donations                                         $1460

Second letter donations                                     $1625

Donation total before gift product purchase      $3085

- Gift product                                                     $ 281.50

= Donation total after gift product purchase      $ 2803.50

 

Kim will put together a deposit and bring it into FCS for Chris on October 26th.

 

MAKE N TAKE CRAFT FAIR: 

The committee agreed that we would love to have FCS logo products available for sale at the Make N Take craft fair.  Kim will email Mrs. T and Melanie Clark to request this.

 

 FCS PRODUCTS:

The committee would like to explore changing the FCS product logo and sending home a “holiday flyer” before Thanksgiving.  Melissa will call Dennis Bruso to find out what the set up fee would be, cost for some new items such as hats and water bottles.  She will also find out what the turn around time would be during the holiday season. 

 

SCRIP GIFT CARDS:

This program is very time consuming for the $308.33 the PTO made last year.  It was agreed that Kim would look at the percentages for this selling season and see if they are consistent with what was offered last year.    Kim sent an email to the fundraising committee on October 18th.  In the email Kim reviewed this year’s percentages for 18 businesses in the best seller’s category and requested feedback from the committee (yes/no for this year).  Votes via email Mrs. Douglas no, Melissa Muzzy no, Kim Crawford no, and Chris Wagner no. 

 

 

ARTIST –IN-RESIDENCE PROJECT:  

No report was given at the November PTO meeting.  An update was sent via email by committee member Jill Fonte.  It read as follows..

The artist in residency committee finally met last night. I apologize for the delay. However we could not meet and make any final decisions until FCS had their staff meeting which also occurred yesterday.  The committee has taken into account the staffs insights and arrived at a decision. In honor of Ferrisburgh’s 250th the artist in residency project will be a collaboration of arts relating to the life and history of Ferris burgh. Along with the creation of the art students will document their process. Allison will circulate a list to the teachers of possible topics with correlating art projects.   

The list is divided into K-2, 3/4, and 5/6 in order to insure that topics and projects are grade appropriate.  Once Allison creates the list I will forward all a copy.  The artist in residency project will culminate with a celebration open to the Ferrisburg community in which the students will display their work and the documentation of their process.  This will then be electronically archived and available on the FCS website.  This project will require funding for supplies and artists were needed. We are also looking into the possibility of an all school trip to the Shelburne Museum. We realize a trip to the museum is an expensive endeavor and are exploring alternate avenues of funding which includes grants and museum discounts.
 We are very excited about this project and think the staff and children will be too!   If anyone has questions please feel free to contact Jill Fonte either by email or by phone.

FAMILY – FUN COMMITTEE:

The Make N Take craft fair will be Sunday, December 4th from 1-4.  The committee is continuing to work with VUHS on dates the auditorium will be available for a movie night.

 

OTHER:

Thank you to Julia Johnson, Nikkalette Salley, and Kareena Vorsteveld for their two hours of community service to baby-sit during the PTO meeting on November 21, 2011.

 

The FCS PTO took a brief pause in business to recognize and thank Patti Martin, and Karrie Beebe for there many years on the FCS PTO.  Mrs. T presented Michelle Chamberlain with a plaque in recognition of her time as a Co-Chair on the FCS PTO.

 

Kim gave a quick review of what was sent home to families to encourage them to turn in Box Tops for Education. 

 

Mrs. Douglas sent home a letter to encourage families to send in Labels for Education.  In the past balls and cameras have been purchased with the funds.  Peter Stapleford expressed that he would love 6 new calculators for the classrooms.  Each calculator is 40,000 points.  The PTO agreed that this was a great goal.  In January and February Mrs. Douglas will “advertise” this goal further.  

 

The FCS PTO warned changes to there current Bylaws.  Those changes will be posted on the bulletin board in the school entry for 30 days.  Melanie will submit a notification to the backpack express of the posting. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposed Changes to FCS PTO Bylaws

Warned 11/21/11

 

Proposed Change #1:

Co-Chairs to serve for two consecutive years

 

Current Language:

ARTICLE 6 – Officers, Elections and Duties

Section 1. Officers: The officers of this organization shall consist of either a Chair or multiple Co-Chairs, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Officers shall assume their official duties immediately upon election and will be expected to serve a term of at least one year, or until successors are elected. Should there be Co-Chairs, it would desirable to stagger their terms to provide continuity and structure. Each officer shall be a member of the FCS PTO.

 

Proposed Change:

ARTICLE 6 – Officers, Elections and Duties

Section 1. Officers: The officers of this organization shall consist of either a Chair or multiple Co-Chairs, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Officers shall assume their official duties at the close of the election meeting and will be expected to serve a term of at least one year, or until successors are elected. If Co-Chairs are selected, each shall serve a term of two years, staggered so that one new Co-Chair and one previously elected incumbent serve during each school year. Each officer shall be a member of the FCS PTO.

 

Alternate Proposed Change:

ARTICLE 6 – Officers, Elections and Duties

Section 1. Officers: The officers of this organization shall consist of either a Chair or multiple Co-Chairs, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Officers shall assume their official duties at the close of the election meeting and will be expected to serve a term of at least one year, or until successors are elected. If Co-Chairs are selected, each shall serve a term of two years, staggered so that one new Co-Chair and one previously elected incumbent serve during each school year. During any year when the PTO transitions from a single Chair to two Co-Chairs, one Co-Chair shall be elected for a one-year term and the other Co-Chair shall serve for two years. Each officer shall be a member of the FCS PTO.

 

Proposed Change #2:

Co-Chairs are elected for one-year terms.

 

Current Language:

ARTICLE 6 – Officers, Elections and Duties

Section 1. Officers: The officers of this organization shall consist of either a Chair or multiple Co-Chairs, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Officers shall assume their official duties immediately upon election and will be expected to serve a term of at least one year, or until successors are elected. Should there be Co-Chairs, it would desirable to stagger their terms to provide continuity and structure. Each officer shall be a member of the FCS PTO.

 

Proposed Change:

ARTICLE 6 – Officers, Elections and Duties

Section 1. Officers: The officers of this organization shall consist of either a Chair or multiple Co-Chairs, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Officers shall assume their official duties immediately upon election and will be expected to serve a term of at least one year, or until successors are elected. If Co-Chairs are selected, each shall serve a term of one year. Each officer shall be a member of the FCS PTO.

 

 

Proposed Change #3:

Officers elected on last meeting of school year

 

Current Language:

ARTICLE 6 – Officers, Elections and Duties

Section 2. Election of Officers: The Election of Officers shall take place at the first PTO

meeting in September of each year.

 

Proposed Change:

ARTICLE 6 – Officers, Elections and Duties

Section 2. Election of Officers: The Election of Officers shall take place at the last PTO

meeting of the school year. Officers shall assume their duties at the close of that meeting

 

 

Melanie requested Kim add the new members to the contact sheet

 

Melanie will attend the next staff meeting to feel out the necessity of the classroom parent position to the staff.   If they feel it is a helpful resource she will open a conversation to aid in defining the duties of the position.

 

The next PTO meeting will be December 19, 2011 at 6:15 in the FCS staff room

 

The Ferrisburgh PTO met on Monday September 19, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the staff room
Minutes prepared by Kim Crawford
IN ATTENDENCE:
Matt DeBlois, Melanie Clark, Kim Crawford, Chris Kayhart, Michelle Chamberlain,
Mrs. T, Chris Wagner, Lori Moore and Erica Andrus
 
SECRTARY’S REPORT:
The secretary’s report for June was distributed and approved.
 
PRINCIPALS REPORT:
The playground committee has added a new storage shed, and basketball court posts have been straightened.  The installation of a sand volleyball court and pea stone under the swings needs to be completed by the November deadline. The FCS staff has created a mission statement for the school.  Please welcome new staff members Mary Ann Charalabopoulos Food Service Manager, Heather Racine Math Interventionist 60% and Martha Vanderway K-2 Special Educator.   Mrs. T would like to move PTO meetings from the second Monday of each month to the third Monday of each month.  This would provide her the opportunity to share more information with the PTO since the meeting would then fall after the school board meeting each month.
 
TREASURE REPORT:
Chris Wagner presented the proposed budget for the 2011- 2012 school year.  The budget was discussed and the following changes were approved.  Under income miscellaneous adjust from $500 to $350 (the make & take had an income of $155.68 Dec 2010 it will be removed from miscellaneous so that the door fee can be reduced with hopes of increased family involvement.) Teacher allocation will change from $1625 to $2250 (all 30 teachers at FCS will have $75 available to them as a teacher allocation. If the teacher needs additional funds they need to apply for a mini grant.) Remove the words habitat support from Habitat Support /Four Winds.  Teacher appreciation will change from $225 to $300.  Student Activities/Family Fun will increase from $400 to $600 (Family Fun committee would like to decrease admissions to events so that more families will attend)
Remove the playground line item.  Create a line item for FCS Children’s Theatre $300 (this is to provide busing to the all student show at VUHS, previously taken from mini grants which historically has been 1/3 of that budgeted amount)
 
TEACHER REQUESTS:
As per a request submitted by Deb Chamberlain, $50 was approved to cover the additional cost of the Echo Pass available to FCS families.  The funds will come from miscellaneous.
 
ARTIST –IN-RESIDENCE PROJECT:
No report Jill Fonte, Alison Parsons and Erica Andrus have joined the committee for the 2011- 2012 school year.
 
 
 
REPORT ON NON – PROFIT BANKS:
Chris has established a new PTO account at National Bank of Middlebury.  She did leave a balance in the Peoples United account this summer to allow any outstanding checks to clear.  All items have cleared and she would like to close the Peoples United account and transfer the existing balance to the new National Bank of Middlebury account.  Chris closed the account at Peoples United.   Chris requested PTO meeting minutes from September 2010, and September 2011.  Kim will provide copies by 9/25/11.   Chris requested a written document on FCS letterhead that states the PTO has authorization to use the FCS tax exemption number.  Mrs. T will provide this letter.  Chris will need information from Melanie Clark as she needs to be added to the  
authorized signers list.
 
FAMILY – FUN COMMITTEE:
Matt will contact Pete at VUHS to confirm 2011- 2012 movie night dates. Chris Kayhart, Matt DeBlois and Melanie Clark have joined the committee for the 2011- 2012 school year.
 
FUNDRAISING:
Supermarket bingo made $1842.45 well below the budgeted $3,000.  The PTO felt this was due to the time of year the event was held, May 13, 2011.
Chris Wagner, Kim Crawford and Kathy Douglas have joined the committee for the 2011- 2012 school year.
 
OTHER:
Mrs. T requested that the resource guide be sent home with the youngest student in an effort to safe materials.  Matt DeBlois made a motion to have the PTO buy one box of paper to cover the material cost of generating the guide.  Melanie Clark second, it was approved by the PTO.  Mrs. T will look into how FCS could bill one box of paper to the PTO.   Once the guide is published Melanie will attach a cover letter asking all corrections to be emailed directly to her.  A correction sheet will follow.
 
Michelle Chamberlain will purchase 3, $25 gift cards from the Antidote for the following departed PTO members: Patti Martin, Steve Anderson and Karrie Beebe.  Chris gave her a check for $75 to make the purchase on 9/19/11.
 
FCS open house is October 6th.   The PTO will have a staffed table at the event.  The division of time is as follows Kim Crawford set up, Matt 5:45- 6:15, Michelle 6:15 – 6:30, Erica 6:30 – 6:45, Melanie 6:45 – 7:15 and Chris Kayhart will clean up.  Kim Crawford will update the orientation packets with the 2011- 2012 member contact sheet, committee contact sheet, June and September minutes.  Chris will provide an adjusted copy of the 2011- 2012 budget to update the packet.   Kim will produce a classroom parent sign up sheet.   Individual committees need to produce sign up sheets for there events.  The hope is that parents sign up for 2 hours shifts to boost parent involvement.
 
 
Kim presented a proposed copy of the revised Teacher Allocation/ Mini Grant application.  PTO reviewed and requested adjustments.  Kim will correct and email to the PTO for final approval.  The PTO requested a Co-Chair attend the October staff meeting to present the new form, explain the application process and provide copies of the teacher allocation list so that teachers know what they have available to them, where to find the forms and the deadline for application.
 
The following is the PTO approved list of officers for the 2011- 2012 school year:
Lori Moore Co-Chair
Melanie Clark Co-Chair
Chris Wagner Treasurer
Kim Crawford Secretary
 
Melanie Clark made a motion to have a bylaw review added to the October agenda.  Seconded by Michelle Chamberlain.
 
The next PTO meeting will be October 17, 2011 at 6:30 in the FCS staff room.
 
 
The fundraising committee meet on September 19th   post PTO meeting
Minutes prepared by Kim Crawford
 
IN ATTENDENCE:
Chris Wagner, Michelle Chamberlain, Kim Crawford and Mrs. T
 
FALL FUNDRAISER:
Mrs. T reviewed the donation request letter sent home with students on October 22 last year.  Kim will make all corrections to the letter and produce 208 copies on brightly colored paper to go home with students on September 30, 2011.  The requested deadline for donations is November 14th.   Kim Crawford will contact Denise Brusso to ensure that there has not been any significant price increases in donation gifts.  We need to locate and get an inventory on any existing FCS products shirt, totes ect.   Chris Wagner will collect funds submitted to FCS and Kim Crawford will order, separate and distribute the donation gifts.
 
WINTER FUNDRAISER:
It was discussed that due to the under budget performance of Supermarket Bingo in the spring of 2011 we need to do gift cards.  If not consider and research other possibilities.
 
SPRING FUNRAISER:
Ms. Douglas talked to Parish Hall about Supermarket Bingo and needs to clear the date with the secretary.  Chris W. felt that we needed to submit donation request letters to big box stores in January.    Kim will apply for the IParty July donation days for July 2012.
 
 
The Ferrisburgh PTO met on Monday June 20, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the staff room
Minutes prepared by Kim Crawford
IN ATTENDENCE:
Lori Moore, Matt DeBlois, Melanie Clark, Mrs. Douglas, Kim Crawford, Chris Kayhart and Michelle Chamberlain
 
SECRTARY’S REPORT:
The secretary’s report for May was distributed and approved.
 
PRINCIPALS REPORT:
None Mrs. T was not in attendance.
 
TREASURE REPORT:
None Chris Wagner was not in attendance
A motion was made to adjust the 2011-2012 budget for year book to $100 and teacher appreciation to $300.  Kim Crawford reported that it was very difficult to remain in the $200 budget for teacher appreciation.  Baked and paper goods were donated by Kim and Jill Fonte.
 
TEACHER REQUESTS:
None
 
ARTIST –IN-RESIDENCE PROJECT:
No report
 
REPORT ON NON – PROFIT BANKS:
No report
 
FAMILY FUN COMMITTEE:
 Matt DeBlois will email the high school to reserve the following dates for 2011-2012 movie nights November 18th or 19th 5:30 -7 and March 10th possible 10:30 matinee no janitor would be available.
 
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE:
Mrs. Douglas suggested that supermarket bingo take place at the Parish Hall March 23rd 2012.   She will contact the church to see if the facility is available.
Fall fundraiser – A donation request letter will be sent or emailed to all families of FCS the last week in September.
 
OTHER:
Melanie Clark would like to create an FCS directory.  This would provide parents with students’ names, addresses and even phone numbers or email addresses so that parents can contact each other.  The form will be generated by Melanie and distributed the first week of school.
Michelle agreed to purchase and mail thank you gifts for the following departing PTO members Karrie Beebe, Patti Martin and Steve Anderson.
It was agreed that the PTO would like to continue to provide babysitting at meetings.
 
FCS open house will be October 6th from 6-7.  PTO will have a table.  A list of PTO events will be posted with two hour time slots for parents to sign up and work. A sign up and explanation needs to be generated and hung for classroom parents.
November 3rd is parent teacher conference night.  This evening will end by 8 p.m.
 
THE NEXT PTO MEETING WILL BE MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19th
 
 
The Ferrisburgh PTO met on Monday April 11, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the staff room
Minutes prepared by Kim Crawford
IN ATTENDENCE:
Lori Moore, Chris Wagner, Matt DeBlois, Pattie Martin, Melanie Clark, Mrs. Douglas, Bethany Hallock, Mrs. Taft-Blakely, Jill Fonte, Kim Crawford, and Karri Beebe 
 
SECRTARY’S REPORT:
The secretary’s report for March was distributed and approved.
 
PRINCIPALS REPORT:
The FCS school board will be meeting on Tuesday April 12th.  The NECAP results are in.  FCS exceeded the new standard and a report will be given to the school board in May. Spirit Day is Friday. Students are encouraged to make jewelry, accessories or apparel items out of recycled materials.  On Tuesday the students will have an opportunity to attend a student skit related to conservation.   There will be no school April 18th – April 22nd.  The school will only be open from 6-2.  Planning has begun for the 6th grade stepping up night and parent meetings.   Additional planning is taking place for end of the school year functions such as the talent show which will be April 28th, Field Days, Family Picnic and two additional spirit days. The student placement process has begun for the school year 2011- 2012.  A placement information sheet was sent home with each student.  The deadline for this information to be submitted is April 29th.    Kindergarten orientation will take place on Friday afternoons in the month of May.  Kindercamp will remain the 3 ½ day format and will take place the week before the new school year starts.  Dismissal on the final day of school June 16th   has moved from 11:15 to 2:55.
 
TREASURE REPORT:
The PTO did not have any cash income in the month of March.  The following checks were written Melanie Clark orientation folders, FCS student activities – Children’s Theatre, Flynn Theatre 5/6 team, FACS 5/6 Team, FCS food service family fun night, FCS student activities- garden project, and Kim Crawford Supermarket Bingo  baskets.
 
 TEACHER REQUESTS:
Ms. Hibbard wrote a letter to the PTO requesting that her teacher allocation money be used for a field trip to the State House on May 6th instead of math manipulative.  The change was approved.  Ms. Hibbard requested a check in the amount of $125 be written to Bet-Cha transit.
Mrs. Rusik submitted receipts for her classroom allocation expenses.  The receipts totaled more than the allocated $125.  The PTO agreed to pay the approved amount of $125.
 
ARTIST –IN-RESIDENCE PROJECT:
The in house art show was a great success!  Many thanks to Basin Harbor club for donating the use of 23 green table clothes to cover the tables. Kim will write a thank you note.  The students loved the snacks!!  Thank you PTO for the funds to purchase them.  The remaining balance of $2300. was paid to Beth Farrell.
 
 
REPORT ON NON – PROFIT BANKS:
Chris Wagner recommended that the Ferrisburgh Central School PTO change to a Municipal Investment Account at the National Bank of Middlebury.  The FCS PTO approved this change and Chris Wagner will begin the paperwork.  She will either bring the paperwork to the May 9th meeting for signatures or connect with the appropriate PTO members in person. 
 Municipal·  Investment Checking Account—This account is designed for municipalities and allows them to earn interest on the account. The interest is compounded daily on the collected balance and credited monthly. Towns, schools, and local self-government incorporations are eligible for this account. As with all our Business Checking accounts, this account can be used with our Business Electronic Banking products.
 
FAMILY FUN COMMITTEE:
Judy Danzig submitted an invoice for the $49.70 in expenses from the family fitness night.   A check was issued on 3/14/11.  Melanie will touch base with Judy Danzig in regard to an additional invoice to cap out the approved $100.
On 4/29/11 the family fun committee will be presenting a movie at the VUHS auditorium starting at 7 p.m.  The concession stand will be run by the Four Winds group and all proceeds will support that program.  The movie is no cost to the PTO Melanie asked for approval to extend the invitation to ACS and VUES families.  The PTO approved this – the auditorium holds 500 people.   Melanie will submit an advertising flyer to run in the 4/15 Backpack Express.  Notification will run again the week of 4/25/11.
 In the 2011-2012 school year the family fun committee would like to create a FCS Community Resource Guide.  A form would be sent home the first few days of school.  Individual parents/families would give the PTO approval to publish there name, address, phone number and even possibly email in the guide.  The PTO approved the resource guide to be implemented in the 2011-2012 school year.
 
OTHER:
The 20 red aprons with the FCS logo ordered from East Coast Printers have arrived.  The aprons will be worn at PTO events to identify volunteers.
The book stamp is in.  It reads purchased with support from the FCS PTO.
Teacher appreciation was discussed.  In previous years letters have been sent home with every student requesting cash donations.  The PTO felt that perhaps we should scale back the events this year and use the $200 we have budgeted.  We have just asked parents to donate goods for supermarket bingo also many families send in there own gift or recognition with there child. The appreciation week for the 45 FCS staff will take place the first week in May.  Notification of this will be run in the Backpack Express. Lori Moore has volunteered to make chocolate lollipops for Monday.  In the Backpack Express we will request that children bring in thank you notes for there teacher on Tuesday. Mrs. T will provide Melanie a list of all staff members to ensure that everyone receives a thank you.  Wednesday Mrs. T will recognize the staff.  Thursday Jill Fonte and Kim Crawford will organize a brunch/ snack buffet.   Bethany Hallock will research the possibility of having 5 raspberry bushed donated to the FCS habitat.  The school will have a planting Friday morning.
 THE NEXT PTO MEETING WILL BE: Monday May 9th at 6:30 in the staff room.  Babysitting will be provided.
 THE LAST PTO MEETING FOR THE 2010- 2011 SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE JUNE 14TH AT 6:30 LOCATION TO BE DETERMINED.   Babysitting will not be provided.