Dix Street Elementary
PTO Minutes
September 11, 2007

Attendees: Amy Clugston, Crystal Boddy, Becky Sullivan, Tina Northrup, Heather Brady, Barb Wolverton, Christy Friel, Mary Davis, Ann Marie Goodrich, Julie Syrek, Amy McPherson

1. Welcome and introductions with some discussion of what the PTO does, including carnival, fundraiser, fun nights, open house.

2. Monthly wrap up is new to the agenda – it will cover things that have happened in between meetings.

3. Open house – Sept 18, 6-7:30 – helpers needed for set up and clean up; also runners and grillers required; picnic format.

4. Book Fair – volunteers needed for several time slots

5. Carnival – date moved from October 23^rd to the 16^th; some games with a rodeo theme; each game sponsored by a teacher - sign up sheet for the parents visiting at open house; Julie Syrek wishes to pass on Carnival Chairperson job to another next year so that she can help that person before her child is out of Dix St school.

6. Halloween Party – wait to send forms until after fundraiser to avoid parent overload and confusion with the $3.00 fee for both fundraiser and parties; apple slices and caramel dipping sauce for party snack; party is October 31.

7. Winter Family Fun Night – Darcy will teach the children basics of line dancing in PE class for a week; fun night will have a band and dancing; check the JV sports schedule; possible dates Jan 15 or 17, Jan 22 or 24.

8. Red Ribbon Week – Julie Syrek found alternative to pin badges for drug free message – paper wristbands are affordable and may have many advantages over pin badges.

9. Julie Syrek found program – MI CSI – that is free for 60 children through 5^th grade; presented during school and a parent night, it covers cyber and internet safety – look into this for Mar, Apr or May.

10. PTO needs a list of everything we do – with chairs for the different groups (i.e. fundraiser, carnival) and the volunteers for those groups.

11. Heather and Kristi agreed to take over Box Tops counting, sending and competition with a chart for the kids.

12. Fundraiser – Friday assembly – Brian Oullette will do a skit with a cowboy costume and play his guitar; assembly 3:10-3:35pm; 5 minute race in skit – Brian wants to give racers a “prize” to demonstrate to kids that they can qualify for prizes by doing the fundraiser; wording for $3.00 fee that may be questioned by parents – offsets the cost of administration of the fundraiser; big prizes should go to children who raise the most money because it is a fundraiser; also reward two top lap runners in each classroom by lunch with principal at specially decorated table with Subway or pizza; call parents to tell them child is one of top, so they can discuss which prize to choose with their child; question that 15 prizes for 350 children is stingy – there will also be a drawing for extra prizes and a deluxe party at Craig’s Cruisers – every child gets one entry in drawing for every $50 raised.

Next meeting:  Tuesday, October 2^nd ~ 7:00pm ~ DSE Staff Lounge

FREE CHILDCARE PROVIDED!