February 2024

FEBRUARY MEETING MINUTES

MOUNT SCOTT ELEMENTARY PTO

LOCATION: MOUNT SCOTT ELEMENTARY LIBRARY

DATE: February 8, 2024

TIME: 2:30 pm

ATTENDANCE:

IN-PERSON: Tasha Cruz, Rachel Wullbrandt, Karen Ricoy, Melissa Pfaff, Lex Black, Sarah Baker, Rob Michaud, Heidi Turner, Megan Erb, Jeremy Black, Amy Pederson, Alyssa McKillip, Jeff Green

VIRTUAL: Khristina Powell, Casey Killinger, Tracey Kebede-Berhanu

Meeting called to order by Lex Black at 2:33 pm.

Approval of minutes:

January 2024 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved.

Old Business:

1. OMSI Night

   1. Presented by Lex Black

   2. The group mentioned that it was very crowded. Lex Black recommends that in the future it would be better to have two schools instead of three schools. Amy Pederson stated that the kids came back to school so happy and loved it but she heard parents comment that the time was too late. The group agreed that it should be done again. For future years, it was recommended to put the parking kitty code on the flyer for the next event 

2. PTO Website:

   1. Presented by Lex Black 

   2. The PTO website is up and running. A big round of applause to Karen Ricoy for all of her hard work. Megan Erb asked if teachers are able to share this update with families. Jeremy Black stated that the site is up and running. The PTO Facebook page has been updated with the correct link. Jeremy Black will send a link to Kelsey Bennett so that it can be put on the internal website. Jeremy Black asked the group to share with students and families. Jeremy Black stated that when searching for MSE PTO, it will be right at the top of the search engine except for google 

Board:

1. President – Tracey Kebede-Berhanu: Nothing to report

2. VP – Jesus Cruz: Nothing to report 

3. Treasurer – Casey Killinger: 

   1. Casey Killinger stated that the stipend letters will go out to teachers by the end of February

4. Secretary – Sarah Baker: Nothing to report

5. Volunteer Coordinator – Lex Black:

   1. Lex Black apologized for not making it to the last site council meeting. Lex Black reported that the goal was to get 100 volunteers. We ended up getting 90 volunteers which is very close to our goal. As of today, the school has almost 300 volunteers. Lex Black sent out emails to all of the volunteers. She reported that Mrs. Maxwell has the most in-class volunteer hours and Mrs. Pederson is second. Karen Ricoy asked if there is a prize. Lex Black stated that she will think of something for volunteer appreciation

6. PR – Karen Ricoy and Bianca Savala:

   1. Karen Ricoy reported that PR is trying to get information out there as best as they can. Lex Black mentioned that she liked the spilled the tea post. Jeremy Black stated that he will send the Facebook, Instagram and website to Kelsey Bennett. Lex Black asked PR to create a flyer with all of the social accounts. Karen Ricoy stated that all of these sites will be advertised at the community sale

7. IT – Jeremy Black: Jeremy Black gave his update with the website

8. Teacher Liaisons – Melissa Pfaff and Amy Pederson:

   1. Melissa Pfaff reported that the staff room could use some paper products (napkins, plates, bowls, etc). Amy Pederson stated that she usually tries to purchase these items with the social committee funds but she is having trouble collecting funds this year. Karen Ricoy asked about morale. Amy Pederson reported that there are good days and bad days. It has been pretty rushed and crazy because there has been a lot of testing/assessments. January and February are always long because there is a lot of upstairs recess so the kids are not able to burn off enough energy. Karen Ricoy stated that January and February are good months to support the teachers

Committee Reports:

1. Community Sale:

   1. Date: February 10, 2024 9-4 pm

   2. Chair: Rachel Wullbrandt

   3. Rachel Wullbrandt reported that set up is tomorrow night from 5-8 pm. The building will open at 7 am on Saturday. The vendors can come in at 7:30 am and set up. The final count was 51 vendors. KONA ice signed up, two food trucks and a coffee truck coming. The Flyers went home today. Rachel Wullbrandt asked the group to spread the word. Megan Erb asked about having their doors closed and locked. Rachel Wullbrandt reported that the sale will only be in the cafeteria, gym and blacktop hallway. Karen Ricoy mentioned that we are trying to create more community. Rachel Wullbrandt stated that we have a whole range of things being sold. Lex Black reported that student leadership is selling Nothing Bundt Cakes and water. Melissa Pfaff asked if there is going to be a committee identification? Lex Black reported that she has lanyards for all the volunteers. Khristina Powell asked if there would be assigned spaces. Rachel Wullbrandt reported that there will be assigned spaces and all that information will be available when the vendor checks in. Karen Ricoy stated that the community sale is going to go out via Peach Jar tomorrow

2. Big Splash:

   1. Date: February 23, 2024 5:30-8:30 pm

   2. Chair: Casey Killinger

   3. Casey Killinger reported to the group that wristband order forms went home with students today. Thank you to Kelsey Bennett and Karen Ricoy for getting those out. Casey Killinger stated that next week, she will get manilla envelopes out in all of the teachers’ boxes so they can start to put their order forms in there. At the last PTO meeting, we decided that we will not do the number system but everyone will have a bracelet to enter. Casey Killinger will ask for volunteers to man the check-in table when the event gets closer. Teachers will get the first option to sign-up. The doors will not open until 5:25 pm. Megan Erb mentioned that volunteers need to be on the look-out because last year, she caught a suspicious man trying to get into the center 

3. Dining For A Cause:

   1. Chair: Tasha Cruz

   2. February 10th – Sky High Foods food truck will be at the community sale

   3. Feb. 12th – Panera. Tasha Cruz reported that Panera will donate 20% of all sales. There are ways to order on-line listed on the flyer

4. Square One Art:

   1. Chair: Casey Killinger

   2. Casey Killinger stated that she is working on flyers that will go out to teachers with instructions by the end of next week

5. Read – A- Thon:

   1. Date: March 11-15, 2024

   2. Chairs: Lex Black and Sara Schroeder

   3. Lex Black stated that Read Across America is March 11th - 15th. Lex Black added that she has been working with Sara Schroeder on creating this event. There are several things happening during this week. Lex Black said that she is trying to encourage students to read. She is hoping to reach out to Mrs. Bishop to have some fun things to happen during library time. Lex Black addressed Jeff Green asking that she is hoping that Friday the school could dress up as your favorite book character. Tasha Cruz stated that there is a Friday Morning Meeting (FMM) that day and when planning out the FMM, the planning team planned them around events so it could totally be a dress as your favorite character or author. Jeff Green relayed that Macy Bishop reached out to Jeff Green and she would like to do some fun things during Read Across America. Macy Bishop would like to help and is happy to partner with PTO for this week. Lex Black asked the group if PTO could put a budget together for $200 for supplies for this event? The group agreed to this request and maybe it could be a line item for future years. Lex Black also stated that there is a book swap that coincides with the PTO meeting that week. The PTO meeting that month is in the evening. The book swap will be in the cafeteria. Lex Black is hoping that she will receive confirmation from the HV Library that they will be there also. Lex Black stated that our school qualifies for free books so the library will be bringing books and all the items needed to get a library card. There will be a book mark making station and some other fun things. It will be a literacy night like other schools put on. The book swap is before the PTO meeting 4:00 – 6:30 pm. Lex Black will be putting a bin out front for book donations. Books will be organized by grade level. Lex Black stated that there is a book fair at Barnes & Noble on Saturday. Lex Black is hoping to get teacher’s lists of things they would like and rope in a couple of teachers to read a book or two during the slotted time. The book fair at Barnes & Nobel is also virtual. Megan Erb recommended that a sign-up genius be created for the teachers. Jeff Green asked if Scotty the Eagle would be able to make an appearance

6. Garden Club:

   1. Chair: Rob Michaud

   2. Rob Michaud reported that the team has got lumber numbers. Melissa Pfaff will talk to Mr. Plywood about lumber and hardware. All the tools are sharpened and ready to go. Lex Black asked if volunteers will be needed? Rob Michaud reported that he would like helpers. Karen Ricoy asked if the garden beds will be built in the month of February so they can be established by March 1st? Rob Michaud stated that he is not sure and that it depends upon getting the lumber. The team has not really talked about fill and paths. Rob Michaud will reach out to PTO for help and volunteers. Jeff Green asked pictures be taken along the way so students can see how things were created

7. Glow Party:

   1. Date: April 5, 2024 6-8 pm

   2. Chair: Melissa Pfaff

   3. Melissa Pfaff reported that the glow party has been postponed to April 5th. Melissa Pfaff stated that the glow party committee made vests for the committee members to wear during the event 

8. OBOB:

   1. Date: May 17, 2024 

   2.  Chair: Tasha Cruz and Jen Goodrich

   3. Tasha Cruz talked to Jen Goodrich today and she will get things organized 

9. Yearbook:

   1. Chair: Rachel Wullbrandt

   2. Rachel Wullbrandt reported that all of the professional pics are in and that she is building the book. Rachel Wullbrandt stated that the cover contest in March right before spring break. PTO will need to advertise selling more books on all of the outlets. Lex Black stated that the school could order the flyers from Tree Ring and save the school from print costs

10. Teacher / Staff Appreciation Week:

    1. Date: May 6-10, 2024

    2. Chair: Lex Black

    3. Lex Black stated that the goal is to get committee members. Lex Black will send out another volunteer email at the end of the month for people to help with this event. Karen Ricoy asked the teachers in the group if there is anything teachers would like us to have in mind. The teachers mentioned that a massage chair or masseuse in 10-minute increments, barista cart come and make coffees, fancy creamers, extra 15-minute break, etc

11. Carnival:

    1. Date: May 31, 2024

    2. Chair: Lex Black

    3. Lex Black stated that she has booked some of the attractions and key club, secured a kitchen lead and is still looking for committee members

12. Field Day:

    1. Date: June 7, 2024

    2. Chair:

    3. Lex Black stated that PTO is still looking for a chair. Lex Black asked Jeff Green about securing an inflatable challenge course on the field? Jeff Green stated that he will check with district 

New Business:

PTO is still seeking elect roles for the following: treasurer, secretary, volunteer coordinator and IT. Lex Black sent out a google document with the last volunteer email.

Principal’s Report:

Jeff Green expressed gratitude to the teachers for coming to the PTO meeting today. Jeff Green stated that it’s really nice to have teachers here. Jeff Green reported that the Youth Truth Survey is up. This year, staff will be getting their feedback. The survey is also given to students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. Last year, the families completed 34%. Jeff Green stated that he might do a video asking parents to complete the survey. Melissa Pfaff recommended that we put out flyers at Big Splash so families can complete as the students swim. Jeff Green stated that it would be nice to reward the kids with a rockin’ recess. Karen Ricoy asked Jeff Green if we could set-up a better system for rockin’ recess. Jeff Green said that he would take ownership of this protocol

Karen Ricoy stated that she is thinking about making a series of social posts about the helping hands around Mount Scott Elementary. Karen Ricoy mentioned the crossing guard and janitors

Thank you to the parents and staff for attending. Thank you to Jeremy Black for his IT assistance.