CATONSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PTA MEETING – October 4, 2007

Attendance:  Dawn Aul, Ed Doll, Becky Jankowski, Erika Juengst, Mary Kalb, Brian Lewis, Fran Norden, Melissa O’Brien, David Sattler, Bhek Simmons, Jenny Ward & Mary Weiss

David Sattler, PTA President, called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

Minutes to Last Meeting:

• Approved
  
   

Treasurer’s Report:

·         Debbie presented a copy of the checkbook register to show the PTA how checks were processed and categorized.

·         We added all 3 scholarships back into the budget.  The money for the scholarships was funded by increasing the expected profits from our fundraising efforts.

Administrator Report:

• Chesapeake Bank will be at school on the last Wednesday of every month to accept deposits to the student savings accounts.  Anyone wishing to start a savings account for their child, please contact the bank or stop by on Wednesdays to speak to the representative.
• A local actor who has appeared on several TV shows may be visiting the school as part of a “stay in school” lecture.  More details to follow.
• StarLab is here and the kids are loving it.  The auditorium is hosting the inflatable planetarium and each class will have an assigned date and time to enjoy it.
• Ms McGowan and Ms Kaufman will share the duties of teacher liaison for the rest of the year.
• We viewed a presentation about the future of technology and how it affects the teaching of our children.  After, we all took part in a brainstorming session that focused on our perception of the ranking of Catonsville Elementary amongst other area schools.  It was very informative and each group ranked Catonsville very high.  In reality, CES is ranked #10 in the southwest area.  Teachers and Administration are looking into how to bring us up to the top!  The consensus amongst the staff is that teachers providing more instructions and assisting students more will help pull up the numbers.  The staff is working to incorporate an instructional focus schoolwide~with staff, students and parents.   In addition, the data will guide the decision making. 
• Schools are closed on October 19^th and November 2^nd!

 Teacher Liaison Report (shared by Ms McGowan and Ms Kaufman):

• The teachers also participated in a scoring of CES.  They also would have ranked Catonsville higher.

School Happenings:

• The Fall Festival will be held on October 26^th.  Please sign up to volunteer for this event.  Volunteers will be needed to chair the committee as well as man the craft stations.
• Our Fall Fundraisers went out on Thursday.  They were sent out to each child rather than just one per family as the fundraiser included prizes and we didn’t want anyone to be left out of the race to get the biggest prize.
• Kids Stuff books were distributed.  There were over 300 sent out but only 38 were sold and 110 returned.  If you have not returned your book and/or your money, please do so immediately.  Those books aren’t free for the taking.  Also please don’t pull out coupons from the book unless you are planning to purchase it!
• Fall Cleanup will be on October 13^th from 2-4pm.  Volunteers will be needed to help clean up the flower gardens and do some light landscaping maintenance around the school.  Please bring any lawn equipment (rakes, shovels, brooms, wheelbarrows, etc.), garbage bags and your sturdy backs and enjoy a beautiful fall day.
• Spiritwear order forms were sent out.  However, after their printing and distributions, we were informed that we could get zip up hoodies in addition to the sweatshirts.  More details will follow about the new styles.  A selection of the spiritwear will be on display in the school’s office for your viewing.
• The Buzzword has a new editor.  Becky Jankowski has graciously offered to edit the buzzword.  Any requests for submissions should be forwarded to her. 
• The Trifold is in it’s last edits and will be distributed next week.
• Family Bingo Night is scheduled for February 8, 2008.
• The PTA Audit has been assigned to Melissa O’Brien.  A big thank you goes out to her for volunteering.
• The Multicultural Day is looking for a chair.  If we cannot find a chair, it will not be scheduled.
• The Committee Service committee will be chaired by Beverly Willis.  Thanks!
• The Student Directory will be completed by Lisa O’Keefe this year.
• Kelly Strzelecki is looking into making CES a Green School.  She is in contact with the Department of Environmental Resources to find out what steps we have to complete.  The process will take 2 years but studies show that Green School students do better in science.
• The 5^th Grade Talent Show will not conflict with the music teacher’s plans for a play.  Kate Dolan will once again chair this fun evening.  Anyone looking to volunteer, please contact her.
• The PTA is considering whether to host another Adopt A Family over the holidays.  We will discuss this further and get back on this subject.
• The Scholastic Book Fair will be from November 12 – 16^th.  Family night will be Wednesday, November 14^th.
• There were 30 Summer Bridge books returned this year.  Those students who completed the entire book over the summer will receive Target giftcards.  Great job!
• The Bull Roast is scheduled for Friday, November 16^th.  All had a great time and the team of Brian Lewis and Ed Doll have more fun in store for us this year.  Buy your tickets early before they sell out!  Tickets will be $35 each or a table of 10 for $325.

 Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.  Next PTA meeting will be Thursday, November 1, 2007.

Meeting minutes are submitted by Dawn Aul, PTA recording secretary.