St. Brendan’s PTO Board Meeting

January 2005 Minutes

 

 

 

Attendees:   Margie Schmutz, Monica Carlin, Julia Walters-Burns, Liz Kieffer, Mary Jane Fatigati, Arlene Sullivan, Michael , Deanna Loutsis, Lynn Wygant, Sue Iverson and Sally Sonnen.

 

The Board, Committee Chairs, School Function and Enrichment Coordinators met in the teacher’s lounge.  Margie and Monica called the meeting to order at 7:06pm.  Margie led all present in a prayer.

 

The Meeting Minutes from November and December were reviewed and approved.

 

REPORTS

 

Principal’s Report (A. Sullivan) – Sister Joyce Cox, Interim Superintendent, will visit St. Brendan the week of January 10.  The purpose of the visit is to promote “connectiveness” between parish and school.  The superintendent visits all schools every two years and will visit all classrooms while on campus.

During Catholic Schools Week, one of the VIP readers will be Bill Bell from the parish.  During the week,  there will be a meeting in the library to discuss (between the cross grade families) an outreach  project for children of the Tsunami tragedy.

 

Past President’s Report (J. Walters-Burns) – The “Five Year Plan” will be implementing soon.  Ron Ryan has begun meeting with subgroups of the parish.  During these sessions, there will be a discussion on ‘the vision’ for the next 5 years.  There are two more meetings scheduled for February 12 and one in May.  Part of the vision is to focus on the development of the spiritual being; developing an apostolic role rather than the disciple role.  Another goal is to reach out to the younger population, ages 25-40, encouraging their participation in the discussions.

A discussion was held regarding the creation, by St. Brendan, of the program “Life Teen” which Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish currently has.

 

Treasurer’s Report (M. Fatigati) – The playground funding will be fully met; additional funds were gathered due to a 13% increase in net proceeds from the Holiday Craft Fair.  The School Calendar came in $50 under budget and Young Authors will not need the amount budgeted to them for this year.

 

 

Fundraisers:

 

Auction (D. Loutsis) – Fund-an-Item will be the new Reader Board for the school.  The auction will offer a new separate raffle.

The tickets will be sold for $50 and there will be a limit of 100 tickets sold.  The winner will be able to choose whatever ‘Live’ item they want.  The tickets will be pre-sold at the Family Night auction.

 

Hot Lunch (L.. Wygant and S. Iverson) – Hot lunch is looking for a replacement for Lynn Wygant who is not returning next year.  The replacement will be needed to do the day-to-day tasks, orders and will be very hands-on.  Sue Iverson will continue in her role next year.  A request for a replacement will be put into the school bulletin.  Mary Pat Mitton will be asked to see if she is willing to continue My Favorite Caterer services next year.  The Hot Lunch program is continuing to go well.

 

Scrip (S. Sonnen) – Michelle Ryan, Diana Munko and a third person have stepped up do Scrip next year.  In November, scrip sales were $52,000.  which was as good as December of 2003.  Those sales helped to close the gap in lower sales for the beginning of the school year.

 

Technology (M. ) – Printers have been replaced in the 7th and 8th grade classrooms.  The school is switching internet providers because of problems with the current provider.  The main problem for the teaching staff was a lack of e-mail service for two weeks.  The change to Verizon DSL will be completed by mid January.  Service is expected to be greatly improved.

Bob Covey is working with the Parish to improve their networking capabilities.  The school and parish are now networked independently in case of power outage etc.

 

Emergency Preparedness (W. Slater) – The First Aid kit (kept in the outside playground container) will be replaced with three new Emergency Kits; they will be designated for church, 1st Aid supplies and command center.  The cases are made of hard plastic with tight rubber seals and will withstand any moisture found in the playground container.

 

School Play (J. Walters-Burn)  - Dates have been determined for the 2006 play; Teresa White will visit the Everett PUD to reserve the date for next year.

 

New Family (M. Carlin for B. Sizelove) – Blythe Park has been reserved for this summer’s New Family Picnic.   The date is August 28th.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Playground – The playground improvements have been completed.  Four Squares will be painted and taped on the cement pad between the structure and swings in the Spring when the weather is drier.

 

Christmas Program  - Enough tapes were sold to cover the cost of the recording and orders are still being taken.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Tsunami Donations – There has been some concern about the donations that have been received through the school and if the money is reaching the correct organizations.  Geetha Beauchamp verified with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) that they are indeed receiving the donations and are funneling the money to the correct organizations for disaster aid.  Also, through the School Outreach, students will be drawing flowers to create a bouquet that will be a ‘symbol of hope’ and will be sent to an orphanage in Thailand.

 

Compliance Letter – Only three people have questioned the number of hours listed on their letter.  Geetha Beauchamp will review for accuracy.  A reminder will be placed in the bulletin, asking that all members review their letters and report if inaccuracies are found.

 

PTO General Meeting – Scheduled for Friday, January 28.  An incentive will be placed in the bulletin announcing free dress on Valentine’s Day if 100 parents attend the meeting.

 

Fulcrum Dinner  -  The Fulcrum Foundation was founded  approx. 3 years ago to help poor Catholic schools by providing scholarships for students. The dinner is a charitable event with student speakers; will be Friday evening, February 4th and will be held at the Sheraton.  A table for10 has been reserved for St. Brendan School/Parish. 

 

Catholic Schools Week – The PTO General Mtg. ‘Love & Logic’ is the kickoff for Catholic Schools Week – Faith in Every Student.  There are readers scheduled in the library for each day during the week, Tues. students will get free dress and ice cream bars for treats, and there will be a luncheon for the staff on Friday hosted by Tracy Lambert and Kate O’Brien-Rourke.

 

Margie and Monica adjourned the meeting at 8:34 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Liz Kieffer