PrattSchool.org :: PTO :: Minutes :: January 2008

Minutes of the
15 January 2008
Pratt PTO Meeting

Taken and prepared by Jessica Askew.

1. Financial Report

Current balance is $14,666.90. Bills needing to be paid:

1a. Teachers in the lower grades would appreciate a “menu” of options for enrichment programs for the arts; Neighborhood Bridges is in 4th grade, Wolf Ridge is in 5th, Connect is in the lower grades. Ms. Katy, the art teacher, will be the one to gather the information about what’s already going on. Is this moving to the teachers developing this? We need dollars and details for programs. Based on the list to be developed, teachers can then choose. By next meeting, could this list be developed and out to the teachers?

2. Open House January 26th, 9:30 to 11:30

Our annual Open House is the most immediate recruitment activity. Greg gave an update. We have teachers and rooms that will be available. Community Education will also be in the building. Jakki has offered to do an activity. Fifth graders will be be around to talk about the school. Tours will be available, staff and administration will be there to answer questions. It will be sent out to the PERRIA newsletter and on the listserv. Chuck had a list of important items: Are the logistics taken care of? Building, brochures, refreshments? They need assistance with refreshments, coffee and muffins? Susan LF and MAK will do refreshments. Jakki is an effective tour guide, Claudia offered to cover the art project. Where should the $ come from? Pratt Council, PTO, district? Booth about Minnesota Reading Corps? This is a possibility. Community Ed would also be there. Gather ideas about booths/activities. Darren’s display, insect display, (we need to get a flyer out to parents) play the play on the projector? Have the kids say in their own words what they like about Pratt — have a round table. “Ask me about Pratt” t-shirts for kids who are enthusiastic. Trio played last year. Should we put something out on the listserv asking for volunteers to play music or contribute in other ways? Bridget will send this request out. Can some of the Somali parents come to talk with prospective parents? Yes. Scott Johnson led the student roundtable before — Darin will talk to Scott about doing this.

3. Recruitment

Additional postings of flyers? Chuck dropped at Seward and PP coop. MPS School Choice Fair-good turn out. We need signs on Orlin. New brochures will be available for open house. Jackie Turner has $1000 for mass mailing, many parents have volunteered to give tours, do we have a Somali translator for tours? John Hassan will try to find Somali speaking families to give tours or answer questions. Letter drop in early February? A number of people would be needed to do this. Ongoing busing issues: need to resolve Glendale busing and a bus through Seward. Can we target families that have incoming kindergartners? How many brochures are needed for the open house? How many total? 300? no more than that. Can we put parents together to car pool? Acknowledge the problem, and invited people to express an interest. Produce a zip code directory — put a map on the website — embedded Google map.

4. Talent Show (was set for) February 7th

Mary Harding and Jane Shockley did the show and Jessica did the food. How many kids would sign up? Let kids sign up and see how much interest there is. Motion to move to February 8th. Approved by a voice vote. Program at 6 and show at 6:30

5. Principal’s Report

Ruth Craft gave the principal report. Spelling Bee — Aru Ajay was the finalist, will compete at the district level. 1st grade went to special gallery showing at Homewood gallery — I am America theme Ms. Weidenbach — Wolf Ridge cost has been lowered from $200 per student to $50 mainly through honey sales

6. Parent Liaison Report

We had a great turnout on Saturday — lots of compliments on the photo board. There will be a new families welcome at Luxton and Jean Emmons will be there promoting Pratt, we have been recruiting actively at Luxton. Fire and Ice at Luxton, first Saturday of February. Neighbor winter festival. Greg is meeting with Toua at Luxton to coordinate. Greg has jury duty for the next two weeks — will stay in touch through email.

7. Arts Coordinator Report

Docent in the classroom program — how much time is involved? Go to training two hours — come in one day and present to as many classrooms as possible. Jakki will help with the art projects.

8. Pratt Gymnasium Sign

12x36 Sign above gymnasium, then a smaller sign with the names. Sign would be $59, then about $23 to change the names each each. Extra $15 to chose different colors. Choose the school colors? Approve $100.00 the first year. about $35.00 each year. Motion to spend the money was approved. Drop the honorary.

9. Ice Cream Social Volunteers needed Event is Friday, May 30th Food 2 people needed Games Mike Stoesz+we need one other person Silent Auction

10. April Event April 17th is reading night — do an art event that would showcase the kids’ art projects — art show? People from the community plus the kids. Put an invite to the community to show their art — they have a band and food. Start around three-7:30? Pratt in Bloom. By April first — who wants to show?

*Ice Cream Social

Nick Taylor will be asked to help with the games. Ken needs another volunteer to help coordinate the food. This note will be put into the Pratt press.

*PTO Chairs

There is a new PTO chairperson to join Bridget and Ken. His name is Goni Mohamed and he has connections with the Somali community. *Claudia will assume responsibilities for the Silent Auction.

PTO needs to decide what to do with the Water Tower. Should we have a pizza party again or auction?

Meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm.

Next meeting: Feb. 19.

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