Attendance: Danielle Mott, Kristi Jensen, Steve Yeoman, Kelsie Shafer, Al Jensen, Jenny Vanleeuwen, Calli Turner, Mary Kennedy, Shane Beavers

Corrections to the Minutes: Kristi Jensen motioned to approve the minutes as written, Kelsie Shafer seconded the motion.

President’s Remarks: The parade was fun and went off well. Thank you to all who participated.

Treasurer’s Report:

1. Reports Distributed

• There is a lot of in-flow because of the fundraiser

Principal’s Report:

1. Conferences are next week on Wednesday and Thursday. No school on Friday.
2. Family activity on October 17th. Iliff Commons trails hike. The trails are well maintained and the students seem excited.
3. On October 17th, there is a District Wellness Night. Schools will be recognized by the Dept. of Agriculture for the Districts approach to physical activity and school lunches. The even will be at Seaman High School. Students are encouraged to come to the nighttime event.
4. The spelling bee is approaching and the fee has been paid.
5. The book fair is also near. Look for information to come home.
6. Flex Time happens during the day at West Indianola. This is a problem solving model to help ensure that students are making progress towards meeting grade level work. The administration staff at West Indianola is working to improve this model.
7. The district has figured out how to manage the ipads and apps. Training will be provided for the staff.

Teacher’s Reports:

1. The homecoming float money was much appreciated.
2. Ms. Brinkley has asked if PTO could buy Poinsettas to decorate the stage. The parents could then buy the poinsettas.  The PTO could then be reimbursed. Danielle Mott will inquire how to buy the poinsettas in bulk. Danielle Mott motioned to have the PTO provide $500 towards the plants. Ms. Jensen seconded the motion. All approved. The vote will occur during the November meeting.
3. Ms. Brinkley also needs a piano moved from Kansas City to Topeka.

Volunteer’s Report:

1. October 18th is the K-3rd Skating Party. October 24th is the 4-6th grade Skating Party.
2. We have 15 extra tumblers from the Fall Fundraiser. It is up to the PTO to decide what to do with the cups. Do we want to give them to volunteers or sell them at an upcoming event? 
3. Karen Snyder has been shadowing Lisa Hebert in order to take over the Fall Fundraiser when Lisa moves out.
4. American Education Week November 12th-16th. Book Fair is coming and fliers went out today. It will run during conferences.
5. Calli is looking into Spirit Nights. She has contacted McDonald’s McTeacher Night and The PAD.
6. Teacher Luncheon for the fall will be rescheduled for possibly Thursday of the conference week. A breakfast may be planned instead.
7. T-shirt order deadline will be Monday, November 19th, 2012. Polo shirts will be added this year as will Cardinal decals.

Unfinished Business:

1. Memorial for Brenna Morgart
2.       – Tammy spoke to the librarian at West Indianola. She liked the children’s throne idea which could sit as a special seat in the library. She was concerned about space. She preferred maybe a wall hanging or a mirror. The carvers will not do any material that is copy righted. The company suggested a mirror that they could personalize with information about Brenna.  They could try to carve her image into the piece. Tammy proposes that we go forth with the mirror idea. Al Jensen seconded the proposal. Steve Yeoman and Kelsie Shaffer asked if we could see drafts so that Barb Morgart could have a say on the design. A quote from her journal could be placed on the mirror. All were in favor of the mirror.
3. PTO Grant: Catching Cardinal Character for Jamey Michael. Kelsie Shaffer proposed to approve the grant. Calli Turner seconded. All approved.
4. PTO Grant: World Drumming set for Sarah Brinkley. Half of the funds will come from the Grant Fund and half of the funds will come from the PTO special Project Line.  Tammy motioned that the funding be approved. Kelsie Shaffer seconded the motion. All approved.
5. Wednesday at West: Needing a parent coordinator. There needs to be a central place where work can be left and parents can work. Mrs. Sibley would like to coordinate the center where all of the supplies would be kept. The staff will need to discuss this more and will report to the board. Calli stated that perhaps we could start this in January.
6. iPad reimbursements: Steve thinks that the District Board members know our argument because WI parents have attended District Meetings. He is unsure of what will come of the argument. Steve Yeoman takes pride in the fact that we are leading the way buying new technology.

New Business:

1. PTO to sponsor Spelling Bee. The cost was about $122.50. The PTO will vote on this item during the November meeting.
2. Counter top in front lobby. Jamie Andrews had mentioned that resurfacing is easier and cost efficient. Mary will call Jamie.
3. Cubbies in Classroom: Some rooms like Jensen’s and Schrader’s room need cubbies. Yeoman is not sure that intermediate teachers would want them. Michelle Frank mentioned that lockers might be something to look into. 30 lockers/cubbies per room are needed. Jim Tommes could help Mr. Yeoman look into prives from School Specialty. This discussion will continue in November.
4. Update for tree for our bus driver Jim to come.
5. Yearbooks: There has been discussion about moving the yearbooks to the end of the year but that leaves out a lot of activities. Jenny VanLeeuwen is working with the yearbook company to get the ball rolling now. The contact has been sent to the school for signing.

Adjournment: Ms Jensen motioned to adjourn and Mr. Yeoman seconded the motion.

2/21/2012

Attendance: Karen Snyder, Ewan Auguste, Sheryl Scharf, Kelsie Shafer, Clayton Schrader, James Adams, Steve Yeoman, Michelle Frank, Mary Kennedy, Tammy Harmon, Danielle Mott

Minutes Amended: (Tomes and Gray were names corrected) Mr. Schrader motioned to approve minutes as amended and Ms. Shafer seconded the motion.

President’s Remarks: Thanks to all that helped paint and remodel the lobby.

Treasurer’s Report: Reports were passed. Box Tops brought in $1,111.40.

Principal’s Report:

1. Mary and Steve met with Jim Tomes. Mary will report later.
2. Thank you on behalf of the staff for making the lobby look nice.
3. We would get 10-12 posters for $400 from Lifetouch. We could create these posters ourselves or they could design them. This is up for discussion. The price would be the same. Steve would like to put the posters of the kids instead of the cork strips keeping the art work in the rooms.
4. Wellness Night: Lois Kirkwood- needs a budget to purchase prizes and other misc. things. We usually partner with Elmont, and the even is hosted at the high school. She would need $100-$200. We would like to add a line item for next year’s PTO Budget. Schrader/Frank moved to reimburse Kirkwood for up to $200. The “Donuts for Dad” and “Muffins for Mom” monies will not be used this year.
5. Snacks for Testing: $400. We will need to coordinate with Mr. Yeoman (6 days of testing, grades 3-6). About 200 children will be testing for 6 days.

Teacher’s Report:

1. Mrs. Jowers has done a nice job promoting Box Tops.
2. Conferences went smoothly.
3. Chili Supper was well organized and staff did a wonderful job hosting. Sixth graders could wrap the hotdogs in the kitchen next year. We can ask for volunteers next year.

Attendance: Mary Kennedy, Tammy Harmon, Michelle Frank, Ewan Auguste, Karen Snyder, Sheryl Scharf, Kristi Jenson, Calli Turner, Danielle Mott

Minutes Amended: 1. “Adjournment” Ms. Frank motioned, 2. Danielle Mott was left out of attendance, 3. “Unfinished Business” spelled wrong in all parts.

Kristi motioned to approve minutes as amended and Karen seconded. All approved.

President’s Remarks: Thank you to the board for their support during the October meeting.

Treasurer’s Report: Reports passed, Book Fair: $1223.16 was made for school, iPads- no invoice yet. Payment has been made for the iPad cart. Yeoman is searching for insurance information.

Principal’s Report:

• Interstate Studio can make posters of students that are eye catching nad personal. They would have students and quotes underneath. They would cost about $400 for ? amount. This might make the school look warmer or more personalized.  They would submit the pictures to Interstate Studio for them to make the posters. They have been out more than once (not just during “picture day”).
• Thursday: Students eat “family style” with their families.
• Mia Andrews was Principal for the day. Her name was drawn because of her efforts with the fundraiser sales.

Teacher Report:

• Enjoyed the Halloween Luncheon and Cinnamon Rolls
• 3-6 starting KCA formatives (state assessments)
• 3-6 is using the iPads (taking tests, scavenger hunts- how to use iPads, apps for education on machines), use Free apps right now.
• Tammy would like to know what apps they are using in order to put them onto personal machines.
• Calli thinks that PTO may need a line item for apps in the future.

Volunteer Report:

• Gwen Jowers in charge of American Education Week. They had cinnamon rolls for staff.
• November 22nd “Spirit Night” at the pad from 4-8pm. A portion of the money goes back to the school (10%). Flier goes out this week.
• Still need Chair person in charge of Carnival.
• Flyer going home about items needed at the Rescue Mission- being sent by Site Council (blankets, shampoo, etc.)

Unfinished Business:

• Lobby Remodling: Seaman Communicator said that the “10 year plan” is on schedule (this plan refers to the expansion and remodeling of WI). Mr. Yeoman thinks we ought to hold on with our plans to beautify the area because they may change by 2015. Painting could be done now just to freshen the area.  Estimated cost for repainting – $766 max with all supplies (tape, paint-9 gallons, etc..) Tammy moves that we spend up to $800 for the job and Mary Kennedy seconded. All approved.
• Mary Kennedy with Landscaping Project: Topeka Landscaping- she has sketch and plans ($2900 with them doing the work) We could perhaps save more if we purchased the items ourselves and planted them ourselves. Sheryl Scharf brings up the point- businesses sometimes guarantee plants.
• Skinners would charge $50 an hour to draw up a plan.
• The school board is supposed to meet about WI on December 12th
• Tabled until January because painting needs to be done in Spring. Brandon Moore, friend of Calli, might have ideas.
• Soccer fields and baseball diamonds- Sod will be laid; the rain caused delay.

New Business:

No new business.

Adjournment: Kristi Jenson motioned to adjourn and Michelle Frank seconded the motion.

8/21/2012

Attendance: Danielle Mott, Tammy Harmon, Mary Kennedy, Karen Snyder, Lezlee Jones, Michelle Frank, Carrie Tinsley, Lisa Hebert, Jennie Beavers, Lindsay Sibley, Kelsie Shafer, Clayton Schrader, Caneli Marr, Sheryl Scharf, Denise Hilmes, Gina Mentzer, Ewan Auguste

Minutes Reviewed: no errors. Gina motioned to approve the minutes. Mr. Schrader seconded the motion.

President’s Remarks:

• Thank you for all of the hard work from volunteers to finish the sign, landscaping, ball fields and front lobby.

Treasurer’s Report:

• Many receipts have not been submitted for the small items
• Treasurer’s Reports distributed

Principal’s Report:

• Carrie Tinsley representing Steve Yeoman
• It has been a great start to the new year. Everyone seems refreshed and ready for a productive year.
• Several new staff welcomed to West Indianola.
• State Assessment Results- did well in reading and math- should result in “School of Excellence” award.  Reading- 91.4%  Math- 92.4%
• Big thanks to Gina for all of her work with the sign.
• Many comments have been made about West Indianola’s great curb appeal this year.
• We may need to look into purchasing a new printer for the library this year. It would need to be compatible with the iPads. Color toner would be needed. Also, Terry Marrow would need to be part of the conversation because all tech purchases need to be cleared through him. Jennie Beavers will research printer models and maintenance. She will report her finding in the September meeting.
• Mr. Yeoman is pleased to see that two staff members have already submitted grants for upcoming projects or items.

Teacher’s Report:

• Thank you PTO parents for voting for WI at Target.com. For every 25 votes, we receive $25 in gift cards. You can earn up to $10,000. This information should be placed in the next newsletter. Some of these cards could be used in gift baskets, to buy underwear for the nurse’s office, or shoes for the children.
• The plants and sign look great. Thank you for all of the watering. The ground crew should take over the care of the landscaping.

Volunteer’s Report:

• All chairs have been filled except for homecoming. The theme is “Mini Cities.” We need somebody ASAP.
• The Ice Cream Social is September 10th 5:30-6:45pm. Yearbook signing will occur during this time.
• Pictures are September 27th.

Unfinished Business:

• Receipts from teacher’s and from the 6th grade promotion are missing from the 2012-2013 school year.
• Receipts were submitted from Barb Morgart and for the sign.
• Money was reallocated that was going to be spent by the music department to the Reading Eggs funding. The cost for Reading Eggs is $975.  The Board will need to add a line item to next year’s budget in order to support Reading Eggs. Gina motioned we make the switch. Schrader seconded.

New Business:

• 2012-2013 Budget Report Discussion
• Ewan will ask Steve Yeoman why our PTO had to foot the bill for the iPads while other schools were given the iPads out of district monies. We were billed a year later after the purchase of our iPad cart. WI did receive 3 more iPad cars from the district for the 2012/2013 school year. WI also has 5 computer labs. Ewan will report the answers to these inquiries to the PTO in September. Denise Hilmes moved and Schrader seconded to approve the 2012/2013 WI PTO Budget.
• Cred card with awards for PTO expenditures- not possible because an individual name needs to be printed on the card. Please spread the word that receipts need to be submitted.
• Memorials for Miss Morgart and Joe: Mary has exchanged emails with Barb Morgart about possible memorials. The board wrote a check to the Youth Fund at Northland Christian Church in May at the time of services. A tree is being planted at the high school in her memory. Gina Mentzer thought a musical gift or something to benefit the children would be appropriate. Schrader thought that fuding to help the “Welcome Wagon” would be appropriate. It was also suggested that we buy books for the library in Brenna’s name. Denise suggested putting a bucket at the ice cream social for donations.
• There is money in the budget ($100) for Joe McCune memorial. Mary Kennedy proposed buying and planting a tree in his memory. Lisa Hebert motioned to buy the tree with a stone memorial/plaque for the OWLs (Outdoof Wildlife Learning Site) Schrader seconded the motion.
• Gina Mentzer: the sign came under budget. PTO had allocated $7000. We should have about $1300 left in the budget. She received a bid for landscaping around the sign for $961.  A drip system for the front would be $1240 from Topeka Landscape. There was discussion as to whether the money should be spent on more landscaping/watering.
• Fundraiser Kickoff assembly today (Lisa Hebert) WI students are going to compete for the position of “Principal for the Day” and for toilet papering the principal.  September 4th fundraiser order forms and money due. In the newsletter going home, it was mentioned that Ms. Hebert includes the types of items PTO is considering putchasing with the fundraiser monies.
• Schrader and Jenson mini-grants: Schrader read through his proposal- at least one field trip per month. See proposal. Ms. Jenson wants seat sacks because she has tables and children need  a place to put materials.  She will need 30 seat-sacks-see proposal. Both grants will be up for vote at the September meeting.
• Kelsie Schafer: “Wednesday’s at West” would be a time when parents could come in and do work for the teachers- copies, cutting, etc.. Discussion of this idea took place.
• Lynn Pelton: 6th grade field trip to Kanza Prairie- requesting $114. This cost is over the budgeted amount of $100. Board approved.

Adjournment:

Schrader moves to adjour and Schafer seconded.

Attendance: Ewan Auguste, Tammy Harmon, Karen Snyder, Gina Mentzer, Nathan Bertrand, Jennie Beavers, Steve Yeoman, Kristi Jenson, Michelle Frank, Sheryl Scharf

President’s Remarks:  Thank you to Karen Snyder for being the Volunteer Coordinator and all she did with the carnival. She had a very important job.
Treasurer’s Report: 

• She mentioned that we still need an address for Capital Trucking so that we can pay them.
• We made $3,305.70 from the school carnival.
• Deposited $834.90 from Box Tops for Education. Our total profit this year $1,946.30.

Principal’s Report:

• The state of Kansas decided to keep last year’s cutoffs for AYP.
• Last year’s cutoffs were 89% efficient in Reading and 88% efficient in Math
• There will be some staff changes next year. Mr. Pietrantoni, the school counselor, will be moving back to Illinois to continue his education.
• Jayne Michelle from Missouri will be the new school counselor at W. I. She has eight years of counseling experience. Miss Moody will be moving out of state to accompany her significant other who has been accepted into medical school. Miss Cowhick will be moving to Iowa to be a Division II Vollleyball Coach. Mrs. Neumann has accepted a position with the 501 school district as Music Coordinator. This will put her in a teacher leadership position. Mr. Yeoman said they are all moving on to do good things!
• Enrollment will be going online. Know that some “bumps” will be expected at first, but it should be “slick” when it is up and running.
• He does not see the monthly newsletter returning to weekly or biweekly. The district has purchased power Announcement. It will be a method of communication in which parents can sign up to receive emails and/or texts as a means of reminders of events at the school.
• “Thank you for a great school year!”

Teacher’s Report:

• Mrs. Jenson thanked Mrs. Auguste and the PTO for all of the wonderful homemade treats for Teacher Appreciation Week.

Volunteer Report:

• Carnival went well.
• Scharf’s class won the Pizza Party.
• The 6th grade promotion is the next and last event

Unfinished Business:

• Ms. Mentzer showed a picture of a school sign. She said to make it vandalism proof, it would cost $600 more.
• The electrical for the sign was bid by Lesser at $1,500.00 worst case scenario, bringing the total estimated cost of the sign to $6,205.  Yeoman suggested that the PTO go to the board with a committment of $7,000 towards a new school sign.
• Mrs. Jenson motioned to spend $7,000 on a new school sign including the electrical work. Ms. Menzer seconded the motion.
• Ms. Mentzer mentioned that it was best not to mow the soccer field for awhile because of the high traffic from students, it did not need mowing as often.
• Working on the board for next year, Mrs. Frank nominated Cali Turner for Volunteer Coordinator and Mrs. Snyder seconded the motion.

New Business:

• Mr. Yeoman would like to think about the ways the PTO is going to spend the money they have. He did not think the PTO would be charged for the iPads since the district is planning on purchasing the technology for the elementary schools anyway. Mr. Yeoman suggested the OWL site, a greenhouse and fieldtrips as ideas where the money could be spent. The idea of a 6th grade trip was mentioned with thoughts of going out of town. Mr. Yeoman will be following up with the staff for fieldtrip ideas.
• It was suggested that agendas for future PTO meetings be put on the new Power Announcement with the hope of gaining attendance at the meetings.
• Mr. Yeoman asked for volunteers to serve cake on Wednesday, 5/23.

Mrs. Jenson motioned that the meeting be adjoured and Mrs. Snyder seconded it.

Congratulations to the new PTO officers for the 2012-2013 school year at West Indianola!  I would like to thank each of these individuals for their commitment and volunteerism toward the school.  Please join me in congratulating them!

• President, Ewan Auguste
• Vice President, Mary Kennedy
• Treasurer, Tammy Harmon
• Secretary, Danielle Mott
• Volunteer Coordinator, Calli Turner