Cornwall Parent-Teacher Organizations

Cornwall-on-Hudson PTO

234 Hudson Street, Cornwall-On-Hudson, NY 12520

PTO Meeting

June 11, 2008

A regular meeting of the Parent Teacher Organization was held Wednesday, June 11, 2008 in the cafeteria of the Cornwall-On-Hudson Elementary School. All PTO officers were in attendance except Sandi Kessner.

Call to Order: PTO Co-President, AnnMarie Dunn called the meeting to order at 7:43 p.m.

Review and Acceptance of March 12, 2008 minutes:

Chris McDonald made a motion to accept the minutes with a second from Sharon Zanin.

Review and Acceptance of April 9, 2008 minutes:

Chris McDonald made a motion to accept the minutes with 4 spelling corrections. AnnMarie Dunn seconded the motion.

Review and acceptance of May 14, 2008 minutes:

AnnMarie Dunn made a motion to accept the minutes with 2 spelling corrections. Dawn Ackerman seconded the motion.

Principal’s Report:  Mr. Schmidt reported on the following items:

• Most field trips have been completed for the school year.  See June calendar for remaining dates.
• 5/28 – Successful bandstand concert.
• 5/29 – Primary music and art show.
• 5/30 and 6/2 – Field Day events.
• 6/3 – 3^rd Grade at CCMS band demo night.
• 6/18 – 1^st grade author’s tea.
• 6/13 – Student Council lunch with principal.
• 6/13 – Celebrate and Donate celebration.
• 5/29 – Grade parent thank you coffee.
• 6/22 – Final Principal’s awards for the year and year-end sibling recognition.
• 6/22 – Final lunch service, Kindergarten cafeteria lunch day.
• 6/23 and 6/24 Kindergarten graduation.
• 6/26 – Moving –Up ceremony for 4^th grade at 9:30 a.m. with bandstand reception to follow.
• Report cards for 1^st-4^th on 6/26. Kindergarten receives them on 6/23.
• Mr. Schmidt noted a population increase with incoming Kindergarten of 24 per class at this moment.

·        .Faculty Report:  Ms. O’Dell reported that the teacher’s were incredibly thankful for the grants they had requested from the PTO.

Officer Reports:

President

·        AnnMarie reported that Alicia Hughes (Boxtop chairperson) would like to have a contest over the summer for Boxtop collections. The details will be forthcoming but the PTO approved prize money not to exceed $25 for this event.  Mary Jo Hughes noted that we may have school spirit items remaining that could be use for prizes as well.

• Kim Poje said we have received numerous compliments on the new welcome mat in the entrance near the greeter’s desk.
• Kim also asked if the request for a new sound system in the auditorium had been approved. Mr. Schmidt stated that Walt Moran had approved it and was awaiting contact from Kim. He also said that the Board of Education would have to approve this expenditure.

First Vice President

• Chris McDonald reported that a new 1^st Vice President candidate had been found.  She will give the contact information for the co-presidents and 1^st vice-president to Jean Hach in Central Administration so they can be added to the Executive Council list.
• She has enlisted volunteers, with the help of Laurie Smith, for next years events.
• Chris told membership about the SEPTO (Special Education Parent/Teacher Organization) that is currently managed by Chris Butler and Maria Soltis. She told us that they will be available for questions at our Fall 2008 open house. SEPTO will also be hosting a Disability Awareness Fair at CCHS on Saturday, October 4^th. All PTO’s are welcome to participate and even do a fundraiser at this event.

Second Vice President

• Smencils and the bulb sale will be discontinued for the 2008-09 school year.
• Kids Art brought in over $300 in March.  Laurie will offer it in February of next year.
• Next year the Drama Club production will take place the weekend AFTER St. Patrick’s Day.

Treasurer

·        See attached.

 Corresponding Secretary

·        Thank you notes were received from Mrs. Prusinski, Ms. O’Dell, and Mrs. LaGrutta for the Faculty Luncheon.

·        Thank you notes were also received from Mr. Zwickel and Ms. O’Dell for the Clearwater Sail and books for their classrooms.

·        Mrs. Suby sent a thank you notes for the cymbals and hardware for the band.

Committee Reports:

·        Sharon Zanin reported that the Ice Cream Social came in under budget and thanked all the parents who helped with the event.  She suggested the budget remain at $225 for next Year. Joann Incognoli will chair this event next year.

·        Sonja Briggs will continue with Hospitality and add Spirit Wear and Laminating to her responsibilities.

·        Joann Incognoli reported that Mrs. Powell suggested we add text messaging to our emergency request forms so that parents may receive notification that way. Mr. Schmidt will check into getting approval for that service.

Old Business:

• Kristen deBree was nominated for 1^st Vice President by a motion from AnnMarie and a second fro Laurie Smith. The positions of Recording and Corresponding Secretary are still open.
• Two teacher grants were fulfilled with cymbals and a stand for Mrs. Suby and projectors for Ms. O’Dell and Mrs. Weyser.
• Kim Poje spoke with several prior COHES PTO officers as to whether the PTO previously paid for the Clearwater trip.  There are no entries in our past Treasurer’s reports to support this claim. Mr. Schmidt said the district has never paid for the COHES trip and never collected fees for the trip from the students. Kim will contact Harvey Sotland to discuss this issue and how it will be covered by the COSER program in the future. Joann made a motion to reopen this issue for review with Mr. Sotland.  Sharon Zanin seconded the motion. AnnMarie made a motion to have a budgeted line item for the Clearwater trip and buses for the 2008-09 year. Kim seconded the motion.

New Business:

• Kim and AnnMarie volunteered to audit the Kids Klub books. They will request volunteers to audit the PTO books over the summer.
• Kim, AnnMarie, and Laurie will review the by-laws and bring suggestion for any changes to the membership in the Fall.
• Joann Incognoli reported that last year Margaret Quinn had offered refreshments to all outside on the lawn on the last day of school.  Joann suggested this be an annual event covered by the PTO. The PTO offered her paper products from our PTO supply and $60 toward food and drink.  It was also suggested that she solicit baked good donations. Ken asked that she send home a note inviting all to attend and then busers could decide how to handle that ahead of time to open it to the entire school population.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Chris McDonald, Acting Recording Secretary

 

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