MINUTES

EDGAR ALLEN POE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2007 - 2008 ACADEMIC YEAR

PTO GENERAL MEETING

October 2, 2007

_________________________________________

*            Approval of minutes from last PTO meeting

            The minutes from the September 4, 2007 meeting were approved.

*            Principals’ Remarks

In response to a question, Mrs. Verdon reported that children will contribute to various aspects of the Spark Park.

            Mrs. Verdon gave a warm thank you to all volunteers for Saturday morning’s work day. 

Mrs. Verdon introduced the two teacher representatives for PTO for this academic year.   They are Maria Sol Gomez. and Sarah Corwin, for this academic year.

Fifth Grade.  We had two significant, life-changing situations.  Ms. Hillboldt-Smith’s husband is moving, immediately, to London.   Ms. Gonzalez is expecting twins, but she has been medically ordered to bed rest so she had to leave immediately, as well.  Ms. Verdon is actively interviewing and is closing in on finalizing everything.  Some members of administration have expressed an interest in coming back to the classroom.  They are experienced teachers in language arts and mathematics.  During transition, three of our specialists are working in the classrooms.

Literacy night for Kindergarten and First grade will be Thursday night, October 18.  Families are encouraged to participate.

The district and Poe are in need of good substitutes.  If anyone knows of individuals who are interested, please inform Mrs. Verdon.  We have designated substitutes for Poe. 

We are in need of one to two teacher assistant positions.  No Child Left Behind includes a requirement for teacher assistants who must have a certain amount of college credits and/or pass a state examination.   Unfortunately, the salary is not significant, but these positions are eligible for full benefits.  This is also a good place for persons interested in teaching to explore the profession.  Some members of the Poe faculty started out as teacher assistants.  Poe’s teacher assistants work with children with special needs.

The Superintendent’s office has advised as to bond changes.  There are no changes to what is proposed for Poe Elementary. 

On Saturday, October 20, all buildings will be open to provide information to the public about the bond election.   Some of Poe’s needs would be paid for by the bond and some of the needs would be paid for by the capital improvement budget.  

October 24 is early dismissal for the first nine weeks.  The time is utilized by teachers and parents for conferencing.  There is also a change to the first grade report card.  First graders will now get the traditional, graded report card.

October 26.  All State funds for public schools are based on attendance on that day.  Whatever the attendance is for that day determines state funds.  So, everyone is strongly encouraged  to be here on October 26.  The State will also determine various demographic issues which also affects state funding.

Tardies.  Tardies tend to occur in kindergarten (because they are young), 4th grade (because they can sneak in the back gate) and fifth grade (because they have ancillary).  All parents are strongly encouraged to please help decrease tardies and have your children here on time.

Art Grant.  Although initially believed to be $100,000 -- the funds awarded were about $29,000.  Poe has requested that these funds be used for: all new tables for the art room; new sound systems for music and dance; 3 computer smart boards to be used in the Art, Dance and Music rooms; new ballet bars for the dance room; a variety of instruments for the music room; and a secure storage building for the equipment.

An Air conditioning unit in a temporary building began smoking on Friday.  All alarms went off.  We were out of the building and everyone was out of the building in 65 seconds.  The fire department was here in seven minutes so the system worked.

*          Spark Park - Janet Peters

The vote on the funding for the Spark Park will be postponed until the November 13 meeting.

We have retained the landscape architect, Tim Hansen, who is fully engaged and who has already done a significant amount of work.  Has met with various teachers and a grounds surveyor and is working on preliminary plans.  He is working on preliminary cost estimates.  Total cost will likely be in excess of $100,000.   Preliminary plans include redoing the elevation because of drainage and pondage problems.  This will include digging up the existing drains.

            Adding topsoil to the top and adding topsoil so that the grass can grow.   Adding a nature trail which was there ten years ago, but which no longer exists.  There is some equipment that was intended for the trail which is present, but not in the trail locations.  A couple of pieces of equipment will need to be moved to accommodate the entire re-sparking.

The neighborhood has long-requested a fence.  We are obtaining three bids for fence.  Next meeting with the landscape architect is in a couple of weeks at which time he will have updated plans and cost estimates.

Next month we will vote on a capital contribution to Spark Park, which will be the PTO contribution to Spark Park.

Kevin M, Marci A, Janet, Ms. Peters, Kathy Kahanek, among others, are on the Spark Park Committee.

*          VIPS

Cathy Moore urged parents to please fill out your membership form.  The list of members is posted on the PTO Bulletin Board in the main hallway.  The forms are on the metal racks in the hallway.

Cathy also reminded everyone to not forget your yellow badge.  There are forms that tell you how to get your badge.  Put your name on the list to get your badge if you’ve had one in the past.   Poe recently had a surprise safety inspection.  We passed and one of the issues they look at is 100% wearing of identification badges.

Everyone is encouraged to log in your hours by going to the HISD website.  You can log in your hours after the fact.  The importance of logging in hours has to do with federal grants that the district gets so it does make a difference.

*            Carnival - Tammy Jaben and Debbie Filipovitch

Booth chairs are desperately needed.  Also, help is needed for carnival.  There are sign up sheets outside the classrooms.  Many of the booth chair positions aren’t that hard.  It often involves getting volunteers.  There are also helpers provided from the middle schools.  Being a booth chair is mainly a matter of coordinating and manning.  Being a booth chair is not that difficult, but one-half of the booths still need chairs.  

Underwriting Update.  We have $11,400 in underwriting.  This is equivalent to last year at the time.  T-shirt sales will start soon.  We have sold $3,300 in t-shirts which amount exceeds the purchase price.

*            Treasurer

Kathy Kahanek is assisting Lillian Leeds and gave the treasurer’s report.   Deposits have been significant for carnival, membership dues.  School supplies are coming in and Christine Dobson is doing a good job.  We’ve sold $17,000 in uniforms.   Uniform sales are every Tuesday morning.  An order form can be completed and shirts will be delivered to the classrooms.

            Various expense items were discussed. 

*          Thank you to Landscaping/Grounds committee (Mark Barnes, Burke Purdie, Sheri Brudner and Janet Peters) and all the volunteers who showed up on Saturday for a very successful workday!

*          Also, don’t forget the grocery store cards for use at Central Market and Kroger.  If you sign up for a Target credit card, we get money back there, as well.