September Meeting

Financial Report: The checking amount balances are $12,692.02.

Budget: The budget committee presented a balanced budget with projected expenditures of $98,635.85. The board passed the budget and it will go on for general voting at the September 17, 2009 Open House.

September Family Night: September Family Night will be held on September 29, 2009. All families are invited to pre-order for a catered dinner from Salerno's Ristorante and Pizzeria. The cost per person will be $6.00. We need volunteers to help serve the dinner if anyone is interesting in assisting. Following the 6:00 pm dinner, families are invited to attend a Grade 2 Math Night or Grade 4 Writes Night.

Teacher Appreciation Dinner on Family Nights: We discussed whether or not to provide each teacher a single ticket to eat dinner on their grade level's Family Night. This year's budget was passed by the time we discussed this option and tabled for later discussion. It is a topic of discussion because teachers are not required to attend Family Nights, but their participation is critical for parent involvement.

Babysitting Services for Family Nights: The board discussed whether or not to provide babysitting services, however this item was not placed in the budget for this year. This has not been a service provided in the past and many board members felt that children could attend the Family Night with the parent like they do for Open House. A few members suggested trying to secure high school students wanting to log volunteer hours for free services, because they recognize that it can be difficult on the teachers if young kids are not entertained.

Corporate Contribution Contest, Grade 1 & Grade 2: The collecting of box tops, Tyson's & Campbell's labels, empty ink cartridges, and old cell phones has been a huge success in Grade 1 & Grade 2 during their Corporate Contributions Contest. The classroom winner for First Grade was Mrs. McLeod's homeroom and the Second Grade winners were Mrs. Ross & Miss Russell's co-teach homerooms. The students in the two classrooms will enjoy the grand prize of a pizza party. The next contest, Kindergarten, runs from Oct 1st through Oct 15th.

Volunteers: Help is needed to take pictures and collect paperwork at the Open House Volunteer Orientations on September 17 and September 24th. As well as the 10 am Volunteer Orientations on September 29 and October 5. In addition, volunteers are needed to serve dinner from Salerno's on Grade 2 Math Night and Grade 4 Writes Night.

BUDs Club: The annual BUDs Pancake Breakfast is scheduled for Friday, September 18th at 8 am in the dining room. Families were asked to pre-purchase tickets, but tickets will also be available the morning of the breakfast.

Duval County Report: Julie attended the DCC Meeting and reported about the meeting agenda. She also shared grant information we may be interested in pursuing.

Membership: The membership drive concluded with 1,076 PTA memberships. Mrs. Timmons' Second Grade classroom was the first classroom with 100% PTA membership and won a pizza party and $50 Visa Card. Nineteen other classes reached 100% PTA membership during the drive and won a popcorn parties. The winner of the teacher drawing was Ms. Launey and the staff member winner was Mrs. Thomas.

Dates to Remember:
9-17-09 Open House (K,2,4)
9-18-09 Pancake Pigout sponsored by the BUD's club9-24-09 Open House (1,3,5)
9-26-09 Campus Clean-Up
9-28-09 Sally Foster Sale Begins
9-29-09 10 am Volunteer Orientation
2nd/4th Family Night (Math Night, FCAT Writes Night)
10-1-09 Kindergarten Corporate Contributions Contest
10-5-09 10 am Volunteer Orientation
PTA Board Meeting
10-9-09 Fall Pictures
10-12-09 Book Fair Week
Sally Foster Sale Ends
10-14-09 Vision Screening10-15-09 Vision Screening
10-19-09 Literary Pumpkin Festival Week
10-23-09 Fall Carnival
10-24-09 Campus Clean Up
10-30-09 Report Cards Go Home