Minutes from PTA Meeting
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
In attendance: 6 parents, Pam Hauser, Delia Rhodes, Shannon Kemp, and Leslie Underwood
Pam welcomed everyone to the meeting. She stated that the Scholastic Book Fair was very successful. Combined with the spring event, the center was able to purchase $881 worth of books for the classrooms.
Pam also stated that the “Screechers Lounge” for teachers at Halloween was a big hit with the teachers.
The PTA officers introduced themselves.
Leslie began the budget discussion by reviewing the proposed budget for 2005-2006. Expenses and income were discussed. The current bank account balance is $10,241.00. For the PIC monthly teacher activities, Leslie reported that so far we are under the budgeted $75 per month. October was only $35 and November will be about $68. Since this is the first year for the PIC, the budget numbers are expected to fluctuate.
There was a lot of discussion regarding the graduation picnic and end-of-year center-wide picnic as PTA expenses. Cathy James, parent of a graduating student, discussed the idea of polling the graduating classes to come up with ideas for the graduation picnic. It was decided that the graduating class should plan the event. The PTA would provide some money to assist. An unlimited number of people are invited to the ceremony, which is usually held in Babcock Auditorium. In order to control costs, a limited number of guests will be “free” to the picnic; additional guests may have to pay for the picnic. Therefore, the cost to the PTA and CCLC should decrease from years past.
For the end-of-year center-wide picnic, discussion centered on menu changes geared toward more kid-friendly foods, using RSVPs, bringing back the bounce house, getting a balloon artist, having face painting, and creating a committee to oversee the event. The date of the picnic can be set after the date for graduation is selected, usually sometime in March. With the decrease in funding for the graduation picnic, it was proposed that CCLC assist in financing the end-of-year center-wide picnic.
The PTA generates income from Crawford Photography picture sessions. Last year the amount was $2,600. In the past the sale of kidnappers also generated income for the PTA. However, kidnappers will no longer be used. CCLC will provide elastic sheets for the cots.
Discussion turned to the PTA’s “reserve” funds. Use of these funds depends on annual income and expenses for the PTA. Ideas for the funds are to hold on to it, use it for “everyday” PTA expenses, or spend it on a large project or item.
Past parent surveys have favored using the reserve funds for playground equipment. Pam reported that the playgrounds are not a priority for CCLC right now; they are re-doing the classrooms starting in January. The current playgrounds are safe. It was noted that the shade structure do need re-doing. It was suggested that the center’s playground vendor be approached about finding any “missing” items for the playground and consult on requirements/improvements to the shade structure. The vendor could present a proposal to the PTA and then a decision made about the reserve funds. Other ideas for using the funds included a fish tank for the center. In addition, Pam stated that the teachers would like to have a new laminating machine; the old one has recently broken.
Pam stated that a new housekeeping service was starting at the center on December 1. In addition, Purell dispensers will be installed in each classroom.
As the last topic of discussion, the group discussed the upcoming PIC events. For the November teacher event, volunteers are still needed;the food and drinks are sufficiently covered. For the December teacher event, 2 poinsettias will be raffled off and snack/desserts provided in the teacher’s lounge during one day. For the quarterly parent event, a table with donuts, bagels, coffee and punch will be set up on each floor of the center on December 13 from 7:30 to 8:30 am. The purpose of this event is to get the parents together.
Check the center’s website for important information: www1.wfubmc.edu/childcare. The website is being updated by Anh Young, a parent.
The meeting was adjourned at 1pm.
Respectfully submitted by Leslie Underwood