January 14, 2009 Minutes

====Minutes for St. Joseph School PTF Meeting====

Attendance:  Officers:  Sheila Elser, President, Paula Waller, Treasurer, Mary-Pat Davitz, Secretary.  Teachers:  Mrs. Hootselle, Mrs. Feldker, Mrs. Raetz, and Mrs. Neuner, Mr. Hodapp, Principal, Members and Committee Chairs:  Carol Schanuel, Janel Davinroy, Kim Vonderheide, Angie Mueller, and Dave Collins.

'''Call to Order:''' The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm.  Mr. Hodapp offered the opening prayer.

'''Secretary’s Report:''' Minutes of last meeting were circulated and motion made and seconded to accept minutes into record.

'''Treasurer’s Report:''' A brief account of activity in the general checking account and current account balance was given by Paula Waller, motion made and seconded to accept Treasurer’s report.  (See attached report).

'''Principal’s Report: '''Mr. Hodapp circulated his report for members to read (see attached).  Motion made and seconded to accept Principal’s report.

'''Teachers’ Report:''' Mrs. Hootselle, Mrs. Feldker and Mrs. Raetz demonstrated lessons and activities on the new Promethean boards.

====Committee Reports====

'''Family Dinner Nights: '''Committee chairperson, Ann Fiedler was unable to be present at the meeting, but she asked Sheila Elser, President to present a suggestion for a night at Chuckie Cheese.  This option was discussed along with a previous suggestion for a breakfast at Applebees.  Angie Miller is looking into possibilities for booking a breakfast at Applebees.  Julie Neuner suggested a survey to determine interest in different options.  Discussion of a date for a parent’s night out at Valentines restaurant resulted in a suggested date of May 1. 

'''Family Fun Nights:''' The parish center was booked for Saturday night, January 31 for movie night. Carol Schanuel described the planned event for a “Parent’s Night Out” where parents can bring the kids right after 5:00 mass and pick them up around 9:00 for $5 ($8 for 2 children, etc…).  Some of the older kids will help parent volunteers watch the children.  Activities include a movie and snacks.  The older kids that help will be treated to a movie after the younger children leave.

'''Book Fair:''' Mrs. Neuner, Librarian, discussed plans for this year’s book fair.  The book fair will be held during Catholic Schools Week beginning Sunday, January 25th and ending on Wednesday, January 28th after Family Day.  The theme for this year’s book fair is “Lights, Camera, …“.  Volunteers have been asked to sign up to work a shift in the book store.  Students will be able to have their pictures taken with Clifford on Tuesday night.    

'''Student Appreciation Day: '''Mrs. Neuner is also the chairperson for Student Appreciation Day and she requested approval of $778 for expenses for lunch and rental of an obstacle course.  The plan is for students to rotate to different activities including Wii and XBOX 360 games and an obstacle course.  Motion was made and seconded to approve requested funds for this activity.   

'''Teacher Appreciation Day:''' Chairperson, Sheila Elser discussed plans for luncheon and gifts for each teacher from their wish lists.  Sheila requested funds totaling $810 for this event and also asked Mr. Hodapp and the teachers present to let all teachers know to update their wish lists.  Motion was made and seconded to approve requested funding for this event.

'''TWB Report:''' Dave Collins discussed progress toward this year’s profit goal of $6,000.  We are half-way through the school year and half way to that goal with profits at $3,000.  Currently, the TWB checking account balance is approximately $10,000 with a gift card inventory of approximately $20,000.  Dave stated that he needs approximately $3,000 for weekly ordering and suggested putting $5,000 from the TWB checking account into a 3-month CD which would earn more interest than the checking account.  Dave also stated that they would begin selling TWB cards at fish frys.  St. Joes is now able to get a % of on-line sales from Current magazine.  More information will be announced regarding this program through TWB.

====Old Business====

'''Yard Signs:''' Julie Neuner discussed progress on yard signs indicating that the art students previously asked to design a sign for St. Joes have not responded.  It was suggested that they may do this as a summer project and we could sell the signs next school year.  Julie will also check into pricing at local printers.  

====New Business====

'''Field Day: '''It was noted that Field Day will be planned at the next PTF meeting and that “team” groupings will already be done by Mrs. Chaput since students will be grouped similarly for the jump-a-thon in February.

Next meeting was set for '''Wednesday, March 11'''.

====Other Items for Discussion: ==== 
•Angie Mueller proposed a magazine recycling contest where each classroom would bring in magazines and stack them in a tower.  Towers would be measured each Friday and the magazines removed to recycling bin.  The winning classroom(s) would receive a no uniform day or ice cream party.  Mr. Hodapp will ask the teachers about feasibility, timing and incentive and will let the PTF know. 

•Angie Mueller also stated that she was asked to attend the PTF meeting and discuss children running around at the parish fish fry.  Mr. Hodapp stated that it is the responsibility of parents to monitor their children at parish events and that this is not a PTF issue.  It was noted that there is not a separate area where the children can play.  Suggestions for using the youth room or one of the other meeting rooms as a play area or somehow sectioning off the far corner of the gym were offered.  There was also discussion regarding a no uniform day for kids whose parents work fish frys during lent.  Angie Mueller requested that parents working the fish frys bring a dessert as they were a little short at the last fish fry.

•'''FISH FRY UPDATE:'''  PTF officers followed up with individuals in charge of the fish fry and learned that the area in the corner of the gym is purposely set aside for children to play so that families can enjoy this parish activity together.

Meeting Adjourned:  by President, Sheila Elser at 7:45 pm.